Brandon Spikes NFL Draft scouting report

Coverage: Struggles at times matching up in man-to-man coverage. His lacking quickness gets him in trouble against fast tight ends. Spikes is very good in zone coverage, however. He does a nice job of reading the quarterback and making a play on the ball in the air. Surprisingly soft hands for a linebacker.

Instincts: The read and react skills for Spikes are stellar. He processes a play quickly and has the football intelligence to know where the play is going to develop. This helps him overcome a small lack of athleticism and agility. Does a really nice job of managing a defense and will be able to do so in the NFL.

Pass rush: Looked much better as a pass rusher as a junior than as a senior. In 2008, he was used as a pass rusher and showed he could shed and get to the quarterback. Playing more in the middle in 2009, Spikes uses his instincts to find holes in blocking to get after the quarterback.

Pursuit: Spikes is smart in his pursuit, He never takes bad angles. He's not really a player known to make a lot of plays in opponents' backfields. More of a player who makes plays in front of him.

Quickness: What keeps Spikes from being an elite linebacker prospect is a lack of athleticism. He doesn't have those quick-twitch movements you like to see in premier players.

Run defense: Spikes' aggressiveness as a run defender really shows here. Against the inside run, Spikes is really good at sinking his hips and taking on a blocker. Where Spikes struggles here is his range. He's not necessarily a sideline-to-sideline player and makes a lot of his plays around the tackle box.

Size: Has optimum size for the position. Good overall bulk on his frame and doesn't really need to get bigger.

Strength: Does a really nice job using his strength to shed blocks quickly to get after the ball. Doesn't really have to get much stronger to hold up in the NFL.

Tackling: Incredibly sound tackler. Uses his strength really well here. Has a solid short burst to drive through the ball carrier. Doesn't miss his man in the open field. Does a great job of squaring up his shoulders, sinking his hips and running through the ball carrier.

Versatility: Has lined up at all three linebacker positions. Has the ability to play any of the spots in the NFL, but he's best in the middle. Strong-side linebacker is probably his weakest spot.

Final word: Spikes considered coming out following the 2008 season and likely would have been a top 50 pick. Following a solid, but slightly unspectacular, senior year Spikes could go in the first 25 picks.

The catch there is that there is a trend of middle linebackers sliding in the draft. It's hard to say that Spikes is a better player than James Laurinaitis or Rey Maualuga, and they were both selected in the second round.

He's a heady middle linebacker who can lead a defense and be a coach on the field. He's a student of the game and it shows in his excellent recognition skills.

Spikes is a versatile linebacker who could handle playing in a 4-3 or a 3-4. His strength and intelligence should make him an immediate starter at the next level.