Eric Striker Scouting Report, OLB, Oklahoma, 2016 NFL Draft

Introduction

Hometown: Tampa, Florida
High School: Seffner (FL) Armwood
Recruitment: 4 star recruit by Rivals. 3 star recruit by Scout & ESPN
Injuries/Discipline:

Measurables

Height: 5'11"
Weight: 227
Class: Senior
40 Yard Dash: 4.80
Bench Press: 23
Vertical: 30"
Broad: 116"
3 Cone: 7.30
20 yard shuttle: 4.46

Stats

2015: 67 tackles, 17.5 for a loss, 7.0 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble
2014: 68 tackles, 17.0 for a loss, 9.0 sacks, 5 passes defended
2013: 50 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, 6.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 forced fumble
2012: 6 tackles

Positives

• Excellent college production
• Very good speed
• Has a nose for the football
• Lived in defensive backfields
• Excellent speed from the backside
• Uses angles and trajectory to get around blockers
• Uses his hands well
• Turns the corner with speed and authority
• Drops into space naturally
• Runs well with receivers and tight ends
• Incredibly instinctive player
• Has excellent athletic ability

Negatives

• Size, size, size. Doesn't have size for OLB
• Struggles setting the edge.
• Can be engulfed by tackles.
• Can be pushed around by more physical tight ends.
• Doesn't have size to go up and compete in jump balls.
• Doesn't have a lot of counter moves if speed fails.
• Has small arms, 31"

Conclusion

I originally planned to write this three months ago, but I couldn't make my mind up about Striker. He doesn't have the skill-set to play safety, doesn't have the size to play defensive end or outside linebacker. However there is just something about him that I love. He has lived in college back fields for three years. Even at Oklahoma he was considered a tweener for the position, but he made it work and he excelled.

From a pure pass rush perspective, he has talent. He is quick off the edge and his snap anticipation is as good as you'll get. Which means he turns the corner before most college tackles are out of their set. However that probably won't happen as much in the pros. Do I want to count against him? Absolutely not! He's a terrific athlete with bags of talent, heart and determination. Do I want the Jets to draft him? That's the part I'm not sure about.

Where do he fit? If you have a defensive coordinator who can use him, you take him. However any team that drafts him will need to be clear about his potential position. Due to size concerns, I think he'll either go in the late 4th or early 5th round.

Draft Grade: 65

90-100 = Exceptional Talent
80-90 = Impact Player
70-80 = NFL Starter
60-70 = Solid NFL Potential
50-60 = Draftable - Lot of work needed
>50 = Undraftable, - Long Shot To Stick