Reggie Ragland NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Bills Rookie

POSITIVES

Reggie Ragland was considered a top prospect for last year’s draft, but he returned to Alabama as a leader on defense, a move that paid off as he helped lead the Crimson Tide to another national title. Now Ragland is viewed as one of the top run-defending inside linebackers in the draft.

A thumper with elite power and toughness at the point of attack, Ragland was made to stuff the run. He has a strong anchor against offensive linemen and is relentless in pursuit chasing the ball inside and outside the hashes. A scheme-versatile inside linebacker, Ragland can also bring pressure as a pass-rusher when given reps there.

When dropping into zones in the middle of the field, Ragland gets good depth and has the closing speed to read, react and run to the ball. He’s also physical enough to put a body on tight ends and wide receivers crossing his face and can be an intimidator.

Ragland is what you want in a linebacker—a four-year player with two years of starting experience on an elite program, a team captain and a leader in his community.

NEGATIVES

The first complaint from every scout and coach about Ragland was a lack of play speed. That leads to questions about his ability to stay on the field as a three-down player in today’s NFL.

Ragland does lack top-end speed and fluidity, but it’s only highlighted when he’s slow to diagnose. That happens, and he’s left playing catch-up, which he’s not fast enough to do against pro-level speed. The Alabama scheme opened up some big lanes for Ragland to run through with three potential first-rounders on the defensive line, and there will be concerns that those players made his job too easy.

As a third-down player, Ragland is limited to A- and B-gap rushes due to a lack of flexibility and burst. He’s also not a matchup player in man coverage due to his limited speed. He may be taken off the field, especially early in his career, when in obvious passing situations.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 247 lbs.

40 Time: 4.72s

3-Cone: 7.55s

Short Shuttle: 4.28s

PRO COMPARISON: Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots (retired)
FINAL GRADE: 6.99/9.00 (Round 2—Future Starter)