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Strengths:
Patrick Willis is one of the more intriguing prospects in the
2007 NFL Draft. It is a rarity for a middle linebacker prospect to
be the class of the linebacker class as a whole in any year, but
that will be the case in 2007. Patrick Willis is an excellent
athlete who plays sideline to sideline as well as any linebacker in
recent memory. He is a tough player who will be a tackling machine
in the NFL, and a cornerstone on defense for whatever team chooses
to make him the anchor on the defense.
Weaknesses:
The most difficult task for the vast majority of linebacker
prospects is the ability to adapt to the blocking, pass, and run
variety at the NFL level. Blockers in the National Football League
are stronger, faster, quicker, and have much better technique than
those that prospects are used to at the collegiate level, so they
must adapt quickly to shedding the initial blocks in order to make
the play. In the case of Patrick Willis, that will also be the case.
Willis could afford to bulk up a bit more, get a little bit bigger
in order to do what is necessary for a MLB in the NFL. Whether he
becomes a MLB in a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme, he must improve his
pass coverage in order to become a “complete” MLB.
Overall:
Patrick Willis compares favorably to former NFL prospect and current
New York Jets MLB Jonathan Vilma. Patrick Willis has top-notch
versatility, so depending on team needs, Willis could translate to
either middle or outside linebacker. As with any prospect, there
will be growing pains, but Willis is a special player. Expect
Patrick Willis to have immediate success and to become an early
favorite for NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007.
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