NFL Combine 2019 Announces Invitation List

QB Kyler Murray Faces Important NFL Combine Decision

   Frank Coyle – Head Scout

Former Oklahoma QB Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray was included on the official list of invitees for the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. Murray has already declared for the NFL Draft 2019 and he will most likely have to pick between the NFL and MLB where he was first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics. Murray wants to become a first-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, but needs to accept the invitation and attend the combine. The A’s have already made a big push to convince Murray to pick baseball over football and they still expect him to attend spring training. The reporting date for spring training actually begins before the NFL Combine on Feb. 15. Murray is at the crossroads and will either miss critical time in spring training for the A’s or bypass the NFL Combine workout in early March which would create a major conflict of dates for any two sport participation. He is expected to announce a decision related to the NFL Combine soon, though he still insists he wants to play both sports. That has never proven successful for any prospect especially with QB ambitions and his delay beyond this winter could actually hurt his career potential in either sport.

The NFL released a list of 338 players who will attend the NFL Scouting Combine which gets underway in Indianapolis on February 26^th. The list includes extensive players from the Power Five Conferences with 261 of the 338 invitations going to prospects from those schools.  

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 Mississippi State DT Jeffrey Simmons and Colorado State wide receiver Preston Williams were not invited to the event after personal conduct rules infractions. Simmons is considered an early first round prospect while Williams is graded as solid early middle round player.

 2019 NFL Scouting Combine On-Field Workout Schedule – March 1st – March 4th

   Friday, March 1 – Running Backs, Offensive Linemen, Placekicker and Special Teamers
   Saturday, March 2 – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends
   Sunday, March 3 – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
   Monday, March 4 – Defensive Backs
 
NFL Combine 2019 Invitations from Power Five Conferences
 SEC – 90
 Big Ten – 53
 ACC – 46
 Pac 12 – 39
 Big 12 – 33
 
NFL Combine 2019 Invitations by School
11 – Alabama
11 – Clemson
10 – Ohio State
 9 – Georgia
 9 – Mississippi
 9 – Washington
 8 – Notre Dame
 8 – Florida
 8 – Kentucky
 8 – Mississippi State
 8 – Oklahoma
 8 – Texas A&M
 8 – Wisconsin
 7 – Boston College
 7 – Penn State
 7 – Stanford
 6 – Auburn
 6 – LSU
 6 – Miami
 6 – Michigan
 6 – Missouri
 6 – North Carolina State
 6 – Utah
 6 – West Virginia 
 
2019 NFL Combine Invitations – Leading Schools
Alabama (11)
DL Isaiah Buggs
RB Damien Harris
RB Josh Jacobs
LB Christian Miller
OL Ross Pierschbacher
TE Irv Smith
CB Saivion Smith
S Deionte Thompson
OT Jonah Williams
DT Quinnen Williams
LB Mack Wilson
 
Clemson (11)
DE Austin Bryant
DE Clelin Ferrell
CB Mark Fields
DT Albert Huggins
OT Mitch Hyatt
LB Kendall Joseph
LB Tre Lamar
DT Dexter Lawrence
CB Trayvon Mullen
WR Hunter Renfrow
DT Christian Wilkins
 
Ohio State (10)
DE Nick Bosa
WR Parris Campbell
WR Johnnie Dixon
QB Dwayne Haskins
DT Dre’mont Jones
OL Michael Jordan
WR Terry McLaurin
OT Isaiah Prince
CB Kendall Sheffield
RB Mike Weber
 

Patriots Win 6th Super Bowl in Defensive Battle

New England Defeats Rams in 13-3 Title Game

Frank Coyle – Head Scout
www.draftinsiders.com

The NE Patriots beat the LA Rams in the lowest scoring Super Bowl in history to win their 6^th Super Bowl title. The Patriots win matched the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most SB victories in history. It was the 6^th SB win for the 41 year old QB Tom Brady who passed former LB Charles Haley who had 5 Super Bowl rings. In an era of explosive offenses, the title game became a defensive battle where HC Bill Belichick designed a brilliant game plan to smother the Rams’ young QB Jared Goff. The Patriots coach never allowed Goff to settle into the pocket and presented a diverse blitz package that forced the third year pro Goff to constantly move in the pocket. Goff completed only 19 of 38 passes for 229 yards and 1 critical 4^th quarter interception that virtually sealed the game for the Pats.

