2011 Draft: Justin Houston, LB

[SuperSpck]

Get to know a little bit about LB prospect Justin Houston 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: 270
School: Georgia

POST COMBINE UPDATE w/ numbers!
40 yard dash: 4.68
Arm Length: 34½
Hand Size: n/a
Reps on Bench w/ 225lbs: 30

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Check out links for the full reports!
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=78015

Possesses good size for the outside linebacker position, is a bit lean in the upper body, but has a bubble in the lower half and can really fire off the football. Also, displays a long set of arms for his size and does a nice job keeping himself clean off the edge. Coils up into his stance well, keeps his base down off the ball and routinely takes a positive first step, staying low and getting on top of offensive tackles quickly. Possesses elite first step quickness and can consistently threaten the corner. Does a very good job of extending his arms into contact when trying to reach the corner, keeps himself clean and loves to work the inside rip in order to free himself around the corner. Exhibits good balance and acceleration when flattening out around the end and possesses impressive closing speed around the corner. However, is a bit limited as a pass rusher at this stage, at times will work the bull rush and does a nice job getting his hands under the pad level of blockers, gaining leverage and driving his legs through contact. And through contact does a nice job working his way inside. However, doesn't display much of an inside move laterally and doesn't use his hands well enough to slip blocks inside before contact. Too often can be overplayed toward the edge and pushed past the play, as he will let his pad level get a bit upright once he is clean from contact.

Is a willing run defender, but lacks ideal girth at the point of attack and can be overwhelmed on contact. Played with his hand on the ground mostly at Georgia and isn't a guy who looks like an ideal fit as a down defensive lineman unless it's in more of a cover two scheme. However, showcases the ability to make his way up the field from a two-point stance, reads pulling linemen well, plays with proper leverage and can accelerate toward the football. Doesn't use his hands well enough to disengage through contact, but has some natural strength to his game. Plays with a good motor, works hard from the backside and exhibits a passion for the game.

Impression: An explosive pass rusher who has been productive in the SEC the past two seasons and knows how to consistently threaten the corner. Has the fluidity to develop a counter move and drop off into coverage, just needs some time. Looks like an impact-caliber rush linebacker at the next level.

http://sidelinescouting.com/rankings/olb/justin-houston.shtml

Excellent size and build to play outside in a 3-4 scheme, has good bulk and above-average strength for the position... Sack totals have been very impressive (21 career sacks, 11 in 2010)... Pretty good speed for his size... Monster in the weight room, power cleaned 420 pounds during workouts in 2009, is a workout warrior... Was named Butkus Award finalist for 2010 as one of nation's standout linebackers... Is very quick off the snap, times the count well and has an explosive first step off the line... Is fairly disciplined and plays with good instincts as both a five-technique end and an outside linebacker... Uses hands well when engaged with blockers, maintains balance and keeps play-side hand free on most occasions... Utilizes hefty frame and strong upper body when engaged with blockers, stays relatively low and will not get pushed away from running plays directly at him... Has the intangibles to be a big-time pass rusher and solid all-around player and leader in the NFL because of good motor and strong work ethic.

Negatives: Was suspended for the first two games of 2009 for violating team rules, but has since stayed out of trouble and handled the suspension well... Tends to give up on plays when across the field, has a good motor off the snap, but stops when play is too far away... Does not take very good angles in pursuit down field... Tends to tackle too high and does not drive through every tackle, but can afford to do so in traffic because he wraps up well and doesn't miss many tackles... Plays much more like a weakside defensive end on first and second down than he does a linebacker, can get too deep into the backfield and get out of position on plays up the middle of the line... Will never be very proficient in coverage, will be suitable to defend short routes in the NFL, but will likely be predominantly a pass rusher... Has only a year of experience as a 3-4 OLB, so 3-4 teams expecting to use him in that capacity will need to factor in a learning curve at the position.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1620558

