Olivier Vernon 2012 NFL Draft quick report

Olivier Vernon, Miami Hurricanes
Height: 6’2, Weight: 253 pounds

Strengths: A raw talent with pass rush abilities. Has good playing strength, foot quickness, and long arms to pressure the tackles coming off of the edge. He has good size and gets pad level low to be stout against the run. Has a good first step and the burst to get around corner. Has natural change of directions ability to stunt inside or to pursue the ball carrier along the line.

Weaknesses: Suspended most of 2011 season and has had some minor injuries keep him off the field most of his college career. He has limited pass rush moves. Needs to learn how disengage quicker from offensive lineman before getting engulfed. Not ready to start yet, but with a better understanding of the game and better technique use could be a nice rotational performer for now.

Combine quotable: I like playing defensive end; that’s the position I’ve been playing all my life. Playing LB, I got used to it in a way with coach (Al) Golden and his staff. It’s fun to learn a new position and learn how to play a different position on the field. I’m not really sure; that would be up to the teams to decide.