Positional ranking: #3
Big Board ranking: #43
Overview
Position: LB
College: NC State
Class: Senior (RS)
Age: N/A (will be updated)
Measurables
Height: 6’2 1/2″
Weight: 240 lbs.
Arm length: 31 5/8″
Hand size: 9 1/8”
Athletic testing
40-yard dash: 4.57 sec.
Vertical jump: 32.5”
Broad jump: 116.0”
Bench press: 24 reps
3-cone drill: DNP
Short shuttle: DNP
Strengths
Athletic linebacker in a rocked-up frame. Above-average speed. Powerful tackler that wraps to finish. Has the strength to stand up runners in the hole. Excellent range. Tracks the ball as a backside defender. Relentless and competitive. Works to shed blocks by using his hands and length. Former safety with quality coverage skills. Has the ability to cover tight ends and running backs. Knows how to get home as a blitzer. Top-level hustler that uses his speed to chase down players. Played both inside and outside linebacker. Scheme versatile. Can line up on the edge to rush the passer. Team captain at NC State.
Weaknesses
Can struggle with change of direction in coverage. Hips are a little tight. Mostly a straight-line blitzer. Sometimes fills the wrong gap. Limited experience at linebacker.
NFL comparison
Alec Ogletree – I would say Germaine Pratt is a bit more imposing, but he and Ogletree are both versatile linebackers that can move around the formation and make plays.
Conclusion
Overall, Germaine Pratt is a very good run defender with ideal play demeanor, and he also has the skillset to be great in coverage as a former safety. I think his ability to play in any scheme should make Pratt a solid Day 2 selection.
NC States got some players.