Versatile pass rushers like Houston are more valuable than ever. With a season of experience already under his belt -- as opposed to making the transition in training camp -- Houston has an advantage over similarly built athletes yet to prove they can make the switch. He might be viewed as a one-trick pony but, because of his burst off the edge, Houston the potential to be a top-50 pick.
Read and React: A work in progress. Typically asked to rush the passer in the Georgia scheme but shows moderate overall awareness dropping into coverage. Locates the ball quickly and shows good flexibility and balance to scrape and pursue.
Run Defense: Lacks the bulk to move back to defensive end on a full-time basis in the NFL. As a linebacker, has good upper-body strength and arm length to fight off blocks at the point of attack. Locates the ball quickly. Keeps blockers off his chest and shows some explosiveness in his hands to disengage. Good balance and lateral agility to keep his feet while fighting through blocks.
Pass Defense: At his best rushing upfield. Fires off the snap with an explosive burst from a three-point stance and as a stand-up pass rusher. Shows some agility to elude blockers. Good flexibility and balance to dip under the blocker's reach and the burst to plant his foot and drive toward the ballcarrier. Has a closing burst when the ball is near.
Pass Rush/Blitz: His greatest strength is his explosive burst upfield. Varies his speed off the edge, showing the speed to cross the pass blocker's face and beat him around the corner, as well as the quick feet and balance to fake outside and cut back inside. Learning to use his hands, but is not as developed in this area as you might expect, considering his time as a defensive end. Relies on his burst to beat blockers, and lacks a repertoire of rush moves. A bit of a one-trick pony. Too often stymied when his speed off the edge is contained.

 

[Shzm13]

Trade up for him in the 2nd round.

 

[Buckybird]

Trade up for him in the 2nd round.

He wont see the 2nd round IMO & I think his stock will rise after the combine. This is the guy I truely believe the Cards need. Great first step & IMO will be a star at 3-4 OLB in 3 years.

 

[Hypothesis]

He's almost a lock for first round. I wouldn't be upset in the least if we ended up with him, though I think #5 is a little high. Would like to trade back, but if the FO and Whis & Co. have him rated high on their board, I wouldn't care in the least if they decided to take him at 5.

Has some things to learn, but rookies are very unlikely to start anyhow. Should have plenty of time to develop.

 

[ARodg]

Trade with the Pats. 17 and 28 for 5. Draft Houston and one of the Tackles. Trade up again with the Pats, 38/70/102/140 for 33/59. Pick one of the MLBs and John Moffit.

Pipe dream, I know

 

[Snakester]

I would love to see him drop to the second round. I just think we will have to trade up in the mid-twentys to get him. I am hoping he doesn't have a great combine and we can grab him in the second.

 

[WildBB]

He's almost a lock for first round. I wouldn't be upset in the least if we ended up with him, though I think #5 is a little high. Would like to trade back, but if the FO and Whis & Co. have him rated high on their board, I wouldn't care in the least if they decided to take him at 5.

Has some things to learn, but rookies are very unlikely to start anyhow. Should have plenty of time to develop.

There are some questions on the consistency of him impact on games. He can be blocked, sometimes be completely invisable. Read this article.

http://packerchatters.com/?p=23716

 

[lobo]

He's almost a lock for first round. I wouldn't be upset in the least if we ended up with him, though I think #5 is a little high. Would like to trade back, but if the FO and Whis & Co. have him rated high on their board, I wouldn't care in the least if they decided to take him at 5.

Has some things to learn, but rookies are very unlikely to start anyhow. Should have plenty of time to develop.

Beat me to the punch...perfect set up for a trade down for another 1st and 3rd for (say) Washington who might be in love with one of the QB's. He is definitely a player who can walk in play...albeit Horton is not a fan of rookies playin' on the front 7 in a 3/4

 

[Cards Czar]

There are some questions on the consistency of him impact on games. He can be blocked, sometimes be completely invisable. Read this article.

http://packerchatters.com/?p=23716

You can also say that about V. Miller and Quinn also.

 

[SuperSpck]

Updated w/ combine numbers.

 

[Snakester]

After watching him at the combine I say no way for our defense. At 270 he does not have the skills to be an outside linebacker. I think his position is purely as a DE. I think he will be there in the second round when we pick.