Packers prospect profile: S Kenny Ladler
Player Information:
Kenny Ladler S, Vanderbilt, 6-1, 205 pounds Hometown: Stone Mountain, GA
NFL Scouting Combine:
40 time: 4.70
Vertical jump: 36 1/2″
225 lb. bench: 24 reps
Broad jump: 10’7″
News and Notes:
Second-team All-SEC in 2013 (First-team All-SEC in coaches poll). . .led team in tackles (91) and finished 2013 season with school record five forced fumbles. . .also led team with 90 tackles in 2012. . .was a sprinter in high school.
What they’re saying about him:
- CBSSports.com: Instinctive defender who diagnoses the action quickly and attacks, whether it be toward the line of scrimmage vs. the run or in reading the eyes of the quarterback to break on a pass. Good straight-line speed and possesses an impressive initial burst, as well as good closing speed. Generally a reliable open-field tackler with a history of delivering big hits, many of which result in forced fumbles. Steadily improved throughout his career with starting experience at both strong and free safety. Valued special teams contributor on the punt and punt return units. High in his backpedal and possesses just average fluidity when changing directions due to the fact that he’s a bit high-cut. Can allow his aggression to get the best of him as he’ll occasionally come in out of control, leaving cut-back lanes for niftier runners to exploit. Generally a reliable open-field tackler but will drop his shoulder and lunge on occasion, failing to wrap up securely
- NFL.com: Good size, movement and flexibility. Efficient plant and drive on throws in front of him. Shows the ability to swoop downhill and support the run. Tries for the strip. Asset in the building — terrific character. Durable and experienced. Was a 21-year-old senior. Needs to bulk up and get stronger. Average instincts and anticipation — can be a tick late to read and react. Poor center fielder. Manipulated by QBs. Unreliable last line of defense. Inconsistent open-field tackler. Average tackle strength — catches contact. Strong safety only.
Video:
Video Analysis:.
- This is a “highlight reel” only
- Makes quite a few of his interceptions on bad throws by the QB but will get credit for the level of competition he faced in the SEC
- Disruptive tackler, looking to pop the ball out. Be wary of missed tackles
- The only reason I highlighted that Ladler was a high school sprinter was because of his 40 time (slower than average). Doesn’t fly off the tape when shown in coverage. Not incredibly fast
- Seems instinctual and gets around the ball when loose
- Diagnoses and closes well in coverage
If drafted by the Packers:
Ladler projects as a fourth or fifth round draft pick by CBSSports.com. He would likely be drafted in the fourth round or later by Green Bay. He is instinctual and said to be a very high-character player but I don’t see an immediate starter on defense when I watch his video. He could certainly develop into one, but not an impact guy. He would likely spend more time on special teams right away. Ladler is listed as a free safety but could end up in more of a strong safety role in the NFL. Because the Packers run so many defensive sub packages, the label on his current position is not as important. With Green Bay’s need to find that “center fielder” at safety to complement Morgan Burnett, Ladler doesn’t appear to be a top candidate. His lack of speed would be a concern with the size and speed of the current receivers in both the NFC North and the NFL as a whole. If he provides value in the later rounds, Ladler could land in green and gold.
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Jason Perone is an independent sports blogger writing about the Packers on AllGreenBayPackers.com
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Lemme just look up Micah Hyde’s near identical scouting report from CBS last year and… yup. I’ll take one Ladler please.
I really like this guy. I hope the Packers use one of their 3rd round picks or a 4th rd pick on him. 1st Team All-SEC and a turnover machine. I’m sold!
Career backup and ST player at best. Too stiff to be effective in coverage in the NFL. Good making plays moving forward, but doesn’t play the backend very well.
“Poor center fielder. Manipulated by QBs. Unreliable last line of defense.”
Does nothing for me… He’ll be abused in the NFL.
Richardson has more upside than Ladler. He moves forward as well as, maybe better than Ladler and he has the athletic ability to play deep if he gains experience in coverage. Richardson would surely be a better ST player too.
If the Packers can’t draft Dix, Pryor, Ward, or Bucannon, they should draft CB Pierre Desir and immediately transition Micah Hyde to S.
Here’s an interesting college comparison:
Ladler 6′ 207 4.67 40 yd.
206 tackles, 11 TFL, 7 FF, 9 interceptions, 10 deflections
Hyde 6′ 197 4.56 40 yd.
240 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 4 FF, 8 interceptions, 14 deflections
Hyde played CB most of his college career. He had less opportunities for TFL and FFs.
I would like if TT took a second safety such as Ladler in rd 5 or so.
But I hope TT moves up in 2nd to get Buchannon. I’d rather see fewer picks, but get the best talent that can be fanagled in this draft, even if fewer picks. Invest a 4th rounder to move up in second. If a top ILB is added in first, (Mosley or shazier), and a Buchannon in second rd. I think D-becomes very strong.
Trade Up? Why? My logic is this; if many teams are looking to trade down this year; then be contrarian…its a buyers market, so play the competition this year between teams wanting to trade down, and go trade up this year.
I don’t think Ladler will last until the 5th rd. I see him going in the 3rd-4th round. I’d be fine with a LB like Mosley or Shazier too (in the 1st rd).
I hope to take one of the top 2 prospects in the first, if avail, and still take Ladler in 4th or if lucky 5th. Love the Vandy secondary connection (Hayward and Sean Richardson). They have all played together, or in the same system, and know the way the other thinks to some degree. Plus you must be smart to attend Vandy. Would also love Mosely or Shazier in 1st
Move Hyde to Safety and draft Brooks Fl St Safety. Call the Safety position fixed.
Hyde has better Safety skills than any Safety in this draft outside the top 2 rounds, maybe outside the 1st.
Brooks is a terrific Safety prospect, very much in the Nick Collins mold. He would be prefect alongside Burnett and/or Hyde.
TT said we need to get bigger and faster. This guy is not it. He runs a QB 40 time so how is he going to stop Russell Wilson and CK? The only 2 really bigger and faster safety we can get are Dix and Leon Bucannon. Since we can’t get Dix, trade down to get Shazier in first round and pick up early second round to get Bucannon. Pryor measurables are disappointing expecially size so we will probably not want him.
TT said we need to get bigger and faster. This guy is not it. He runs a QB 40 time so how is he going to stop Russell Wilson and CK? The only 2 really bigger and faster safety we can get are Dix and Leon Bucannon. Since we can’t get Dix, trade down to get Shazier in first round and pick up early second round to get Bucannon. Pryor measurables are disappointing expecially size so we will probably not want him.
I will tacke him on third round.if we miss buchanon on the second shazier on the first and the best te available on the other third ifwe dont get buchanon our second pick a dl.and four and five a wr and center six a qb and seven best player.at any position