Alec Ogletree- OLB?

I'm not so sure that I like Jarvis Jones better than Alec Ogletree, but when I see this guy play I see him best at OLB, not inside where he seems a bit lean, high cut and can get pushed around. Good pass rusher, explosive, tenacious, good tackler, great in pursuit and can drop back into coverage. Also, no history of stenosis like Jones has, which is unfortunate. Dude is a playmaker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZy_y0on4u8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_eTkB-Xdo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=730bSbwZmUA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC8CmJtkN8c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPKA0uM-9_Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ZOXZcRZNM


Wouldn't bother me one bit if we moved Misi inside and Dansby and his bloated contract were sent packing. For better or worse, Ogletree looks like a OLB to me, not ILB, both in build and style of play. Another guy who hits like Mays, runs like Hayes. Heck of a player, wouldn't bother me at all at #12, and maybe not spoken of enough as a value pick at #12.

 

I'm bumping this thread because I'd like to hear more opinions, props to Boomer for sharing his.

- Is this guy not underrated?

- I like him at OLB more than MLB, any thoughts? Is he too light and high cut for MLB? 6-3 and 235 or so, but he looks lanky to me for MLB, good size for OLB with a few pounds put on as an attack, playmaking outside linebacker. Sacks, turnovers, forced fumbles, passes defensed, jarring hits, can track down QBs and Rbs in the flat, take your pick.

- Is there a better defensive play maker in the draft? The only other player I see even on his level is Jonthan Banks ( I do like Matt Elam though).

- Is Ogletree, as I would suspect, a far better pass rusher than his 3 sacks indicate (granted, he was injured and playing ILB)?

These are questions far more than they are statements- I see in this kid a combo of potential and production. Capable of more than he's shown due to injury and imo playing out of position, he could do more damage at OLB. In a very shaky top 15 of the draft- if we're trying to go for value and playmakers- he seems like both, and he's be my preference over his teammate Jarvis Jones. I love his explosion to the LOS, how active and aggressive he is. Great movement skills and he just takes it to offensive players, brings the hurt.

Is this kid being slept on and overlooked? Curious as to opinions. I'm not so sure that I like Dion Jordan more than Ogletree, I'll have to do more research. Positive qualities both have for sure, but that doesn't tell the whole tale as per weaknesses and how deep they run.

 

I only see so much Georgia football, but I wonder if he'd look much better defending the run at OLB- more of a lateral aspect as opposed to taking on the Chance Warmack's of the SEC world head on. Case in point :22 of the 1st link below. I've seen him get blown out of the MLB hole as well- this kid is not built like Zach Thomas, looks like he has a high center of gravity to me- not a natural MLB. He should be a hellion on the outside, causing all types of problems for opposing offenses. Great attack defensive player, but this kid is not a MLB thumper, jmo. Then again, with the way the game is changing, those are going the way of the dodo bird. Maybe he's a better fit at NFL MLB than college football SEC MLB now that I think about it. Regardless, for better or worse I see him outside, but he certainly is an active MLB with great range and that would be an asset in the passing NFL game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZy_y0on4u8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz_eTkB-Xdo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC8CmJtkN8c

 

I remember that ludicrous play form Anthony Barr that you posted a while back- not exactly the same here (first play of the clip), but:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-nVqffyWUo

It shows the good and the bad- the Guard blows him out of the hole, he maintains his feet and balance and is near the sideline in a flash, tracking down what looks to be a fast tailback on a sweep to the left. That's some kind of movement skills, not to mention determination.

Same film at :32- the downside at MLB, dude just seems to light and high cut to me to anchor properly and hold his position. Not that he can't do it, but he's so good laterally, why have him plugging the middle? I sure could see him at MLB on passing downs though. That being said, I'd very much like to see for film of him pass rushing- I've seen nothing to make me think that he can't be very good at that, but I need to see more. Just flat out coming at an OT from the edge, see how he can detangle himself from the OT, what moves he has. Any concerns about him transitioning to OLB, and for that matter would you move him there or just keep him at MLB?

ps he has a twin brother on the Georgia football team:

http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/alexander_ogletree_714189.html

 

I sure see a fit- move Misi inside and Ogletree outside. Misi is a good player. Kevin Burnett is a good player. What they're not is dynamic nor are they playmakers- I think that Ogletree is a great fit for our defense- he is certainly dynamic and most certainly a playmaker, and we are starving for that on this defense.

As to Dansby- he's a good player, just overpriced. I think that Ogletree could be a great passing down MLB, he can cover, track running QBs to the LOS and in the flat and get from where he is to where he wants to go in a hurry- second best I've seen this year at that behind Anthony Barr, and not by much.

 

Alec Ogletree scouting report

NFL COMPARISON Thomas Davis

BOTTOM LINE: It is tough to question Ogletree's athleticism at the linebacker position. Just watching him close on runs or swing passes on the edge is worth the price of admission. Despite playing the last two years at inside linebacker in the Bulldogs 3-4 defense, it would not be surprising to see Ogletree make the switch to weakside linebacker in a defense that uses a four man front. The reason being is the junior struggles to get over top of blocks but does his best work chasing and closing. Expect the Bulldog to be a three down player if he cuts down on wasted steps. Since Ogletree is expected to impress in workouts, expect him to be a top-50 selection.

http://www.milehighreport.com/2013/...aft-prospect-lb-alec-ogletree-scouting-report

 

More film, look at :52

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDO08X6pBEU

This is the guy you want tracking down Russell Wilson or RGIII. Best LB in the draft imo. Read and react at 1:52 and at 2;20- not exactly what I want to see as per engaging an OT, but he gets to the QB quickly off the edge.

Look at the hustle at 4:45- serious wheels, playmaker. Not a thumper like T'eo, Ogletree is less impressive when taking blockers head on, but this guy is all over the place. This is a top 10 player, and I hope he falls to #12. 5:25- awareness, hands, would have made the pick imo if the other UGA defender wasn't there. 5;43- misidentified, coming on blitz across from the LT- no bad.
6;05- coming across from RT- not bad, I like the views of him as OLB. 6:15- nice blitz, he gets in there so quickly. 6:55- he's the best I've seen in this draft class at picking his spots and knifing into the backfield. If we don't pick this kid, the Steelers will, him or Warmack if he's available. That's why they're consistently so good.