Position: Linebacker
School: Alabama
Status: Senior
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230
40-Yard Dash: 4.65 (EST)
Positives:
DeMeco Ryans' speed may be average on paper, but he has an incredible burst for a linebacker that let's him close in on his target in a big hurry. While he's been excellent in run support, his strength may be dropping back into coverage, running well with running backs and tight ends.
Negatives:
While he played strong-side linebacker in college, Ryans' size lends him more to the weak side in the NFL, which means he'll have to spend a chunk of time learning a different position than he's used to.
Another concern with this is that DeMeco didn't show a whole lot of pass-rush ability in college (at least in part because of Alabama's defensive system), which is often something that weak side linebackers are asked to do. His burst should lend him well to it, but it isn't something he's shown he can do yet.
Overview:
DeMeco Ryans is a guy who has really gotten lost in the ranks of all the great linebackers coming out in this draft. One thing that makes him stand above his peers in this draft is that he's been such a high-character guy throughout his college career, and has really stepped up as a team leader in his time with the Crimson Tide.
