Below is the PFF draft profile for Maryland's Yannick Ngakoue, which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.
Position fit: 3-4 outside linebacker. Can also rush with his hand on the ground – played 87% of snaps from a 3- or 4-point stance last season.
Stats to know:
• No. 13 pass rush grade in the edge class (53rd overall grade, 145th run defense). Seventh-ranked pass rush against Power-5 teams
• 13 sacks, 10 hits, 34 hurries. 57 total pressures ranked first among all FBS 3-4 OLBs
• No. 13 pass rush productivity rating
What he does best:
• Rush, productive against Power-5 teams. 41 total pressures against Power-5 last season.
• Quick with an effective hand swipe (Michigan 2Q, 13:12), although at times spends a bit too much time dancing at the start of his rush
• Has the burst to quickly close on QB and backs when left unblocked.
• Won inside and outside, showed an occasional spin move and speed to power
Biggest concerns
• Low involvement on run plays for two seasons. Graded below average there in 2014 and got worse last season – run defense grade ranked 145th of 150 qualifying edge defenders. Run stop percentage ranked last among 3-4 OLBs in the class (3.0 percent)
• Often shoulders into blocks and doesn’t look to shed. Can be slow getting his hands up when he loses blocks
• Poor at taking on pull and lead blocks, frequently ends up on the ground against man/power concepts. Bowling Green gave him trouble there. Was tossed by Michigan State’s Jack Conklin a couple of times
• Cut blocks also gave him problems
• Overall much better when blockers are backing up as opposed to moving forward and engaging him. Examples of the first case include 3Q, 4:13 against Ohio State and 2Q, 8:35 against Penn State
Bottom line: Highly productive pass rusher in a Power-5 conference, but graded well below average against the run. May be a situational pass rusher early on.
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