STRENGTHS
Malik has the athleticism to be an impact linebacker for the team that selects him. He has the size, speed and quickness to play any one of the linebacker positions in any style of defense. He can be used to attack the line of scrimmage and also be used in coverage situations. He has the leadership skills and looks to be an excellent teammate. Malik has the power and strength to shed blocks and make tackles. Malik has been used all over the field in a defense that allows him to lineup as a MLB, and as an OLB on the line and also lining up in the slot in coverage situations. He has the potential to be an impact defensive player for the team that selects him.

CONCERNS
Malik has played in so many different positions and was used in so many different styles of defenses and has had so many different coaches that I’m not sure he truly knows what the hell he is doing out on the field. The effort is there and the athleticism is there but his lack of instincts and football IQ is mind numbing and I’m sure Malik is very frustrated because he plays in a frustrated manor.

BOTTOM LINE
If you selecting Malik in this draft early you are selecting him based on his athletic talent but know this, it will take time for Malik to develop. My guess is he will eventually impact as an outside linebacker in a 3/4 defense because of his quick twitch talents and because he is stout against the run. I can see him developing and becoming a pro bowl player in that style of defense. But if you play him as an inside linebacker I think you’re asking him to learn to much because he just doesn’t seem to understand the intricacies of that position. He hesitates and guesses and just seems to be lost when moved inside. Malik seems to have been caught in a vortex of coaches and defensive system that have set his football IQ back. It’s not his fault. It’ just something that happened. Personally, I give him credit for sticking with the program and not giving up. Once he gets with some good coaching and is allowed to match his thinking up with his athletic talent I think you might have one hell of an impact playmaking defensive player.

Drew Boylhart   MAR.2018