Clay Matthews
NFL Draft Scouting Report

Outside Linebacker

USC


College Position: Outside Linebacker
School: USC
Grade: Senior
Height: 6-3
Weight: 240
Birthdate:
Draft Projection: Second
Overall Rank: Unranked
NFL Draft Position (Rank): 3-4 Linebacker (7)
Outside Linebacker (2)

Draft Result

Drafted in the 2009 Draft by the Green Bay Packers in the 1st round with the #26 pick.
A bit of a surprise with Everette Brown still on the board. Matthews has 3-4 OLB skills but not the production. He would have been a better fit as a 4-3 OLB.

Mock Draft Results

Strengths

A%20self%20made%20football%20player%20who%20has%20earned%20everything%20he%20has%20gotten.%20%20Came%20into%20USC%20as%20a%20walk%20on%20before%20emerging%20as%20a%20special%20teams%20standout.%20%20Finally%20got%20his%20chance%20to%20start%20as%20a%20senior.%20%20Well%20built%20with%20tremendous%20strength.%20%20Tremendous%20motor%20and%20work%20ethic.%20%20Good%20in%20pursuit%20and%20attacking%20the%20ball.%20%20Has%20pass%20rush%20skills.%20%20Projects%20as%20a%203-4%20outside%20backer%20and%20a%20top%20special%20teamer.%20%20What%20sets%20him%20apart%20is%20his%20competitiveness%20and%20love%20of%20the%20game.

Weaknesses

Classic%20try%20hard%20overachiever%2C%20who%20makes%20you%20wonder%20if%20he%20has%20maxed%20out%20his%20potential.%20%20Tight%20hipped%20and%20not%20comfortable%20in%20coverage.%20%20Had%20a%20great%20season%20and%20is%20getting%20a%20lot%20of%20positive%20press%20but%20you%20have%20to%20wonder%20if%20he%20was%20a%20product%20of%20the%20Southern%20Cal%20system.%20%20For%20all%20the%20talk%20of%20his%20great%20pass%20rushing%20ability%20and%203-4%20OLB%20potential%20he%20had%20just%205.5%20sacks%20in%20his%20college%20career.

News

2009 NFL Draft Report Card: NFC North - May 2 (Dan Wernery)
2009 NFL Draft Grades (Chris' Take) - Apr 29 (Chris Maier)
2009 NFL Draft All-Overrated and Underrated Teams - Apr 14 (Chris Maier)
2009 NFL Draft Stories: The Time is Now for the Patriots to Re-load - Mar 29 (Chris Maier)
2009 NFL Scouting Combine Buzz: Day Three - DT, DE, LB - Feb 23 (Chris Maier)
2009 Senior Bowl Recap - Defense: Studs and Duds - Jan 29 (Chris Maier)
2009 Senior Bowl Preview: Who and What to Watch - Jan 18 (Chris Maier)
2009 Senior Bowl Rosters: South - Jan 18 (Chris Maier)
The Seven Step Drop: Penn State Falls; Does a Big 12 vs. SEC BCS Title Game Loom? - Nov 12 (Chris Maier)