Wesley Woodyard, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Outside Linebacker 6' 1" 220 lbs. Speed: NA Kentucky Senior Strengths- Speed, Hands, Coverage Weaknesses- Size, Strength NFL Comparison- Cato June, Tampa Bay

            Wesley Woodyard has been the heart of the Wildcats defense for the last three seasons.  The senior has led the team in tackles for three straight seasons and has 305 total tackles, 222 of them solo, for his career.  Despite being only 6’1” and 220lbs, the surprisingly durable Woodyard has played in at least 10 games in each of his 4 seasons, not missing a game the last three years. 

            Playing the weak side, Woodyard and QB Andre Woodson took command of a young Wildcats team and led them to a 7-5 record and a Music City Bowl appearance in Nashville against Clemson in 2006.  That year Woodyard led the team in tackles with career highs of 122 total tackles and 80 solo tackles.   The one-time safety has shown an unexpected knack for making plays in the backfield, he had 7 tackles for a loss in 2005 (his first year as a full-time starter), 9.5 TFL in 2006 and has 8 in only 7 games so far this season.

            Woodyard shows many of the same abilities in coverage as Tampa Bay linebackers Derrick Brooks and Cato June, two longtime Cover-2 defenders.  Woodyard would have to get with a Cover-2 team to realistically have a shot at making an impact in the NFL.  The zone-oriented scheme perfectly suits Woodyard’s abilities, and he would look good in a Bucs uniform next fall learning from masters Brooks and June.  Woodyard is actually similar to former Oregon safety Sabby Piscitelli, who was a Bucs 2006 draft-pick.  The Bucs still have Piscitelli at safety, but the general consensus before the draft was that Sabby would have to move to linebacker in the NFL and play for a Cover-2 team, even though he had no prior linebacker experience.  With his size limitations and coverage abilities, Woodyard seems likely to go to a Cover-2 team such as Tampa, Indy or Chicago.

            While his stat totals look pretty, Woodyard is neither a blow-up tackler nor solid wrap-up tackler.  He has a tendency to lunge at ball carriers and drag them down.  He is involved in his share of plays, obviously, but can get washed out of plays or eliminated completely by much larger blockers.  Large wide receivers and tight ends give him trouble as well, with Louisville’s WR Mario Urrutia coming to mind. 

            Few linebackers Woodyard’s size succeed in the NFL.  The chances of Woodyard having a long career are slim to none.  He needs to add mass and strength without compromising his speed, which is nothing spectacular to begin with.  There is a long list of college linebackers who were outstanding, but just don’t meet the physical criteria of what it takes to be NFL linebackers.  Come off-season workouts, many teams will see that too.  He should be drafted, but it likely he will be a Day-2 pick.