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Photo of Larry English
Grade
?
  • 4.88 SEC
    Top Performer
  • 24 REPS
    Top Performer
  • 36.0 INCH
    Top Performer
  • 107.0 INCH
    Top Performer
  • 7.26 SEC
    Top Performer
  • 4.38 SEC
    Top Performer
  • 6'2" Height
  • 274LBS. Weight

Overview

The two-time defending MAC Defensive Player of the Year, English quickly proved to NFL scouts at the Senior Bowl that his 31.5 career sacks at Northern Illinois were not a mirage.

Too fast off the edge for the game's most athletic tackles, English certainly proved the pass-rush threat scouts are looking for, though there remain concerns about his ability to hold up at the line of scrimmage against the run. Teams operating out of the 3-4 alignment will be sure to pay extra attention to how English performs in linebacker drills at the Combine, as he was not asked to drop back into coverage often while with the Huskies or at the Senior Bowl.

If he can demonstrate the straight-line speed and flexibility for coverage necessary to move to the rush linebacker position, English could follow the likes of DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and LaMarr Woodley as former athletic, albeit undersized, Senior Bowl standouts whose ability to pressure the quarterback resulted in first-day draft selections.

Analysis

Strengths

Positives: Solid linebacker build, with more than adequate upper-body strength and legs for the position. Good motor, hustles down or across the field until the play is completed, even if initially blocked. Changes direction in space well. Secure wrap-up tackler when man is in his area. Can use his arms to keep linemen and fullbacks off him when standing up. Stays balanced and upright most times on stretch plays. At times he can bounce off a block using his punch. Has quick, violent hands to stay free. Stays at home on option plays until last possible moment. Able to drop back off the line in zone blitzes and stay with tight ends. Strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl eliminated many of the concerns regarding English's level of competition. Negatives: Lacks the bulk to play with his hand down in the NFL, which he did in college. Gets engulfed by better left tackles on inside pass rush moves, lacks the strength to bull rush and doesn't quite have the speed to get the corner consistently (but has good closing speed when standing up). Fails to hold his ground when directly out of his stance and can't get off the block quickly enough to get to the ball. Will need to prove he can handle coverage duties against better tight ends and that he has zone awareness. Needs to get lower in his backpedal, as he stands a bit tall.
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Grade Title Draft (Round) Description
96-100 Future Hall of Famer Top Pick A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played
85-95 Immediate Starter 1st An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player. Expect to start immediately except in a unique situation (i.e. behind a veteran starter).
70-84 Eventual Starter 2nd-3rd A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter. A reliable player who brings value to the position.
50-69 Draftable Player 4th-7th A prospect with the ability to make team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor at applicable positions. Players in the high range of this category might have long-term potential.
20-49 Free Agent UDFA A player with solid measurables, intangibles, college achievements, or a developing skill that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp. In the right situation, he could earn a place on a 53-man roster, but most likely will be a practice squad player or a camp body.

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