Scouting Report: Penn State DE Aaron Maybin

I just got finished breaking down some film of Penn State DE Aaron Maybin.  I watched the Ohio State game and the Rose Bowl Game vs USC. I was actually at the Rose Bowl, but I didn't know of Maybin at the time.  The reason I watched those two games were because there were different kinds of offenses and I got to see Maybin attack people in different ways.  In the OSU game, Maybin faced a mobile QB, and in the USC game he faced a pro style offense.  Watching tape against pro style offenses gives you more of a read because that's what he will see on Sunday's in the NFL. I can look at a defensive lineman and tell right away if he has certain skills to play at the next level.  I do not claim to be an NFL Draft expert so I won't say where he should be drafted.  Some say he is a top 10-15 pick.  Who knows?  

(My scouts eye view at Rose Bowl)

Here are Maybin's Strength's

-He is 6-4.  Long and lanky.  If I had to compare him physically to somebody in the NFL, it would be Jason Taylor.  I used Jevon Kearse as a guideline because we were drafted together in Tennessee and I know how he looked as a rookie.  But Jevon was a different kind of player.  The "Freak" was bigger, stronger, and ran a 4.4 40yd dash.  Maybin will be working out soon to display his skills.

-He can get around OT's pretty easily when its an obvious passing situation.

-Gives good effort to the ball on most plays that he is in the game.  Runs past his own teammates at times.

-Uses his hands to get blocker off of him if the play is coming his way.  

-Has natural strength

-Can beat TE's in run game and get off blocks if play is going away from him.

-Speed rusher that is not afraid to try inside moves.  More comfortable as a right end.

-Plays both sides well.  Speed rushes more on left side.  When he is at the right DE, he will make more contact with the OT.  Also works more moves on the right side against left OT's.

-Get's a good jump on ball and can speed rush pretty well.

Maybin's weaknesses

-Needs to bulk up.  From what I am told, weighed 235 during the season.

-Needs to gain wieghtroom strength so he can play OT's better in run game

-Work on awareness.  Know the down and distance.  USC ran all of their screen passes his way because Maybin kept running up field.  When it was 2nd and 3rd and long, he rushed way up field allowing USC to run screen pass to his side for a first down.  This happened a few times.

-Play with hands more to keep bigger guys off of him.  Sometimes he throws his shoulders into blockers

 allowing them to hold him and he is too skinny to escape.

All in all, I was impressed with Aaron.  I think he is a good player that will still develop.  But he will probably have to be used in a limited role early on in his rookie season.  He has to go to a team that will play him mostly on passing downs and keep him on the outside edge of the TE's and OT's.  He is stronger than he looks but needs to get stronger but you can't teach speed and he seems to have that. At least from the games that I watched.  I don't think he is as gifted as Jevon Kearse was when he came out or as fast as he was, but with teams looking for pass rushers, he will be drafted to have the impact that Jevon had.  I hope he gets a good D- line coach to teach him while he is young, so when he gets more experience in the NFL, he can lean of his technique to beat guys and then let his athletic ability to make big plays.

Comments

[Mike]

John. Since your talking about young guys trying to start their careers in the NFL, what advice would you have for myself and my son? He dreams of playing pro football and I feel right now he has tremendous ability and I would like to help him go as far as possible. Also you became my favorite Bengal last training camp when, after the scrimmage my son was waiting for your autograph and a rude woman literally pushed her way infront of my son so she could get your signature. You reached around her football and signed my son's, i'm assuming acknowledging the fact that she jumped in fron of a little kid. Thank you and good luck this season.