From now until the 2018 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a several others will be top-ranked players at their positions. If there is a player you would like us to breakdown and profile in the coming weeks and months, let us know in the comments below.
Today, a look at Wisconsin OLB Garret Dooley.
#5 Garret Dooley/OLB Wisconsin – 6’1/7 248
The Good
– Well built with good length (32 5/8) and big hands (10 3/8)
– Refined pass rusher who hasn’t spent much time at position and should continue to grow
– Varied pass rusher with good hand use and has a pass rush plan capable of winning in multiple ways, able to counter tackle’s set
– Doesn’t get himself run up the arc and stays active in the play
– Sets a good edge in the run game, strong base and doesn’t get washed by bigger tackles
– Versatile, played both sides, field/boundary
– Comfortable and capable spot dropping into coverage, began career as an ILB
– Runs to the ball, gives good chase, no loafs
– Good processor in zone coverage
– Still learning details of the position and already shows good amount of refinement
The Bad
– Average athlete who doesn’t have great bend to win the edge on a speed rush, will struggle to win without initiating and working through contact
– Will not thrive in man heavy scheme in coverage
– Rerouting in zone coverage needs work, want to see him be more physical and get receivers off track
– Does he have a true, go-to move?
– Needs to finish tackles, misses more than he should, has to drive with lower half and complete the play
– Good but not great production, though scheme limited some of that
– Only a one-year starter
– Knee injury concerns
Bio
– 16 career starts, 14 in senior season
– 2017: 41 tackles, 12 TFL, 7.5 sacks
– Career: 18.5 TFL, 11 sacks
– 2017 2nd-Team Big Ten selection
– Began Wisconsin career as an ILB, spent a year at DE, moved to OLB in 2015
– RB/LB in high school, rushed for over 1200 yards senior season, and a six-time All-Academic selection in HS
– Suffered severe right knee injury in 2013, redshirted, hurt it again in 2014, had surgery, did not play
Tape Breakdown
Let’s make one thing clear. Dooley is not T.J. Watt. He isn’t the top level athlete and won’t test like one either. But like Watt, he’s versatile and refined despite not having as much time at the position (though Dooley has more than Watt).
What Dooley brings to the table is sort of the anti Bud Dupree. An average athlete but he plays with power, hand use, and a strong football IQ. He can win in a ton of ways. That was especially on display in one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl when he had a two-way go, not something he was always given in Wisconsin’s structure.
Like on this rep, good hand use to knock the tackle’s hands away, create the soft edge, and dip under.
Pass rush drills:@BadgerFootball‘s Garret Dooley beats Maine’s Jamil Demby.#SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/f8RydWETz6
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) January 25, 2018
Or here. Watch the right tackle. Dooley has the strength to toss him away.
He’s comfortable moving backwards just as he is going forward. Not on Watt’s level because he isn’t *that* athlete with that change of direction ability. But his work as an inside linebacker made him comfortable dropping and we see those traits carry over on the edge. Played on his feet, moved around, he’ll be able to execute anything in the Steelers’ scheme.
Like I said, his three cone and agility times won’t be in that upper tier like Watt. He can’t bend the edge like a premier pass rusher and that does cap his ceiling/value but he’s going to offer steady production. One area he has to work on is finishing some tackles. In everything I watched, it popped up at least once a game. Base too narrow as he tries to finish here and he lets the back go. I do like the wrong arm technique to work off the potential split zone, even if the TE didn’t end up engaging him.
You’re going to get a guy similar to Anthony Chickillo. Hopefully a bit better. Not an elite rusher but a steady one who can handle everything the scheme throws at him. In Pittsburgh, that’ll be a lot.
Projection: Mid-Late Day Two
Games Watched: at Purdue (2016), vs FAU, vs Ohio State, Senior Bowl
