ILB, Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia

ILB, Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia

Pros:  Well-built athlete with the frame to add additional mass. ... Versatile defender with experience at all three linebacker positions.

Cons:  A bit undersized for the traditional inside linebacker position.

Styg's Broncos Fit:   In a 4-3 Dannell projects clearly as a SAM, which can be difficult to find, but he has the tenacity around the line of scrimmage, and the versatility in coverage to play well at LILB and LOLB in a 3-4.  He has a good frame and can add another 10 lbs of mass with no sacrifice, and at that higher weight could be an intimidating run-stopping force.  Has great hips, and is physical with receivers around the line.  Terrific body control, very fluid in motion and has good balance and lateral movement.  A recent knee injury makes him a wait-and-see prospect, and past character concerns make a stock-drop very plausible.  As a versatile backup, with experience at each LB position, and the ability to drop effectively into coverage, as well as a sure special teams performer, Ellerbe would be a great pickup in the right round.  If he checks out medically, three stars will be the going price.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

 A versatile player, Ellerbe has started at all three linebacker positions for Georgia. Has good instincts and reads plays quickly. Solid athlete with good lateral agility. Shows good effort in pursuit. Quick to play the run and fill gaps. Ellerbe closes quickly on pass plays. Adept in pass coverage. Sticks on the hip of an opponent. Does a nice job reading a quarterback’s eyes so he can make a play on the ball in the air.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• he Georgia Bulldogs have been clobbered by the injury bug this season and Ellerbe was not immune to it. The linebacker sprained a knee in a loss to Alabama and missed the next game, but he is back in action now. That's good news for the 'Dawgs, who reaped the benefits of having Ellerbe all season long in 2007. He led the team in tackles with 93, playing in all 13 games and making 11 starts.   [see more...]
• Redshirted in 2004...Worked as a backup in 2005 and 2006...Took over a starting job in 2007, leading the Bulldogs in tackles while seeing action at all three linebacker positions and earning 2nd Team All-SEC honors...Has a disappointing senior season but was severely hampered by a knee injury...Was suspended for three games in 2006 after being arrested and charged with a DUI, underage possession of alcohol, theft of an automobile and giving false information to police...Could project to the middle or weakside at the next level...Carried a lofty grade heading into the 2008 season and might be getting misevaluated based on his senior film...Talented player with an intriguing set of physical tools who has the ability  to be a starter and excel in the right situation.  [see more...]
• exploded onto the scene in 2007, going from a backup weak-side linebacker who finished the 2006 season with seven total tackles to a second-team All-SEC pick in leading the team with 93 tackles and finishing second with 12 tackles for loss. He started at each of the three linebacker positions in 2007 and was credited by some for having a similar lightning rod affect on the Georgia defense that running back Knowshon Moreno had on the offense. Ellerbe's 2008 season was a complete reversal. A knee sprain knocked him out of three games and limited him in many others and Ellerbe finished with only 33 tackles. Ellerbe popped off the film in 2007, but with only one season as a standout, NFL clubs will hesitate to invest anything higher than a middle-round pick.  [see more...]
• Possesses a well-built frame with good lower body mass. An impressive downhill tackler with good instincts and gap recognition inside. Is quick to recognize run/pass and has a fluid drop and compact back-pedal. Is very fluid in space and can flip his hips and turn to run with tight ends down the field. A gifted pass defender who is tough to beat down the seam.  [see more...]
• “It was a good opportunity to prove myself to them (the scouts) that still had questions about my knee,” Ellerbe said. “It’s close to being 100 percent. That was the first time since I came back from injury that I didn’t even need the knee brace.”
  
  Ellerbe suffered the injury during the Bulldogs’ 41-30 loss to Southeastern Conference rival Alabama in the fourth game of the season. He believes the injury was a result of a dirty play by one of the Crimson Tide offensive lineman. Ellerbe said the Alabama player hit him with a cut block, while he was attempting to tackle the ball carrier.  [see more...]