STRENGTHS
Marcus is a linebacker in a safeties body. He thinks like a linebacker, he’s instincts are like a linebacker, he plays like a linebacker. He’s a head up, wrap up, squeeze and drive tackler just like a linebacker should be. He has burst to the play in front of him and a willingness to come up and support the run even if he is 40 yards off the ball. Marcus is a head hunter but the legal kind, tackling with timing and punishment that will not lead to many penalties. He shows leadership skills and communicates well with his teammates on the field. He will be an excellent special teams player on your cover units and in nickel/dime situations he will be an excellent keep the play in front of him safety because (say it with me) Marcus is a linebacker in a safeties body.

CONCERNS
Marcus has some cover skills but the truth is, this kid is not wired for coverage, he’s just wired to attack the line of scrimmage and putting him in single cover situations will be a big mistake and not a smart way to use his talents. Marcus needs the play in front of him and using him in zone coverage’s would help him out and be the best use of his talents.

BOTTOM LINE
I don’t think I can explain Marcus talents better than to suggest that he is wired like a linebacker who weighs at least 240 lbs. If he could put on that type of bulk and muscle than Marcus would be one of the best linebackers in this draft. Nevertheless, his body type doesn’t look like it can handle that type of weight and therefore Marcus would struggle being used as a starting linebacker and without the cover skills safeties need to have in today’s defenses, Marcus would struggle trying to be much help in coverage situations. Of course, if there’s a team out there who still wants to play a two-deep zone safety defense than Marcus is made to order. Don’t draft this kid thinking that because he might show some cover skills in workouts that you are going to “coach him up” and get him to be a cover a safety. It’s not going to work because like I’ve stated over and over, Marcus has pure linebacker instincts stuck in a safeties body. In fact, he covers like linebacker also, maybe for 20 yards past the line of scrimmage but don’t ask him to do any more than that. He’s just not wired like that, it’s really that simple. For me personally, anybody that shows the leadership skills, communication skills and the tackling skills and has the overall athletic talent to play in the NFL can play on my team anytime. I’ll draft him and worry about how to get the most out of his talents later.

Drew Boylhart   APR.2018