 Draft Insiders’ 2019 Feb. Newsletter is available this week – Order Today
In-Depth Evaluation of Senior Bowl & East-West Shrine Weeks
Two Round Mock Draft & New Top 100 Pro Prospect Rankings

Patriots QB Tom Brady had a decent performance as a game manager, though he failed to put up big numbers. He went 21 for 35 passing for 253 yards passing, no TDs and 1 early interception. He looked to wideout Julian Edelman and TE Rob Gronkowski in key situations. Edelman caught 10 passes for 141 yards, most in key situations that moved the chains. That performance earned Edelman his first Super Bowl MVP award. Gronk made the game clincher with a late reception to the Rams 1 yard line before rookie back Sony Michel into the endzone for the game’s sole TD. Michel rushed for 94 yards on 18 carries and 1 TD in another huge postseason performance that balanced the offense.

The real star of the victory was the Patriots defense which totaled 4 sacks, multiple pressures and 1 interception while limiting the Rams string ground game to just 62 yards. That pressure forced the young Goff to constantly face 2^nd and 3^rd and long situations which played into the Pats’ multiple blitz schemes that never allowed him to settle into a pocket rhyme. That reflected in Goff’s weak 3 for 13 third down efficiency.

The lowest scoring game in SB history will be viewed as another ring in the Patriots long legacy of NFL dominance in an era of Free Agency and salary cap limitations. No other NFL team has come even close to this type of success especially during the past twenty five years with only the Broncos winning back to back SB titles during this period. The Pats look to repeat next year and defend their title in hopes of becoming the only team to win back to back SB championships twice.

Frank Coyle – Publisher / Head Scout
www.draftinsiders.com

Senior Bowl 2019 Game Day

Frank Coyle – Head scout Draft Insiders’

  The 2019 Senior Bowl game is here with an interesting roster of pro prospects who completed the week of practices, physicals and interviews.

 QB Will Grier of West Virginia is primed for a big game after a strong week of practices. He gets the advantage of working with his two top receivers, David Sills and Greg Jennings in this game. This trio put up incredible numbers over their careers in the pass happy Big 12 Conference. Grier is prepared for this game and has the makings of an MVP candidate. QB Trace McSorley also came ready to play and is focused on this game to prove he belongs with the top prospects. He is a smart savvy leader who can be a difference maker in this All-star event.

Look for wideouts Deebo Samuel, Travis Fulgham and David Sills along with runners Dexter Williams and Wes Hills to be featured in their offenses with chances to be impact playmakers Saturday.

The NFL Draft 2019 is a class dominated by defensive front seven prospects and this game features several impact pass rushers. Look for edge rushers Montez Sweat, Oshane Ximines, L.J Collier and Ben Banogu to provide impact as outside rushers to be difference makers in this game. Linebackers, Hanks, Pratt and Coney showed speed, instincts and playmaking ability this week after fine careers. Look to them to be in the action throughout the contest to be the stars on their units. This will be the final real football action in these prospects for the year with the offseason workout portion of the NFL Draft process hitting full stride next week.

Senior Bowl Players to Watch

Offensive Players
Will     Grier               QB      West Virginia           6024   218
Daniel Jones             QB      Duke  6052   220
Trace McSorley        QB      Penn St.        6002   200
Ryan  Finley             QB      North Carolina St.  6040   208
Drew  Lock               QB      Missouri        6036   223
Tyree Jackson         QB      Buffalo          6070   249
Dexter Williams      RB      Notre Dame  5112   215
Wes    Hills               RB      Slippery Rock         6005   209
Karan Higdon          RB      Michigan       5090   203
Tony  Pollard           RB      Memphis       5115   200
Deebo Samuel         WR     South Carolina        5114   216
David Sills V            WR     West Virginia           6030   210
Jaylen Smith            WR     Louisville      6020   221
Travis Fulgham       WR     Old Dominion          6023   210
Terry  McLaurin      WR     Ohio St.         6000   205
Penny Hart               WR     Georgia St.   5080   180
Gary   Jennings       WR     West Virginia           6010   213
Anthony Johnson   WR     Buffalo          6021   211
Andy  Isabella          WR     Massachusetts       5087   186
Andre Dillard            OT      Washington St.       6047   310
Kaleb McGary           OT      Washington 6067   321
Max    Scharping      OT      Northern Illinois      6057   320
Chuma Edoga           OT      USC   6036   303
Tytus Howard          OT      Alabama St. 6050   322
Elgton Jenkins         C         Mississippi St.        6043   314
Chris  Lindstrom      OG      Boston College       6036   303
Beau  Benzschawel  OG      Wisconsin    6062   307
Ben    Powers            OG      Oklahoma     6037   310
 
Defensive Players

Montez Sweat          DE      Mississippi St.        6060   252
Oshane Ximines      DE      Old Dominion          6034   241
L.J. Collier                DE      TCU   6022   280
Byron Cowart          DE      Maryland       6033   297
Ben Banogu             DE      TCU   6034   247
Carl Granderson     DE      Wyoming      6046   246
Jalen  Jelks              DE      Oregon          6054   250
Khalen Saunders    DT      Western Illinois       6005   320
Daylon Mack           DT      Texas A&M   6010   327
Sutton Smith           OLB    Northern Illinois      6003   234
Terrill Hanks           OLB    New Mexico St.       6020   234
Germaine Pratt       ILB      North Carolina St.  6025   240
Te’Von Coney          ILB      Notre Dame  6007   244
Rock  Ya-Sin                CB      Temple          5116   189
Isaiah Johnson            CB      Houston        6022   207
Lonnie Johnson, Jr.   CB  Kentucky      6022   210
Nasir  Adderley          S         Delaware      5117   195
Jaquan Johnson        S         Miami (FL)    5103   186
Darnell Savage           S         Maryland       5110   199

 Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

Senior Bowl 2019

Wednesday’s practices moving to South Alabama University
Statement from Reese’s Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy:

“Because of potential bad weather on Wednesday, we have decided to move practices to South Alabama’s new indoor facility. Our number one priority is always player safety. Rather than risk injury to a player on a slick field or expose them to potential severe weather, we have opted to go indoors. Unfortunately, because of severe space limitations, that means our credentialed media will not be able to attend the practice. We are sorry for this inconvenience.”

Practice times will remain as scheduled:

North 12:30 pm-2:30 pm
South 3:00 pm-5:00 pm

They are closed to media and the public on Wednesday.

Thursday Practices return to Ladd-Peebles Stadium
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (North)
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (South)

* Practices Open To Public Thursday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium

*** Senior Bowl 2019 Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
Weigh-in/Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th

For Complete Senior Bowl info including Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

Draft Insiders’ All-Star Games
Frank Coyle/ Publisher – Head Scout

Senior Bowl Week

             The premier All-star event of the offseason has begun with the Senior Bowl weigh-in Monday and afternoon practices. Director Jim Nagy has assembled All-star rosters that promise to have the usual impact on the NFL Draft 2019. Draft Insiders’ will have extensive scouting reports in the upcoming Newsletter along with Web site reports and Tweets

Senior Bowl Practice Schedule

Tuesday
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm (SOUTH)
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (NORTH)

Wednesday
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (NORTH)
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (SOUTH)

Thursday
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm (NORTH)
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (SOUTH)

* ALL PRACTICES OPEN TO PUBLIC AT LADD-PEEBLES STADIUM

*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***

Weigh-in/Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th

For Complete Senior Bowl info including Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

It’s the Rams vs Patriots in Super Bowl LIII

Super Bowl LIII
When: Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. et on CBS
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Frank Coyle – head scout

In probably the most exciting day in NFL history, the Rams and Patriots won their NFC and AFC championship games with dramatic overtime victories. The Rams/Patriot game will be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI.

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The Rams return to the Super Bowl in only HC Sean McVay’s second season after 12 consecutive non-playoff appearances. It is the Rams’ fourth appearance in the SB. On Sunday, they fought back twice to tie the Saints and won in overtime on a 57 yard game winning FG by Greg Zuerlein. It was the longest FG in NFL Postseason history.

The Patriots go to their third consecutive Super Bowl and 11^th overall in history and the 9^th between HC Bill Belichick and Pro Bowl QB Tom Brady tenure. They won this time on one their patented long drives including the game winning drive in overtime after winning the coin toss. Brady outbattled young Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes in a postseason classic with the Patriots prevailing in the end.

We will have our Super Bowl LIII matchup story prior to the event.

East-West Shrine and NFLPA – Major All-Star Weeks Begin

  Both the East-West Shrine and NFLPA All-star weeks begin with practices. Both events have rosters of many NFL prospects including small college players looking to highlight their talent on the main stage.   

