Jerome Baker NFL Draft 2018: Scouting Report for Miami Dolphins' Pick

POSITIVES

—Above-average athlete with sideline-to-sideline range.

—Ideal coverage linebacker who can hang in space with backfield athletes.

—Lateral agility is excellent and highlights rare athleticism for the position.

—Evades blockers in space and makes for a difficult second-level target for offensive linemen.

—Ball skills are strong and show a player capable of generating turnovers in the NFL.

NEGATIVES

—Will be steamrolled with routine power.

—Slow to process and can't compensate when offense is equally speedy to edge.

—Undersized frame; will struggle to match strength at the point of attack.

—Slow to fill downhill when he knows it will be a dog fight inside.

—Lacks varied hand usage to disengage or redirect in space.

Jerome Baker LB NFL Draft

OVERALL

Jermome Baker is a supremely talented linebacker who looks to fit the mold of the NFL's new-age linebackers. He has the range to make tackles on either sideline and the coverage instincts to stay on the field on third down. Concerns about Baker's size and competitive toughness against beef up front will have to be answered for him to be seen as an immediate starter at the next level.

GRADE: 6.50 (Round 2-3)

PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Deion Jones, Atlanta Falcons