Prospect Profile: Alec Ogletree

Based solely on athleticism and production, Ogletree's talent is everything a franchise would want out of its inside linebacker. Whether he's put in a scheme to run sideline to sideline or strictly controlling half a field, Alec can be a really productive linebacker at the NFL level.

There are a few solid ILBs in this draft, including Manti T'eo and Arthur Brown. Where Ogletree stands out from the rest of the pack is the eye-popping athleticism he brings to the position.

Strengths

Alec Ogletree is a coverted safety and plays the linebacker position with the same type of feel. This is both good and bad.

Let's begin with the good. Pursuit. Pursuit. Pursuit. Ogletree's pursuit of running backs in the flat or his pursuing of scrambling quarterbacks is almost textbook. His "down-the-line" work on bubble/tunnel screens is one to be admired also (See: 8:34 mark of video).

The kid produced 111 tackles, 60+ that were solo tackles AFTER missing his first four games. You can do the math but I'd bet it'll come back as consistent production. He's 240 lb, put up 20 reps at the combine and yet some still discount him for his frame. Though he can add 5-8 pounds without a drop in acceleration, he's okay to play inside at that weight.

Weaknesses

As excited as I was for Ogletree's ability to use Safety-like instincts and vision while playing Linebacker, there have been times I've thought to myself "I think he's forgotten he's a linebacker."

Specifically, he has trouble plays made at the second level. When placed in a non-attacking position, Ogletree falls from standout to above average. If a pulling lineman gets downhill on Alec, you don't see the same aggression towards the lineman like he would have towards a back. The :22 mark of the video would lead you to believe otherwise until you get to :40 in the video and see what I'm referring to.

That's the unfortunate part of him playing Safety prior to moving to Linebacker: he still plays like he's in his old position at times. The 3:30-3:46 portion of the video also proves my point there. He conceeded when Chance Warmack squared up on him — who wouldn't though? — and shortly after that play he attacked Eddie Lacy, on the goalline, like a mad man.

Where He Fits

Did anyone watch Takeo Spikes operate in the open field last year? Me neither. This is where Ogletree benefits the Chargers the most.

If drafted, he would be the "Ted" linebacker. The position calls for him to be in attack mode which clearly benefits him, striking first and fast off the snap. Where Ogletree is different from past Chargers Linebackers is he never has to leave the field. He has the ability to chase down leaking running backs, the acceleration to blow up screen plays and the speed to run with today's hybrid tight ends. This would add a dimension to the Chargers' 3-4 defense that most 3-4 teams don't have.

Should they draft him, the Chargers would have the fastest linebacking unit in the division and if the team plans on keeping up with Denver, this is a way to go about it. Alec Ogletree will allow the Chargers to defend all downs with their front seven intact and improves our tackling out of the sub-packages.

I am a firm believer that this defense is 2 or 3 players away from being a top–12 defense. Please dont bring up that ridiculous stat of the defense finishing ninth (they weren't the 9th best, people). The bigger stat you should be paying attention to is the 3rd–down defense, where San Diego finished in the cellar.

Ogletree is a risk, I get that. Maybe taking him at 11 is a reach. Maybe. His talent alone is 11–worthy and none can deny that. I chose not to bring up the off–the–field issues because I'm here to evaluate the player on the football field. I'll leave the extras to you guys.