2021 NFL Draft OLB rankings: Zaven Collins tops Micah Parsons for top spot
By John Blair
8. Charles Snowden, Virginia
6-foot-6, 232 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round
An underrated prospect in this year’s crop of outside linebackers is Virginia’s, Charles Snowden. One of the reasons Snowden offers exciting potential at the next level is his length coming in at 6-foot-6. He moves very well for someone his size as well and shows good quickness overall.
In addition to these traits, Snowden is a smart player who is rarely out of position.
The biggest issue currently with Snowden is he is coming off a broken right ankle, which prematurely ended his 2020 season. He currently fits best as a 3-4 outside linebacker but if he can add some bulk and overall strength he could be a very promising defensive end prospect in a 4-3 defense.
If given time and the proper diet it would not be a surprise if Snowden became one of the better day three defenders drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.
9. Pete Werner, Ohio State
6-foot-2, 242 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: Fourth round
A linebacker in the 2021 NFL Draft that is being overrated is Pete Werner of Ohio State, who is projected as a second-round pick by several NFL Draft pundits. The main reason his value is being overrated is due to how much he struggles vs. the run.
He gets engulfed by tackles consistently and struggles to get off blocks. He also is not as good as some people build him up to be vs. the pass. He did not have a single pass breakup this past season and allowed 66% of the passes thrown against him to be completed this past season.
Werner is not much of a pass rusher either only having four career sacks.
Even though Werner does not deserve a second-round grade he does offer some traits that should allow him to make it in the NFL. One of these is high football IQ, as he has played several different roles in Ohio State defense.
He is a solid athlete as well, who has the athletic ability to develop more as a coverage linebacker. Overall, Werner should be able to develop into an average starting linebacker who can help out on special teams.