2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Virginia OLB/DE Max Valles

MAX VALLES- 6’5, 251- RS SOPH.

COMBINE RESULTS: 4.84 40-yard dash, 36.5” vertical jump, 121.0” broad jump, 7.59 3-cone drill, 4.37 20-yard shuttle

The 2015 NFL Draft class has the best edge rusher depth of any class from the past several years, probably dating all the way back to 2011, when guys like Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Robert Quinn, and Ryan Kerrigan were taken. With this in mind, it was a bit difficult to understand why Max Valles, an underdeveloped redshirt sophomore from the University of Virginia who had amassed a total of 13 sacks over his two years in Charlottesville, decided to enter the draft early this January.

Valles spent his first year out of high school at Fork Union Military Academy, so he only spent two years playing Division I football. That showed during the season in his physique, though he gained roughly 10 pounds prior to the combine, crediting that gain to Chipotle via Twitter.

The more pressing issue with Valles’s lack of experience, however, is that he doesn’t seem to have fully grasped the fundamentals of the position. His technique is very underdeveloped, both as a pass rusher and a run defender, and while he has some very good raw skills in both areas, he needs to clean things up in order to be a good NFL contributor.

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The best scenario for Valles is to keep that new weight on (and ideally gain some more) and stick at either a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker spot. If need be, however, Valles could probably drop back and play as an oversized 4-3 linebacker due to his solid skills as a run defender. Valles helped himself with a strong performance at the NFL Combine, though it’s still difficult to see him being any higher than a third-round pick due to his lack of experience and underdeveloped skills.

POSITIVES: Very quick burst off the line of scrimmage…plays to the whistle, will pick up second-effort sacks…good tackler…competent enough in space and as a run defender to transition to 4-3 outside linebacker if necessary…only spent two years in Virginia’s strength and conditioning program, may have a little bit more potential to fill out physically than most other draft prospects.

NEGATIVES: Doesn’t disengage nearly well enough; was repeatedly taken out of plays by Pittsburgh tight end J.P. Holtz, which is unacceptable for an edge player of Valles’s size…needs to get much better at taking an efficient path to the quarterback…undisciplined in his pursuit of the quarterback, doesn’t know when to settle his feet and ends up over-pursuing…doesn’t do a good job of keeping contain against the run…skinny legs… lack of weight is a concern, listed at only 240 pounds at Virginia, which is far on the light side of the acceptable weight range for edge players; bulked up to 251 pounds for the combine, though it remains to be seen whether he’ll be able to retain that weight through a training camp and a season…spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy, which will raise questions about his discipline and ability to learn.

2014 Summary: Valles had a very statistically impressive season for the Cavaliers, leading the team with nine sacks while picking up 55 total tackles, including 12.5 for loss, over Virginia’s 12 games. He had one interception, eight pass breakups, four quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

It is worth noting that Valles’s sacks came in bunches; he had two in the Cavs’ season opener against UCLA, 1.5 in their next game against Richmond, and had three in their November 22 matchup against Miami. Despite being Virginia’s sacks leader, Valles only actually recorded a sack in six of their 12 games during 2014.

Talent Grade: Fourth Round

Rams Role: The Rams may need to add an extra backup pass rusher this offseason if they decide to release William Hayes, who might be a cap casualty candidate. After putting a year’s worth of effort into developing 2014 undrafted free agent Ethan Westbrooks, however, the Rams would probably be more likely to draft a more experienced college player if they were to select someone to challenge Westbrooks for a spot on the roster next season. Therefore, despite the fact that he fits the long, athletic pass rusher mold that the Rams desire, Valles doesn’t really seem like too strong of a fit as far as the Rams concerned due to his lack of experience.

Film Watched: vs. Pittsburgh (2014), vs. UCLA (2014), vs. Georgia Tech (2014), vs. Louisville (2014)

Next: NFL Draft Scouting Report: Oklahoma OG Adam Shead

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