2012 Draft Nuggets - Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, IB

Courtney Upshaw, Alabama, 6016 270

Two-year starter who played in numerous games but waited to start during his first two years with a talent laden Alabama defense. He was devastating in the win over Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl, racking up 5 tackles, 3 which resulted in losses, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. He was named the game’s Defensive MVP. For the year he made 52 tackles, 14 ½ for loss, and tallied 7 sacks. Upshaw played on the edge of the defense, not in the middle where he is projected. Plays well on his feet. High motor, quick twitch athlete who is off on the snap of the ball. Plays with good knee bend and explodes from the ground up when taking on a blocker. Has excellent speed and good range to cover his assignments. Keeps blockers off his body. Uses his hands effectively and can string out a blocker to the sideline. Takes smart angles. Hustles all out and has the speed to make an impact hit. Does not get hooked. Plays with good outside leverage and controls his area in the run game. Reacts well to run or pass.

Jabara Williams, St. Louis Rams, 228th Pick, 7th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Williams, Jabara Stephen F. Austin 6017 228 4.59
Jabara Williams was a four-year starter who can run sideline to sideline. He will be given the opportunity to compete as a weakside linebacker and could also be a core special teams contributor. On his pro day on 3/31/11 his numbers were: 1.49/10, 17/BP, 36.5/VJ, 9-10/BJ, 4.33/SS, and 7.09/3 cone. Ourlads Scouting Services rated Williams as a developmental player with draftable qualities.

Michael Mohamed, Denver Broncos, 189th Pick, 6th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Mohamed, Michael California 6030 239 4.70

Three-year starter. Instinctive in his play. Quick to read and react. Plays square with leverage. Smart and aware. Wrap tackler. Has experience in both a 3-4 and a 4-3 scheme. Good recognition and reaction in zone coverage. Gains depth in his drop. Disciplined in both zone and man to man coverage. Keeps his body in good position. Can handle tight ends. Needs more upper body strength in his arms and shoulders to control blockers. Quick to fill and stuff a running lane. Has the agility to work through traffic in the run game. Productive and athletic in his play. National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award in 2010. Plays well on all special teams coverage units. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Greg Jones, NY Giants, 185th Pick, 6th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Jones, Greg Michigan State 6001 242 4.75

Four-year starter who has been a tackling machine over his career. Played in a 4-3 scheme as a junior and played inside as a 3-4 linebacker as a senior. Plays at seven yards depth and gets downhill in a hurry. Outstanding natural ability to find the ball and make plays. Good anticipation. A playmaker in the run game. Quick to read his keys. Always around the ball. Plays square and takes the openings when there. Good initial movement. Read and react versus the run is excellent. Can be explosive taking on blocks. Bends knees and gets good leverage. Good intensity and nose for the ball. He does a good job wading through the traffic and avoiding blocks while taking a good angle to the ball. Very instinctive, fits the hole well and shows sudden change of direction. Tracks well moving downhill. Gets to the off tackle hole on a scrape extremely well. Effective as a blitzer and is good in pass rush when he beats the blocker initially. Locked up at times and ridden out. He has the tools and athletic ability to play in coverage but was below average in this area. Fluid in his pass drops. Gets to the hook area and sits down and squares up. Can turn and run. Gets depth. Reads the quarterback and reacts very well. Quick take off when he blitzes. Good use of hands, speed, quickness, and strength. Can adjust on the move, good change of direction, and timing. Messes up the offensive timing when he blitzes. Competitive with good physical and mental toughness. Takes good pursuit angles downfield. Has a burst to finish the play. Gets the ball carrier down. A physical tackler who can make an open field play. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Quan Sturdivant, Arizona Cardinals, 171st Pick, 6th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Sturdivant, Quan North Carolina 6014 241 4.67

