Fansided
Fansided

Yannick Ngakoue, OLB, Maryland: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Shawn Spencer

Oct 31, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) evades the rush from Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Yannick Ngakoue (7) during the second half at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) evades the rush from Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Yannick Ngakoue (7) during the second half at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Oct 31, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) evades the rush from Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Yannick Ngakoue (7) during the second half at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) evades the rush from Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Yannick Ngakoue (7) during the second half at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa won 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Player Summary

Yannick Ngakoue, a 2013 four-star recruit, started 23 of 37 career games at Maryland. Switched from a 3-4 defensive end to a 4-3 DE in 2015 under new defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski. Recorded 33 tackles for a loss and 21.5 sacks in three seasons. Adequate height/weight with an athletic frame and very good athletic ability.

Player Information

Class: Junior

Height: 6’1″

Weight: 250 lbs.

Estimated 40-Yard Dash: mid 4.7s

Games Watched

2015: Ohio State, Penn State, South Florida, Wisconsin

2014: Iowa

Strengths

Yannick Ngakoue displays very good athletic ability as he explodes off the snap. Diagnoses the play quickly and attacks the ball as a result of solid football intelligence. Good burst as his short-area quickness allows him to get his shoulders past those of the offensive lineman and gain leverage. Primarily a speed rusher off the edge, while also displaying a solid repertoire of moves; including spins, swims and rips.

Ngakoue is known for his ability to beat offensive tackles around the edge with his speed, but here’s a look his ability to win with an inside move as well. Against Penn State, he gets the tackle off balance and spins inside. He doesn’t get the sack, but he does force Christian Hackenberg to throw the ball before the play develops, resulting in an incompletion.

Good play speed with the closing burst to put him in position to make the stop. Aggressive pass rusher demonstrates solid competitive toughness by stepping up in critical third-down situations. Solid run defender with the speed and agility to chase the ball down the line of scrimmage. Good versatility, lined up on both the left and right sides of the defensive line.

More from Scouting Reports

Weaknesses

Possesses marginal play strength as he struggles to convert speed to power. Lack of play strength shows up in his inability to shed blocks as well. Once the offensive lineman gets his hands on Ngakoue, it’s over. Marginal flexibility to bend around the edge.

In the clip below from 2014, Ngakoue initially beats Iowa’s Brandon Scherff to the outside. However, he fails to bend around the edge enough to hit the QB.

Scherff may have been the fifth-overall pick last year, but he’s now a guard in the NFL. Ngakoue’s lack of flexibility will show up even more frequently against next-level tackles. When he doesn’t get to the QB, he does not get his hands up into passing lanes as a result of adequate instincts. Marginal finishing ability. As seen in the play below, he has the opportunity to make a play in open space behind the line of scrimmage, but fails to wrap up the ball carrier.

Struggles to create turnovers, forcing just three fumbles in his career.

Overall

Overall, Yannick Ngakoue is a developmental outside linebacker in a 3-4 front who can contribute immediately as a pass-rush specialist. A big unknown at this time is his ability to drop into coverage and play in space. On the few occasions he did drop back at the snap, he was used to spy the quarterback. How he performs in linebacker drills at the Maryland Pro Day will have a major impact on his draft stock. It’s unknown how fluid he is in space, but without the ability to convert speed to power, I wouldn’t take him before the fifth round.

Home/Scouting Reports