Alec Ogletree: How Will St. Louis' Newest LB Fare in the Pros?

This is an interesting pick considering Manti Te’o was still on the board when Ogletree was taken.

With Alec Ogletree, the Rams get a very rangy linebacker who has the movement skills of a safety—which is fitting because he’s a former safety who put on the weight to move closer to the fat boys. The question I have is whether or not he’s been able to shed that soft safety mentality.

Pro Outlook 

Ogletree’s greatest value comes in sub-packages against the pass with his natural ability to drop in coverage. If he can dig deep and find his aggression, he may be able to improve his ability at the point of attack.

Freelancing and missing tackles won’t be tolerated in St Louis; he will need to be technically sound in this conference, especially against physical offensive lines like the 49ers, who they happen to face twice a year.

Roster Outlook

Alec Ogletree should be able to plug in on either side of James Laurinaitis and help strengthen what was once a weakness on the defense. His biggest value will be on passing downs given his impressive movement skills.

Pick Analysis

Relative to where he was drafted, the Ogletree pick is a risky one at best. He comes with some off-field issues and concerns about his leadership skills. He also struggles to take on blocks and lacks the physicality to be a dominate force against the run.

There has to be some concern with all the talent Georgia had on a defense that still failed to dominate quite like they should. From my perspective, Ogletree played a part in Georgia’s defensive inconsistencies and has a long way to go in order to be a true professional.

Grade: C