 Four-year starter who has experience at both inside and outside linebacker. Productive sideline to sideline player with good instincts. Sees, registers, and reacts. Fills the inside run quickly and aggressively. Can take on blockers but doesn’t stay blocked. Has the innate quickness to slip blocks. Comes hard downhill. Doesn’t back off. An athlete who is fluid and flexible. Quick hands and feet. Has a closing burst to the ball carrier. Can redirect quickly with good balance. Football smart. Bends his knees and explodes from the ground up. Competitive. Wants to be the first to tackle the ball carrier. Three down linebacker. Has the awareness to go for the strip. A break down wrap up type tackler who doesn’t give ground. Has experience and played well in zone and man to man coverage. Quick movement out of transition to break on the ball. Mentally and physically tough. Intense. Meets the blockers with pad under pad relationship. Good use of hands through traffic. Quickness to shuffle and make plays parallel to the line of scrimmage. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Chris White, Buffalo Bills, 169th Pick, 6th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

White, Chris Mississippi St. 6027 244 4.68

Two-year starter. Junior college transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. Shorter arms than ideal to ward off blockers. A wrap up tackler who doesn’t give ground. Hits with conviction. Has the natural speed to run a play down from behind. Tough, competitive, and aggressive in his play. Doesn’t stay blocked versus the inside run. Quick to scrape and fill the “b” and “c” gaps. Plays square and gets through traffic to make a play. Good initial movement and read and react. Physical at the point of attack. Solid technique taking on blocks. Redirects well off a block and gets to the ball. Works well with his hands on shed. Physical when playing over a tight end and could be a Sam linebacker in a 4-3 or be a 3-4 outside guy. A little tight hipped but has some quickness on the edge. Takes decent drops and has okay zone awareness but not dynamic in space or reacting on the throw. Good effort player who can fit with the right team. Will contribute on all special teams coverage. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Casey Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles, 116th Pick, 4th Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Matthews, Casey Oregon 6006 232 4.70

Three-year starter who is a relentless downhill player with good instincts and reactions. Smooth, athletic linebacker who does most things well. Good technique with no wasted steps. Quick change of direction and the ability to redirect off a block. Explosive taking on a block. Good technique as he uses his hands to get separation and shed. Shows good strength at the point of attack and can be physical for his size. Active in pursuit, gets through the traffic taking good angles to the ball. Smart player. Consistently takes a good path to the ball. Always around the ball with good hustle. Fits in gaps and gets downhill filling inside or outside. Plays on the backside taking a good “L” angle that gets him in on the cutback. Has the range to track a back on the perimeter and plays well in space. Solid tackler and angles to the ball keep him in good position to make a play. Solid in coverage in both zone and man. Good reactions on the thrown ball. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Akeem Dent, Atlanta Falcons, 91st Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Dent, Akeem Georgia 6010 242 4.80
Three-year starter who is active and physical in his play. Face up tackler on isolation plays at him. Takes on the fullback on his turf, sheds, and make the tackle. Good instincts. Has the speed and savvy to cover a back on screen passes. Plays square. Physically tough. Willing to initiate contact. Intense in his play. Has lateral quickness and pursuit to the sideline. Can make the wide plays. Works through traffic and keeps leverage on the ball. Good pursuit angles. Finishes plays. Plays with knee bend. Will contribute on special teams coverage. Played in the 3-4 scheme in 2010. Also experience in a 4-3, inside and outside. Has medical history of toe problems. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Martez Wilson, New Orleans Saints, 72nd Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Wilson, Martez Illinois 6036 250 4.49
Junior entry. Started off the early part of the season slowly, coming off a neck injury that caused him to miss the 2009 season. Played inside in a 4-2-5 defensive scheme. He took bad angles, was cut on low blocks, and got his shoulders turned. He lacked the ability to play square. Inconsistent tackler with a hard hit but no wrap. Made several plays when he was not blocked. Downhill player with functional athletic ability, agility, size, and speed. Had an outstanding athletic workout at the Combine but question his fluidity and hip flexibility. Plays tall and with inconsistent knee bend. Lacks fluid explosiveness. Inconsistent to maintain leverage on blocks. Hesitates. Jumps around and gets behind the ball, but has good catch-up speed. Aggressive and competitive. Struggles to hold ground on plays directly at him. Question his natural ability to find the ball. Marginal instincts. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Kelvin Sheppard, Buffalo Bills, 68th Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Sheppard, Kelvin LSU 6021 246 4.66
Two-year starter who is physical and emotional in his play. Good leader. Doesn’t stay blocked. Quick to separate and hustles to the ball. Nose for the ball. Quick to sniff out the middle screen. Plays fast sideline to sideline. Has experience at all three linebacker spots in the 4-3 defense. Stays on his feet and plays square. Takes smart angles. Good lateral agility. Senior Bowl notes: excellent initial read and react. Good first step and gets downhill with no hesitation. Solid tackle to tackle player with good inside run instincts. Decent range and can get to the ball outside. Very aggressive taking on blocks but tends to get locked up as he looks for the ball instead of defeating the block. At his best with a clear path to the ball. Takes a decent drop in coverage but has average range and change of direction reacting to the throw. Plays the run well but struggles in coverage and in space. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Nate Irving, Denver Broncos, 67th Pick, 3rd Round, 2011 NFL Draft

