Rolando McClain: NFL Draft Profile

We’ll take a look at Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain as he prepares to enter the 2010 NFL draft.  We’ll examine his strengths/weaknesses, his college career and our expectations for his upcoming NFL career.

Strengths

• Versatility: Able to play either the 4-3 or 3-4 defense; middle or outside linebacker.
• Decisive: Capability of making great decisions under pressure, which allows him to be a playmaker on defense.
• Tackling: 270 tackles in three seasons at ‘Bama.

Weaknesses

• Size: McClain’s size (6-4, 258) could be a hindrance in the league; needs to play lower to tackle larger players.
• Pass coverage: Good speed for his size in college, but the NFL is a much faster game and may have problems keeping up with quicker players on offense.
• Range: Unimpressive sideline-to-sideline speed; tough to play linebacker in the league if there is an inability to make a play on the running back in the open field.

(Retrieval of all statistical information obtained from Wikipedia and ESPN.com)

Rolando McClain is a colossal inside linebacker with above average speed and a level of versatility that makes him a must-have prospect for any NFL franchise.  McClain should be the first linebacker taken in the 2010 draft as ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him projected as the #12 overall pick.

McClain’s first two years at Alabama were merely an insight to the potential he possessed.  He racked up 165 tackles (81 solo), three interceptions and four sacks and it became increasingly obvious that McClain was primed for the big stage and a breakout junior year.  Coming into 2009, the ongoing debate was who the best linebacker in the country was; McClain or Brandon Spikes? After the season came to a close, it was clear who the honor would go to; McClain.  While McClain’s first two seasons were great, his junior season was spectacular as his stock was immediately boosted into the early first round.  His tenacity and nose for the football were second-to-none as he became Alabama’s leader and the catalyst for all that was good for Alabama on defense.  McClain totaled 105 tackles (53 solo), four sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble as Alabama went 14-0 as they knocked off Texas to win the national championship.  As a result of incredible effort, McClain was named SEC Player of the Year, first-team All SEC and the 2009 Lambert award for best collegiate linebacker.

It’s safe to say that if McClain falls to Miami at the 12^th pick, it’s a selection that Bill Parcells will not be able to pass up considering he has spent a first round pick on a linebacker six times.  An upgrade is a need at linebacker because Channing Crowder is a injury concern and it’s clear that Akin Ayodele isn’t the player he once was with the Jaguars.  It’s plausible that McClain will be an impact player right from the start, but there will be growing pains.  Being able to run with receivers on crossing routes and beating running backs to the edge will be a struggle starting out, but overall, McClain will be a solid force because of his size and ability to rip through the trenches to make a play on the ball.  He is every defensive coordinator’s dream and offensive coordinator’s nightmare as his versatility allows him to fit in all 32 NFL defensive schemes.  While McClain will need to clean up parts of his game, he is a lock to be a franchise player on an NFL defense for years to come.