Positional ranking: #9

Big Board ranking: #79

 

Overview

Position: LB

College: Ohio State

Class: Senior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’2 7/8”

Weight: 238 lbs.

Arm length: 33 1/4″

Hand size: 9”

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.58 sec.

Vertical jump: 39.5”

Broad jump: 122.0”

Bench press: 20 reps

3-cone drill: 6.95 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.38 sec.

 

Strengths

Well-rounded skillset. Solid size with plus length. Interchangeable at all three linebacker spots. Great overall instincts. Excellent play strength for his size. Quick shedding blocks due to combination of quick feet and length/strength. Doesn’t allow himself to be driven back or bulldozed by offensive linemen. Plus speed/range. Tremendous pursuit to the ball. Very good acceleration and closing burst. Aggressive getting in on tackles. Extremely secure wrap-up tackler. Tough getting in the hole to make a tackle. Will deliver a big hit going downhill. Able to matchup with tight ends in the slot or out wide. Smooth flipping his hips to run in coverage. Fast and fluid in coverage. Very aggressive taking on blocks as a blitzer. Had a knack for forcing fumbles in 2020.

 

Weaknesses

Can anticipate better to avoid blockers altogether. Struggled with some misdirection and offensive flash. Would like to see better angles to cut ball-carriers off along the sideline. Sometimes too high as a tackler. Limited ball production with zero career interceptions.

 

NFL comparison

Blake Martinez

 

Conclusion

Overall, Werner is a three-down linebacker with great instincts, movement skills, and the ability to get off blocks. The all-around skillset should make him a very good selection in the second or third round as a fit in any defensive scheme.