Sporting News Pro Football War Room
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 O’Brien Schofield:
A knee injury has slowed O’Brien Schofield in his journey to the NFL.
NFL position: OLB
Height: 6-2 1/8
Weight: 238
40 time: 4.82
Current projection: Fourth-round pick
Against inside runs: Plays with strong hands and is a good anchor at the point of attack. Struggles some against double-teams because of a lack of bulk. Quickly sheds one-on-one blocks along the line. Gets bounced around some within the box.
Against outside runs: Shows good instincts, pursuit angles and speed. Quickly sheds blocks in lateral pursuit and shows a definite burst to close. Is quick and explosive when in backside pursuit.
Blitz/coverage: An explosive pass rusher from a three-point or upright stance. Lacks experience dropping into coverage but has the athletic ability, speed and quickness to be effective in that area. As a pass rusher, can win with speed around the edge, a quick inside move at the snap or a strong rip/pull move. Also uses swim and spin moves at times but needs improvement. Is a quick, explosive player on stunts.
Run/pass recognition: Reads plays quickly. Shows excellent production against both the run and the pass.
Pursuit/tackling: Is an explosive athlete with outstanding range. Can really close to the ball on the move. Is a strong, consistent tackler. One of the few defenders who could pull down Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor by himself.
Bottom line: Schofield has an ideal body for an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He has good size, arm length and growth potential. He reminds us of the Packers’ Clay Matthews and the Steelers’ LaMarr Woodley, only Schofield is a better pass rusher. He has second-round talent but is coming off a torn ACL injury at the Senior Bowl, so he likely will fall into the middle rounds. If he is able to regain his pre-injury form, he could prove to be quite a bargain.
For more than 600 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
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 O’Brien Schofield:
A knee injury has slowed O’Brien Schofield in his journey to the NFL.
NFL position: OLB
Height: 6-2 1/8
Weight: 238
40 time: 4.82
Current projection: Fourth-round pick
Against inside runs: Plays with strong hands and is a good anchor at the point of attack. Struggles some against double-teams because of a lack of bulk. Quickly sheds one-on-one blocks along the line. Gets bounced around some within the box.
Against outside runs: Shows good instincts, pursuit angles and speed. Quickly sheds blocks in lateral pursuit and shows a definite burst to close. Is quick and explosive when in backside pursuit.
Blitz/coverage: An explosive pass rusher from a three-point or upright stance. Lacks experience dropping into coverage but has the athletic ability, speed and quickness to be effective in that area. As a pass rusher, can win with speed around the edge, a quick inside move at the snap or a strong rip/pull move. Also uses swim and spin moves at times but needs improvement. Is a quick, explosive player on stunts.
Run/pass recognition: Reads plays quickly. Shows excellent production against both the run and the pass.
Pursuit/tackling: Is an explosive athlete with outstanding range. Can really close to the ball on the move. Is a strong, consistent tackler. One of the few defenders who could pull down Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor by himself.
Bottom line: Schofield has an ideal body for an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He has good size, arm length and growth potential. He reminds us of the Packers’ Clay Matthews and the Steelers’ LaMarr Woodley, only Schofield is a better pass rusher. He has second-round talent but is coming off a torn ACL injury at the Senior Bowl, so he likely will fall into the middle rounds. If he is able to regain his pre-injury form, he could prove to be quite a bargain.
For more than 600 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.
