2010 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jerry Hughes

Strengths:

Terrific speed and explosion off the edge

Relentless pass rusher

Nonstop motor

Extremely fast first step

Love his bend and flexibility running the horn

Nice pass rush repertoire (spin, club, swim)

Shows ability to counter an offensive tackle

Great instincts

High level of production

Nice footwork and timing

Does a good job of reading a tackle’s feet

Good hand extension

Big hitter

Sure tackler

Plays with pad level

Seems to want it more than everyone else

Comfortable in space

Big leader

Weaknesses:

Average size

Will get engulfed by bigger linemen at next level

Hips a little stiff in coverage

Lacks bulk on frame

Lacks power

Poor defender against run

Summary: Hughes earns my first-round, 4-star grade as a 3-4 rush linebacker. His athleticism and motor is simply too much for me to not grade him out higher than everyone else. He is my No. 1 3-4 outside linebacker in the draft and I expect his stock to soar among the 3-4 teams in the league. He was simply too productive at TCU, and despite his lack of height we can see what Elvis Dumervil did last season with his exceptional first step and speed off the edge. Hughes is a projected late-first to second-round pick, but could end up going in the top 25 picks when it’s all said and done, much like Larry English.

Player Comparison: Robert Mathis. Mathis is an undersized pass rusher who plays with amazing effort, but is a liability against the run.

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2010 NFL Mock Draft: Matt’s | Walt’s

2010 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings

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