Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Jason Worilds.
NFL position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
40 time: 4.75
Current projection: Third-round pick
Jason Worilds has the athleticism and pass-rush skills to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he lacks skills away from the line of scrimmage.
Strengths: Is an elite athlete with the quickness, speed and explosiveness to make an impact rushing the passer when aggressive. Has an explosive closing burst to the quarterback and can deliver a violent hit. Can beat tackles outside with quick hands or inside with a very good spin move. Flashes a surprising ability to jolt and drive tackles backward into the quarterback’s lap; can then free up and get the sack. Is very competitive chasing after running plays in pursuit; shows the rare athleticism to hurdle low blocks and gets back to full speed in a flash. Has the top-level speed and burst to consistently finish plays. Has the athleticism to change directions fast and avoid blockers in space.
Weaknesses: Is a ‘tweener. Looks more like a linebacker than an end. Does not have good instincts and awareness, which is more of a problem the farther from the line a defender plays. Is often the last lineman moving at the snap. Does not maintain backside containment responsibility on plays away from him. Does not rush the quarterback aggressively on every snap, reducing his productivity. Lacks ideal size to play end and struggles to get free from opposing linemen once they get a hold of him.
Bottom line: Worilds definitely could have helped his stock by staying in school for another season, during which he could have defined himself as an end or outside linebacker and improved his instincts and awareness. When he rushes the passer aggressively, he looks like an elite athlete who could be very effective as an undersized pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme. But when he does not rush aggressively, he gets tied up and eliminated from the play too easily. He definitely looks like he fits best as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he does not seem very instinctive and is less effective when he plays behind the line. We think Worilds will be drafted higher than we have him rated because he should test out very well at the Combine. But his ‘tweener size and lack of instincts make us concerned that he will struggle to be consistently productive.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room has hundreds of player evaluations in preparation for the 2010 NFL draft . Here is a capsule look at prospect Jason Worilds.
NFL position: DE
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
40 time: 4.75
Current projection: Third-round pick
Jason Worilds has the athleticism and pass-rush skills to play linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he lacks skills away from the line of scrimmage.
Strengths: Is an elite athlete with the quickness, speed and explosiveness to make an impact rushing the passer when aggressive. Has an explosive closing burst to the quarterback and can deliver a violent hit. Can beat tackles outside with quick hands or inside with a very good spin move. Flashes a surprising ability to jolt and drive tackles backward into the quarterback’s lap; can then free up and get the sack. Is very competitive chasing after running plays in pursuit; shows the rare athleticism to hurdle low blocks and gets back to full speed in a flash. Has the top-level speed and burst to consistently finish plays. Has the athleticism to change directions fast and avoid blockers in space.
Weaknesses: Is a ‘tweener. Looks more like a linebacker than an end. Does not have good instincts and awareness, which is more of a problem the farther from the line a defender plays. Is often the last lineman moving at the snap. Does not maintain backside containment responsibility on plays away from him. Does not rush the quarterback aggressively on every snap, reducing his productivity. Lacks ideal size to play end and struggles to get free from opposing linemen once they get a hold of him.
Bottom line: Worilds definitely could have helped his stock by staying in school for another season, during which he could have defined himself as an end or outside linebacker and improved his instincts and awareness. When he rushes the passer aggressively, he looks like an elite athlete who could be very effective as an undersized pass rusher in a 4-3 scheme. But when he does not rush aggressively, he gets tied up and eliminated from the play too easily. He definitely looks like he fits best as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but he does not seem very instinctive and is less effective when he plays behind the line. We think Worilds will be drafted higher than we have him rated because he should test out very well at the Combine. But his ‘tweener size and lack of instincts make us concerned that he will struggle to be consistently productive.
For more than 200 player scouting reports from Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts — plus updated mock draft, Super 99 rankings and more — go to warroom.sportingnews.com.
