Jerod Mayo, 2008 NFL Draft Prospect

Inside Linebacker Tennessee Junior Ht: 6’ 1" Wt: 242 lbs. Speed: 4.54 Strengths: Overall Speed, Athleticism, Fundamentals, Weaknesses: Injuries, Inexperience, Inconsistency Scouting report by Daryl Breault

                In a weak linebacker class, Jerod Mayo’s eye opening post season workouts (NFL Scouting Combine and Pro Day ) has rocketed his value up from a possible 2^nd round pick to a likely 1^st round pick.  He ran a sizzling 4.54 forty at the combine and at Tennessee's Pro Day on March 19th, Mayo measured in at 6' 1" 3/8, 237 pounds, had a 40 ½-inch vertical jump, did 22 reps in the bench press and looked very quick and athletic in the positional drills.

It is no secret the Detroit Lions are actively pursuing a middle linebacker for their Tampa-2 scheme and Mayo is an obvious possibility for them.  At 6’ 2" 242 lbs, Mayo has the size to bang on the inside, but might be best suited to the weakside, where he can roam and make plays in space. Either was he has versatility.

                2007 was a break out year for the junior.  He finished with 140 tackles (79 solo)and really showed how valuable he can be by earning a consensus All-SEC 1^st team selection.  His career 21 tackle for losses (TFL) attest to his ability to get in the backfield, though he looked much better at this in 2006 while starting on the weakside.  He is fun to watch when let loose on the edge, using his speed to burst into the backfield and times his closes very well.  He hits with such initial force that he can pop even big running backs backwards and has worked on using his hands better to shed blocks and play off them.  He has good instincts to sniff out plays and change’s direction well enough to recover when out of position, using his speed and burst to chase down the ball. 

                Pass coverage may be his most underrated skill.  His numbers are pedestrian, but they do not tell the whole story.  Mayo can stick with back and receivers in man coverage, showing incredible balance flowing though the receiver’s breaks and he is not afraid to get physical with the pass catcher.  Mayo will burst to the ball and can track and locate extremely well in the air.  In zone, he gets excellent drops, is assignment sound and is very aware of where the ball is going.  He is always on the move making life miserable for blockers.  Mentally, he is strong as well and he was able to handle making the calls as a junior and is all around tough and willing to play through pain.  He doesn’t take plays off and has excellent intangibles.

                Despite his great season at middle linebacker, Mayo, with his chase down speed,  appears to be better suited for the weakside.  His strong off-season performances aside, his major weakness that jumps out on tape is inability to handle bigger blockers and getting caught up and stuck on double teams.  He made a lot of tackles in the middle, but much of it came 2-3 yards downfield.  He would need to be protected by a solid group of tackles up front otherwise he will have a much tougher time showing his incredible ability to get behind the line of scrimmage and wreak havoc.  He does a great job of blowing up the tight end and has made progress in using his hands, but offenses will make life miserable for him because they know he can be neutralized.

                The late draft buzz he has right now is well earned.  Mayo is more of a complete package than Dan Connor, much bigger, faster, and has better balance and athleticism.  He is not quite the athlete that Keith Rivers is, but is stronger at the point of attack as well as more versatile.  Connor has been more consistent and productive, but Mayo is head and heels above him athletically.  Keith Rivers should be the 1^st LB taken, but Mayo has leapt over Connor to be #2. 

                A major concern for scouts has been Mayo’s inability to stay healthy for an entire year.  He seems to always be banged up, however, he is willing to play through pain.  So far his knees seem to be fine, but he has suffered injuries to both, finally requiring surgery after the 2007 Outback Bowl on the left.  He did not bench at the combine due to a pectoral strain, but did put up 22 repetitions with 225 pounds on the bench press during his campus workout (Pro Day). 

                We could see Mayo possibly getting drafted as early as #15 in the first round to the Lions, but a good bet for him is at the Giants at 31.  The Giants have suffered some tough losses at linebacker this off-season and Mayo could slide right in there and be an upgrade over Gerris Wilkinson.  He is a wild card, but he appears to be well worth the chance based on speed, size and potential.