January 25, 2016 - Greg Gabriel
Breaking Down OC Ryan Kelly and OLB Yannick Ngakoue
Ryan Kelly – OC – Alabama
Size –
6045 -298 – 5.27 (All Estimates)
Strong Points –
A three year starter at center. Makes all the line calls, strong leader. Alert and instinctive, reacts well to stunts. Plays with strength. Is able to get movement with run blocks. Shows he can make angle blocks, reach blocks, block a man head up or get to the second level. Sets quickly in pass pro, good punch, quick hands, can mirror and anchor.
Weak Points –
Won’t be able to get much bigger than he is. Looks like 305 is the max. Lacks speed to consistently get to blocks in space.
Summation –
Kelly is a fifth year senior and a three year starter. He is the leader of the offensive line and makes all the call. He is smart and alert and seldom misses seeing a stunt or a blitz. Has enough strength and power to gain ground in the run game and can get out to linebackers on combo blocks. He’s a very consistent pass blocker who sets quickly, can use his hands, mirror and anchor. He should start early for a team with a need and while he won’t be a pro bowl type, he will be a solid starter a team can win with.
Yannick Ngakoue – Edge – Maryland
Size –
6020 – 252 – 4.63 (All Estimates)
Strong Points –
Edge pass rusher, had 13.5 on the season and 21.5 career sacks. Good strength, adequate arm length. Has the speed to close off blocks to the QB. Very good athlete. Explosive. Adequate run defender. Has some experience dropping into coverage. Has moves and power as a pass rusher.
Weak Points –
A little short for the position. Not disciplined, he’s a pass rusher first and that mentality takes him out of some plays. Can be slow to shed run blocks. Needs to develop his pass coverage skills.
Summation -
Third year junior entering the Draft. Has been a two year starter. Plays mostly down but does have some plays when he is lined up on his feet. Drops into coverage on occasion. Is best as a pass rusher where he is strong and explosive. Has some moves and can redirect his charge. Closes off blocks well. In coverage he lacks some awareness but that is more due to inexperience. Has to be more disciplined as a run down player. Will come in as a designated pass rusher but should be a fulltime player by year two. Has unlimited upside as an edge pass rusher. His best fit is as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
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