2011 Draft: Martez Wilson, LBer

[SuperSpck]

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

Vitals
OLBer
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 250
School: Illinois

POST COMBINE UPDATE w/ numbers!
40 yard dash: 4.49
Arm Length: 34 5/8
Hand Size: n/a
Reps on Bench w/ 225lbs: 23

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Check out links for the full reports!

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=74546

A tall, high cut linebacker who possesses a broad set of shoulders but looks really thin through the lower half with a skinny pair of legs. Has a long set of arms and good overall closing range in pursuit. Possesses a solid feel inside keying off blocks, reading his run keys and finding the football inside. Isn't a real physical tackler, doesn't display a real snap through the hips on contact, but breaks down well and knows how to wrap on the play. Displays good short-area quickness in tight areas, has the ability to use his length to slip blocks and keep himself clean when trying to beat slide down blocks toward the edge. Showcases a solid work rate from the backside and closes well in pursuit. However, struggles to consistently stack and shed inside. Is easily washed out of plays when you can get into him and struggles to fight off blocks and disengage vs. the downhill run game.
Exhibits some unique talents when asked to blitz from the inside and has some natural pass-rush ability. Looks comfortable using his length in order to keep himself clean, is shifty when asked to work the inside move and has a real savvy as a pass rusher. Was used toward the end of the year as a rush linebacker off the edge and was extremely productive closing on the football from the backside, threatening the edge and forcing quarterbacks to step up in the pocket. Looks more comfortable rushing the passer from the inside where he can use his quickness to side step blocks, is a bit stiff and high off the edge when trying to turn the corner.
Displays above-average fluidity for a guy with his build, has the ability to open up his hips and generate a burst out of his breaks when asked to close in coverage. Isn't real comfortable with his footwork, seems to just bounce upright off the ball and doesn't get much depth in his drop. However, displays a solid feel in zone coverage reading his pass keys underneath and has the ability to hold up in man as well, closing quickly on the football and driving on the throw.
Missed the 2009 season after suffering a herniated disc in his neck and will need to check out medically.
Impression: A long, V-cut linebacker who doesn't seem to have the lower body girth to hold up inside. However, he has some range in pursuit, reads his run keys well and exhibits some pass-rush ability. Could get some long looks as a potential 3-4 rush guy as well as strong side back in a 4-3.

http://sidelinescouting.com/rankings/olb/martez-wilson.shtml

Positives: Very productive in 2010 (112 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception)... Has good size to play outside in a 3-4 scheme, a little tall and not very compact, but appears to have a good amount of bulk, is experienced playing the inside linebacker position... Has pretty good speed... Does a good job keeping playside arm free when being blocked, flows to the ball when engaged by blockers and will make plays by slipping off blockers near the ball carrier... Was a top recruit coming out of high school, second-highest rated five-star DE behind 2010 fourth-round pick Everson Griffen... Is a smart player who understands the way the game works, had to adjust to a new system in 2009 and 2010... Is a very physical player, uses body weight well when driving into blockers and making tackles in traffic... Is a good special teams performer, plays with intensity and has a lot of experience blocking punts... Appears to be a fairly versatile player, has experience at multiple linebacker positions, at defensive end, in special teams and as a situation pass rusher.
Negatives: Can over-pursue and has some trouble changing directions when facing a shifty runner or quarterback with quick feet, needs to do a better job of breaking down against targets in the open field... Was suspended in for the last game of 2008 for violation of team rules... Suffered from a herniated disk in 2009 and missed most of the season after recovering from a stab wound a year earlier, health and durability may be a substantial question mark heading into the draft... Played a lot of ILB, but appears to play too much like a 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB to be considered a viable candidate on the inside in the NFL, in which case, there will likely be a bit of a learning curve for him to adjust to the change... Will miss a lot of tackles when going full speed, does not break down well and relies too much on momentum and upper-body strength to bring down ball carriers... Does not have an overwhelming motor, and often looks timid when scraping and taking pursuit angles across the field.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1272548

Wilson earned first team All-Big Ten honors by the media for his effort on the field during the 2010 campaign. He led Illinois and ranked fourth in the Big Ten in tackles (112) and also added 11.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, four quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, an interception, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. Wilson led the Illini to their first bowl win since 1999 with seven tackles, including one TFL, in Illinois' 38-14 victory over Baylor in the 2010 Texas Bowl.

 

[Hypothesis]

Probably a better WOLB than a ILB in a 3-4 in the NFL.

 

[Snakester]

I like Nate Irving better. I think Casey Matthews will be almost as good and we can get him in the fourth round. By the way, thanks for putting up all the info on these guys in one nice neat package.

 

[WildBB]

I like Nate Irving better. I think Casey Matthews will be almost as good and we can get him in the fourth round. By the way, thanks for putting up all the info on these guys in one nice neat package.

Ditto: Nice work SSp!

 

[WildBB]

Probably a better WOLB than a ILB in a 3-4 in the NFL.

I agree, he has an outstanding motor. A very good Sam or Will OLB.

Interesting to see how he measures out at the combine. Could easily move into the late 1st round. Easily.

 

[SuperSpck]

Thanks guys, he seems pretty raw, what's his likely slotting?

 

[Cards Czar]

Thanks guys, he seems pretty raw, what's his likely slotting?

Most Mocks that I have seen have Wilson either at the lowest end if the 1st or High second. Most mocks have Buff taking him in the second.

 

[ARodg]

Now maybe it's because of my general distaste for Illinois and the incompetence of the entire athletic program as a whole, but Greg Jones looked a hell of a lot better to me.

 

[SuperSpck]

Updated w/ combine numbers.