2017 NFL SCOUTING REPORT

APRIL 24, 2017

NFL Draft 2017 Scouting Report: ILB Eric Wilson, Cincinnati

*Our LB grades can and will change as more information comes in from Pro Day workouts, leaked Wonderlic test results, etc. We will update ratings as new info becomes available.

The fastest 40-time among any ILB prospect in our system analysis is Temple (trying to convert to ) prospect – with a 4.52 time at the NFL Combine. The second- fastest time was recorded by Eric Wilson at his Pro Day – a 4.53 time. The next-fastest recorded time among 2017 ILB prospects from the NFL Combine was a 4.61 (Raekwon McMillan).

Wilson also was one of the few 2017 ILB prospects to register a sub-7.0 three-cone time.

Wilson also sits #1 among all our 2017 ILB prospects in vertical leap – with a 39.5″ mark.

Wilson's 1.54 10-yard time ranks at the top of all 2017 ILB prospects in our system analysis.

Eric Wilson is arguably one of the top 3 most athletic ILB prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft…arguably the most athletic (him and Haason Reddick).

Wilson led the American Athletic Conference in total tackles (129) and was 7th in the NCAA in that category.

All that…and Wilson was not invited to the NFL Combine nor to the Senior Bowl.

CBS ranks Wilson #21 among OLB prospects and #248 overall with a seventh-round grade. ESPN ranks him #36 among ILB prospects, not among their top 350 for the 2017 NFL Draft.

So…what gives? Why the lowly draft stock and why do we list him as an ILB prospect?

Wilson was more ILB than OLB in 2016 and was a little more OLB than ILB in 2015. Cincinnati played in a lot of two linebacker setups. I saw Wilson dropping into coverage more in 2015 but playing more traditional inside linebacker in 2016. He doesn’t jump off the screen at you, but the more you watch and consider his measurables…the more there is a world of possibility here.

Wilson really bulked up his frame from 2015 to 2016. He added nice upper body muscle definition. He looked OK, frame-wise in 2015 but definitely hit the weight room seriously in 2016. Only six of the 2017 ILB prospects benched more than Wilson in pre-draft workouts…and he was two reps away from being among the top three best in the class. Wilson has added strength to become a viable ILB option in the NFL.

Wilson doesn’t have to be an ILB at the next level. He could be a 3-4 OLB (or ILB) or a 4-3 OLB. He could also project as a hybrid linebacker/safety. Adding or taking away 5–10 pounds of muscle could make him a nice prospect on the inside or into the secondary. He offers options.

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2017 NFL DRAFT SCOUTING REPORT

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Wilson is not being overlooked for any off-field reason. There are no red flags with him off the field. I just think he didn't have much momentum heading into 2016 and playing for a little-media-covered/- concerned school and in a little-respect conference – he just flew under the radar. He's a good ballplayer. Maybe not a future player, but a legit starter in the NFL with upside and versatility for several positions and on special teams. Wilson is going to be a nice add for some team at a bargain price in the NFL Draft.

Eric Wilson, Through the Lens of Our ILB Scouting Algorithm:

Had 10 or more tackles in eight of 12 games in 2016.

111 solo tackles and 124 assisted tackles – not a good marker (more assisted than solo) for a classic ILB prospect.

Forced 4 fumbles in his debut season in 2014 – 10th best in the NCAA that season. Recovered 7 fumbles in his career.

Against Miami, Fla. and Purdue the past two seasons (his big out-of-conference matchups) – 11.5 tackles per game, 0.3 TFLs.

Pro Day data…

6′1.1″/230

4.53 40-time, 1.54 10-yard, 4.31 shuttle, 6.96 three-cone

25 bench reps, 39.5″ vertical, 10′1″ broad jump

Wilson's stats on CFB Reference: http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/eric-wilson-5.html

The Historical ILB Prospects to Whom Eric Wilson Most Compares Within Our System:

One of the things that have forced us to take Wilson more seriously was not only his good/passing grades in our scouting models – but also many of the historical players our system believes 'he's like'

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were more good-to-really-good NFL players. There's something about Wilson our system analysis really likes.

ILB Last First Yr College H H W Tackle, Speed, Score Strngt Agility h Metric Metric 8.088 Wilson Eric 2017 Cincinnati 6 1.1 230 8.57 8.63 8.614 Durant Justin 2007 Hampton 6 0.7 230 8.84 11.27 11.762 Vilma Jonathan 2004 Mia, Fla 6 0.4 233 9.52 8.85 6.353 Coyle Brock 2014 Montana 6 0.6 235 7.76 7.42 4.549 Dieuseul Charles 2013 Mt. Union 5 10.7 235 6.55 8.84 3.647 Pikula Manoa 2016 BYU 6 0.5 234 5.30 6.02

*A score of 8.00+ is where we see a stronger correlation of LBs going on to become NFL good/great/elite. A score of 10.00+ is more rarefied air in our system, and indicates a greater probability of becoming an NFL elite LB. All of the LB ratings are based on a 0–10 scale, but a player can score negative, or above a 10.0 in certain instances. Tackle-Strength Metrics = A combination of several physical and performance measurements. An attempt to classify the LB prospect's ability to stop the run, as well as to gauge how physical the player is, and the likelihood of higher tackle counts in the NFL. All based on profiles of LBs historically. Speed-Agility Metrics = A combination of several speed, agility, and size measurements...as well as game performance data to profile a LB for speed/agility based on LBs historically. A unique measuring system to look for LBs that profile for quickness, pass-coverage ability, and general ability to cover more ground.

2017 NFL Draft Outlook:

50-50 Wilson is even in a mainstream projected top 225–250 overall to be drafted in their pre-Draft rankings. I'd say his athleticism numbers and projection for special teams plus versatility for a defense gets him drafted sixth or seventh round.

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NFL Outlook:

Becomes a much better player than his draft status. Is either very useful in a rotation plus on special teams…or becomes a reliable three-down starter. This is a quality pick for late in the draft.

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Signature______Date______4/24/2017

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