Draft Insiders’ will have scouting staffs at both All-star events this week. We will have in-depth evaluation of all the All-star events in upcoming newsletters.

  Draft Insiders’ 2019 January Newslettter will be available this week – Order Today –  Underclassmen rated, 2 Round Mock Draft and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

All-Star Games

     Jan. 19 – NFLPA Collegiate Game – Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Ca.– FS1 – 2 pm PT
      Go to http://collegiate.nflpa.com/2019-game-roster/ for updated info including Rosters

     Jan. 19- East-West Shrine – St. Petersburg, Florida – 3 pm est – NFL Network
 For Complete East-West Shrine All-star Game info including updated Roster acceptances
Go to http://www.shrinegame.com/
 
*** Senior Bowl Game – Jan 26, 2019 Mobile, Alabama – 1:30 pm CT- NFL Network ***
                       Weigh-in- Practices – Monday Jan 21st thru Thursday Jan 24th
For Complete Senior Bowl info including Roster acceptances
Go to https://www.seniorbowl.com/

 Key Postseason Dates
January 15 – Deadline for college players that are underclassmen to apply for special eligibility. A list of players who are accepted into the NFL Draft will be sent to clubs on January 19.

Jan 19 – East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Jan 19 – NFLPA All-Star Game, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Ca.
 
January 20 – AFC and NFC Championship Games.
 
January 26 – Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.

January 27 – NFL Pro Bowl, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida.
January 27 – An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.

                 Feb 3 – **** Super Bowl LIIl **** Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.

Draft Insiders’ All-Pro Teams

Frank Coyle/ Head scout

 Draft Insiders’ announces its annual Pro Bowl teams with the NFC and AFC championship games set for next Sunday, the Chiefs host the Patriots and the Saints play the Rams,

  The NFL’s four best teams with square off for the honor to meet in the Super Bowl on Feb. 3^rd. The four finalists have dominated out Pro Bowl clubs, along with several interesting first year and young players. The four title game clubs were the four highest scoring teams in the league in 2018 as the NFL continues in a dominate pass oriented game.  

MVP – QB Patrick Mahomes – Chiefs
Defensive POY – DT Aaron Donald – Rams

Comeback POY – QB Andrew Luck – Colts

Rookies of the Year
  Offense – RB Saquon Barkley – Giants
  Defense – LB Darius Leonard – Colts
 
* rookies

Draft Insiders’ 2019 January Newslettter will be available this week – All Underclassmen, 2 Round MD, and new Top 100 Pro Prospects

Draft Insiders’ Pro Bowl Teams
First Team
Offense

Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Running Back: * Saquon Barkley – New York Giants
1A Type: Tyreek Hill – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Tight End: Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Wide Receivers:
 Michael Thomas – New Orleans Saints
 DeAndre Hopkins – Houston Texans

Left Tackle: David Bakhtiari – Green Bay Packers
Right Tackle: Mitchell Schwartz – Kansas City Chiefs
 
Left Guard: * Quenton Nelson – Indianapolis Colts
Right Guard: Zack Martin – Dallas Cowboys
Center: Jason Kelce – Philadelphia Eagles
 
Defense
Edge Rushers:
 J.J. Watt – Houston Texans
 Khalil Mack – Chicago Bears
 Cameron Jordan – New Orleans Saints
 
Tackles:
   Aaron Donald – Los Angeles Rams
  Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs

Linebackers:
Luke Kuechly – Carolina Panthers
Bobby Wagner – Seattle Seahawks
* Darius Leonard – Indianapolis Colts
 
Cornerbacks: Kyle Fuller – Chicago Bears
 Stephon Gilmore – New England Patriots
 
Safeties:
  * Derwin James – Los Angeles Chargers
  Eddie Jackson – Chicago Bears
  Nickel Back: Desmond King – Los Angeles Chargers
 
Special Teams
Placekicker: Aldrick Rosas – New York Giants
Punter: * Michael Dickson – Seattle Seahawks
Kick Returner: Andre Roberts – New York Jets
Punt Returner: Tarik Cohen – Chicago Bears
Special Teamer: Adrian Phillips – Los Angeles Chargers
 
Second Team
Offense
Quarterback:
  Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints
 
Running Back:
Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams
1A Type: Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers
 
Tight End: George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
 
Wide Receivers:
Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons
Amari Cooper – Dallas Cowboys
 
