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Buffalo Bills: 2016 Draft Linebacker Options Part II

By Dennis Moody

May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sammy Watkins (Clemson) shakes hands with Roger Goodell after being selected as the number four overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Sammy Watkins (Clemson) shakes hands with Roger Goodell after being selected as the number four overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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2016 Draft Linebacker
Nov 7, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Mitch Leidner (7) is knocked to the ground by Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Joshua Perry (37) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Joshua Perry, Ohio State

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 253 lbs

Projected Round: 2

Joshua Perry is one of the many outstanding talents that played on the Ohio State Buckeye’s defense last season. He wasn’t a five-star recruit and doesn’t make “splash plays” but through his hard work and persistence, he was second on a very talented Ohio State defense in tackles last season according to Sports-Reference.com.

Perry plays extremely fast with a non-stop motor which allows him to make plays that other linebackers can’t. He has shown an ability to shed blocks and finish tackles at the college level. He is a leader on the defense and is a steady, coachable presence in the locker room. He’s mature and is a great teammate.

He’s not a stud athletically and so he doesn’t stand out like some other players do on tape. This is part of the reason why he wasn’t a five-star recruit coming into college. But he is a smart football player who knows how to get the job done and he does it well. He can be a bit over aggressive at times but his aggressiveness is more of a positive trait than a negative trait based on the way he is able to finish tackles.

He has good size and is able to set the edge but his size also slows him down making him look less athletic than similar linebackers who possess a little more quickness. According to Joe Buscaglia from WKBW, Perry reminds him of Manny Lawson.

Joshua Perry projects as a two-down linebacker in the NFL because he has issues in coverage. He isn’t a great pass rusher either and will predominately earn his playing time in obvious running situations.

Next: Dominique Alexander

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