Irving, Nate No. Carolina St. 6012 242 4.80
Started 26 games over three years. Missed the 2009 season after he was severely injured in an auto accident. His ribs, lung, shoulder, and leg were all affected. Experience at both inside and outside linebacker. Aggressive and explosive in his play. Has speed and savvy to time edge blitz to cause pressure or be disruptive. Good range. Plays instinctively and with leverage. Looks the part and moves well. Athletic and instinctive. When he sees it he reacts well from tackle to tackle. Shows a quick first step as a blitzer but tended to lock up if he did not win on the first move. Has a burst in pursuit. Shows tools to take on blocks but did not always finish and would take a side and get out of position. He was not extremely quick in space and took some false steps in coverage. Overall he flashed good skill and linebacker tools but was inconsistent in reactions and needs to finish better. For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Alex Wujciak, 2011 NFL Undrafted Free Agent, Inside Linebacker

Wujciak, Alex Maryland 6025 246 4.78
Three-year starter. Team captain. A productive playmaker with
over 100 tackles per year for three straight years. Averaged 9.3
tackles per game in 2010. Terps’ leading tackler. Good instincts
and toughness at the point of attack. Projects to the Mike or
middle linebacker in a 4-3 or the run stuffing inside linebacker
in a 3-4. Physically and mentally tough. Good intensity in his
play. An average athlete who is a try hard, overachiever type.
Will contribute on special teams coverage units.
For complete report see Ourlads' Guide to the NFL Draft.

Josh Bynes, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Inside Linebacker

Bynes, Josh Auburn 6013 239 4.76
Three-year starter. Works through traffic to make a play.
Doesn’t stay blocked. Quick to shed. Takes good downfield angles
in pursuit. Makes all the defensive calls, checks, and adjustments.
Good football intelligence. Cut tackler at times. No wrap. Led the
Tigers in tackles in 2010. Plays well from tackle to tackle. Good
initial read and react. Quick first step. Somewhat tight in the hips,
average change of direction. On a straight line could get to the ball.
Good inside fills. Physical attacking blocks. Used his hands well and
separated. Struggled when the play was outside the box. Did not
play well in space. Needs work on pass drops. Inconsistent reactions
to the thrown ball and tended to get hung up in transition. Good
motor, active and hustled in pursuit. He looks like a two down
inside player.
For complete report see Ourlads' Guide to the NFL Draft.

Scott Lutrus, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Inside Linebacker

Lutrus, Scott Connecticut 6023 239 4.68
Four-year starter. He missed eight games with neck stingers in his
junior and senior years. Twice voted a team captain. Experience at
both inside and outside linebacker in the 4-3. Good instincts. Plays
square and is active. Struggles to break down and tackle in space.
Shorter arms than ideal for the position. Borderline physical skills
to play in coverage. Better in zone than man to man. Productive.
Will contribute on special teams.
For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Derrell Smith, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Inside Linebacker

Smith, Derrell Syracuse 6000 243 4.79
Three-year starter. Team captain. Plays square and downhill. Doesn’t
get turned to create running lanes. Needs more upper body strength. Makes plays. Instinctive and active in his play. Former running
back. Maintains leverage on blocks. Always in the picture frame
near the ball. Stays on his feet. Can string out the blocker and shed
quickly. Takes good angles downfield. Fluid in his pass drops. Gets
to hook area and sits down and squares up. Has pattern awareness.
Competitive and tough. Loves contact. Can take on plays directly
at him or scrape and fill the hole. Will contribute on special teams
coverage.
For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Orie Lemon, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Inside Linebacker

