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242 lbs (or Scouting Reports)

Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:35 pm
Posted by blueslover
deeper than deep south
Member since Sep 2007
22792 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:35 pm
6-2 242lbs

STRENGTHS: Lean, muscular frame with long arms. Demonstrates early recognition against the run, and an explosive first step downhill. Gets up to speed rapidly and has top-end speed to run down plays to the opposite side, when scraping. Extremely fluid and explosive when moving laterally, as he's able to keep his hips squared to the line of scrimmage and still cut off runs to the outside edge.
Shows good gap discipline and patience to allow the play to develop before committing. Approaches blockers with aggression, demonstrating good extension and strong pop to jar his opponent and remain disengaged. Maintains an eye on the backfield while meandering through contact and takes good angles in the box to cut off running lanes. Demonstrates nimble feet to maintain footing when combatting cut-blocks.

Exhibits fluid backpedal when asked to drop into coverage, and has the quick hips to turn and run with receivers and tight ends vertically. Tracks the ball well over his shoulder and shows good timing to attack the throw at the high point. Elite acceleration and second gear to chase down speedy ballcarriers, even 20-30 yards down the field. Does a good job of getting low, establishing width and wrapping up his target in the hole.

Flashes some pass-rush ability from a three-point stance coming off the edge with an explosive jump and flexibility to round the corner.

WEAKNESSES: Approaches blockers high at times and lacks the lower-half strength to correct, reset and hold ground. Lowers his head as a tackler in the hole and will whiff at times when he does so. Takes aggressive angles to the outside, and will find himself behind the play occasionally as a result. Tends to freeze at times when dropping into zone, as he'll lock onto the quarterback and seemingly lose awareness of what's going on around him.

Will throw himself at ballcarries when in space and pursuing from off angles, seeming more concerned with the big hit than finishing the play. Despite his aggression and ability to play through contact, was not a big finisher behind the line of scrimmage while at Cal.

COMPARES TO: Zaviar Gooden, Outside Linebacker, Tennessee Titans - Fortt's "plus" athleticism and sideline-to-sideline range are similar to those of Gooden, a 2013 third-round selection of the Titans. However, Fortt's ability to shed blocks and be a consistent contributor between the tackles should present him as a more versatile prospect than Gooden, who was viewed more as a run-and-hit 'backer that needed more space for his impact to be maximized.
Fortt didn't have the same big-play impact at Cal that he showed while at Penn State, but there's certainly no denying his explosiveness and toughness on tape, and he has shown improvement in his all-around game.
His lack of gaudy numbers may cause some NFL teams to hesitate come draft week, but his "plus" movement skills in space combined with his toughness against the run could make him a steal on the second or third day as a versatile, multi-position contributor both on defense and special teams.
LINK

sounds like a great fit!

“One NFL scout, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, thinks the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Fortt has the makings of a solid NFL outside linebacker and could be ideal for a 3-4 defense. “He covers a lot of ground, from sideline to sideline,” the scout said. “He’s quick with good instincts. He’s a sure tackler.” The scout specified that Fortt “needs to work on his coverage ability” to become an every-down linebacker in the NFL but that “he has all the right tools.”
LINK
This post was edited on 5/10/14 at 1:08 pm
Posted by JGuidry7
Boston University
Member since Jan 2013
932 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:39 pm to
Sounds great but he's gotta stay healthy.
Posted by Hoodoo Man
Sunshine Pumping most days.
Member since Oct 2011
31637 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:40 pm to
quote:

Will throw himself at ballcarries when in space and pursuing from off angles, seeming more concerned with the big hit than finishing the play
Oh God no.
Posted by NawlinsTiger9
Where the mongooses roam
Member since Jan 2009
34905 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:40 pm to
I like the sound of that, pretty high ceiling here for a 4th rounder.
This post was edited on 5/10/14 at 12:41 pm
Posted by goatmilker
Castle Anthrax
Member since Feb 2009
64379 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:42 pm to
quote:

“He covers a lot of ground, from sideline to sideline,” the scout said. “He’s quick with good instincts. He’s a sure tackler.


We need this desperately.
Posted by blueslover
deeper than deep south
Member since Sep 2007
22792 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:47 pm to
pics




Posted by Dead End
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2013
21237 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:51 pm to
I like the upside.

It's the 4th so every pick will have some concerns.

Posted by blueslover
deeper than deep south
Member since Sep 2007
22792 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:55 pm to
2013: Butkus Award semifinalist started in nine of 11 games played. Missed the last three games of season with a biceps injury. 2012: Redshirted due to knee surgery after transferring from Penn State. Had knee surgery prior to the 2012 season. Actually tore the ligament in ninth grade, but didn't become a problem until early 2012. 2011: Played in 13 games, but started none, for Penn State. 2010: Played in nine games and started one for Penn State.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Good size with a muscular build. Field fast -- moves like a safety. Very athletic and agile. Plays on his feet and bends naturally. Excellent lateral agility -- flows smoothly and has sideline-to-sideline range. Uses his arms like flippers to play off blocks. Loose-hipped to drop into coverage and match with backs and tight ends. Has traits to excel on special teams.
WEAKNESSES Frame is nearly maxed out. Very average key-and-diagnose skills slow his play speed. Does not always trust what he sees -- takes false steps and hesitates to trigger. Inconsistent run fits and field leverage. Can be stronger at the point of attack. Did not make enough splash plays. Has underachiever traits. Motivation and durability should be looked into.
BOTTOM LINE A better athlete than football player at this stage of his development, Fortt transferred from Penn State and played only one season at Cal before making a premature jump to the NFL. Speedy, finesse, see-and-go reactor who looks the part and has intriguing, starter-caliber athleticism to fit on the weak side in a fast-flowing 4-3 where he’s freed up to chase the ball. Should be a combine all-star and is draftable on measurables alone, but must sharpen his eyes and instincts to reach his potential
LINK

"He's best suited inside, but he's so strong and his height is deceptive because he's so built and so muscular," said LaVar Arrington, a former three-time All-Pro with Washington who also played with the Giants. "He has great reach and great length and could be a nice 3-4 outside backer. He's explosive and very athletic. Khairi could be a SAM over a tight end or be a 3-4 style blitzing outside backer."
LINK

Posted by Thurber
NWLA
Member since Aug 2013
15402 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:55 pm to
Agreed
Posted by DrSteveBrule
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2009
12010 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 12:56 pm to
So what I gather from that is he's a good player who has a lot of technique issues.

That can be corrected.
Posted by blueslover
deeper than deep south
Member since Sep 2007
22792 posts
Posted on 5/10/14 at 1:01 pm to
pure developmental investment, athletic enough to contribute on special teams in the interim IMO

Someone will be going home between Reddick, Rufus, & him
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