Pete Werner 2021 NFL Draft Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6′-2 ⅞”
Weight: 238 pounds
Arms: 33 ¼”
Hands: 9”
School: Ohio State
Pro Day Performance Data
40-yard dash: 4.62
Vertical: 39 ½”
Broad: 122”
Three cone: 6.90
Pete Werner 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Werner has NFL blood as his father played two seasons for both the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Werner played his high school football for Indianapolis Cathedral where he earned himself a four-star recruitment ranking as well as being named the number one outside linebacker within the Midwest. As a true freshman in 2017, Werner played in 11 of the Buckeyes 14 games in which he accounted for nine total tackles. Additionally, Werner earned himself OSU Scholar-Athlete honors during 2017.
As a 2018 sophomore, Werner had a breakout season in which he played 14 games tallying 58 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles. Werner again earned OSU Scholar-Athlete honors in addition to Academic All-Big Ten honors. As a 2019 junior, Werner had another impressive season as he played in 14 games in which he racked up 64 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and two fumble recoveries. Werner again earned himself Academic All-Big Ten honors in addition to Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. As a 2020 senior, Werner played in all eight games for the Buckeyes in which he impressively accounted for 54 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and two forced fumbles.
Strengths
- Athletic, three-down linebacker with NFL caliber size and strength;
- Solid in coverage for a linebacker of his size;
- Brings power behind his pads when engaging blockers and shooting gaps in run defense;
- Has versatility at the position and can play all three linebacker roles;
- Has played 47 college football games, giving him a ton of experience against high level competition;
- Fluid athleticism with smooth change of direction;
- Sheds blockers well and runs sideline to sideline.
Weaknesses
- Thin lower body;
- Needs polishing with his angles;
- Can sometimes be slow to diagnose plays but within the proper role, this can be improved;
- May get eaten up by bigger linemen while he continues to add strength.
NFL Comparison: Joe Schobert
Teams With Need at Position: Washington Football Team, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Denver Broncos
Projection: Third Round
Bottom Line on Pete Werner
Werner’s NFL blood will help his draft stock but not more so than his combination of athleticism and size. Werner projects as a three-down linebacker at the next level as he has the size to compete in run defense as well as the athleticism and awareness to be impactful within coverage. Furthermore, Werner brings a ton of experience and versatility to any defense. While at Ohio State, Werner played in 47 games against the Nation’s top competition and he did so while seeing playing time at all three linebacker positions.
Werner has fluid hips and change of direction which cannot be taught. While he needs to polish some of his pursuit angles and quickness of play recognition, these are coachable flaws which he should grow out of given more time. Additionally, Werner brings good strength as a rookie but in order to stick at the next level, he will need to add more functional strength to compete with heavier linemen.
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