KJ Wright of Mississippi State ~ 6.3/250
"A tall, long, well-put-together linebacker who possesses a good combination of size and athleticism for the position. Lacks great straight-line speed in pursuit, but exhibits a solid first step for his size. Is a naturally strong kid when asked to break down and is a physical wrap-up guy on contact. Exhibits above-average anchor strength when run at inside, but would like to see him generate more of a jolt through his hips into contact. Nevertheless, uses his length well to take on defenders, anchor and pick his way through traffic.
Displays impressive short-area quickness, has the ability to side step defenders, avoid the block and use his length to wrap up off his frame. Will get caught up inside at times and will take a false step initially trying to find the football, allowing blockers to seal him from the play. However, overall, exhibits above-average awareness and stays disciplined on play fakes, consistently stays at home on the backside and seems to routinely put himself around the action.
Surprisingly, looks really comfortable and balanced in coverage for a guy his size. Is smooth and patient in his drop, keeps his feet under him and is fluid enough to cleanly get in and out of his breaks. Uses his long arms well to reroute receivers in coverage and can really be tough to disengage from down the field. Cleanly opens up his hips when asked to turn and run, and exhibits some range in coverage. Also, displays good balance and stop/go ability in man-to-man as and can really blanket tight ends in and out of their breaks once he get his hands on them.
Impression: Is a big, long, athletic kid who knows how to use his length/athleticism to fend off blocks. Would like to continue to see him improve his read and react ability and deliver more of a snap at the point of attack, but overall looks like a starting caliber SLB in the NFL."
Displays impressive short-area quickness, has the ability to side step defenders, avoid the block and use his length to wrap up off his frame. Will get caught up inside at times and will take a false step initially trying to find the football, allowing blockers to seal him from the play. However, overall, exhibits above-average awareness and stays disciplined on play fakes, consistently stays at home on the backside and seems to routinely put himself around the action.
Surprisingly, looks really comfortable and balanced in coverage for a guy his size. Is smooth and patient in his drop, keeps his feet under him and is fluid enough to cleanly get in and out of his breaks. Uses his long arms well to reroute receivers in coverage and can really be tough to disengage from down the field. Cleanly opens up his hips when asked to turn and run, and exhibits some range in coverage. Also, displays good balance and stop/go ability in man-to-man as and can really blanket tight ends in and out of their breaks once he get his hands on them.
Impression: Is a big, long, athletic kid who knows how to use his length/athleticism to fend off blocks. Would like to continue to see him improve his read and react ability and deliver more of a snap at the point of attack, but overall looks like a starting caliber SLB in the NFL."
"Bio: Three-year starter who finished with 98/8/3 as a senior when he also broke up nine passes. Junior numbers included 82/6.5/2.
Positive: Athletic, playmaking linebacker with terrific size/speed numbers. Effective in pursuit, fast out to the flanks and covers a lot of area on the field. Gets depth on pass drops, possesses a quick first step to the action, and makes plays in space. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself and breaks down well. Works well with teammates and remains disciplined with assignments.
Negative: Adequate instincts yet slow reacting to the action on occasion. Does not display a killer instinct.
Analysis: Wright has been a consistent defender at Mississippi State and possesses the athleticism and measurables to be used in a variety of systems as an outside linebacker at the next level."
Positive: Athletic, playmaking linebacker with terrific size/speed numbers. Effective in pursuit, fast out to the flanks and covers a lot of area on the field. Gets depth on pass drops, possesses a quick first step to the action, and makes plays in space. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself and breaks down well. Works well with teammates and remains disciplined with assignments.
Negative: Adequate instincts yet slow reacting to the action on occasion. Does not display a killer instinct.
Analysis: Wright has been a consistent defender at Mississippi State and possesses the athleticism and measurables to be used in a variety of systems as an outside linebacker at the next level."
"Positives: Excellent production in last three years at Mississippi State (251 tackles, eight sacks), showed improvement each season in school... Has a good mix of size and speed, bulk is above-average... Has good quickness in most facets of the game, is able to run with most tight ends in coverage, has the ability to get to the quarterback when asked to blitz... Plays with a lot of passion and desire, has a mean streak and the ability to make a big hit... Stacks and sheds pretty well when taking on blockers, uses big frame to his advantage... Is a good athlete for his size... Is a pretty good wrap-up tackler, does not miss a lot of tackles near the line, although open-field tackling could be a little better... Durability is not an issue, has not missed time due to injury... Good in play pursuit, has a solid motor and enough speed to get back into the play.