Lemon, Orie Oklahoma St. 6005 244 4.99
Two-year starter. Missed the 2009 season with a torn right ACL
in his knee. Works through blockers. Active inside linebacker
who fills running lanes quickly. Finishes the play. Plays in a 4-2-
5 defensive scheme. Plays faster than timed speed. Can and has
run plays down from behind with a closing burst. Hustles and is
always around the ball. One of the leading tacklers in the country
with 133 stops. Has the speed to carry a tight end down the middle
of cover-two pass coverage. A 3-4 inside plug linebacker type. Will
be an asset on all special teams.
For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft.

Nick Bellore, 2011 Undrafted Free Agent, Inside Linebacker

Bellore, Nick Cent. Michigan 6010 245 4.84
Four-year starter with average athletic ability and timed speed.
Ultra productive with 472 career tackles. Adequate strength at the
point of attack. Instinctive and intense in his play. Plays faster
than timed speed. Sideline to sideline playmaker. Quick reactions
and good football intelligence. Fills solidly. Durable over his career.
Stays in the game in all situations. Maintains leverage on his blocks.
Always near the ball. Stays square and takes the opening when
there. Takes on blockers, sheds, locates, fills, and hits. Will contribute
on special teams.
For complete report see Ourlads Guide to the NFL Draft

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2011 Draft, Linebacker,Greg Jones, Michigan State

Four-year starter who has been a tackling machine over his career. Ranked first in the Big-10 and third in the country with 154 tackles, averaging 11.8 per game in 2009. Played in a 4-3 scheme as a junior and will play inside as a 3-4 linebacker as a senior. Plays at seven yards depth and gets downhill in a hurry. Outstanding natural ability to find the ball and make plays. Good anticipation. A playmaker in both the run and passing game. Quick to read his keys. Always around the ball. Plays square and takes the openings when there. Fluid in his pass drops. Gets to the hook area and sets down and squares up. Can turn and run. Gets depth. Reads the quarterback and reacts very well. Quick take off when he blitzes. Good use of hands, speed, quickness, and strength. Can adjust on the move, good change of direction, and timing. Messes up the offensive timing when he blitzes. Competitive with good physical and mental toughness. Takes good pursuit angles downfield. Has a burst to finish the play. Gets the ball carrier down. A physical tackler who can make an open field play. Was the Big-10 2009 Defensive Player of the Year.

Micah Johnson Kentucky Inside linebacker 2010 NFL Draft

Micah Johnson,University of Kentucky is one of the top rated senior inside linebackers coming out for the 2010 Draft according to Ourlads Scouting Services LLC :

Two-year starter that was active and productive despite a high ankle sprain that hindered him the last part of the 2008 season. A big inside linebacker that can run and work downhill. Has good coverage awareness. Experienced in both man-to-man and zone coverage. A good wrap up tackler that plays square to the line of scrimmage and keeps leverage on the ball. Good lateral agility and quickness to play down the line of scrimmage. Runs through his tackles with a thud. Works to finish pursuit and plays to the whistle. Good anticipation and instincts. A take-on linebacker that doesn’t stay blocked. Plays with a good base and has the quickness to slip blocks. Has the strength to separate. Gums up the inside running lanes and is an effective blitzer. He doesn’t jump around. Sees ball, it registers and he reacts quickly.

Brandon Spikes Florida Inside linebacker 2010 NFL Draft

Brandon Spikes is the top inside senior linebacker according to Ourlads Scouting Services LLC summer grades:

Three-year starter with good instincts and the tools to star on Sunday. Collision tackler that is always around the ball. Opponent’s game plan for him is to try and wall him off and cut him. Had four interceptions returning two for touchdowns. Runs through ball carrier when tackling. Active in both the run game and pass coverage. Can run with backs in man to man coverage. Quick to break up on the ball in front of him. Scrapes quickly to the outside and cuts off the backs’ angles. Works his way through traffic and can hold his ground on plays directly at him. Tough, aggressive, and competitive. Plays with knee bend and has the quickness to shuffle and make plays parallel to the line of scrimmage. Strong enough to tackle the ball carrier and the blocker. Productive with 224 tackles over the past two years.