DRAFT TRACKER 2016
2016
DRAFT TRACKER
OLB
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PLAYER
DRAFTED BY
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 2 • Pick 5
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Upper echelon explosiveness with the desire, speed and aggression to find his way into play after play. While UCLA asked Jack to do a little bit of everything, an NFL team is more likely to simplify his tasks and set him into attack mode to maximize his outstanding physical traits. If he bounces back from the knee injury, Jack could become a high-end talent early on in his career.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Dallas Cowboys
Round 2 • Pick 3
PLAYER ANALYSIS
In this day and age of "tweeners" being labeled "hybrid" players, Smith is the rare commodity who is truly hybrid in the sense that he has the athleticism, speed and physical makeup to play any linebacker spot in either the 3-4 or the 4-3. Smith was productive but slightly miscast in the middle of the Notre Dame defense and is better suited to play in space as a 4-3 outside linebacker. However, his length and upfield burst could draw the attention of a 3-4 team looking to transition him into a rush linebacker while utilizing his rare cover skills.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Chicago Bears
Round 1 • Pick 9
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Floyd is painfully thin and will struggle to matchup with the strength of NFL players, but he is rangy in space, plays with a good motor and has traits as a pass rusher that would be a mistake to ignore. Floyd’s ability to cover close to five yards in three strides is rare for edge rushers. Add to that his inside counter and ability to play in space and you have a prospect who will be heavily scrutinized. Floyd’s lack of functionality could limit him to sub-packages unless he proves he can add more beef to his frame.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
New York Jets
Round 1 • Pick 20
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Lee's level of NFL success might very well be tied to scheme fit and his ability to add more muscle to his frame. His athletic traits and ability to make plays should make him a starter, but he won't unlock his full potential unless he gets strong enough to handle the rigors of an NFL linebacker.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Washington Commanders
Round 2 • Pick 22
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Plays with a unique lens that includes his time at the safety position as a freshman. Teams focusing on putting a "tweener" label on him could be making a huge mistake considering his competitive nature and toughness. Cravens was highly disruptive and productive in each of his three seasons as a starter thanks to his tools/traits to act on his instincts. Cravens will help on special teams immediately and could become an early starter for a 4-3 defense looking for a playmaking weak-side linebacker.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
New York Jets
Round 3 • Pick 20
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Three-year starter who has played both outside linebacker spots in the Bulldogs 3-4 defense. With Jenkins length and outstanding power on the edge, he is a natural fit as an edge-setting strongside 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros. Jenkins may not be viewed as dangerous enough as a pass rusher to warrant a first round pick, but he’s a safe pick whose toughness and football IQ make him an early starter candidate.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Green Bay Packers
Round 3 • Pick 25
PLAYER ANALYSIS
When it comes to the length and athleticism teams will look for off the edge, Fackrell will be one of the poster boys. His field versatility, coverage talent and potential as a pass rusher could make him one of the fastest rising prospects in this draft and a future contender for a Pro Bowl nod.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Minnesota Vikings
Round 5 • Pick 21
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Really fun to watch on tape with many of the same play traits that made TCU’s Paul Dawson so productive last season. Brothers is a decisive, rhythm linebacker whose understanding of space and ability to improve his tackle positioning at the point of attack should make him a consistently productive inside linebacker in the pros. While Brothers will lack the speed and overall athleticism that some teams covet, it would be a huge mistake to value athleticism over instincts and production when evaluating Brothers.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Atlanta Falcons
Round 2 • Pick 21
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Three-down linebacker prospect with outstanding athleticism and a willing, aggressive mindset for the position. Jones lacks the playing experience that most linebackers in this draft will have so he might need a year of tutelage on the NFL level to help him expedite his learning curve. Jones could be a fit at ILB for a 3-4 team or as an outside linebacker in a 4-3. Jones’ potential as a special teams cover man gives him a shot to get early playing time.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Los Angeles Chargers
Round 5 • Pick 36
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DRAFTED BY
Tennessee Titans
Round 7 • Pick 1
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Wallace is an ascending prospect with the twitch, athleticism and power to become an eventual starter as a 3-4 outside linebacker. However, despite his growth as a player this season, he is still in a developmental phase and may take some seasoning before he is ready to become a contributor on the NFL level.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
New York Giants
Round 4 • Pick 11
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Physical, two-day linebacker with the desire to scrape downhill and strike what he sees. Goodson's lack of pursuit speed and overall athleticism could be troubling to teams, but his toughness and consistency of effort will appeal to teams who value force in the middle. Goodson could figure on the third day of the draft as a backup with eventual starter potential.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 5'11 3/8"
- Weight
- 227 lbs
- Arm
- 31 1/4"
- Hand
- 10 1/8"
- Wing
- 75 1/8"
Production
68.47
Athleticism
51
Total Score
119.47
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Full-time, three-year starter who has shown the ability to rush the passer, and cover in space. Striker's production was good, but not overly prolific and he doesn't appear to be a clean fit at the outside linebacker spot where he played in college. While teams could consider Striker as a 4-3 WILL linebacker or as a box safety, he is most likely to appeal to teams who are looking to deploy him from a variety of spots on the field.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Cleveland Browns
Round 4 • Pick 1
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Some teams covet traits while others are mindful of production. Schobert won't excite any teams with his physical traits, but he has a way of finding the football and filling up a stat sheet. Schobert's lack of length and edge strength will make it tough for him to find a home as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but his instincts might give him a chance as a WILL linebacker in a 3-4. Regardless, his work on special teams will definitely improve his stock.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'0 3/4"