Negatives: Takes some poor angles when tackling and blitzing, can be somewhat out of control when closing in on a target... Can get a little high at times, has a tall frame and needs to lower pad level when tackling and taking on blockers... Not great against the misdirection game, instincts are average and change-of-direction skills could be better, will get out of position too regularly... Needs to be more fluid when scraping through traffic... Will not be relied on much in the pass coverage game, is adequate in coverage, but will be utilized as more of a pass rusher on third downs."
Negatives: Takes some poor angles when tackling and blitzing, can be somewhat out of control when closing in on a target... Can get a little high at times, has a tall frame and needs to lower pad level when tackling and taking on blockers... Not great against the misdirection game, instincts are average and change-of-direction skills could be better, will get out of position too regularly... Needs to be more fluid when scraping through traffic... Will not be relied on much in the pass coverage game, is adequate in coverage, but will be utilized as more of a pass rusher on third downs."
"Overview: Athletic, productive defensive leader who tallied 252 tackles in his last three years with the Bulldogs - was second-leading tackler in each of those years. Quick and disruptive, he led the team in tackles for loss (24.5 in his career) since he was a sophomore.
Strengths: Strong and physical outside linebacker who plays with very high energy. Great combination of size and speed. Very durable with 47 consecutive games played in his career. Great lateral quickness and able to play sideline-to-sideline - can cover sweeps and bubble screens with success. Plays with hands up and often deflects passes or forces QB to redirect pass. Able to recognize draws and screens. Good strength and toughness shown as he can shed blockers and make tackles at the LOS - plays downhill against the run. Closes quickly and tackles effectively with long arms and strong grasp. Capable pass defender with speed to match most TEs and RBs - drops well into assigned zone.
Weaknesses: Sometimes over-aggressive and will over-pursue and take himself out of the play; will bite on play-action fakes (but can usually recover.) Sometimes will take too flat an angle in pursuit causing him to miss and allowing carrier to turn the corner.
Projection: 3rd round."
Strengths: Strong and physical outside linebacker who plays with very high energy. Great combination of size and speed. Very durable with 47 consecutive games played in his career. Great lateral quickness and able to play sideline-to-sideline - can cover sweeps and bubble screens with success. Plays with hands up and often deflects passes or forces QB to redirect pass. Able to recognize draws and screens. Good strength and toughness shown as he can shed blockers and make tackles at the LOS - plays downhill against the run. Closes quickly and tackles effectively with long arms and strong grasp. Capable pass defender with speed to match most TEs and RBs - drops well into assigned zone.
Weaknesses: Sometimes over-aggressive and will over-pursue and take himself out of the play; will bite on play-action fakes (but can usually recover.) Sometimes will take too flat an angle in pursuit causing him to miss and allowing carrier to turn the corner.
Projection: 3rd round."
"Wright was a three-year stater at Mississippi State and a consistent leader of the defense. He finished second on the team in tackles each of the last two seasons, making 47 solo and 98 total in 2010. Wright also was third on the team with eight tackles for loss, second with three sacks, second with nine passes defensed, second with nine pass breakups, second with four quarterback hurries, and he also recorded a sack and a fumble recovery.
Standing at 6'3'' and 246 pounds, Wright boasts an impressive combination of size and speed, as he has been clocked as fast a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. His pass-coverage skills are beyond stellar for a linebacker. He also has some of the longest arms at his position, and his wing-span helps him both against the pass and in making tackles.
Wright is also more than capable of getting to the quarterback and he will have to do that especially in third-down situations. However, Wright must improve his fundamentals--especially in the tackling department--in order to become a star at the next level. Look for him to go off the board during the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft."
Standing at 6'3'' and 246 pounds, Wright boasts an impressive combination of size and speed, as he has been clocked as fast a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash. His pass-coverage skills are beyond stellar for a linebacker. He also has some of the longest arms at his position, and his wing-span helps him both against the pass and in making tackles.
Wright is also more than capable of getting to the quarterback and he will have to do that especially in third-down situations. However, Wright must improve his fundamentals--especially in the tackling department--in order to become a star at the next level. Look for him to go off the board during the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft."
Fanatical FootBall Fiend on KJ Wright
A solid 2nd or 3rd Rounder who could start either as a 3.4 or a 4.3...
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
As always, the preceding thoughts were regurgitated, derivative tripe, adding no value whatsoever, while in fact obliterating intelligent thought and offending the spirit of all decent men. You are now stupider for having read it, and are encouraged, in the strongest possible language, never to expose your eyes to this Site again.
RSS Feed