OLB, Houston
(placed on injured reserve 7/19)
Twitter handle: @PhiLLipOnMe
Rankings: NFLDraftScout: 48th-ranked OLB, #564 player overall, free agent grade.
Scouts Inc: 23rd-ranked OLB, ranked as a free agent. Grade: 35, borderline draft prospect.
NFLDraftCountdown: 34th-ranked OLB, late-round to free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2012: First team all-Conference USA. Started all 12 games as strongside linebacker. 128 tackles, 12 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, 23 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defended.
2011: Started all 14 games. 77 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 quarterback hurries, 11 tackles for loss, 2 fumbles recovered, 6 interceptions, 6 passes defended.
2010: Started all 12 games. 84 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 quarterback hurries, 11 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, 2 interceptions, 7 passes defended.
2009: Started 10 of 14 games. 89 tackles, no sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended.
Major: kinesiology, with an emphasis in sports administration.
Injuries: none reported. Played in all 52 games and started 48 consecutively.
Pro day results: (NFL Combine LB averages in parentheses)
4.62 40 (would have been a top-5 run by a LB; average was 4.75)
1.62 10-yard split
34.5” vertical jump (33.5”)
10'2" broad jump (9'10.5")
7.43 3-cone drill (7.14)
4.57 20-yard shuttle (4.34)
26 bench press (22)
Positives: A fundamentally solid, speedy, one-man wrecking crew. Has reaction time and ability to cover ground of a safety. Took a lot of snaps at nickel LB. Good at recognizing and defending crossing routes. Very good range, change of direction and closing burst. Gets good, quick, deep drops. Quick-footed and can pick his way through traffic well. Has good field vision, reads the quarterback well and makes good decisions. Excellent ball skills. Had some of the best hands on the team and adjusts well to the ball. Has some ability to slip blocks. Reliable tackler, decisive in the open field. Breaks down well in space and isn't afraid of contact. Speed pass rusher with some bend. Above-average athlete with playmaking ability. A little undersized but could have ideal size to defend spread offenses. Will thrive in a defense that lets him make plays in space. Could be an effective spot pass rusher if he adds bulk. Durable, hard worker and a team leader. Plays with outstanding hustle and shows up big-time when his team needs a big play.
Negatives: Played at 220 lbs. most of his college career. Will struggle man-to-man against athletic tight ends. Instincts could be better. Needs to get more consistent run fits and better gap integrity. Easy to get leaning the wrong way with misdirection and play action. Always takes on blockers with his right shoulder. Ducks his head on contact. Plays small. Needs to get stronger. Does not have much of a punch and is easy for bigger blockers to move. Needs to use hands better to disengage from blockers. Takes some bad angles. Doesn't have power to knock ballcarrier backwards and needs to tackle with better pad level. Gets the worse end of most collisions. Doesn't have a second move or a second gear as a pass rusher.
Compares to: Ian Gold, Cato June, Michael Boley.
Fun Facts: Phillip Steward is a turnover machine. His 6 interceptions in 2011 led the nation's linebackers; his 5 forced fumbles last season was good for top-5 in the country.
RamView: If the number of bloggers hoping back in April that their team would sign Phillip Steward is any indication, the Rams scored a real coup when they landed the Cougar LB. There is a lot to like about his game. He appears to have rare pass defense skills and a knack for forcing turnovers that should serve him well on special teams while he tries to play his way into the lineup. He has potential to contribute as a nickel LB quickly, and I believe he's at the front of the pack of LBs angling for a backup spot, not a bad place to be when there appear to be a couple of roster spots open.
Chance of making team: 70%.
Sources: NFLDraftScout, University of Houston athletics, College Football Reference, ESPN.com, NFLDraftCountdown, Football Outsiders
Photo: San Antonio Express-News
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