PFF scouting report: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB, Tennessee

Name: Jalen Reeves-Maybin

School: Tennessee

Position fit: Will linebacker

Stats to know: Missed 17 tackles in both 2014 and 2015; finished 110th among 4-3 OLBs in tackling efficiency in 2015.

What he does best:

• Possesses the straight-line speed and burst to close effectively to the boundary.
• When he reads a play in front he explodes to the point of attack, allowing him to avoid blockers and make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage.
• Speed also allows him to pick up backs effectively in man coverage.
• Flashes the lateral agility needed to stay square to the line of scrimmage while pursuing laterally.
• Offers some pass-rush ability, as he accumulated six sacks and 17 total QB pressures in 2015.

Biggest concern:

• Played just 114 snaps in 2016 due to season-ending shoulder surgery after Week 4.
• At 6-foot-0 and 230 lbs. he lacks the height and bulk to consistently take on blockers at the second level; once blockers lock on he struggles to disengage.
• In zone coverage will lose track of or fail to identify receivers coming through his zone by focusing exclusively on the QB.
• Yielded 63 receptions on 86 targets between 2014 and 2016; had a QB rating against of 100.6.
• Must improve hand usage against blockers.

Player comparison: Alec Ogletree, Los Angeles Rams

Ogletree is a top athlete who has to run around blocks in the run game and lacks instincts to be consistently effective in coverage despite his speed and change of direction ability.

Bottom line: Reeves-Maybin is a run-and-chase linebacker who showed little in his skill set outside of his athleticism when on the field. He lacks the bulk, strength and hand usage to take on blockers effectively, but can use his speed to effectively pursue in space when he has room to operate. While his speed could be a big plus in coverage, he struggles to identify assignments in zone coverage, and gets caught peeking at the QB too often. He’ll likely need to play a role on special teams in order to see consistent playing time at least early in his career, but will need to learn to not leave his feet when trying to tackle. He is worth a Day 3 selection because of his athletic potential in coverage.