OLB, Aaron Maybin, Penn State

OLB, Aaron Maybin, Penn State

Pros: Havoc creating pass rusher, natural speed rusher.  Good instincts.

Cons: Young and unproven.  Light for a DE, may need to add bulk to last in the NFL.

Around MHR:

SBNation Says:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

Of all the defensive linemen in this year's draft, Maybin probably has the best first step. He anticipates the snap especially well. Gets up to top speed in a flash. While he's still raw, Maybin is beginning to develop some nice pass rush moves. Plays with a lot of energy. Never quits on a play and is always working hard. Will chase down the ball carrier all over the field. Known as a solid character individual.

From "10 Reasons Not to Draft Maybin" on Buffalo Rumblings:

7: "The knock against Maybin is that he struggled against big athletic linemen. In the four games that Maybin failed to record a sack, the right tackles that he faced averaged a whopping 6'5" and 313.5 pounds. Furthermore, three of those four teams were ranked in the top 25 at the end of the season; a clear indication that he'll need to improve against NFL talent.

SBNation Penn State Nittany Lions blog, The Black Shoe Diaries, has a nice nickname for Aaron:

If there is a single word to describe the play of Aaron Maybin, it's mayhem. In fact that should be his name. Aaron Mayhem. No...Project Mayhem. Indiana tried everything to contain him including double teams, but his speed was too much to handle. I watched one play where Indiana called a running play to go between the right guard and tackle. They had a tight end lined up next to the tackle across from Project Mayhem. They snapped the ball and Project Mayhem ran outside the tight end, so the tackle released to the second level thinking Project Mayhem had run himself out of the play, but Project Mayhem just ran around the tight end like his shoes were stuck in quick sand and tackled the running from behind just as he was hitting the hole. Mayhem was wreaking havoc like that all day long and even managed to get a sack on the elusive Lewis.

SBNation Kansas City Chiefs Blog, Arrowhead Pride, considers the value of taking Maybin as high as #3 in the draft:

From:  Maybe Maybin?

Aaron Maybin, the 6'4" 236 lbs. sophomore Penn State Defensive End, will be entering the upcoming 2009 NFL Draft.  I do admit that I don't know much about this kid but from what I have read and seen, he has a sack machine.  The great news for us is that he should be around at the top of the 2nd round.  We should seriously look at taking him with our #3 pick.  You want upside?  He's got it.

                                                          ~ Ilamuku

Highlights

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Maybin has outstanding speed for his size, and is much stronger than his size would suggest. He does his best work coming off the edge and simply running by offensive tackles. Maybin isn't only a speed rusher though. He has excellent technique, and does a good job of using his hands to keep blocker from cutting his feet out from under him.   [see more...]
• Maybin began the 2008 season as a backup but took over as a starter when Maurice Evans was suspended for off-field issues. Though Evans eventually returned, Maybin had emerged as one of the best pass-rushers in the Big Ten and never relinquished the starting job.
  He finished the regular season with 45 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and a Big Ten best 12 sacks. He earned All-America and first-team All-Conference honors.
  Maybin was also a finalist for the Bednarik Award and the Hendricks Award..  [see more...]
• Maybin arrived in Lancaster in mid-January weighing just 227 pounds. 
  
  He departed Friday looking like Captain America. 
  
  Provided Maybin, 20, can better the 4.7-second 40 time he turned in at last month's NFL scouting combine, he stands to make serious money today after bulking up some 25 pounds to 252. 
  
  "In that short of a time period, I would say that was about as high as Aaron could possibly go," Saunders said. "He did all the work the right way, stuck to his diet, and he got the rewards.  [see more...]
• Opportunity seemed to be the issue as well for Penn State’s Aaron Maybin. Maybin’s 2008 season was so big he chose to enter the draft as a third-year sophomore. But he only got on the field as a full-time starter two weeks into the season after teammate Maurice Evans was suspended. 
  
  Maybin was a beast with 49 tackles, 20 of which went for loss, 12 sacks and three forced fumbles. Prior to that however, Maybin had only recorded defensive stats in nine games. Nevertheless he’s considered a first round pick that could find his way into the top 10.  [see more...]
• Redshirted in 2006...Worked in a backup capacity in 2007...Enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2008 and emerged as one of the country's premier pass rushers...Named 1st Team All-Big Ten and also led the conference in sacks in 2008...Was a consensus 1st Team All-American as a redshirt sophomore...Was demoted for a short time prior to the Rose Bowl because he was late for a meeting...Classic 'tweener who is not big enough to play defensive end but might not be fast enough to play outside linebacker either...Playing weight in 2008 was reportedly right around 230 pounds...Packed on 20 pounds between the end of his season and the Scouting Combine but did not test nearly as well as expected...Other Nittany Lion defensive ends like Courtney Brown, Michael Haynes and Tamba Hali have not fared well in the pros...Best fit at the next level could come in a 3-4 scheme...Is basically just a one-dimensional speed rusher at this point...Probably came out too early and is simply not yet ready for the NFL...Has all the potential in the world but is still very raw...Project who will require some patience.  [see more...]
•  An explosive quick-twitch athlete who coils up well into his stance and can really fire off the ball. Displays the closing speed to consistently reach the corner and force QBs to step up into the pocket. Demonstrates excellent awareness off the snap and improved all season. Produced week in and week out and has the mindset to handle the pressures of playing NFL ball. An elite type of athlete who offers position versatility as a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB.  [see more...]
• When you look at Maybin, what you see is a pass rusher who has a lot of quickness and a lot of explosion off the line. His first step is immense and he has the speed to make it past offensive lineman and get to the quarterback. Maybin can also change his direction well while he is pursing the play and can adjust to line up and go where he thinks that the play is going to go. Maybin is also a strong run defender who isn’t afraid to take on the run unlike some NFL defensive ends can be weak at.  [see more...]