2011 Draft: Akeem Ayers, LBer

[SuperSpck]

Get to know a little bit about LB prospect Akeem Ayers through a catch all.
(These kind of gatherers show a person how subjective scouting is.)
What's your take?

Vitals
OLBer
Ht 6-2 Wt 254
School UCLA

POST COMBINE UPDATE w/ numbers!
40 yard dash: n/a
Arm Length: 33
Hand Size: n/a
Reps on Bench w/ 225lbs: 18

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Check out links for the full reports!

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=67874

A big, well strapped together outside linebacker with long arms and a thick base, but might be a bit thin through the calves. Showcases good range sideline-to-sideline for his size. Possesses a good initial burst out of his breaks and closes quickly on the football in pursuit. Arrives with bad intentions toward the ball carrier as a tackler. Is a physical striker who generates impressive pop from his lower half into contact.
Possesses impressive power at the point of attack when asked to attack downhill, take on blocks — linemen and fullbacks — and when he wants to has the ability to consistently win in the hole. Showcases good body control and short-area quickness as well when trying to slide defenders who want to get into his legs. Uses his hands better in space when asked to shed on the move. Does a nice job picking his way through the line of scrimmage, extending his arms and can disengage through contact on the edge. However, when attacking downhill seems content to simply lead with his shoulder and try to overwhelm on contact and win at the point of attack, but doesn't disengage nearly as well.
Possesses natural fluidity for a guy his size in space vs. the pass game. Can cleanly open up his hips and run. However, gets a bit too high and leggy when trying to change directions, which takes away from his initial burst toward the football. Isn't overly instinctive either in the pass game, closes quickly on the football after the completion, but will take himself out of plays more so in the pass game.
Does a decent job dropping his pad level, gaining leverage and accelerating around the corner, but hasn't quite developed much of a pass-rush arsenal using his hands at this stage.

http://sidelinescouting.com/rankings/olb/akeem-ayers.shtml

Positives: Has an ideal frame for playing outside, has enough bulk to lockdown strongside linebacker duties and can fill a lot of space... Has size and speed to line up at several positions on the field, has lined up at defensive end and multiple linebacker positions in the past... Solid open-field tackler, plays under control and wraps up, does not like to dive at ball carriers... Does not often get fooled by misdirection plays, but could be a result of taking slightly too long to diagnose plays at the snap... Pretty good at scraping through traffic, although a little too tentative to attack blockers and take them out of the play...Has good technique when engaged with blockers, does not give up hand control and can often get a hand on the ball carrier, even when being blocked... Is an above-average defender in zone coverage, has the ability to make plays in coverage (six career interceptions).
Negatives: Takes a little too long to diagnose plays, which allows ball carriers to get extra yardage on his side of the field... Has the ability to get to the quarterback in some situations (14 career sacks), but needs to develop more pass-rushing moves to be a consistent pass rusher in the NFL... Is more quick than fast with very good agility, will not be able to run with most tight ends and running backs in coverage, needs to improve footwork and hip-turn technique in order to play man coverage... Not particularly intense or explosive, plays under control, but lacks elite aggressiveness at position... Has the potential to be a very solid linebacker in the NFL, but lacks extreme upside in any one particular facet of the game.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1244512

Among the most athletic and versatile defenders in the draft, Ayers' upside appears limitless. Scouts would be wise to remember the transition other athletic and only moderately instinctive linebackers like Derrick Johnson, Keith Rivers and Aaron Curry have had in transferring their skills to the NFL before falling in love with Ayers' flashy plays.
Read & React: Average instincts and is prone to biting on play-action and taking false steps on the reverse. Possesses rare agility and straight-line speed for the position, typically allowing him to make the play.
Run defense: Has size, strength and willingness to take on blockers at the point of attack. Seems to enjoy the physicality of the game, showing good upper-body strength and quick, active hands to quickly shed blocks. Unselfish defender that typically maintains gap discipline.
Pass defense: Can be fooled by play-action but is surprisingly fluid in coverage for a big linebacker. Relies too much on reading the eyes of the quarterback in coverage. Has proven to be a playmaker, but could be fooled by savvy passers at the next level. Good ball skills. Has six career interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.
Pass Rush/Blitz: One of Ayers' better areas. Good burst off the snap as a standup and hand-down rusher. Capable of crossing the face of the tackle with his explosiveness and possesses good flexibility and balance to scrape the corner and close quickly. Relies on his speed to rush the passer, showing little in terms of true pass rush technique, at this point.

 

[football karma]

best current NFL player comparison: Karlos Dansby

 

[Russ Smith]

The NFP one I really disagree with about half they said. First off Ayers isn't that good in run support or he wasn't at UCLA, he wasn't bad but he's a guy who runs around the block he doesn't take it on or scrape off it. he was athletic enough in college to get away with it, in the NFL probably not.

They're right he's not a great pass rusher, lacks moves, doesn't seem to have the knack for it, can be taught of course but he's not a natural pass rusher.

I still say if he arrived at UCLA now instead of leaving he'd be moved to TE because that's really the position I think is his natural position. I don't get the can't run with TE's etc, the kid is a TE playing DE, he has remarkable hands for a DE/LB and he has remarkable ability to react to the ball in the air.

I also think he played a bit to not get hurt this year at UCLA, wasn't quite as intense as he should have been.

Very athletic though.

 

[Hypothesis]

Best suited for WILB in a 3-4 in my opinion.

 

[lobo]

Best suited for WILB in a 3-4 in my opinion.

Not for me...does not play with the smarts of some of the others from my point of view

 

[football karma]

I think (hope?) he will be there in the 2nd round.

He is the next Karlos Dansby: very good / good at everything, outstanding at nothing. A very valuable player to have and a playmaker.

 

[SuperSpck]

Updated w/ numbers.
2 inches shorter than previously thought.