Akeem Ayers OLB, UCLA – 6-4, 254 Junior

2008: 40 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 1 blocked punt
2009: 73 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 3 PBU, 4 INT, 2 FF, 1 FR

POSITIVES:

• tremendous and fluid athlete
• has loose hips and good agility so he’s able to turn and run with receivers, change directions quickly and with ease
• good speed
• great size
• good hands
• can play sideline to sideline and has great range
• good awareness and has a nose for the ball
• understands and creates leverage very well going up against linemen, gets under pads and can drive them backward
• can dip shoulder and get around the edge easily on way to quarterback
• extends arms well
• has improved at shedding blocks
• quick
• good instincts
• productive
• still has room to get stronger without losing his good speed

NEGATIVES:

• needs to improve tackling
• goes for hit sometimes instead of making sure tackle, which leads to longer runs by ball carrier
• a few times has overrun plays because of his good speed
• pass rushing could improve some

Projection: Top 20

SUMMARY:

Where do I start with Ayers? He has so many positives: his range, his athleticism, his production…everything except that he needs to improve tackling and his pass rushing game. He’s not bad at it, he just needs to improve it. He’s a lock as a first round pick, but right now, he’s a top 20 guy. I could see him grade out very well after private workouts and rise up team draft boards to near the top 10. He’s now officially declared for the NFL Draft.