Breaking down Akeem Ayers
 

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...him-Moore.html

Ayers had a very productive three-year career at UCLA as a SAM linebacker. He redshirted as a freshman then saw action in all games as a redshirt freshman, including three starts. He has been a full-time starter the last two seasons. He was a 4-star recruit out of high school and was offered by most of the Pac-10 teams as well as Nebraska and Colorado.

He has great size at 6-2 and 254 pounds but he did not run well at the Combine (4.86) and also looked as if he lacked some explosiveness doing the agility drills. He came back with a strong pro day, running 4.74 and dramatically improving his time in the 3-cone drill (7.19), vertical jump (34.5) and bench press (22 reps). While he may not have looked explosive in Indy, when you watch tape you see the opposite.

He is very instinctive and consistently around the ball. He plays with leverage and shows strength and power at the point of attack. He has quick hands and good hand use and can get rid of blockers quickly. He has excellent lateral movement and easily moves through trash. He makes a lot of plays versus both the inside and outside run and is a very good pursuit player. He is an explosive sure tackler and you don’t see him miss many.

Many times in passing situations he plays down and shows very good pass rush skills. He again shows quick hands and has the ability to use counter moves effectively. He shows good bend and is able to dip his shoulder and get under blockers when coming off the edge. He also shows a nice burst off of blocks to close.

When used in coverage he has a good drop, getting depth and has good awareness in zone. He reacts quickly to the ball in the air and has the plant and drive to close on the play. He is sure handed and has 6 career interceptions. While not a burner, he has the speed and quickness to stay with backs and tight ends in man coverage.

Overall, Ayers could be this year’s version of Brandon Spikes. Last year Spikes looked like a first-round talent on tape but tested poorly and dropped to the second round. When he got to New England he played just like he did at Florida and had a very productive rookie year. Ayers still could go in the lower part of the first round and if he goes to a 3-4 team he may turn out to be a great player. Because of his pass rush skills and run stopping ability he is a perfect fit for many of the 3-4 teams. He also can be a SAM linebacker in many 4-3 schemes. Regardless of his average workout, this player is going to be a good pro!

Why does everyone on CP not like the idea of picking Ayers at #21? You guys always talk about how you want someone to play SOLB and this guy is the perfect fit...:shrug:

Maybe because we already know that if your last name is Ayers you will most likely suck.

Because there are a bunch of guys just like that who will be available later on. In addition, on the current roster, there is Studebaker, who was getting more and more reps as the season went on as well as Cameron Sheffield, who the coaching staff really liked. And I imagine that Pierre Walters will get some additional looks this next season as well. The guy is still on roster for a reason other than his prototype size (6'5", 259 lbs.).

With more pressing needs at OT and WR, to pick up a guy like Ayers who has marginal speed and rush capabilities would be a reach, especially when guys like Sam Acho, Chris Carter and Jabaal Sheard will be available from the second round and on. Then there's the next group of guys like Tom Keiser (who looks like a really solid potential 3-4 olb), Steve Friday and Jeremy Beal (who is much better on the field in pads than what he showed at the combine).

If Ayers had some explosiveness (like Aldon Smith) or strength (like Brooks Reed) or instincts (like last year's Brandon Spikes) that would give him an edge over other guys it would be one thing, but he is just "good" in all facets of the game and not great in anything. I think he's a solid player, but not superlative, and not worth a first rounder, especially to the Chiefs.

Good post.

So yeah, this.

ROFL Damn, you beat me to it.

Knowmo:

Some of us here on Chiefsplanet actually watch footage of these players, and we don't just go by stat lines or the reports of hired scouts for publications. And I've never seen anything out of Ayers that makes me go, "Wow, I want HIM to be a Chief!"

And it's not just Ayers. I get the same vibe from Phil Taylor, too. Except with Taylor it's even worse-- there are times where he gets completely blocked out of the picture just like Ron Edwards. He's extremely inconsistent.

He gets his "inside info" from douches on twitter.

Even if it's just a line that's being thrown onto the top of an existing mountain of evidence, I can't believe "because we already have Andy Studebaker" is being included as a reason not to draft someone.

I would take Ayers over an OT, thats for sure

I love Ayers, he fits our defense perfectly and will be a ten year solid starter from day one.

Best post i have read for some time!

The more i watch Ayers the less impressed ive become. He does nothing outstanding and he dosnt have the measurables to be worth the pick.

Taylor's film sucks ass. I do not see a nose tackle in him.

I watch as much college football as the rest of you guys. I was just reading an article about a guy who is supposed to be available at your pick who happens to play at a position of need for the Chiefs. There is no need to be condescending.

I wouldn't complain at all if Ayers was the pick at 21. Studebaker played a lot last season and disappeared the majority of the time. Late in the season they even started playing Demorrio Williams on passing downs. KC needs help at OLB, and Ayers has all the tools to be a solid pro.
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