Tyler Matakevich Scouting Report, ILB, Temple, 2016 NFL Draft

Introduction

Hometown: Stratford, Connecticut
High School: Trumbull St Jospeh
Injuries/Discipline: None

Measurables

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 238
Class: Senior
40 Yard Dash: 4.81
Bench Press: 22
Vertical: 31"
Broad: 112"
3 Cone: 7.19
20 yard shuttle: 4.50

Stats

2015: 138 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 5 pass defences
2014: 117 tackles, 10.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 pass defences
2013: 137 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles
2012: 101 tackles, 3 for a loss, 1 forced fumble.

Positives

• Excellent college production
• Natural born leader.
• Hardest worker on the field
• Nose for the ball
• Showed natural ability in coverage.
• Comes downhill with speed and authority
• Extremely instinctive.
• Film hound.
• Excellent first step.
• Reads the QB well to flow to the football on passing downs.
• Excellent movement, laterally.
• Read and react without losing any momentum.
• Takes on and shreds blockers with physical hands.

Negatives

• Not the biggest player on the field.
• Can be too over aggressive.
• Doesn't have elite playing strength.
• Can get caught up in traffic close to the line
• Despite tackle numbers, he does miss a fair few.
• May struggle against quicker receivers, tight ends.

Conclusion

Tyler Matakevich is undoubtedly one of my absolute favourite prospects in this entire draft. The Temple defense was excellent and he was the leader of that unit. With Todd Bowles having a strong connection to Temple and the Jets needing inside help, it's not a stretch to imagine Tyler on the Jets next year. Now he doesn't do anything that well, and he was average at the combine, but luckily football isn't played in shorts.

Tyler just has this ability to find and flow to the ball. I mean even as a freshman he had over 100 tackles, and he's gotten better every single year. 2015 he showcased his coverage ability, with 5 interceptions and numerous excellent plays in space. He comes down hill with authority and his instinctive nature just impresses anyone that comes into contact with him.

The problem is, he's not that big, he's not that fast and he's not that strong. However there is something about him that I just love, and I just think he's going to be one of those guys who makes a name for himself as a dependable tackle machine. A grafter who through hard work defeats his physical limitations.

Personally I think he'll go in the 4th round. He'll come in and excel on specials in year one before starting in year two. I would really like the Jets to look his way, even with his physical limitations.

Draft Grade: 66

90-100 = Exceptional Talent
80-90 = Impact Player
70-80 = NFL Starter
60-70 = Solid NFL Potential
50-60 = Draftable - Lot of work needed