Position:
Outside Linebacker
School: Miami (Fla)
Status: Senior
Height:
6-0
Weight:
230
40-Yard Dash:
4.65
Positives:
Jonathan Vilma is a very intelligent, quick thinking, instinctive linebacker with very good recognition skills. He works hard on every play. He is an outstanding tackler, and a hard hitter... very competitive. He has good initial quickness and good blitz instincts. Does a nice job in pass coverage.
He has been an impressive player since the beginning of his career at Miami. He backed up former Hurricane Dan Morgan as a freshman, and was a full-time starter at middle linebacker for the past three seasons, leading the team in tackles the last two.
Negatives:
Vilma played inside backer at Miami, but he's a little small to play the middle in the NFL. He has good speed, but as outside linebackers go, he's just average. He might be best-suited to play the weak side, but if he bulks up a little, he could stay in the middle. Would probably be a great fit on the inside of a 3-4 defense.
He must also learn to use his hands better to get off blocks against the run. He has a tough time getting away from offensive linemen once he locks up with them.
Projection:
Vilma is among the best linebackers in the nation, and should step into a starting role somewhere. However, I do not think he possesses the upside that a D.J. Williams or Karlos Dansby do. Regardless, he is still a solid first-roud pick.
