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2015 NFL Draft: Day 2 Prospects Worth Reaching For

By Maxwell Ogden

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Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Denzel Perryman addresses the media during the ACC football media day at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Denzel Perryman, Miami Hurricanes

Position: Inside Linebacker

Height & Weight: 5’11” & 236 pounds

2014 Season Statistics: 110 total tackles, 79 solo, 9.5 for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception, 3 fumbles forced, 5 passes defended

I nearly left Denzel Perryman of the Miami Hurricanes off of this list. That isn’t because I question his ability, but instead because I’m unsure of why he isn’t receiving a unanimous first-round grade.

As the top inside linebacker in the 2015 NFL Draft, it’d behoove a team to reach for Perryman in the late first round.

Perryman is a physical and hard-hitting player who seeks contact and has the potential to be a very productive player. He’s not elite in any one area besides tackling, but he’s at least average in virtually every one.

According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, the knock on Perryman are his struggles in isolated man coverage.

"“He’s physical and plays angry at the point of attack. He’s the type of guy you like having on your team because he brings toughness to practice. He’s going to lay the wood to ball carriers when he gets a chance but college teams were already finding ways to go after him in the passing game.” — AFC East regional scout “I have a little higher grade on Perryman than I probably should, but we like thumpers and badasses inside and he’s both.” — AFC director of scouting"

That’s an undeniable issue, but Perryman’s ball skills are on par with the best at his position.

Perryman can step in and provide an immediate impact for a team with a strong defensive foundation, but a need in the middle. The question is, which team will actually pull the trigger on the latest star Miami linebacker?

Teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 21, the Arizona Cardinals at No. 24, the Dallas Cowboys at No. 27, the Denver Broncos at No. 28 and the Green Bay Packers at No. 30 all make sense.

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