STRENGTHS
Blair is the most technically sound linebacker in this draft. He has excellent
athletic talent coming up with the third highest CPM 88.88 score of all
linebackers in this draft. He is a head up, wrap up, squeeze and drive tackler.
Blair is also the most patient linebacker I have ever seen on film. He waits,
hiding behind the bigger defensive lineman like a cheetah waiting patiently and
hiding in the high grass with no unnecessary movement, than on the snap, reads
his prey’s first move and reacts with amazing quickness slipping blocks with
strength and leverage to make the tackle. He has unusual lateral agility and
strength that allows him to hit the shoulder of an offensive lineman and
literally blow right through them to make a tackle. He reads running backs so
quickly and is able to redirect offensive lineman with his movement to force the
running back inside and then slip the block and make a tackle. He has good speed
and excellent quickness and bust to the ball. He takes on blocks with the
leverage and strength far beyond his size. Blair has leadership skills through
his play on the field and has the athletic talent to cover and can play more
than one linebacker position in multiple styles of defense.
CONCERNS
Blair is vertically challenged for his position. He doesn’t shed blocks; he
literally blows through them because of his unique athletic talents. You do have
to wonder at his size if he can play the same way at the next level although he
does it with such ease you also have to wonder why he can’t continue to play
like that. Blair also has to show cover skills and show that taller plays will
not take advantage of his lack of height and make plays in spite of his unique
athletic talent.
BOTTOM LINE
Blair plays his position with such ease and confidence it’s a little scary. You
look at him making plays all over the field and you have to wonder why offensive
lineman can’t seem to block this kid. His cheetah like lack of movement and
calmness before the snap of the ball makes you think that he already knows what
play is coming and by not moving he doesn’t want the offense to audible out of
the play call that his instincts suggest is about to come his way. I keep
looking at film trying to understand how he blows through blocks of bigger
offensive lineman to make plays and all I can come up with is… it’s all because
of his lack of height. He is smaller and uses that lack of height to gain
leverage to get up under the block making the bigger player become off balance
and then hits that player’s shoulder instead of going around him or engaging and
shedding. Once he hits that player (off balance shoulder) he is through the
block and making the tackle. It’s really interesting to watch how easily he does
this. I have no doubt that Blair can cover as an outside linebacker in a 4/3
defense and be an impact player for the team that selects him. I don’t blame
scouts for being a little cautious in selecting Blair as high as I have his
talent score. After all, Blair is a “systems” linebacker, with small stature and
the ability to impact at only a particular position and all of these issues will
affect his draft status. Remember for the draft… size matters but once a smaller
player is on the field all that matters is production and making plays and Blair
can make plays. He might be a late round selection or a priority free agent but
I’m betting that won’t affect his play on the field either.
Drew Boylhart
APR.2017
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