STRENGTHS
Hercules is the type of player who is not big enough, doesn’t have the length, doesn’t have the bulk, is too tight in the hips to turn the corner and in general doesn’t check off all the boxes but seems to out play and out produce just about anyone in this draft that plays the same position. He has extremely quick feet and excellent strength along with the mental toughness and mental stamina to outwork most any player in the draft. He plays inside or outside with his hand down and is a total pain in the ass for centers and guards to handle. He requires double teams and sometimes triple teams too control him and keep him on the line of scrimmage. When he plays on the edge because of his quick feet he is very adept at setting up offensive tackles and forcing them into making mistakes. He shows leadership skills through his play of the field. He is such an impact player that on every down offensive line and coordinators have to know where he is lined up, to adjust and help to the player he is line up against. Hercules is stout against the run with surprising natural strength to take on double teams and hold them on the line. He doesn’t shed offensive lineman to make tackles he just slips off them effortlessly to make tackles behind and on the line of scrimmage.

CONCERNS
Hercules is too small to be a down lineman at the next level but as a stand up linebacker I think this kid would be outstanding. He is tight in the hips so it’s difficult for him to turn the corner on a speed rush so he takes more of a direct angle to the quarterback and uses intelligence and his quickness to defeat offensive lineman. Hercules might have to prove in workouts that he can turn his hips and cover but the truth is if he can’t it would not matter, I would still want this type of player on my team in any position.

BOTTOM LINE
You are crazy if you pass on selecting this kid for very long in this draft. With the multiple defensive fronts that every team plays this kid is a diamond in the rough. I know right now teams are struggling with what position Hercules will play in their defense and because of this issue; most teams will down grade him. That’s a big mistake because it doesn’t matter what position he plays. Hercules will be an impact player and a disruptive force playing just about any position in your front seven defensive wall. He will be an impact player and be a coach on the field and the coaches and the fans and his teammates will know how important he will be to winning and having an excellent defense. So, go a head down grade him because he doesn’t check your dam boxes. Down grade him because you can’t figure out what position he will play. Down grade this first round talented player all you want but remember this as you pass on him round after round…Hercules Mata’afa is like a few good men defending you defensive wall, and you want him on that wall in fact… you will need him on that defensive wall and that’s the truth.

Drew Boylhart   APR.2018