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Luther Maddy, DT, Virginia Tech: 2016 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Erik Lambert

Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Luther Maddy addresses the media during the ACC football media day at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Luther Maddy addresses the media during the ACC football media day at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Interior pass rushers still have tons of value in the NFL. It’s just a matter of how much the player can offer beyond just the one thing. Is Luther Maddy able to transcend that one-trick pony label? Here is his scouting report.

Position: DL

School: Virginia Tech

Year: Senior

Height: 6’0″

Weight: 287 lbs

History:

Graduated with a degree in apparel, housing and resources and is going back for another in consumer studies. He wasn’t the highest rated defensive tackle out of high school but he found a niche at Virginia Tech and became one of their more productive defensive lineman with 175 total tackles (29.5 for a loss) and 14 sacks. Injury cut his junior year to four games, so he returned to complete his college stay in 2015.

STRENGTHS:

  • Has some quickness to him. Shows the ability to run stunts and no much wasted movement.
  • Active with his hands, making sure to keep blockers off his body.
  • High effort player, never takes plays off and flows to the football.

This is where his value mostly comes from. When he uses his quickness, natural leverage and keeps his legs churning he’s able to shoot the gap and squeeze the pocket enough to where the quarterback is forced to tuck the ball away.

WEAKNESSES:

  • Right from the start he’s at a disadvantage because he’s short and also light for a defensive tackle. Doesn’t have the length for end either.
  • Bigger offensive lineman have a fairly easy time controlling him, especially in the ground game where he lacks the anchor to hold the point of attack.
  • Not much lower body strength. Can’t generate any sort of effective bull rush, which limits his versatility as a pass rusher.

Effective interior pass rushers should be able to get near the quarterback with this much time but notice how the guard is able to initially stonewall Maddy and he’s not able to generate enough momentum to fight through the block.

  • While active with his hands, he sometimes gets caught doing it too much. Doesn’t rush the passer with much of a plan.

Pro Comparison: Will Sutton

Sutton came into the league pigeonholed as a three-technique defensive tackle who was best served as an interior pass rusher. Beyond that his lack of length and power offered disadvantages anywhere else. The scary part with Maddy is that he shorter and lighter even than Sutton was, and not as proven as a pass rusher.

Projection: 5th to 7th rounds

Maddy has some tools to work with as an interior pass rusher who is a hard worker with good quickness and athleticism. He’s not a starter, but in the right scheme he can be a capable rotational lineman who comes in on long down situations.

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