Tyler Nielsen, Outside Linebacker, Iowa 2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report

This is the official scouting report page for Iowa linebacker Tyler Nielsen. Be sure to check out every scouting report here at NFL Mocks.

Measurables:

6’3″ 238 pounds, 31.25″ arms, 9.25″ hands

4.74 40 yard dash, 21 Bench press reps, 7.27 3 cone drill, 4.21 20 yard shuttle, 11.43 60 yard shuttle

Scouting Report

Big linebacker prospect who was having a very solid run last season before he went down with an injury. Obviously, injuries will be a concern for him going forward, but if he has a big season he has the size and athletic upside to be a fifth round pick or better in the NFL, not unlike former Iowa linebacker AJ Edds who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins. Nielsen really needs to emerge this season as one of the leaders of a suddenly young Iowa defensive unit. He has been solid both in terms of run-support and coverage, but he is going to make his money in the NFL on third down and special teams. He is a really good athlete with excellent speed for a linebacker of his size.

PROS: Size, speed, athletic ability, upside on third down, special teams player, smart kid, instinctive, well-coached, lots of experience in cover 2 defense, opportunistic

CONS: injury history, not elite production, would like to see more of him blitzing, want to be more aggressive to make more plays

Stats (CFBstats.com) through 11/22/2011

2011: