2012 Possible Atlanta Falcons Draft Pick Profile: LB Mychal Kendricks

Another prospect we are looking at today is Mychal Kendricks from California. He's a shorter linebacker, but that didn't stop team general manager Thomas Dimitroff before with the selections of Spencer Adkins or Robert James.

Mychal Kendricks

Linebacker

University of California

Combine Measurements

Height: 5'11-1/4" Weight: 239 pounds

Arm length: 31-5/8" Hand measurement: 9-3/8"

40-yard dash: 4.56 sec. 20-yard split: 2.61 sec. 10-yard split: 1.53 sec.

20-yard shuttle: 4.14 sec. 3-cone drill: 6.68 sec. Bench reps: 24 reps

Vertical jump: 39.5" Broad jump: 10'7" 

Stats

2008 - 13 Games, 0 Games Started, 15 Tackles, 1.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 1 Blocked Kick/Punt

2009 - 13 Games, 4 Games Started, 71 Tackles, 6.0 Tackles for Loss, 1.0 Sack, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Forced, 1 Fumbles Recovered, 1 Touchdown

2010 - 12 Games, 12 Games Started, 65 Tackles, 14.5 Tackles for Loss, 7.0 Sacks, 1 Interception

2011 - 13 Games, 13 Games Started , 105 Tackles, 14.0 Tackles for Loss, 2.5 Sacks, 2 Interceptions, 1 Fumble Recovered

Scouting Report

Strengths

He flows to the ball and gets solid hits on the ball-carrier. He's a true run-stuffer and a tackling machine and makes sure his man gets taken down when he tackles. He shows great form in his tackles and could end up as a team's top tackler.

He's also very solid in his shorter coverages and can get good reads on the ball. He can also read the run extremely well and hasn't shown a tendency to overpursue. He also has shorter more stout frame that allows him to get around blocks.

Weaknesses

He isn't the most fluid player in coverage and has tendencies to get misdirected easily. He comes off as more of a one-trick pony when it comes to his pass-rushing, and is completely reliant on his motor to generate pressure.

Overview

Kendricks could end up as someone's long-time starter at the middle linebacker spot. He can play in the 3-4 and the 4-3 and should end up starting well before some of the other linebackers in this draft. Kendricks is a very underrated player and if he were bigger would end up much higher on boards.

How He Would Fit into the Falcons' Plans

Kendricks could be the Falcons' pick in the third round. He would be instant competition for Akeem Dent at the middle linebacker spot and could end up being a long-term starter for the Falcons there. He has one of the highest upsides of any linebacker in the draft.