STRENGTHS
Darius has the size, strength, speed, and body type the NFL teams are looking for in a linebacker. He has length and can be used at any one of the linebacker positions in any style of defensive. He has those long arms that allow him to keep blockers off his body and also allows for him to have a large pass defensive radius. Darius shows in his work outs, solid change of direction skills, and the ability to flip his hips to stay on the field for all three downs. In Senior Bowl practices he showed that a change of competition is not going to be an issue. Darius has the potential to be an impact linebacker in the new defensive systems that teams are using in the NFL.

CONCERNS
Darius has to get stronger and this will help him to become a more secure tackler. He also has a lot to learn about reading his keys but I think when he gets use to playing one position he will improve in this area. He is a natural outside linebacker in a 4/3 defense and if used at that position he will impact quickly because as an inside linebacker Darius will overreact, tale false steps and is susceptible to being fooled by play action.

BOTTOM LINE
Darius just needs a little time to develop and he could be as good as Vikings Anthony Barr. There is no doubt in my mind that all Darius needs is a little time with a good strength and conditioning program to become an impact linebacker for the team that selects him. In the Senior Bowl practices, he played mostly as the WLB and he flashed and the coaches would gravitate to him, teaching him and working with him and that means Darius impressed them enough for him to take up their time. Darius does have a lot to learn but I feel he will learn quickly and will be worth the development because of his ability to take what he learned in those Senior Bowl practices into the Senior Bowl game.

Drew Boylhart   APR.2018