Ourlads' Profile:
2018 Guide: What Ourlads' NFL Scouting Services said about DARIUS LEONARD: South Carolina State, 6020 234 4.72. Four-year starter at inside linebacker from Lake View, SC. He also lines up outside at times. Shows sudden change of direction and a burst in pursuit. Instinctive inside with good reads. Takes patient read steps working downhill. Fits inside gaps well along with getting to the off-tackle alley. Quick to react to misdirection and cutbacks. Plays with good leverage on the ball. Has the range to make plays sideline to sideline. Used his hands to ward off a block and is adept at slipping blocks in pursuit. He rarely breaks stride working to the ball. Quick run/pass recognition usually with proper depth of drop. Has zone skill reading the quarterback and routes. Good hands for interceptions. Matches up well to backs out of the backfield. Quick at the snap as a blitzer. Adjusts well to quarterback movement and can close. He is a little light moving to the next level and is not the best take-on guy. Tends to play upright taking on a block and tackling. Willing tackler but will get dragged at times. Sometimes alters his path too much to avoid a block. Some inconsistency in depth of drop. Despite thin frame he has what NFL teams are looking for in a three down linebacker. Has inside experience but may best be served as a 4-3 Will. 2017 stats: 114 T, 12 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 10 QBH, 1 FF, 2 INT. OSR:13/17. Fourth/fifth round. (A-34 3/8, H- 10 1/4, BP-17, SS-4.52).