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Photo of Robert Ayers
Grade
?
  • 4.90 SEC
    Top Performer
  • 18 REPS
    Top Performer
  • 29.5 INCH
    Top Performer
  • 102.0 INCH
    Top Performer
  • 7.56 SEC
    Top Performer
  • 4.51 SEC
    Top Performer
  • 6'3" Height
  • 272LBS. Weight

Overview

Ayers barely registered a blip on the NFL radar until 2008. He had played in 36 games for the Volunteers, but had only started two games, both as a sophomore. He had also struggled with maturity, getting suspended for the first two games of 2005 after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assult. The Tennessee coaching staff recognized Ayers' improved work ethic before he went on to enjoy a breakout senior season, posting career highs in tackles (49) and tackles for loss (15.5). He earned first-team All-SEC honors from conference coaches and is shooting up NFL draft boards. Ayers lacks the elite speed to ever be a standout pass rusher, but if he can continue his momentum with a strong performance in workouts and interviews, he may develop into one of the hotter defensive end prospects in the 2009 draft.

Analysis

Strengths

Positives: Powerfully built athlete. ... Good lower-body strength to hold up at the point of attack. ... Flashes the ability to anchor and split double-team blocking off the edge. ... Good initial hand punch to stun the offensive tackle. ... Flashes some upfield burst to challenge wide and has good lateral quickness to redirect to the inside. ... Good use of hands to prevent tackles from latching on and steering him away from the plays. ... Varies his speed off the edge and can surprise blockers with his suddenness. ... Can close with authority, flashing explosiveness. ... Versatile defender with experience at tackle and end. ... Developed into a team leader as a senior. ... Could be an ascending player who is just beginning to scratch the surface of his talent. Negatives: Lacks an elite first step or the straight-line speed to be true edge rusher. ... Relies more on varying his speed off the snap and strength at the point of attack, rather than pure athleticism to make plays. ... Moved around a lot in this defense and was allowed to exploit mismatches. ... Likes to tackle high and can allow stronger ballcarriers to escape his grasp. ... Can be a bit of a showboat, which could lead to penalties in the NFL. ... Stepped up his play significantly as a senior and evaluators will ponder whether he was a one-year wonder motivated by the big NFL payday.
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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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