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NFL Draft 2016: 10 players at Senior Bowl with most to gain

By Patrick Schmidt

Oct 10, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) makes the diving catch during the second quarter versus the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Braxton Miller (1) makes the diving catch during the second quarter versus the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Temple Owls linebacker Tyler Matakevich (8) in game action against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Temple won 60-40. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Temple Owls linebacker Tyler Matakevich (8) in game action against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Temple won 60-40. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Matakevich won the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker but finds himself in a similar position as Prescott. Can the college superstar see his game translate to the NFL? The 6-1, 232-pound middle linebacker lacks ideal size and strength to hold up in the run game and athleticism to cover receivers over the middle of the field.

You can’t deny his production at Temple where he was seventh in the nation in tackles with 138 as a senior to give him four straight years with more than 100 tackles, and he has first round instincts and awareness, but if he can’t fight of the blockers or run to the ball carrier to stop the play he diagnosed, it won’t be of much help.

Matakevich can help himself this week by his elite intangibles and instincts and more than enough to make up for his perceived lack of physical skills.

Next: Spencer Drango

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