Left Tackle: Duane Brown – Seattle Seahawks
Right Tackle: Ryan Ramczyk – New Orleans Saints
 
 Left Guard: Joel Bitonio – Cleveland Browns
 Right Guard: Marshal Yanda – Baltimore Ravens
 Center: Maurkice Pouncey – Pittsburgh Steelers
 
Defense
Edge Rushers:
 Von Miller – Denver Broncos
 Myles Garrett – Cleveland Browns
 Danielle Hunter – Minnesota Vikings
 
Tackles:  
 Fletcher Cox – Philadelphia Eagles
 Jurrell Casey – Tennessee Titans
 
Linebackers:
 C.J. Mosley – Baltimore Ravens
 * Leighton Vander Esch – Dallas Cowboys
T.J. Watt – Pittsburgh Steelers

 Cornerbacks:
   Byron Jones – Dallas Cowboys
   Xavien Howard – Miami Dolphins
 
Safeties:
  Jamal Adams – New York Jets
  Harrison Smith – Minnesota Vikings
  Nickel Back: * Denzel Ward – Cleveland Browns
 
Special Teams
Placekicker: Justin Tucker – Baltimore Ravens
Punter: Johnny Hekker – Los Angeles Rams
Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson – New England Patriots
Punt Returner: Desmond King – Los Angeles Chargers
Special Teamer: Cory Littleton – Los Angeles Rams

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years. He was a 20 year Scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl.

Draft Insiders’ Rookie Spotlight – RB Sony Michel – Patriots

  By Frank Coyle

       Draft Insiders’ will post Rookie spotlight players regularly and their Scouting Report from our NFL Draft 2018 Yearbook. Scouting Reports are written from the fall into March annually.

Rookie runner Sony Michel has been one of the top impact first year players in the NFL this season. He has been a  difference maker for the Patriots current playoff run. In their opening playoff game victory over the Chargers, he rushed for 129 yards on 24 carries for 3 TDs and 1 reception for 9 yards. He was instrumental as their run to a 35-0 first half advantage that never relinquished.

For his rookie season, he rushed for 931 yards on just 209 carries for a 4.5 yard average and 6 TDs. He added 7 receptions. Over the season, he has split time with veteran James White to give the Pats a combo that averaged 4.5 yards per attempt.

Michel is an every down back and one of the most productive runners over an SEC career prior to this season. His well rounded talent translated quickly to the NFL and he has been an interchangeable part for all the Patriots offensive packages.

 Here is his Scouting Report from Draft Insiders’ Yearbook 2018 written March 2018

 Sony Michel #1 – Georgia                     5-11      215        – Sp. 4.50
    Player Comparison: Isaiah Crowell                        Rating 60                                                                
Talented multi-dimensional all around back has been an impact performer for the Bulldogs the past three seasons. Earned SEC honors in 2017 after an excellent overall performance. Tough natural low based runner shows quick feet with good size and speed to be an NFL feature back. Slides nicely laterally and runs with a wiggle to string multiple moves together. Gets to top speed quickly with the ability to adjust his speed and change gears well. On the 2nd level, he has a burst to run away from defenders. Displays good lower body power and is able to make consistent yardage after contact. Keeps his pad level down to run over defenders. Developing receiver comes out of the backfield quickly into his routes. Shows reliable hands and capable of making the tough catch. In space, he knows what to do with the ball and shows the burst to take the play the distance. Very effective on screens and shorter routes, though only a limited route tree and needs some further development. Displayed the ability to run inside and outside, though not a physical downhill power back between the tackles. As a pass blocker, he’s alert, aware and competent at picking up the blitz. Keeps his feet well and shows good balance and functional strength. Explosive when he sees a crease and is capable of making huge yardage. Good vision and awareness to keep drives alive. Versatile talent to give an offense a unique weapon to command special attention in every situation and high level 1A type.

The Numbers:  As a senior in 2017, he shared time with Nick Chubb and played in 14 games and rushed for 1227 yards on 156 carries for a 7.9 yard average and 16 TDs. He caught 9 passes for 96 yards and 1 TD. As a junior, he rushed for 840 yards on 152 carries for a 5.5 average and 4 TDs. He caught 22 passes for 149 yards and 1 TD. As a sophomore, he rushed for over 1000 yards with 8 TDs and 26 receptions and 3 TDs. Over his career, he rushed for 3638 yards on 591 carries for 6.2 yard average with 33 rushing TDs and 64 catches with 6 TDs. At the NFL Combine, he came in at 5’10”, 214 lbs. and ran a 4.54 time. He did 22 reps, a 4.21 shuttle and no other events. At the pro day, he looked sharp in drills, catching the ball and looking smooth in routes.

