STRENGTHS
Ivan is the “exception to the rule” player. He brings an excellent burst to the ball along with the determination on every play to make a play. Ivan also brings with him to the next level, the instincts and high football IQ that make him pound for pound one of the best football players in this draft. He is also one of the best off the line of scrimmage, blitzing linebackers using his quickness and relentless explosiveness, to defeat players bigger than he is just about anywhere on the field. Ivan has everything you look for in a starting linebacker. His leadership skills, instincts, high football IQ, and playmaking talents are equal to any other football player in this draft. He reminds me a lot of former “exception to the rule”, undrafted LB London Fletcher.
CONCERNS
Ivan has two physical concerns that will affect his draft status. His lack of height and his lack of arm length. Ray Lewis, at about the same height and weight, had 34½ inch arm length. Ivan has 30¼ inch arm length. That’s a big difference. Also, to be an effective playmaker Ivan, like Ray Lewis, will most likely have to be in a system that gives him the ability to be free to run the ball.
BOTTOM LINE: 3.89
The times and style of play on the field are different than when London Fletcher played. Nevertheless, London was the exception even back in the 1998 draft and still played for 16 years, 3 different teams, and holds the record for consecutive starts at the linebacker position, 215, and played in 256 consecutive games before he retired. London was a leader of the defense for every team he played for, a pro bowl player, and won best defensive player awards with every team. Still, every team would let him go to upgrade with a bigger player using free agency as the excuse because they knew the fans would go crazy if they traded him. So now, let’s get back to Ivan. My prediction, in spite of being the best player on defense at the Senior Bowl with ten tackles, Ivan might not be selected. If he is it won’t be until the later rounds. Second, after he is on a team he will only play on special teams and be considered a backup at linebacker or safety. Third, if he gets to play because of injuries, he will be replaced very quickly by a bigger (not Better) player signed off someone’s practice squad. Ivan Pace was a late selection to the Senior Bowl. He won Defensive MVP honor in the game and still, he went unnoticed with no picture taken with the director or bowl of candy. My prediction for the possible impact Ivan will have on the team that selects him is… he could be the next Matthew Slater who was selected in the 5th round, or…the next London Fletcher?
