Rolando McClain NFL Draft scouting report
by Dan Kadar on Jan 14, 2010 12:17 AM EST
in 2010 NFL Draft
Email
PrintRolando McClain
6'4, 258 pounds | Middle linebacker | Alabama
Coverage: Better in zone coverage than man where he can use his athleticism to break on the ball. Uses his plus football intelligence to know opponent's passing plays and gets good breaks on routes. Hands are nothing special.
Instincts: Recognition skills are at an elite level. Is never out of place, which makes his burst and athleticism seem even more impressive. Doesn't get fooled by play-action and quickly recognizes blocking schemes.
Pass Rush: A strong pass rusher who is infrequently required to blitz. Shows a good rip move. Closes really fast when he gets an open lane.
Pursuit: He's always going hard and fast toward the ball. He takes correct angles to the ball carrier and infrequently gets caught up on blocks. Reportedly has run the 40-yard dash in 4.59 and 4.63 seconds.
Quickness: Has a great first step off the snap that amplifies his ball recognition skills. Uses his quickness to slip blocks to avoid the arms of his opponents.
Run defense: McClain is perhaps the premier run-stopping linebacker in the draft. He's strong and rangy. Playing on the inside, McClain doesn't wait for the ball carrier to come at him, he attacks.
Size: Possesses perfect size for the position. Is strong throughout his frame and reportedly has only 9 percent body fat. While
Strength: Has a powerful frame and impressive functional playing strength. Needs to become a little more technically sound shedding blocks. Will get upright too much and allow blockers into his legs.
Tackling: A picture-perfect tackler. Wraps up when he reaches the ball carrier. Doesn't need a lot of help tackling. Doesn't tackle high. McClain can really big hits on players, jarring the ball loose.
Versatility: McClain is not just a run-defending middle linebacker. When he's asked to get after the quarterback, he has the moves to get through inside and close. McClain has also shown he can drop back into coverage and cover tight ends in space.
Final word: McClain is the most sure-thing as a middle linebacker prospect in the draft since Patrick Willis. He's a prototypical combination of size, athleticism and intelligence.
If McClain somehow turns out to be a bust, it will be a shock.
18 comments
|
2 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
And the Miami Dolphins with the 12th pick...
3 new 2010 starting LBers via 2010 draft
Confidence breeds success, self-doubt breeds failure
Yeah we should
be all over this kid………
by Hail2DaChiefs on Jan 14, 2010 8:23 AM EST up reply actions
we saw him first!
For every woman masturbating right now, there is a guy masturbating while imagining that woman masturbate.
2009 NY Phin PhansFantasy League Champion
2009 Best Regular Season Record in NYPPL.
by Patssuck456 on Jan 14, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions
since you brought up Willis....who was rated higher coming out of college?
Be careful....to a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
I don’t really put grades on players. If I did, I guess I’d have Willis slightly higher.
Mocking the Draft: Your NFL Draft source.
Traditional linebackers (e.g., not the pass rush specialists in the 3-4) are in some ways sort of the defensive equivalent to the running back on offense: both positions have developed into more of a complimentary part in recent years; teams aren’t looking to build their offenses around Eric Dickerson or their defenses around Mike Singletary anymore.
But the elite prospects at these positions still hold draft value (a running back has gone in the top ten in 4 of the past 5 drafts, and a traditional linebacker has gone in the top ten in 3 of the past 5, and one of years a LB didn’t go top ten was 2007, when Patrick Willis went #11). But I think these two positions are difficult to predict, because they do have less value overall than they used to, and they also seem to be two of the easier positions to find pro-ready talent later on in the draft.
Nevertheless, I think this guy is a good bet to go top 10. He seems like the complete package, and a guy who should be able to step in right away. It’s trendy now to put him with KC, which makes sense. Pick #5 could be a prime trade down spot too, especially if the QBs are on the board with Seattle at #6. I would think the Chiefs could move down to, say, Buffalo or maybe even Denver and still get their guy.
McClain
Has been a favorite of mine for a while now. The dude has no flaws in his game. I only wish my Cowboys had a pressing need for an ILB so we could trade up to take him.
I’ve heard McClain isn’t as fast as you’ve projected him to be.
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jan 14, 2010 10:59 AM EST reply actions
For 6-4 255
And somehow strung Jeffrey Demps out to the edge and chase him down from behind, he is quick enough. He doesn’t have elite track speed, but within the MLB parameter, sideline to sideline, and laterally, he’s fast enough.
I would consider 4.5-4.6 elite speed for a MLB, which is what Curry ran last year. And he definitely ain’t as fast as Curry
by The Licensed Pessimist on Jan 14, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Is Curry as fast as his timed speed?
He sure doesn’t play like it at all.
Holmgren would have drafted Crabtree.
by Fearless Frog on Jan 14, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
I saw that too...
I dunno how a guy can do that and not be fast.
Brandon Spikes…there’s one not as fast as projected…even if he manages to run a 4.6. He’s not that fast.
How come China can't vote David Lee for All-Star?
by FreeBradshaw on Jan 14, 2010 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
That’s not a projection. It’s what he was timed at in the summer.
Mocking the Draft: Your NFL Draft source.
I really like these ...
….scouting reports you do, even though most will not fall to my team(steelers), great work nonetheless, thank you, well done.
McClain is as good a prospect as any in the draft except maybe Suh. A fantastic player who can legitimize and solidify any linebacking corps he joins.
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Jan 14, 2010 12:13 PM EST reply actions
Thanks Marvin. I’m trying to get through the top guys as quickly as possible. We’ll get to Steelers targets at some point soon.
Mocking the Draft: Your NFL Draft source.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Mocking The Draft
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
