Over the next few months, we are going to be taking a look at hundreds of draft prospects leading up into the 2019 NFL draft. With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.
Today, we are taking a look at North Carolina State linebacker Germaine Pratt.
Statistics
Games Watched
- Notre Dame (2017)
- North Carolina (2017)
- Clemson (2018)
- Wake Forest (2018)
- Georgia State (2018)
Strengths
- Well-strapped together with tough body armor, thick bubble at 241 pounds.
- Quick first step and speed to cover a lot of ground.
- Diagnoses quickly with an attacking mind-set and reactive athleticism.
- Explosive striker to separate man from ball, unlocking his hips and finishing. Technically sound wrap tackler with strong wrists and hands.
- Holds up well in coverage. Able to stick with tight ends and running backs.
- Excellent timing and closing speed and as a blitzer, shooting gaps with power and making it tough for blockers to slow him down.
- High effort player with a love for football.
Weaknesses
- Aggressive approach takes him out of plays at times and needs to better hold outside contain.
- Overaggressive tendencies, biting on fakes and abandoning his cover responsibilities.
- Shorter arms. Needs to do a better job keeping himself clean and improve his shed technique, struggling to anticipate and leverage blocks.
- Tight joints show up in coverage, when covering one-on-one in man.
Summary
A tone-year starter in North Carolina State’s 4-2-5 scheme, Pratt made the transition from safety to linebacker in 2018. He led the Wolfpack in tackles as a senior with 105, but also finished No. 1 in the ACC with 9.5 tackles per game.
Pratt has the size you’d like in a modern day linebacker. Pratt jumps off the screen with his sudden pursuit speed and twitchy movements, which complements his quick-thinking play style. His plus ability as a tackler, and skills as a former safety show up in coverage. There are areas that he will need to work on including, cleaning up his play discipline and take-on skills as a blocker.
Pratt already carries himself like a professional, and his work habits and mental makeup will make him a quick favorite in an NFL building. Although not elite in any one area on the field, he is very well-rounded with the scheme-diverse skill-set and intangibles that will make him a fit for all 32 defenses.
