One of the most commonly mocked positions for the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 56 -- and beyond -- will be a linebacker. General manager James Gladstone seems confident in Ventrell Miller, but it is a point of concern after Devin Lloyd departed in free agency.
I want these scouting reports to be worthwhile to everyone, so I passed on writing up Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez, a well-known and obvious consideration at the second-round selection, should he fall that far. Instead, the Jags currently have three third-round picks, so Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis could be among the best available at those spots.
Louis is a pre-draft riser after an outstanding Senior Bowl effort, and he also tested well at the combine. However, he's going to require the right scheme fit as an undersized former safety in college.
Is that scheme fit with the Jaguars? Let's dive in.
Kyle Louis NFL Draft Profile and Combine Measurements
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 220 pounds
Arm Length: 31.3"
Hand Span: 9.5"
40-Yard Dash: 4.53 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.58 seconds
Vertical Jump: 39.5"
Broad Jump: 10' 9"
3-Cone Drill: 6.97 seconds
Bench Press: N/A
After my first two key targets for the Jaguars, Christen Miller and Derrick Moore, didn't have combine data, it's great to have some with Kyle Louis.
Though you have to adjust some for Louis's 6'0", 220-pound frame, the fact that he ran the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash, jumped the fourth-best vertical, and ran the second-fastest time in the 3-cone drill are all demonstrations of elite athleticism for the position.
Louis was listed at 220 pounds in college, but I don't think he weighed that much on tape. It was good to get that number verified at the combine in Indianapolis, indicating the addition of play strength is in process.
Remember, Rodriguez and Sonny Styles had historical combines in certain metrics, so Louis' numbers could have easily been best-in-class in another year.
Kyle Louis NFL Draft Tape Evaluation: Strengths, and Weaknesses
Strengths: Sideline-to-sideline movement, coverage instincts, and tackle completion
Weaknesses: Size, play strength, and physicality when taking on blocks at the line of scrimmage
There are old-school defensive coordinators who would roll their eyes at Louis as a Round 2 selection. His slender, small stature won't be for everyone, but the Jaguars' progressive regime might think otherwise.
Similar to a prime Dre Greenlaw or Cleveland's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, there's a role in the modern, zone-heavy defense for a coverage linebacker -- especially one with elite sideline-to-sideline movement and ability to rally to the football like Louis. For a smaller guy, his 8.2 percent missed tackle rate was actually lower than that of Rodriguez (10.3 percent) or Deontae Lawson (11.1 percent) in this same area of the draft, per Pro Football Focus.
Louis' size works against him most when engaged at the line of scrimmage in blocking situations, which also increases the risk of injury. He's just not the most physical, violent thumper at linebacker and will be most valuable as a weakside coverage option in a nickel-heavy defense.
Kyle Louis's Fit with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Though some teams are really trying to bring back sets with three tight ends, the modern NFL is a nickel league.
The "big nickel" is in vogue, and Louis has some of those qualities as someone who proved to be comfortable playing over the slot when called upon. Jacksonville's progressive coaching staff is on board, playing nickel at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL last year (64.1percent).
Devin Lloyd's most impactful moments -- moments that arguably swung the AFC South to Jacksonville -- came in coverage. His five interceptions trailed only Ernest Jones among linebackers. Louis is one of the draft's best overall options to replace that missing element from the Pro Bowler's departure.
At No. 56 overall, the Jaguars are going to be faced with the opportunity to secure a real need at defensive tackle or EDGE. Using that pick to secure a linebacker means a significant drop in the quality of alternatives in Round 3, when Louis, because of his size, will almost certainly be available.