Stephone Anthony: 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Aug 31, 2013; Clemson, SC, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Keith Marshall (4) carries the ball while being defended by Clemson Tigers linebacker Stephone Anthony (42) during the fourth quarter at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Tigers won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NFL Draft contains a talented linebacker core that could produce as many as five linebackers drafted by the end or round two. The name that has been rising lately, but still under the radar a bit, is Stephone Anthony, an ILB out of Clemson. I have been waving around the Stephone Anthony flag for some time now, and it is good to hear that he is starting to gain steam in the draft world. With that being said, the measurables for Stephone Anthony at the NFL Combine got him on the map.

Here are his measurables and combine statistics courtesy Mockdraftable.com.

Strengths

Of all the inside linebackers in the class, Stephone Anthony has some of the best cover skills and playmaking ability. He plays with good range and that helps him in coverage with the running backs as well as tight ends. His ball skills are underrated as well because it seems like he just has a nose for the ball every time I watch him play on tape.

Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers linebacker Stephone Anthony (42) celebrates during the second half of the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Stephone Anthony has elite explosiveness and athleticism for the inside linebacker position, and that shows on tape. He can chase down plays from behind and make the tackle, and simply blow the play up on a screen or toss play. His 4.56 at the Combine is not deceiving at all as he plays that way on tape. Just checking the boxes.

He can make plays on the outside with ease with his explosiveness and athleticism, but he wins with his finishing ability and overall tackling skills. This will help him as a blitzer in the long-run as well as in between the tackles. He is a talented playmaker that can make plays in variety of ways, but I love the fact that he rarely misses a tackle.

The potential he possesses is also extremely high. Along with all of the strengths I alluded to earlier, he has the strong drive and working attitude needed to reach that high bar that is set for himself as an NFL linebacker. The combination of his athleticism, cover skills, and finish ability, to go along with his intangibles, is the making of a Pro Bowl linebacker.

Weaknesses

The primary problem I have with Stephone Anthony is his inability to read the play with instincts rather than just with athleticism. It just seems like to me that Anthony can make the play at the collegiate level with athleticism, but will need to process faster in the NFL. This can be coached up, but it is a problem that needs to be worked on early.

He has a tendency to run away from blocks rather than take them head on as well. When he does get on a block, it seems as if he has to fight tooth and nail to get off of it. He is explosive, but I question his finesse ability as a pass rusher from the linebacker position.

To go along with him guessing with athleticism rather than instincts, he takes poor angles at running backs both in coverage and in run support because he is also over-aggressive. If he can sure this aspect of his game, he will be a Pro Bowler, but it is a big problem that needs to be addressed in training camp early because every linebacker needs some sort of instinct to succeed.

NFL Scheme Fit

Potential Team Fits

Green Bay Packers (#30)

Minnesota Vikings (#45)

San Francisco 49ers (#46)

NFL Comparison

Demeco Ryans/Bruce Carter

Round Projection

Overall, Stephone Anthony is an intimidating, athletic linebacker that possesses rare explosiveness and cover ability for the position. However, his lack of instincts could drive him down a bit into the second round. He has first round ability and definitely has the possibility of sneaking into that range late into the night. His ceiling is the Packers at 30 and his floor is the 49ers at 46 in all likelihood. All in all, Stephone Anthony is the 26th player on my big board and is well worth a first round selection on April 30.

Next: Za'Darius Smith Scouting Report

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