STRENGTHS - Lester is a well-built man with the height and bulk NFL teams love at the position. He demonstrates the aggressiveness and strength to take on and shed blockers at the POA in time to get involved on run plays. In zone coverage he reads the QB well and is quick to get a beat on his man and close to the boundary. When in position, he flashes the ability to break in front of his man and high point the ball for interceptions.
WEAKNESSES - Lester is a tweener that lacks the growth potential to switch to LB and the athleticism needed to cover in space as a safety. In man coverage he is continually exposed on the break, as he is stiff in transition and lacks the acceleration needed to recover once he loses a step. He struggles to change directions fluidly, and does not have the speed to stay with faster TE's down-field. He also struggles to close on outside runs effectively, and has to take very conservative angles of pursuit. He must become more physical and aggressive when faced with man press situations.
SUMMARY - Robert Lester does not have a natural NFL position and is unlikely to ever make a final roster. He is a slow-twitch athlete that looks stiff changing directions, and does not possess the acceleration needed to recover once beaten or close from off the ball. His poor speed and change of direction limits his effectiveness against faster TEs, making him a liability in all forms of coverage. Despite being an aggressive, physical run defender, he struggles to make plays on the boundary and looks physically maxed out at 220 lbs., making him very undersized for the LB position. While a 43 team could attempt to convert him to a WILL, his athletic limitations even for this position will likely make him a practice squad player.