Atlanta Falcons Potential Draft Pick Profile: LB Denzel Perryman

When Sean Weatherspoon went down with an injury in 2014, the Atlanta Falcons' defensive trajectory followed it. Whether or not Weatherspoon comes back should not stop the Falcons from adding another linebacker to a corps that needs some additional talent.

One of the best linebackers in this year's draft is Denzel Perryman out of the University of Miami. He's played both weak-side linebacker and middle linebacker for the Hurricanes and projects well as an inside linebacker in the 3-4 or either a middle or weak-side linebacker in the 4-3.

Denzel Perryman
Linebacker
University of Miami

Senior Bowl Measurements (Obtained firsthand)
Height: 5'10-5/8" Weight: 242 pounds
Arm Length: 31-1/4" Hand Measurement: 9-3/4"

Stats
2014: 13 Games Played, 110 Tackles, 9.5 Tackles for Loss, 2.0 Sacks, 1 Interception, 3 Fumbles Forced, 5 Pass Deflections
2013: 13 Games Played, 108 Tackles, 5.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.5 Sacks, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Fumble Forced, 3 Pass Deflections
2012: 9 Games Played, 64 Tackles, 6.0 Tackles for Loss, 2 QB Hurries, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 2 Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown
2011: 12 Games Played, 68 Tackles, 6.5 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 1 QB Hurry, 2 Fumbles Forced

Scouting Report

Strengths
Denzel Perryman is an all-around talent at linebacker. He's competent as a blitzer, but he truly excels as a run defender. He can stack and shed with the best of them despite being one of the smaller linebackers in the draft this season. He's also got very good weight for the position despite being short.

He's an athletic talent and can play in coverage. He's not the ideal coverage linebacker because he's not going to man up with a tight end or a running back, but in a zone-heavy scheme, he would be an ideal defender to match up and then pass along a player.

Weaknesses
Despite being a very well-rounded talent, Perryman's pass rushing doesn't inspire confidence as someone who should be attacking the quarterback on more than just 10-15 percent of passing downs. His strength in coverage more than makes up for that, though.

Another thing that hurts Perryman is that despite being a very quick player and solid athlete, he's lacking in raw straight line speed. He's also very undersized for a linebacker, as he isn't even 5'11". Height isn't a huge issue for some, but he has to have the speed and athleticism to make up for it.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?
Not only does Denzel Perryman keep his nose clean off the field, he's a captain on it. The Falcons love having players who not only know how to follow, but also those that know how to lead. He's someone who would fit in very well within a locker room that is about hard work and winning games.“You’re going to get a guy who’s going to give it 110% every play." - Denzel Perryman

The Falcons are trying to build that locker room for both now and in the future. With Perryman and Worrilow at the middle tier of the defense, Atlanta would have a pair of guys who are not only leaders by example but vocal leaders who will try to motivate the team if Weatherspoon isn't back.

Overview

Perryman is one of the best all-around linebackers in this year's draft. He's good at everything and great against the run. His only questions come from his lack of size and length. The best fit for him would be a role similar to what Weatherspoon played in 2011.

Perryman could be the linebacker that Atlanta needed during the 2014 season that would have been the ideal fit next to Worrilow. In a scheme where Perryman has big guys taking up most of the blocks in front of him, he could be an even bigger asset than he looks.

How he would fit into the Falcons' plans
The Falcons would likely have to take Perryman with either their second or third-round picks. He would be more than worth it, though, as he's a perfect scheme fit for potential new head coach Dan Quinn's defense. Fox Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer noted he is expected to be named the new coach. Perryman can play either weak side or middle and would fit best as the weak-side linebacker.

He could be used best as a coverage linebacker in nickel packages when the Falcons move to those as well. Essentially, Perryman as a selection would be because the Falcons don't feel that Weatherspoon can stay healthy for an entire season and want to replace him long term.


(bleacherreport.com)