Scouting Reports
| On 8 years ago

Scouting Report: ILB, Reggie Ragland

By Carl Knowles

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Alabama’s old-school hard hitting inside linebacker is an elite prospect who will be a day one starter in the NFL. Reggie Ragland is a premier run-stopper with exceptional football instinct and IQ.

Reggie Ragland | Linebacker, Alabama

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Measurements

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 247 pounds
Year: Senior

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At First Glance

SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Numerous All-American Honors.
BCS National Championship 2015.

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Projected Round:

First Round

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Pros

Has the power and size to stack and shed blocks.

Aggressive and talented playing downhill against the run.

Great instinct, knows where the ball is going and can strike with force.

Understands pursuit angles and is a sure tackler.

Only three missed tackles this season.

Can step into the hole and challenge a lead blocker.

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Cons

Not an elite athlete.

Needs to improve in zone pass coverage.

Only average arm length (32″).

Not an explosive pass rusher.

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NFL Player Comparison:

E.J. Henderson, Minnesota Vikings

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The Vikings Slant

Vikings fit? Yes

The Vikings may not have many holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball, but stopping the run is one area that should be addressed.
Linebacker Audie Cole was re-signed to a one year deal after fracturing his ankle and finishing the season on IR in 2015. His production and potential has dropped off over the last two seasons under head coach Mike Zimmer. The depth chart behind Eric Kendricks at middle linebacker is a problem that could be addressed in the draft. Cole is not the answer and could very well find himself on the cut bubble. Greenway can play middle linebacker in a pinch but is set to retire after the season. Fans love the flashy play of LB Darron Lee, but he is no help in the middle. Ragland to the Vikings may not be a fan favorite pick, but he addresses some very specific needs.

Ragland was voted the SEC defensive Player of the Year in 2015. His physicality, size and instinct make him one of the best run-stoppers in the draft. He is a punishing hitter with outstanding pursuit ability and great fundamentals. Ragland’s active feet, good burst and great vision help enable him to close quickly on plays.

GM Rick Spielman has said that the 23rd pick is wide open. Best player available could very well be the plan of attack. Ragland, if he falls, represents a great fit. Zimmer could plug and play Ragland in the middle of the base unit to help stop the run. Kendricks would move to weak side line backer when Ragland’s on the field. In passing situations Kendricks would slide over to play the “Mike” in nickel.[/vc_column_text]

Carl Knowles

Carl Knowles (Contributor) is a former member of the Professional Bowler Association and an avid lifelong Vikings fan. When he is not bowling you can find him on websites and forum pages sharing his creative insight and enthusiasm for the Minnesota Vikings any chance he gets. Carl was a Phoenix Institute of Technology and Purdue University standout who currently enjoys the challenge of being a graphic director in the printing business. You can follow him on twitter @carlknowles_vt.

Tags: Alabama football minnesota vikings Reggie Ragland Rick Spielman

View Comments

  • I would love to land Reggie @ 23,would even be ok with moving up a few spots to get him.He may not be flashy,but he does his job and would be a good fit.

    • I like this kid too Aussie. Many are insistent on picking a WR in the first. I don't agree, I would like to see a rising defense get even better. Lb or LT in 1 and Lb or safety in 2 or 3 would suit me just fine.

  • Look out Carl, grammar nazi. Chuck, how about discuss the post if you feel compelled to write something rather than criticize? ok, Whole article is crap because he wrote "fall" instead of "falls". Sheez!!

  • I'd rather see a LB with better coverage skills. A healthy L. Joseph, a deeper defensive line, and an E. Kendriks with a season of experience will help our run defense a lot. I like the idea of having three linebackers who go sideline to sideline and play behind the line of scrimmage and back in coverage. It's all about surprise in this defense. I'm not saying Ragland is one dimensional, but there are other linebackers who may offer more to a Zimmer defense...like the guys from Georgia and Ohio State, or Deion Jones from LSU a few rounds later.

  • Not really sure we need a guy like him in the first.......Unless his BPA is significantly above others (especially thinking in terms of positional need) then I just do not think he is that worth it...I would rather have Billings if we are doing D..

    My point about BPA is lets rank all the players (1 to 100 points)....WR is a position of need..Lets just say RR is our #1 by BPA (at the time of our pick.) and a WR is 2nd...

    Well if RR value according to our system is 97 and our #2 value (lets say Doctson) is 94...That is a pretty big difference and going BPA makes sense to me....But if RR is 94.1 and Doctson is 94....Pretty much the same..And we need a WR much more....

  • Following things up...My guess with the rams not taking a WR with the first pick....We get a chance at
    least 2 to 3 of Treadwell, Doctson, Fuller, Michael Thomas) I would go for Thomas or Doctson.if we go WR at 23

  • Is this two high for a two down player? Well maybe not if it's his play that's making for 3rd and longs. When Joseph went out last year our run D seemed to really drop off, so if not Ragland, I'd like to see us drft a 250lb thumper to thwart Viking killer Eddie Lacy and anybody else favoring the run.we've got two speed guys in Barr and Kendricks.Besides at 230 lbs isn't Kendricks really an OLB?

    • Exactly! All this BPA vs Draft for need rubbish is not thought through by most fans.If we were to draft Ragland and he plays to expectation and improves our run D to the level Zimmer expects it to be,then the net gain in terms of field position and time of possession is well worth it.

  • what is wrong with A. Cole (besides the injury) ? Guy has performed well when called upon ? what is it about Zimmer defense that does;t fit Cole ? What about Gerald Robinson ?

  • why not take Jaylon Smith in 3rd round if he is available ? it looks like his knee still have nerve issue, but if you felt confident that he could be ready in 2017, and you think the current LB group is gong to be productive enough in 2016, then why not consider him as early as 3rd round ? will he last that long or will someone pick him in rnd 2 (rnd 1 looks to be completely out for him)