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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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83 Comments
user avatar
Jones75 months
Wouldn't that suck being #33 in the draft? You just miss the Patriots(probably) to be drafted by the Browns.
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roguetiger1575 months
I could see the pats taking him. He would fit great in their defense and just needs the right motivation to get that nfl mindset. Pats usually like going the free agency route though so who knows
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LSU82BILL75 months
Nah, Belichik would swap picks with Cleveland, pick up a 3rd round pick and lets Cleveland draft Key where he'll be a bust and the Pats pick up (2) 10-year starters at #33 and #65.
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MadtownTiger75 months
Water is Wet...If you couldn't see his lack of effort on some plays and getting tied up against weak opponents...you simply weren't looking. But then he'll spank the tackle and just blow right past him.
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MadtownTiger75 months
Water is Wet...If you couldn't see his lack of effort on some plays and getting tied up against weak opponents...you simply weren't looking. But then he'll spank the tackle and just blow right past him.
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REB BEER75 months
Sounds like they hit the nail on the head.
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LSU Coyote75 months
Dude showed laziness. No employer wants someone who is lazy.
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LSU-DUDE75 months
I didn't see lazy when he played Bama
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atltiger648775 months
"I didn't see lazy when he played Bama"... did you watch any other games this year? Should NFL teams expect Key to only play hard for a few games on their schedule, and coast through the rest?
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Violent Tally75 months
Hugh risk if taken before the 3rd round.
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KennabraTiger75 months
Hugh Grant if taken after the 3rd round
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Tiger Vision75 months
Hugh Freeze will supply the talent for the draft after party.
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Spankum75 months
Hugh Hefner if taken two at a time.
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LSUrme75 months
I mean I'd say that's pretty much what we saw this year. Not to mention, he's going to have to tell them WTF he was doing that whole spring semester. NFL scouts don't give a $h!t about "respect my privacy."
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atltiger648775 months
correct - NFL GMs will demand to know why he left. The whole "we don't have a right to know" won't fly with NFL teams - not when they're investing a draft pick and a lot of money.
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bakersman75 months
I think Key will transition better to a 3-4 outside LB at the pro level
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El Magnifico75 months
That's what happens when you start worrying about your draft stock and not how you're playing the game with your current team.
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LSU-DUDE75 months
Do you blame him? I mean after all they are playing for free.
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Tiger Vision75 months
Since when is tuition free?
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LSU-DUDE75 months
It was free for him
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STRIPES75 months
His heart wasn't in it.
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TrueTiger75 months
no chest in his last season the experts notice
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TigerFanFromBama75 months
Nothing to see here... if he puts up good numbers at the Combine and Pro-day, he'll go Mid-late 1st Round.
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dukesilver7275 months
He’s not wrong. Wish him the best, but I won’t be shocked if he’s a total bust. Something is missing with Key.
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ExpoTiger75 months
If he goes late to a really good organization with leadership on the roster he will be a star.
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Not exactly playing for free. I hear this all the time. My education cost me many dollars, not to mention my children’s college also. If he failed to get a degree, that us on him and his parents. He is a head case, face it.
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conman75 months
You screwed up Arden. Have to prove yourself all over again. Good luck in your career
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PortHudsonPlaya75 months
I compare him a lot to Mingo. Just doesn't have an NFL position. At his best, he's undersized but when he beefs up he loses a lot. Not sure what old mold him as in the NFL. Wish him the best.
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PortHudsonPlaya75 months
I don't think he was lazy. I think he had some issues we'll never know about. He balled out vs Bama.
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STEVED0075 months
Mingo has amazing raw skills but lacked in technique. Key seems to have both after his Jr year but his mysterious disappearance in the summer and coming in overweight in fall in concerning. That being said, Key in Bama game was the Key we remember from his Jr year.
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RightWingTiger75 months
If Mingo had been drafted by basically any other team aside from the Browns he would have been coached up and could have been a hell of a pass rush, 3rd down nightmare.
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sunnydaze75 months
Watch him fall to New England and become a beast
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Disgeaux Bob75 months
Best possible scenario for him. Pats police themselves and maximum effort is given or you’re gone.
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sml7175 months
“Anonymous source” = completely unreliable source.
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Malaysian Tiger75 months
I would not Draft him too much of a Question Mark!
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