Pete Werner NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for New Orleans Saints LB

HEIGHT: 6'2 7/8"

WEIGHT: 238

POSITIVES

—A very fluid athlete when moving sideline-to-sideline, adjusting angles or having to change direction.

—Quality play-recognition.

—Has solid extension on blocks on the edge when stacking and shedding.

—Should be filed under a "high effort" player.

—Runs his feet through tackles to limit knockback and yardage gained after contact.

—Above-average player in coverage.

NEGATIVES

—Overly physical, relative to other linebacker prospects.

—Foot speed on film does not match pro-day times.

—Getting off of blocks can be an issue for him.

—Film exists of slot receivers blocking him on the edge as an apexed player.

2020 STATISTICS

54 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 1 SK, 1 PBU, 2 FF

NOTES

—Spent time as a defensive back as a prep in Indiana.

—Father played for the New York Jets for a short amount of time as a tight end.

—Brother played tight end at Harvard before medically retiring.

OVERALL

Pete Werner has great movement skills laterally, but his vertical acceleration on film does not match his recorded 4.59-second 40-yard dash from Ohio State's pro day. If he can tap into that athleticism and improve his level of violence, he has the potential to be a starting linebacker in the NFL. On paper, he has the upside of a Fred Warner type of 4-3 outside linebacker, but he has not reached his final form yet.

GRADE: 7.51/10 (Round 3)

OVERALL RANK: 86/300

POSITION RANK: LB7

PRO COMPARISON: Fred Warner 

Written by B/R NFL Scout Justis Mosqueda