Under the radar alert! Cliff Matthews – South Carolina OLB (6-04, 257)
I know this video is just a lil’ bit over the top but if it’s to be believed Matthews has the intangibles the Pats look for. He’s probably more of a mid-round guy but it looks like he has the size the Pats like for their OLBs and to my untrained eyes he looked more athletic at the combine than a lot of people gave him credit for. Here are some scouting reports…
Matthews is an experienced, productive defensive end. Good height and length . Try-hard pass rusher who uses his hands to stay of blockers. Shows the ability to push the pocket. Active hands against the run too, disengages quickly and can find the football. Has a motor that doesn’t stop.
Doesn’t possess the natural athleticism, fluidity and closing burst to consistently pressure the passer. Hips and flexibility are below average. Lacks the lower body power to effectively anchor against the run. Can’t hold up against the double-team. Doesn’t appear capable playing much in coverage.
A tall, long-armed defensive end who does a nice job using his length to keep his legs clean on runs off his frame and quickly closing on the football. Exhibits good range in pursuit and works hard closing the door from the backside. Lacks ideal instincts and will take himself out of some plays trying to get up the field. Exhibits a decent pad level off the snap initially, but too quickly allows himself to get upright into contact vs. the run game. Can easily be pushed past the play and struggles to consistently use his length to stack and shed. Does a nice job shooting through gaps inside and crashing down the line initially off the football, but isn’t a real effective stack and shed guy at this stage.
Exhibits a good, not great, first step as a pass rusher, but really uncoils quickly out of his stance and paired with his length gets into opposing tackles quickly. Isn’t a guy who can consistently turn the corner, but does a nice job setting up his outside rush by changing gears, dropping his shoulder and accelerating around the edge. Works hard and has the type of body control to remain balanced when flattening out around the corner once he gains a step. However, it’s his suddenness and change of direction skills that really make him tough to block. Possesses a violent set of hands and works a clean arm over back inside, cleanly exploding off his outside foot and gaining a step inside toward the QB. Now, has a tendency to get upright off his counter inside and lacks the kind of strength to quickly fight his way off blocks and can be engulfed at times. Also, isn’t a real effective bull rusher at this stage, struggles to generate consistent leverage and drive his way into the backfield.
Nevertheless, he sees a lot of double teams on the edge and, for the most part, has the type of motor to continue to work his way through contact and fight his way toward the QB.
Impression: Possesses a good-looking frame, but I would like to see him play with a little more leverage through contact. Possesses a good first step for his size, can cleanly change directions and but fails to routinely slip and disengage from blocks.