STRENGTHS
Lorenzo is a quick-twitch athlete who can play more than one linebacker position in any style of defense and who reminds me a lot of Bears Leonard Floyd. His impact position for the next level will be as an Outside Linebacker/Edge Rusher in a 3/4 defense, but make no mistake about it, he can play at a high level at any one of the linebacker positions. He has excellent coverage skills and his ability to rush the passer with mature techniques is one of the best in this draft class. He is quick off the line of scrimmage, has the flexibility to turn the corner and long arms to reach out and knock the ball down or sack the quarterback with surprising strength. Lorenzo has long strides that get him into the backfield quickly and also allows him to cover a tight end or slot receiver with surprising quickness. He is stout against the run easily shedding blockers and making tackles for losses. Lorenzo has played off the line and with his hand down on the line and seems to work well in either stance. He is very smart and shows leadership skills through his play on the field.

CONCERNS
Injuries, injuries, injures will be the key to Lorenzo having a good career and staying on the field and this will not happen unless he gains more bulk and get’s even more stronger to take the pounding at the next level. As of this writing injuries are THE reason why Leonard Floyd hasn’t been able to impact and the same will happen to Lorenzo. This lack of bulk and body type, might affect his draft status also. Nevertheless Lorenzo doesn’t have a history of medicals issues so this could be a nit picking, bogus issue.

BOTTOM LINE
Teams that run a pure 3/4 defense should be rating this kid very high on their draft boards because OLB/ Edge Rusher is his impact position for the next level. He can cover slot receivers and put his hand on the ground to rush the passer but his ability to be stout against the run, shed blocks and makes tackles is impressive. You expect a player with Lorenzo’s size, quickness, and length to be a good pass rusher but not many are excellent against the run. He can play more than one position in your front seven (talent wise) but because of his lack of bulk will be best at the edge rush position in a 3/4 defense like I stated before. He also has some leadership skills through his play on the field and that’s a positive also. I hate to keep harping on the same issue but the truth is if Lorenzo with his body type can stay injury free he will be an impact player and a player you could build your defense around. But that is the key to teams rating Lorenzo in this draft, can his body type stand up to the pounding he will take in the NFL? There have been players with this body type in the past who have become great players like years ago Raiders Ted (The Stork) Hendricks and Dolphins Jason Taylor but recently… this body type seems to struggle to stay on the field consistently to impact. So what do you do? Here’s what you do, Lorenzo has no history of injuries at the college level so… forgetaboutit. Every player who is selected has the potential to get injured. Suggesting you don’t select a player who doesn’t have a history of injuries at the college level because of circumstances that have nothing to do with him means your drafting scarred and will miss out on not selecting the next Ted Hendricks or Jason Taylor and that makes no sense to me at all.

Drew Boylhart   MAR.2018