But the third reason is the only “real” one McClellin may not be the pick at #28. Again, Packer Update provides the analysis here: The author acknowledges McClellin’s attributes but after watching several of his games says he didn’t dominate against subpar competition and lacks lower body strength and explosion.
When people like Michael make those arguements in cases like this, it really speaks to their lack of credibility
in my opinion.
"Didn't dominate against subpar competition"?
Really?
Number one, if the writer watched Boise State games and understood their defensive scheme, he wouldn't say that. Shea played close to 8 different positions in their defense. He has great versatility and wasn't told to just sit off the edge and pass-rush all the time, if that's the type of "dominate" the writer wanted. Bruce Irvin and Whitney Mercilus did dominate in that manner.
Number two, McClellin did often times dominate against lower competition (19 1/2 tackles for losses this season +21 last season- meaning he was no one-hit wonder like they label Mercilus), but when he does, we often hear the scouts or scout wannabe's say "yeah but it was subpar competition", not the big boys of the SEC.
When Shea did get to face non-subpar competition, he fared even better:
McClellin tied his career high with six tackles (three solo, four TFLs, 2.5 sacks) against No. 10 Virginia Tech in the Broncos’ season-opening win
Remember, Clay Matthews didn't dominate the Pac-10, and only started part of one season.
The good news for him and the team that drafts him is that similar criticisms (questionable upper body strength and competition) were the knocks on guys like
DeMarcus Ware,
Jason Pierre-Paul and
Connor Barwin coming out of school. Those three players all play in different schemes and were all top ten in sacks in the NFL last season.
And as for McClellin laking lower body strength: that's also phooey.
McClellin is about 20 pounds bigger than Matthews was at this same point in time.
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