Arden Key
EDGE
LSU
Strengths
6’6”
Height
Weight
235
Bench | 40-Time | 10-Time | 20-Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Vertical | Broad Jump | 20-Shuttle | 60-Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
3-Cone | Hand | Arm | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|---|
Final Grade
7.06
Injury History
Games Evaluated
Team Fit
Key is an athletic, long, and physical prospect who’s potential is through the roof. When he plays well, he is nearly impossible to stop. With his physical style of play, he makes his presence felt early and often. He has the tools to become one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
Weaknessess
Key’s main concern is his off the field issues, he has a lot of questions about his commitment to football after taking a leave from the LSU football team and also injury concerns. His problems extend to the field as well. I noticed when watching film he had a lack of pass rush moves and at times his motor.
Big Picture
I look for Key to be one of the best prospects in this draft and to dominate at the Combine. He is a physical and athletic freak who makes his presence felt. He has a few things he needs to work on if he wants to become an elite pass rusher and could be the reason he may be a bust. When watching film I observed that he needs to develop his pass rush moves, especially a second or counter move. I think if he puts his commitment concerns and other off the field issues to rest and develops under the right coaching, he can be an elite player in this league. When teams look at Key, they will have to weigh the benefits of his on the field play to his off the field concerns.
Player Comp
Athleticism:
7.7
Lateral Agility | Flexibility | Explosiveness | Playing Strength | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
8 | 6.5 | 9 |
Very quick first step, and is a lightning bolt off the edge, has very good bend when he decides to run the ring. Does not show it often but has the bend and speed to be a dominant speed rusher around the edge. His very quick first step is followed by quickness and speed to run all over the field. Fast player, who plays fast when he needs too, but needs to have a more consistent motor. Well Balanced and doesn’t often get knocked down by pulling linemen, crack backs, cut blocks, etc.
7.35
Pass Rush Ability:
First-Step Quickness | Use of Hands | Leverage | Pass Rush Moves | Finish Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9.25 | 6.5 | 7 | 8.5 | 5.5 |
Big Play Ability
First step is lightning quick and his quick feet and length keep him in almost every play. Good punch, can work on using hands better for fighting, very long arms help him grab and rip around defenders. At 6’6” getting leverage on a OT is harder than someone smaller, but he uses his length and speed very well to gain the upper hand when rushing the passer. Tends to use the rip as his main move, doesn’t show much else, occasional spin move but his speed and length make him a physical force. Inconsistent finisher, tends to look lost and get lost in the shuffle of a play.
Against The Run:
6.75
Punches the blocker and diagnoses the play before making a move, patient, but often get blocked out of the equation. Uses his long arms very effectively to diagnose the play and makes his move after seeing where the ball is going. He will guess on which gap to shoot and when he’s right, watch out, but when he’s wrong, don’t worry about him, hell get lost in the shuffle. Running at him is a risk that pays off for the most part, he plays pulling blockers very well, keeping his outside arm free, but is ultimately washed out by the blocker. YES, run everything you can away from him and stick your TE on him and don’t worry about him. He won’t chase down the line. He did not drop back in coverage that often at LSU but when he did, he was an effective tackler, nothing spectacular but he got the job done.
Set the Edge | Stack and Shed | Range | Gap Shooting Ability | Tackling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 7.5 | 7.5 |