- Weight
- 229 lbs
- Arm
- 31 3/8"
- Hand
- 9 1/8"
- Wing
- 76 1/2"
Production
61.25
Athleticism
57.51
Total Score
118.76
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Tape doesn't always match up with the production numbers especially against high-end competition like Alabama and LSU. Brown's an able tackler and will flow into gaps looking for impact plays, but his average recognition time paired with marginal lateral quickness prevents him from consistently beating climbing blockers to the spot. Brown has some eventual starter ability but lacks the play traits teams covet from inside.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Atlanta Falcons
Round 4 • Pick 17
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Campbell has an Academic All-Big Ten under his belt, but the classroom smarts don’t always translate into onfield instincts for the linebacker. While Campbell has terrific size and NFL-caliber athleticism, his inability to consistently perform his assignments as a second level linebacker could make him a project.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Minnesota Vikings
Round 7 • Pick 6
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Weatherly has the size and overall length to intrigue NFL teams as a developmental prospect, but he will need additional work to become a more competitive pass rusher off the edge. If he can add functional strength while maintaining his closing burst, he may have a role as a backup strongside OLB in a 3-4 with a shot at competing as an eventual starter.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'0 5/8"
- Weight
- 241 lbs
- Arm
- 32"
- Hand
- 9 3/4"
- Wing
- 77 1/2"
Production
58.30
Athleticism
56.57
Total Score
114.87
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Downhill attacker with a nose for the action. If he doesn't put together exciting combine test scores, teams will have to weigh his consistent production and ability as a tackler against his lack of size and coverage skills. Longa could factor in as an eventual starter at some point, but he might have to prove himself on special teams early in his career to earn his initial roster spot.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 7 • Pick 25
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Film junkie who understands that maximum preparation is essential to his production and success. Matakevich has outstanding instincts paired with a desire to fill up a stat sheet with as many positive plays as possible. His lack of size and strength may limit him to a 4-3 WILL linebacker spot only. His work ethic, production and ability to step right in and help on special teams gives him a shot at having a long career as a mid-level starter in the league.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'3 1/4"
- Weight
- 247 lbs
- Arm
- 33"
- Hand
- 10 1/8"
- Wing
- 80"
Production
50.98
Athleticism
81.57
Total Score
132.55
PLAYER ANALYSIS
One of the most passionate players in this draft. Maggitt plays the game with reckless abandon which can work for and against him. The team who takes him will get a player whose motor never turns off and who will give you all he's got, but his range is below average for an outside linebacker and he may be too mechanical to post consistent production as a pass rusher. All of these points are moot if his combine medicals don’t come up roses.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'
- Weight
- 220 lbs
- Arm
- Hand
- Wing
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Undersized WILL linebacker who can run and chase around the field and who has plus football intelligence and instincts. Harris has just one year of impressive tackle production, but he doesn’t have thump behind his pads and his play strength is below the NFL minimum. Harris may need to try and bulk up to give himself the best shot to make a team, but a practice squad seems like it should be his goal.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 6 • Pick 8
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Competitive, 4-3 linebacker prospect who often played 3-4 outside linebacker in college. On tape, Bond looks like a fairly average athlete with limited speed which could hurt his draft stock, but scouts like the way he applies coaching and plays with effort and consistency. Bond might have to earn his way onto a team through special teams play early on, but I wouldn’t bet against him.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 5'10 1/8"
- Weight
- 231 lbs
- Arm
- 31"
- Hand
- 8 1/8"
- Wing
- 76 3/8"
Production
59.63
Athleticism
51
Total Score
110.63
PLAYER ANALYSIS
The scouting community is very concerned with Paul, and he is expected to measure much smaller than his listed size. However, as a pure football player, Paul has outstanding instincts, finds the best path to the football and can be effective against the run or pass. While he may be too small to play inside, his talent should find a roster spot for him at some point.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 6 • Pick 45
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Has worked hard to transform his body from safety to linebacker, but is still lacking the frame and strength to consistently hold his ground at the point of attack. Feeney’s competitiveness and ability to play in space could help him transition into a more natural role of 4-3 WILL linebacker and his coverage talent on special teams gives him a shot to break camp on the 53.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 6 • Pick 6
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DRAFTED BY
Las Vegas Raiders
Round 6 • Pick 19
ACQUIRED VIA
PLAYER ANALYSIS
James moved to middle linebacker this season, but that isn't where he will be cast by NFL teams. James posted 15.5 sacks combined in 2013 and 2014 and has the flexibility and quickness that makes him an interesting edge rushing candidate. James isn't consistent enough to warrant time on an NFL field yet, but his athleticism and potential to get after the passer gives him a puncher's chance.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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DRAFTED BY
New England Patriots
Round 6 • Pick 33
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'1 3/4"
- Weight
- 223 lbs
- Arm
- 32 3/4"
- Hand
- 9 1/2"
- Wing
- 79 3/4"
Production
56.58
Athleticism
66.80
Total Score
123.38
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Sack numbers look fairly impressive, but skill level as a pass rusher doesn't appear to be translatable into the pro game as a situational pass rusher. Overton's best shot could be as a hybrid nickel linebacker with cover skills who also shines on special teams.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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PROSPECT INFO
- Height
- 6'3 1/8"
- Weight
- 238 lbs
- Arm
- 33 3/8"
- Hand
- 10 1/8"
- Wing
- 79 7/8"
Production
57.71
Athleticism
63.57
Total Score
121.28
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Long-limbed, stand-up pass rusher who is built more like a wide receiver than a running back. Littleton showed some pass rush ability this season and his special teams ability may be his best attribute on the next level. However, his thin frame and poor play strength could make him a long shot to stick on the 53.
BY LANCE ZIERLEIN
NFL Analyst
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