Alec Ogletree LB Georgia #9
Wt: 242
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Size/Athleticism: Taller than most inside linebackers. Elite athlete for the position. Has the speed to be a sideline-to-sideline defender. He’s a fluid athlete who can match up with any tight end in coverage.
Run Defense: Covers a ton of ground. He’ll often be the first defender to the ball carrier even when lined up on the opposite side of the line from the direction of the play. Speed allows him to take angles that most linebackers simply can’t attempt. Not the type of linebacker that can step up and fill holes. He isn’t especially tough or strong and doesn’t shed a lot of blocks, especially at the point of attack. He’s more of a “clean up the mess” linebacker against the run, almost like a safety. He stays back and makes a lot of tackles in the 3 to 5 yard range. Doesn’t make a ton of impact tackles at or behind the line of scrimage unless he’s blitzing from the opposite direction of the play and he’s able to sneak up from behind.
Pass Rush: Not used frequently, but he has the speed to be an effective edge rusher in certain situations. He’s not a 3-4 outside linebacker who can consistently shed tackles, but if he’s lined up in a favorable matchup he can win with his sped. Most of his blitzes either came up the middle in 3-4 sets, or as the strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 sets.
Coverage: Elite coverage ability. A former safety who knows how to drop in coverage and read the quarterback. Primarily dropped into zone coverage at Georgia, but has the speed and agility to match up with tight ends and running back in man coverage. His technique needs some refining in order to be able to hang with some of the more athletic tight ends, but the raw talent is definitely there. If he commits himself to refining his skills, he will be one of the best in the game in coverage.
Intangibles: Suspended for four games in 2012 for violating team rules (reportedly substance abuse issue). Arrested for DUI just weeks before combine.
Durability: Missed most of 2011 season with a broken foot.
Comments: Ogletree is an elite talent with serious off-field baggage. He’s not a player that should be on every board because in the wrong situation he will continue to get into trouble and will never pan out. But if a team is comfortable with the leadership in the locker room, he would be worth a first-round selection. In today’s NFL, linebackers with Ogletree’s athleticism are more valuable than every. I would prefer him in the 4-3 scheme due to the fact that he won’t have to take on interior linemen as often, which he struggles with. But in the 4-3 he could play any of the three linebacker positions.
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