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What time is it? Hawk Time! Nice pick guys....
A.J. Hawk
OLB, Ohio State
War Room analysis
Against the inside run: Is a tackling machine. Is an old-school, blue-collar player with elite speed and athleticism. Shows great football instincts. Attacks the line of scrimmage, is physical at the point of attack and uses hands well to shed blockers. Must strengthen lower body and bulk up to hold ground against NFL linemen. Grade: 8.4.
Against the outside run: Shows great open-field speed and range. Is quick to diagnose plays and takes great angles to the ball. Uses hands well to fight through traffic. Shuts down cutback lanes in pursuit. Wraps up and explodes through tackles. Grade: 8.5.
Blitz/coverage:: Shows great blitz instincts and explosiveness. Is disruptive and relentless in the backfield. Shows a closing burst as a pass rusher. Matches up well with tight ends and running backs on underneath zones but lacks the smooth hips to turn and run with them in man-to-man coverage. Has great recovery speed. Grade: 8.6.
Run/pass recognition: Excels in this area. Rarely takes false steps. Shows superior awareness and football intelligence. Always is in position to make plays. Grade: 8.5.
Pursuit/tackling: Is tenacious; never stops hustling. Makes sideline-to-sideline plays but always stays under control. Shows stiff hips, reducing ability to make quick cuts; compensates with elite speed and superior positioning. Is aggressive but rarely goes for highlight-reel hits; is more likely to go for reliable, wrap-up tackles than risk missing plays. Grade: 8.4.
Bottom line: Hawk is the most complete linebacker in the 2006 draft. He is a force against the run, is relentless in pursuit, is a disruptive pass rusher and has the ball skills to make plays in coverage. He is a natural playmaker whose presence must be accounted for on every play. He is versatile and can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 but is at his best when protected by defensive tackles and free to chase the ball. Hawk should be the first linebacker drafted as a potential top-five pick overall.
Dan Pompei analysis
Superior prospect can play outside or inside. Excels at taking on and coming off blocks. Is physical and intimidating as a hard-hitting defender. Is tough and mean. Shows great leadership skills. Has a nose for the ball. Sniffs out screen passes. Neither overplays nor overpursues. Trusts schemes. Covers plenty of ground with good speed. Has great body control. Shines as a blitzer. Factors in on almost every play. Lacks only ideal height.
No. 1 on Pompei's OLB rankings
A.J. Hawk
OLB, Ohio State
War Room analysis
Against the inside run: Is a tackling machine. Is an old-school, blue-collar player with elite speed and athleticism. Shows great football instincts. Attacks the line of scrimmage, is physical at the point of attack and uses hands well to shed blockers. Must strengthen lower body and bulk up to hold ground against NFL linemen. Grade: 8.4.
Against the outside run: Shows great open-field speed and range. Is quick to diagnose plays and takes great angles to the ball. Uses hands well to fight through traffic. Shuts down cutback lanes in pursuit. Wraps up and explodes through tackles. Grade: 8.5.
Blitz/coverage:: Shows great blitz instincts and explosiveness. Is disruptive and relentless in the backfield. Shows a closing burst as a pass rusher. Matches up well with tight ends and running backs on underneath zones but lacks the smooth hips to turn and run with them in man-to-man coverage. Has great recovery speed. Grade: 8.6.
Run/pass recognition: Excels in this area. Rarely takes false steps. Shows superior awareness and football intelligence. Always is in position to make plays. Grade: 8.5.
Pursuit/tackling: Is tenacious; never stops hustling. Makes sideline-to-sideline plays but always stays under control. Shows stiff hips, reducing ability to make quick cuts; compensates with elite speed and superior positioning. Is aggressive but rarely goes for highlight-reel hits; is more likely to go for reliable, wrap-up tackles than risk missing plays. Grade: 8.4.
Bottom line: Hawk is the most complete linebacker in the 2006 draft. He is a force against the run, is relentless in pursuit, is a disruptive pass rusher and has the ball skills to make plays in coverage. He is a natural playmaker whose presence must be accounted for on every play. He is versatile and can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 but is at his best when protected by defensive tackles and free to chase the ball. Hawk should be the first linebacker drafted as a potential top-five pick overall.
Dan Pompei analysis
Superior prospect can play outside or inside. Excels at taking on and coming off blocks. Is physical and intimidating as a hard-hitting defender. Is tough and mean. Shows great leadership skills. Has a nose for the ball. Sniffs out screen passes. Neither overplays nor overpursues. Trusts schemes. Covers plenty of ground with good speed. Has great body control. Shines as a blitzer. Factors in on almost every play. Lacks only ideal height.
No. 1 on Pompei's OLB rankings
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