Ryan Kelly NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Colts Rookie

POSITIVES

A three-year starter at center, Ryan Kelly handled all the line calls for the Alabama offense in 2015, helping the Crimson Tide capture another national title. A consensus first-team All-American, Kelly has a shot to hear his name called on the first night of the draft.

Alabama coaches credited Kelly with allowing zero sacks and just four hurries all season while missing just eight assignments—ridiculous numbers considering the talent Kelly faced. Throw in 20 knockdowns and one penalty just for fun, and Kelly’s resume looks amazing.

On tape, Kelly runs the roost. He’s a confident, tough, mean center who looks for a fight on every down. Put a nose tackle over Kelly, and he’ll push and scrape to get them out of the hole with leverage and hand placement. Kelly was a driving force in the massive inside holes Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry saw routinely. Thanks to his power and his lateral movements, the A-gap at Alabama in 2015 was a freeway.

When Kelly took over for Barrett Jones, it was tough to imagine he could fill those shoes, but he’s developed into the better college player and a far better NFL prospect.

NEGATIVES

Kelly projects as a Day 1, high-level player with few real negatives. Some teams may want him to fill out his wide-based frame to improve his upper-body strength. It wouldn’t be shocking to see other teams ask him to work on his aggressive style of play to limit overextending what's almost a lunge at times.

Kelly doesn’t have great power off his push when the ball is snapped—a trait he covers with inside hand placement. His technique has to be spot on to win there, though, and he could struggle early to figure out NFL rushers. Better timing in his blitz recognition will be a concern from coaches based off his college tape. When firing out to attack linebackers, Kelly will try a shoulder block instead of using his hands at times, and that's not going to fly in the NFL.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 311 lbs.

40 Time: 5.03s

Arm Length: 33 ⅝"

3-Cone: 7.58s

Short Shuttle: 4.59s

PRO COMPARISON: Alex Mack, Atlanta Falcons
FINAL GRADE: 7.00/9.00 (Round 1—Rookie Starter)