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Anonymous NFL Executive Has Interesting Quote Regarding Arden Key's Draft Stock

by Staff Reporter

January 24, 201883 Comments

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

NFL.com media analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently reached out to five different NFL executives and asked him "who is the most polarizing prospect in this year's draft?"

One of the anonymous executives picked LSU's Arden Key, who had an up-and-down junior season, recording just four sacks in eight games.

quote:
Executive 2: LSU OLB Arden Key:
"We had guys who had huge grades on him coming into the season and they plummeted during the season. We're still trying to sort him out."

Jeremiah also recently unveiled his top 50 prospects for the NFL Draft and ranked Key at No. 33. Here's what he had to say.

quote:
33.) Arden Key, LB, LSU
Key is a tall, rangy edge rusher for the Tigers. He splits his time between a two- and three-point stance. This is a frustrating player to study. He has a rare blend of size, agility and explosiveness, but takes too many plays off and allows inferior opponents to neutralize him. As a pass rusher, he flashes an explosive get-off. He has the ability to wrap around the offensive tackle and flatten to the quarterback. He'll also show off a nifty step-back move where he swipes away the hands of the tackle before clearing him and closing on the QB. However, there are other times where he gets stuck vs. both tackles and tight ends. His effort is spotty. Against the run, he fails to consistently set the edge and his back-side pursuit is lethargic. Key has Pro Bowl talent, but his up-and-down play is concerning.

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Sweet daddy•75 months

The NFL is no longer taking chances on head and weed cases after Dallas got burned a couple of years ago with the Randy kid from Nebraska . Fourth round lost millions .

OU812•75 months

There is NO COMPARISON to those two! Gregory was a dope head and Key is just lazy.

voodooidotwo•75 months

The kid is Jamarcus Russell 2.0. All the talent in the world with no heart or work ethic.

Hades•75 months

Key could prove himself and come back top 5 but he turned pro mentality over a year ago.

SamuelClemens•75 months

He should have returned for his senior year and got back to the top of the draft

AustinKnight•75 months

Honestly I’m kinda glad he didn’t.

tubucoco•75 months

That's a joke, LOL, Key coming back next season. He totally took off this season because he knew his stock with the NFL was high, but in doing so he totally hurt his stock. Sure, he was injured a lil bit, but not to the point of loafing the way he did this year. He gained weight, got lazy and just didn't provide any kind of effort like the season before because he figured he had already made it as a Top pick, well, he figured wrong. And everything they said in that critique of him is true, he takes a lot of plays off, he gets blown off the ball when playing the run, it's just frustrating because you expected so much more from him this past season.

SamuelClemens•75 months

He should have returned for his senior year and got back to the top of the draft

txtiger21•75 months

Honestly I’m kinda glad he didn’t.

ThaFreakyRobber•75 months

Would only want the Saints to get him if it's a 3rd rounder. But most of these NFL execs don't know dick.

TheLoneOFan•75 months

We are hardest on our own. We just love to beat up our players and Coaches. Key played hurt all year. Dislocated finger. Coming off of shoulder injury. He was legitimately hurt. It is unfortunate. Against Alabama he did not leave on once of effort on the field. He wanted the win more than most. Go back and watch the game. His effort was humbling. Arden Key will always be one of my favorite Tigers. Someone is gonna keep him cheap and he will be an NFL STuD

atltiger6487•75 months

you're leaving out the biggest issue of all.

km•75 months

Maybe leaving the team and working out on his own, wasn't such a good idea.

Deke•75 months

I would not waste a first round pick on Key. He has potential, but not at the expense of a first round pick. Hope I am wrong, but I just did not see the effort during his Junior season at all.

Skinny•75 months

And then he gets to the league and dominates and everyone looks like idiots. That's usually how it works.

FightinTigersDammit•75 months

Only if he gets his shite together.

LSU_Smash_the_West•75 months

He is another Mingo and Hunter I don’t expect much out him.

Meauxjeaux•75 months

If Key gets first round pick and first round money, his NFL career will be shorter than his LSU time. Anyone who wants effort out of Key should draft him in the 5th round and play him till contract year then let someone else sign him. Yes, I have NFL executive/talent scout abilities.

atltiger6487•75 months

this would be my concern as an NFL GM. Given his bizarre junior year (and the still unexplained absence), how would he react after cashing his multi-million dollar signing bonus? That's a real unknown- and therefore a big risk.

TigerFan55555•75 months

i would do the same thing... heavy incentive based deal..

NASA_ISS_Tiger•75 months

I understand the issues with his shoulder and I wish Key the best, but one has to wonder if Key has a "Vince Young" complex hanging around. Was it merely the shoulder or is there something else wrong that might be causing him issues. This guy's analysis was spot on.

coachw•75 months

Lazy, head case who let everyone down including himself. Good riddance.

BayouBengal99•75 months

And these are the guys LSU needs to now stay away from. Guys who only think about themselves and not fight for their team with all they have. I'll never understand these type of recruits. All the talent in the world but then let it all get to their heads, and they think they're superman. I really had high hopes for this guy after his freshman season. I think Chassion will be a better overall player. I'm still waiting for Thornton and Anthony to break out. Those guys look great physically. I saw some real explosiveness from Anthony. Keep stacking them up and we'll get those two guys who are unstoppable at some point.

The Mick•75 months

I concur

ItNeverRains•75 months

1st round physique. UFA mentally.

Janky•75 months

He is the opposite of Kyle Williams who works extremely hard.

TJGator1215•75 months

He's a 3rd pick at best with his lack of effort

tenderfoot tigah•75 months

Insanely stupid decision not to come back for one more year. Top 5 pick money vs 2nd round pick. Someone help me with my math. How much money did he lose?

Lsuchs•75 months

Should have had surgery earlier rather than taking time off, should have stayed in shape regardless. Should have practiced with the team and played in bowl (tape your damn fingers together) instead of peacing our. He didn’t care to be here, another year wouldn’t have helped that. That attitude reflected on the field according to this eval too.

Schmelly•75 months

The next Sam Montgomery

AustinKnight•75 months

That’s the grade u get as a Quitter

AustinKnight•75 months

Not to throw any player especially an LSU player under the bus but this is guy if I’m a team sorry I don’t trust unless it’s a 3/7 Round period

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