Rookie Scouting Spotlight: Lorenzo Mauldin – 2015 NFL Draft
The Rookie Scouting Spotlight Series on RosterWatch is written by Chris Nicolaou. Check back often as he adds new 2015 NFL draft prospects to his notebook, and make sure to tune in to RosterWatch on SiriusXM to hear Chris’s additional thoughts and breakdowns along with other RW writers and contributors. Follow Chris Nicolaou on Twitter @cnic_11
— Are you Loco 4 Lozo? (@Lozo_Mauldin_IV) September 1, 2014
Lorenzo Mauldin, LB/EDGE Louisville
Height: 6’3 5/8″
Weight: 259
Arm: 33″
Hand: 9 7/8″
40 yard dash: 4.85
NFL Comparison: Jarvis Jones
Positives:
-Uses hands well and to his advantage , at times he shows violent handwork.
-Endless motor .
-Already made the conversion to OLB , he played on both sides of the alignment, at times would put his hand in the dirt, but mostly stood up and played 5-tech through 2014.
-Has a variety of pass-rush moves, and a very efficient and agile swim move, he’s very natural in space with an understanding of positioning and timing.
-High-effort player that not only shows great motor through engagement, but also trailing plays away from his side with clean pursuit angles.
-Does a good job of putting his hand up when he knows he won’t get to the QB , he’s not a knucklehead about blasting in and causing penalties the way some high-motor guys can be.
-Played much better as an OLB ; he’s a player in space who aims to create turnovers.
-High character.
Negatives:
-Plays too upright.
-Doesn’t have a great dip or bend move and seems to lack hip flexibility and ankle flection.
-Not very fast, can be slow off the snap . He has great motor once he’s diagnosed, but he’s not always the fastest to diagnose.
-Did nothing during a week of Senior Bowl practices to elevate his stock or standing, was a largely average player in Mobile.
-Some missed tackles can be easily seen in a quick view of his tape.
-You could worry about him possibly being the product of a system at Louisville the same way some currently worry about Marcus Smith when looking back.
-Has trouble shedding blocks at the point of attack at times and has better hands as a pass-rusher than he does as run-stopper.
-Inconsistent at times; Needs to add upper-body strength.
-Tends to over-pursue.
Other
-DE converted to OLB
-21.5 Career sacks, 119 tackles
-Overcame tough childhood, both parents in jail
-Track and field star in high school: discus, shot put and high jump
-Named to Class AA All-State Team in high school
-2nd all team ACC
-Came into Louisville weighing 240lbs, his offer got pulled when South Carolina landed Clowney
-Communications major
-Played in 50 games, started 33
-Played some tight end and 10 games of special teams freshman year
. . .
Projected Round: 3-4
