OLB, Aaron Curry, Wake Forest

Pros: Strong base with good reach, heavy hitter who looks good around the line of scrimmage.  Can disrupt the running game effectively.

Cons:  Not a finisher, though well rounded has many areas that could improve.

Styg's Broncos Fit:   Easily the top linebacker in the class and quite possibly the top overall prospect in the draft. He makes plays, hits hard and is physical in coverage or playing around the line. Against the run, he dominates FBs in the lane and releases well from blocks to make the tackle. Rushing the passer, he runs right through running backs and most TEs and has the speed to beat tackles to the outside. Against the pass, he drops well but can't be left hanging too long in a zone, since his less-than-stellar hips force him to commit early to a responsibility. Is tenacious on special teams and forces teams to account for him there. He could work on being a more punishing tackler, as he too often relies upon his great reach to bring a player down, rather than breaking down and uncoiling with force from the lower body. If he works on this, there won't be a player in the NFL that he can't bring down.

Around MHR:

commenting on which LBs should be available when Denver picks:

Now Aaron Curry at strongside…he will be a top 8 pick at this point so don’t need to talk about him.

                                                                                                          ~TheHEAT

SBNation Says:

 From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

As a prospect, there is a lot to like with Curry. At 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, Curry has good size. As a four-year starter, he also has a ton of experience. Curry is as good of a defensive leader as there is in this year’s class. He can command a squad and call adjustments. Extremely reliable tackler who uses good fundamentals. Closes quickly when he has an open lane.

The Cheif fans at Arrowhead Pride don't think Curry will last past #3:

I'm SOLD! The Kansas City Chiefs with the 3rd pick select LB Aaron Curry from Wake Forest!
The guy looks like the next LT!
Our defense will immediately improve in ’09 with this guy. Been hearing alot about this guy all over the draft boards, I know why now.

 

1st round pick

Unless Pioli is completely sold on either Stafford or Sanchez the Chiefs won’t draft a QB with the 3rd overall pick. I think they will probably go with Aaron Curry from Wake Forest, he’s the complete package at linebacker and the kind of playmaker and leader on defense that has been missing since Derrick Thomas. The patriots have a history of spending their first round picks on offensive and defensive linemen until drafting this season’s defensive rookie of the year, linebacker Jerod Mayo. I think that Mayo’s success will lead Pioli to go with Curry who is much more polished than Mayo was a year ago.

Niners fans comment on one of Curry's unknown qualities:

Would be a great Pass Rush DE.. I could see us taking him in the First Round.. I’m just afraid of him blowing assignments when dropping back into coverage.. Awareness is not all that..

SBNation Rams blog, Turf Show Times, expects Curry to go early:

5.) Cleveland (4-12) - Aaron Curry, OLB/DE, Wake Forest

Nobody's stock has risen higher in recent weeks than Curry's.  An absolute pass rush machine, Curry has size, speed and durability having played in every game as a starter in the last three years.  His pass coverage is below-average, so I could see him transitioning a la DeMarcus Ware.

Highlights

More highlights:  another huge hit.  More 2008 highlights.

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Curry is a big play linebacker and can deliver the big hit and cover a lot of ground. He is also extremely versatile and does a good job against both the run and the pass. The only negative to find with Curry is his awareness. There are times when he is out of position and makes mistakes.  [see more...]
• Possesses a terrific blend of size and bulk...Exceptional speed, quickness and athleticism...Very physical and tough...Excellent strength and power...Extremely aggressive...Outstanding instincts and awareness...Offers a lot of versatility...Reliable tackler who will deliver the big hit...Really uses his hands well...Does a nice job of taking on and shedding blockers...Superb pass rusher and blitzer...Has sideline-to-sideline range.  [see more...]
• It really seems like to me everyone in the Draftnik community got together and just one day declared Aaron Curry as a top five pick. I love Curry the player, but to be a top-eight player on my Draft board as a 4-3 outside linebacker you better have very fluid hips (like Derrick Brooks as a prospect) and have the ability to play the Tampa 2 WILL, which Curry does not. Bottom line is Curry certainly has weaknesses going untalked about, but in the end, I do project him as a top-15 pick.  [see more...]
• Curry is a good student who chose Wake Forest for its academics. Always firing up his teammates, he is an emotional leader on the field.  [see more...]
• Widely expected to be among the first three players selected in the NFL Draft, Curry could have afforded to skip Wake Forest's Pro Day altogether. After his impressive display of athleticism at last month's NFL Scouting Combine, why bother?
  
  "You know, I asked him the same thing." said Brad Lambert, Wake's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. "When he came in, I was like, 'Are you going to do anything today?' ... And that's kind of Aaron. That's the way he is. His answer was, 'Whatever they want me to do, I'll do.' "  [see more...]
• The best overall linebacking prospect seen since Lavar Arrington, even a more complete player than A.J. Hawk or Keith Rivers. Curry’s versatility will serve him well and allows him to be an option for many different schemes. Curry will make an impact immediately and serve to make any defense he plays on better immediately. Curry, a four year starter at Wake, was named the 2009 Butkus Award winner over fellow standouts James Laurinaitis and Rey Maualuga.  [see more...]
• He does do a decent job in coverage, staying with the tight ends and running backs. He does have a habit, though, of biting on play-action. At times he doesn't seem to read routes or react as instinctively as you would expect either. He also doesn't have the most fluid hips, which will be needed to turn and run with the quicker offensive players at the NFL level.  [see more...]