Everyone has their own evaluation standards or “tells” when it comes to evaluating NFL Draft prospects. Players’ size, strength, agility, weight, grip, vertical jump, 40-yard dash, wingspan, length, and hand size, to name a few. All are studied ad nauseam, but a few traits consistently stand out above the rest in predicting success.
While no criteria are perfect, below are a few I rely on when evaluating the defensive side of the ball for draft prospects.
Best predictors
Consistent pressure rate, first-step explosiveness, pass-rush plan, leverage, and bend. Traits and repeatable skills over college production.
A lack of a pass-rush plan, play strength to set the edge, or an inconsistent motor or discipline against the run is usually a deal-breaker.
I do not put as much stock in.
Sack totals, one-move rushers, and size without twitch or bend.
First step quickness, their ‘get off’, leverage, pad level (winning low), and a strong anchor.
A burst without hand usage or counters, those who struggle to anchor against the run, and prospects who disappear during stretches of the game due to poor effort or awareness do not translate well.
What I do not put as much stock in.
Run stuffing without disruption, effort without technique, and isolated sack totals.
Blitzers, read and react processors! Gets downhill without hesitation, block deconstruction, and lateral range.
Instinctively slow LBs who struggle in coverage and space, who also have issues disengaging from blocks. These players tend to rely on cleanup tackles rather than creating plays.
What I do not put as much stock in.
Tackle totals, speed without instincts, and those who have the hard-hitting label without range.
Range (true sideline-to-sideline ability), processor, versatility, and ball tracking.
Reaction is so key to this position, and is needed to translate well in the NFL; bad angles, limited range, and inconsistent tackling are deal-breakers.
What I do not put as much stock in.
Big hitter over strong tackling, 40 times without play speed, and INT totals.
Best predictors
Hip fluidity, transitions well, recovery speed, man-coverage reps vs real WRs, and eye discipline are the tells I watch for.
Stiff hips, not looking back for the ball, and poor change-of-direction lead to a tendency to panic or lose discipline in coverage.
What I do not put as much stock in.
INT totals, passer rating allowed, straight-line speed alone, and 40 time without play speed.
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