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Falcons 2016 Draft scouting report: LB Darron Lee, Ohio State

ByEric Robinson|
Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) returns the interception for a touchdown during the second half versus the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Darron Lee (43) returns the interception for a touchdown during the second half versus the Northern Illinois Huskies at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

What could linebacker Darron Lee bring to the Atlanta Falcons defense?

There’s almost a sense of urgency. The Atlanta Falcons defense is in need of speed, especially at linebacker. The position is evolving and morphing into one where athleticism is a requirement. Luckily for the Falcons, the 2016 NFL Draft is stocked with athletic linebackers.

UCLA’s Myles Jack, LSU’s Deion Jones, Florida’s Antonio Morrison are just a few of the names to be familiar with. When the Falcons are on the clock at 17th overall, Ohio State’s Darron Lee could be the next member of the Red & Black. Is the ultra-athletic linebacker a fit for the Falcons 4-3 Under scheme? How can his quickness and dangerous speed improve the defense? Here is his scouting report:

LB Darron Lee, Ohio State

Height: 6’1

Weight: 232 lbs

Strengths:

  • Speed and more speed: Clocked a 4.47 40-yard dash (1st among linebackers)
  • Two seasons as a Buckeye: 146 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, three interceptions, five pass deflections
  • Definition of a sideline-to-sideline linebacker
  • 33 1/4 inch arm length
  • Outstanding straight-line closing speed, excellent burst when pursing in angles
  • Excellent change of direction ability, excellent footwork
  • Superb ability as a blitzer to get home and provide pressure or produce a play
  • Dependable in man coverage, reliable in covering tight ends
  • Willing to take on blockers despite being undersized
  • Consistently reads the eyes of the quarterback when in zone coverage, able to break into passing lanes

Weaknesses:

  • Strictly a weak-side linebacker and won’t ever evolve into anything else
  • Still classified as “smallish”
  • Play strength needs to improve
  • Can get lost at times in zone coverage

Bottom line: I feel pretty confident that if the Falcons stay put at 17th overall, the team will walk away with either a pass rusher or Darron Lee. Plain and simple. Outside of Myles Jack and a healthy Jaylon Smith, no linebacker fits the Falcons defensive scheme better than Lee.

An athletic, speedy defender that can be plugged into the weak-side position and wreck havoc. The presence of Lee will definitely improve the pass coverage as the linebacker position was picked on a lot throughout the season.

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Lee is best when he has the opportunity to work in space and flow freely utilizing his speed and agility to combat the likes of Cam Newton and Russell Wilson. Although at the moment, a debate could be made that the biggest red flag for the Falcons is the need to upgrade the pass rush but if Lee is selected at 17, Falcons fans should not fret as Lee has immense potential to be one of the best linebackers in the entire league in this scheme.

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