The Skinny: Natural runner and receiver with good speed to change games. Nice combination of speed, power and cutting skills. Combines the size, quickness and strength to get into the end zone. Well-rounded with the suddenness to get outside and make the corner with the burst to hit the home run. Rising talent probably goes in the top 50 prospects and capable of being a quality feature back similar to rookie sensation Alvin Kamara who we were very high on last year. Kamara’s YB Scouting Report is on web site. Also, Frank Gore and Isaiah Crowell in size, style and speed. Fine addition with starting talent to be a three down back, though more a complete 1A type and nice asset for any backfield.

Draft Projection: 2nd Round

Draft Insiders’ Rookie Spotlight – LB Darius Leonard – Colts

By Frank Coyle

       Draft Insiders’ will post Rookie spotlight players regularly and their Scouting Report from our NFL Draft 2018 Yearbook. Scouting Reports are written from the fall into March annually.

Rookie Darius Leonard has been one of the top impact first year players in the NFL this season. He has been a major difference maker for the Colts playoff run. He has been an every down defender and one of the most productive defenders in the league. His well rounded talent translated quickly to the NFL and he has been an interchangeable defender for all the Colts package defenses

 Here is his Scouting Report from Draft Insiders’ Yearbook 2018 written March 2018

 Darius Leonard #10     South Carolina St         6-2       235       – Sp. 4.65       
    Player Comparison: Thomas Davis                                   Rating 80

Athletic, active, senior finished his small college career with incredible consistency as an every down defender. Earned MEAC honors annually, completing his career with an impressive Senior Bowl week. Long rangy defender with fine field speed to make plays at the opposite sideline and drop in coverage. Lean frame and probably has maxed out at the 235 lb. level. His athleticism, quickness, toughness and consistent effort vs a high level of competition stand out on film. Good movement skills with good instincts and fluid hips. Top instincts and quick reactions to use his fine speed and athleticism to make plays. Fiery on-field character with explosive closing speed and able to cover a lot of ground quickly in pursuit. Flashes burst to close on the ball especially in close quarters. Powerful tackler and really brings his pads on contact and consistently able to finish. Good initial quickness off the snap to read plays and defeat blocking angles. Able to contort his body to dip around a block and drop ball-carriers. Holds point fairly well with adequate functional strength. Above average change-of-direction allows him to redirect in space and stay with receivers. Developing cover man with improving ball skills to compete for the Will position in the NFL. That is his best position. Very experienced and effective on all special teams’ coverage units where his sure tackling ranks him as one of the premier special teams’ defenders in this class. High level of self-motivation and excellent competitive drive. Outstanding quickness makes it tough for blockers to get a good fit and compensates for marginal size. Moves laterally well and keeps blockers off his body to flow to the ball. Well-developed backfield vision and usually on time recognizing route concepts. In 2017, he had 114 tackles with 12 TFL and 8.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 1 FF, 1 PBU and 2 interceptions. Earned 1st team MEAC honors. In 2016, started 11 games and posted 124 tackles with 14.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 4 FF, 3 PBU and 2 interceptions. Earned 1st team MEAC honors. Good early part time defender and special teams’ performer from his true freshman season. Over his career, recorded 394 tackles with 22 sacks, 53 TFLs, 8 FF, 3 FR, 6 interceptions and 7 PBUs. At the NFL Combine, he came in at 6’2”, 234 lbs. with 34 3/8” arms. He ran a 4.70 time with a 1.67 ten-yard split and did 17 reps.  He was average in the positional drills. Lack of ideal size causes concern about durability. Best fit as Will backer. Many of the same skills as Thomas Davis with keen instincts, big play talent and good work habits. Rising top 100 prospect with upside and the AA to become a pro playmaker in either a 4-3  or 3-4 set. Fine run and chase defender and rising talent with early starting ability. Needs work in coverage for nickel role, but displays the skills to start there. Outstanding special teams’ ability earns him a roster spot. Top three small college prospect to be a fixture in a 4-3 set. Probable Will starter with some coverage work. 

                                                                        Draft Projection: 3rd Round