NFL Draft Prospect Profile: LB Shayne Skov

 

Packers prospect profile:  LB  Shayne Skov

Player Information:

Shayne Skov  LB, Stanford,  6-2, 245 pounds  Hometown: Guadalajara, Mexico

STATS

NFL Combine:

Did not participate in Combine and to date, has not participated in any pre-draft drills

News and Notes:

Started nine games as a true freshman in 2009. . .led Stanford in tackles in 2010. . .lost the 2011 season to an ACL injury. . .was instrumental in Stanford’s run to the PAC-12 title and Rose Bowl run in 2013. . .2013 All PAC-12 first-team. . .very upbeat and vocal leader

What they’re saying about him: 

• CBSSports.com:  Ideal size and temperament for the inside linebacker position. Possesses broad shoulders, a trim middle and thick lower-body. Terrific instincts and physicality. A tone-setter in the middle, who frequently made big plays at key moments for the Cardinal. Demonstrated more explosiveness in 2013, in his second season removed from a torn ACL. Explodes through holes in the offensive line to make emphatic tackles in the backfield. Aggresive in taking on and shedding blockers in the hole. Displayed greater patience in 2013 when breaking down with ball-carriers in the open field because he has regained his explosive closing ability. This has led to less lunging by Skov and more secure textbook tackling. Likely limited to inside linebacker duties in a 3-4 alignment due to the fact that he does not possess ideal speed to beat backs to the edge, nor the fluidity for extensive coverage responsibilities. Working to break a bad habit of lunging. Over-aggression caused Skov to take himself out of too many plays early in his career.
• NFL.com:  Outstanding instincts and recognition — plays much faster than he clocks on a stopwatch. Goes full throttle and plays very hard. Times up the blitz extremely well. Explosive tackler. Alert in coverage.  Intense emotional leader. Has a love for the game and it shows. Ideal special-teams temperament.  Marginal foot speed — limited twitch and agility to adjust to movement in coverage and could be exposed by NFL backs and tight ends. Can play with too much abandon and recklessly miss some tackles flying to the ball (out of control). Long-term durability is a concern — has already had multiple knee surgeries.

Video:

Video Analysis:

• As I always disclaim, this is a “highlight” reel
• High-motor and stays with the play until the whistle.  High intensity and emotional
• Hits the hole hard and looks to punish the ball carrier
• Shed blocks well against good competition at the collegiate level, but size concerns in the NFL are valid
• Was shown in coverage and stayed with a tight end but appears he would struggle to stay with NFL-caliber tight ends and receivers
• Sure tackler when in position.  Momentum may carry him out of the play at the NFL level with more shifty backs
• Has a nose for the ball and anticipates well, sometimes too well as we saw with an early jump on the first snap
• An able blitzer and has decent backside pursuit

If drafted by the Packers:

Skov projects as a second or third round selection.  Inside linebacker is certainly an area that needs upgrading and there are just as many questions about what A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones can still do in the middle as there are confidences.  In order for the current 3-4 scheme to succeed, the inside linebackers have to disrupt and make plays.  Skov appears to be a guy who can do that and is not afraid to get dirty in the process.  The question is whether he is ready now.  I see Skov as more of a part-time player right out of the gate and on early downs.  The question is whether the Packers would want to go rotational at the position.  Mike McCarthy has said he wants to see the defense be more multiple so that could favor their taking a guy like Skov, who is said fit most ideally into the 3-4 middle linebacker role.  There is no lack of effort or hustle out of Skov but can he do all of the things Dom Capers asks his middle backers to do?  Pass coverage is a concern as is overall speed.  Durability is another question mark, as many felt that Skov was just getting past his ACL injury two years later.  Thompson is said to prefer replacing a player a year or two early and Skov could be that guy for either Hawk or Jones.

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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com

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