Grading System

CIE GRANT

Position: OLB Class: Sr School: Ohio St. Conference: Big Ten Ht., Wt.: 6'0½, 228 40 Time: 4.51 Grade: 3.62 Selected by New Orleans Saints Round 3, pick 22 (86 overall)

BIO: Two-year starter used at safety, cornerback and outside linebacker. Totaled 71 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks last season at linebacker and awarded second team All-Conference honors. Recorded 56 tackles, three INTs and five pass defensives as a junior starting 10 games at cornerback. Played special teams his first Two-years in the program. POSITIVES: Athletic prospect who looks to have a future at weak side linebacker. Good athlete, breaks down well, displays range and makes plays in every direction of the field. Does not bite on play action passes, quickly picks up his assignments and gets depth on his pass drops. Moves well laterally, quick filling gaps up the field and snuffs out the ball carrier. Strong at the point of attack and holds his ground against blocks, wrapping up the ball carrier then bringing him down on initial contact. NEGATIVES: Not efficient and takes a lot of extra steps. Late reacting to the play and at times does more chasing than actual covering. ANALYSIS: Must iron out the details of his position but a lot of underlying skill to work with and at the very least a back-up linebacker who can be effective on special teams. PROJECTION: Late Third Round Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images