Player: Vontaze Burfict
Position: Linebacker
School: Arizona State
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 248 pounds
Positives: Very fast, definitely plays with a linebacker mentality, fills the hole quickly on run plays, fantastic closing speed, great athleticism, avoids blockers well, solid tackler, always around the action, lots of upside, great motor, can chase down ball carriers sideline to sideline, big hitter
Negatives: very late play recognition and reaction skills out of initial stance, is reckless and goes for big hit far too often, will take too many chances going for big play, has problems controlling emotions and draws some penalties
Draft Grade: Top 20
Overview: Burfict was a top recruit coming out of high school and now he’ll be a top prospect going into the NFL Draft. Blessed with awesome size and athleticism, he plays with the tenacity of a young Ray Lewis, although he’s far from being as all around as the Ravens’ All Pro was coming out of Miami. With more experience, improved instincts, and good coaching, we could be talking about VontazeBurfict that same way we speak of Lewis in a few years. Really fits well into a 4-3 where he has more room to run down backs, but is strong enough to shed off blockers that slip through the first level of a 3-4.
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