Arden Key Draft Profile
Arden Key Draft Profile
Strengths:
- Length
- Plus flexibility
- Decent array of pass rush moves
- Can rush inside and outside
- Sets the edge well
- Untapped potential
Analysis: You don’t see many humans that look like Arden Key. He is long-limbed with plus flexibility throughout his upper and lower body. He does a good job of timing up the snap for a head start. He plays slippery and is hard to keep centered. Disappears from blockers with upper body turns. Earlier in his career, he would set up tackles with inside jab step that forced them into unbalanced position and allowed him access to the edge. Shows ability as a two-way rusher both inside or outside. He is able to lean in and around the edge at top of the rush. Could be scary if he learns to use length consistently. His potential is unquestioned but the question will be if he ever reaches it. Coaching will play a big part in his NFL success.
Weaknesses:
- Personal issues
- Durability
- Liability in the run game
- Block shedding
- Hand usage and effectiveness
- Lacks coverage skills
- Effort
Analysis: Scouts are worried about Arden Key’s personal discipline. He left the team for four months in the spring of 2017 for “personal reasons” and had shoulder surgery during that time. Saw weight balloon up to 270 pounds. Key will not be mistaken as a lineman who can stop the running game–he is a complete liability against the run. Tight ends have dominated him at the point of attack on film. Slow to shed blocks. Lacked juice even after losing 20 pounds during the season. Upfield rush plan was predictable and sluggish in 2017. Shows lead hand early allowing tackles to slap it away before landing. Two-hand swipe ineffective at greasing edge. Lineman knew when he was setting them up for his spin move. On tape, his effort comes and goes–gives an uninspired effort in coverage, and became useless at times when he was on the field.
What the scouts say: “You come back to the old question of what will a player do with more time and more money as a pro? Key’s background tells you it could be a big problem for him. Not only that, but he had seven sacks over the last two years where he didn’t have to beat the tackle.” — NFC Director of Scouting
Size: 6’6 265lbs
Draft Rank: Outside the Top 10 Edge rushers
NFL Comparison: Barkevious Mingo
Draft Projection: Round 2
Dan Schalk
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