ILB, Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi

ILB, Gerald McRath, Southern Mississippi

Pros:  Rangy build with plenty of room for additional growth. ... Good instincts. ... Flows to the action quickly and puts himself in position to make a play.

Cons:  Undersized. ... Lacks bulk in both his upper and lower body and looks more like a strong safety than a middle linebacker.

Styg's Broncos Fit:   This player has value from a basic versatility standpoint, and he has very surprising numbers, which indicate a high level of production. But when I look at him, I don't see traits that suit Denver well.  He lacks strength and explosiveness, and has the build of a defensive back, but poor coverage awareness and tight hips indicate the transition would be a tough one.  Has a lot of hustle, which contributes to his production, but doesn't have the speed to compensate for mistakes that take him out of the play.  He is a very athletic player, however, and may project better to WLB for some team running a 4-3.  He is also a secure tackler, and takes smart angles.  In the final analysis McRath would project as a versatile backup and special teams contributor, with enough athleticism to compete for spot duty on the outside of the LB corp.  He is worth targeting, but would have to fall pretty far in the draft to warrant being taken as a one-star choice.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

McGrath is a natural read and react middle linebacker with great instincts and timing. He's immediately in action on the snap and always seems to be flowing in the right direction. Takes solid angles toward the ball carrier. Uses his plus agility to avoid blockers. Dependable in coverage. Reads the quarterback well and anticipates where he'll throw the ball very well.

Highlights:

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• McRath, a junior, is blessed with a big frame and large wingspan. He is very athletic and moves well (4.59). More quick than explosive, McRath is able to cover a lot of territory and is good in coverage. He is able to recognize pass plays early and moves well into coverage, which makes him excellent on the second level. He is somewhat on the slim side, so he needs to add bulk to compete on a regular basis against the "big boys". He is not a good run stuffer, and he will sometimes shy away from contact. He does not shed blockers very well, and having been dominated on a lower level he is still talented enough to move forward in his development.  [see more...]
• Gerald McRath has recorded 100 plus tackles three plus years in a row for Southern Miss. He is a productive player, even though he lacks the ideal bulk to play inside. He could transition to a strong safety role with his long speed, or perhaps a WIL linebacker position. He also would be a natural fit for a Cover 2 type scheme. He needs to add some strength but his production, strong combine performance, and team leadership is hard to ignore.  [see more...]