NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Arden Key, LB, LSU

NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Arden Key, LB, LSU

Background: 

In high school Arden Key was a top 25 recruit coming out of the state of Georgia. Key had 15.5 sacks in his senior season. Rated as a four star recruit and the number 3 weak side defensive end by 247 Recruiting. His play through his high school career garnered Key an invitation to play in the Under Armour All-American Game.

Positives:

Key is a long limb player with good flexibility throughout his body. He quick and fast off the line. Good blitzer from the outside and inside, But better outside with his ability to dip and lean around the edge. Good speed to get to the edge of the field. Very athletic and gifted for his size and the way he can control his body. High end is arguably the most impressive in the class. Graded well against last year’s first round tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Arden Key is arguably one of the most gifted pass rushers in this class. And as a sophomore dominated in the SEC.

Negatives: 

Scouts and teams are worried about his personal discipline off of the football field. He left the team for four months during spring in 2017 for what he said was “personal reasons” and in that time had shoulder surgery. Which after that saw his weight balloon up to 270 pounds. As good of a edge rusher he can be he tends to be uninterested against the run at times. And will struggle to hold the point against strong and powerful tackles which will lead to him getting out leveraged. Played only eight games in 2017 and played as a linebacker. Saw his grade take a little hit in pass rush defenses. But did see an upgrade in the run game and coverage. Key’s off the field evaluation may be as important as his on the field at this stage. His sophomore grade of 87.8 dropped to an 81.1 as a junior. (As you can see Key get’s locked up and doesn’t give a good effort against the run)

Measurements: 

• Height- 6’5
• Weight- 238
• Vert- 31 inches
• Hand- 9’9 inches
• Arm Length- 33 1/2 inches

Position Ranks: 

• Pass rush productivity: 13.1 (11)
• Run stop percentage: 3.9 (93)
• Snaps/inside pressure: 18.9 (4)
• Snaps/outside pressure: 15.5 (14)

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