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Julian Peterson, OLB
Round 1, Pick 16 , Overall 16
From: Michigan St.

Height/Weight: 6-5/233
Speed (40 time): 4.76
 

Tackles
Year G Total Solo Asst. For Loss Sacks Int
1998 11 58 40 18 18-75 10-57 1-23
1999 12 82 55 27 30-140 15-104 0-0
Totals 23 140 95 45 48-215 25-161 1-23
Interceptions Return  Advanced Fumble
Year  No  Yds  Avg  TD  Long  No  Yds  Avg  TD  Long 
1998  23  23.0  23  40  40.0  40 


        


             
Analysis by Rob Baker, 49ers Clubhouse draft writer:

He’s full of potential. Played two years at Valley Forge Military Collage and recorded 40 sacks in those two years. Has good speed, quickness and is a brilliant pass rush which the niners are in desperate need of. He also shows a knack for playing vs the run and is dangerous behind the line of scrimmage. A good athlete who has amazing speed over short distances. Always alert and ready. Peterson is very raw only being a starter in his last year with the Spartans, and needs coaching to develop parts of his game and turn him into more that a one dimensional player, such as coverage. Size limits him, needs to hit the weights to really become big in the NFL. Can play Defensive End if needed.
Comments: Is a good replacement for Lee Woodall if the niners spend time working on him to help him live up to his potential.


             
Info from The Sporting News:

War Room Analysis
Vs. inside run: Aggressive with lateral movement to get back inside. Lacks strength or bulk to match up inside and doesn't figure to spend much time there. Grade: 5.0
Vs. outside run: Upfield skills and ability to make plays in backfield. Wins battle to corner and dominates most matchups off edge but lacks feel for run game and often runs out of position. Struggles when reached because of size. Grade: 6.0
Blitz/coverage: Relies on burst and quickness off edge. Won't overpower but shows hand use and moves to win one-on-one battles. Athletic ability to drop in coverage but is mostly upfield player with limited experience and feel in coverage. Grade: 6.5
Key and diagnose: Makes good reads and has body control, change of direction but takes false steps and runs out of plays because he gets too far upfield. Grade: 5.0
Pursuit/tackling: High-effort guy who will chase. Good range and speed to chase from backside. Makes big plays as tackler but technically not impressive. Attacks too high and not great finisher. Grade: 5.5
Notable: Once a junior college All-American.
Final analysis: Stock has risen since dominating performance in Citrus Bowl. Ideal size, speed and strength to make difference. Upfield burst and playmaking skills excite coaches. 
Overall grade: 28.0


Info from Pro Football Weekly:

Notes: Had 40 sacks in two years at Valley Forge Military Junior College. Instant impact player at Michigan State in 1998. Played mostly at defensive end and started just three games, with most of his action coming on passing downs. Nevertheless, he had 58 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Starting "Sam" ’backer in ’99 who would play like an end in passing downs. Had 74 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, caused four fumbles and broke up nine passes during the regular season and also stood out in Michigan State’s big bowl win over Florida. 

Positives: Very good athlete and a natural pass rusher. Has cat-like movements and great quickness off the ball. As fast as anyone for the first 10 yards. Can play over and control a tight end or come off the edge. Has the athleticism to play in pass coverage. Seems pretty instinctive and alert. Makes big plays, disrupts offenses and sacks quarterbacks. Has done nothing but get better. Stood out at the Senior Bowl. Much more football smart than scouts might think.

Negatives: Somewhat raw around the edges. Will need lots of reps. Plays best when he gets to just play without being asked to make too many reads and adjustments. Too skinny and small to be a right end. Needs work in coverage as a linebacker.

Summary: May have moved into the first round with his strong showing at the Senior Bowl if he convinces teams in individual workouts that he can master the defense they play. Can be an impact player in the right system if he is used correctly.


Info from CBS SportsLine:

Aggressive pass rushing linebacker completed an outstanding career with a huge effort as a senior. Peterson earned first team Big 10 honors for a dominant performance on the outside. For the year, he registered 74 tackles, 25 TFLs, 12 sacks, 4 FC and 9 PBUs. His tackle for loss set a new single season record for the Spartans, and his career total of 43 TFLs was also a team record. What is amazing about the career record, is that he did this in only two seasons, after a junior college stay. 

He came up big in critical games, especially late in the year against Penn St. when he made 10 tackles with 3 TFLs and 2 sacks in a huge Spartan victory. As a junior in '98, he recorded 58 tackles with 10 sacks and 18 TFLs while starting only 3 games.

 He combines great speed off the edge with the footwork, hand use and toughness to become a top pro pass rusher. He has a lightning quick first step that gives him a definite advantage over offensive tackles, to flatten out on his way to the passer. He has shown dominant skills the past two seasons, getting excellent use of his long reach to separate from blockers.

 Though he is a natural pass rusher, he is a complete defender in the full sense of the word. He takes on blockers well and shows fine diagnostic skills to locate the ball. He plays off blockers well and has an explosive burst to the ball. He can play over the tight end in run support and proved this again at the Senior bowl practices.

 He has excellent functional strength to hold the point of attack and top speed to run down ball carriers from behind. He uses his strong hands well to get linemen off balance and combines this with good leverage and balance. Along with his very quick first step, he can redirect back under with an array of moves.

 He was one of the five best athletes at the Senior Bowl where he again displayed the speed and power off the corner that made him one of the nation's best pass rushers. He answered the one concern about his game, pass coverage when as a senior he made 9 PBUs.

 At the Senior bowl practices, he demonstrated a quick backpedal and change of direction skills to blanket receivers stride for stride. He also did exceptionally well against tight ends which indicates he is really for either the strong and weak side. During the practices, he eliminated all doubts about coverage with two interceptions plus one more during the game.

 He can play in any defensive scheme as a fulltime defender but may be best suited for a 3-4 set, though his well rounded talent will allow him to play either side in a 4-3 set. He is similar to the Ravens Peter Boulware as a pass rusher.

 Top 15 athlete with big play ability and the toughness and work ethic you look for in an impact defender. Aggressive playmaker with Pro-bowl ability. Blue chip linebacker with an early starting grade.



Info from CNN/SI:
              
A versatile player with experience at defensive end and outside linebacker. Lean, but muscular. Has long arms. Needs to improve his strength and his ability to defeat blocks, but he's a very agile athlete who plays with good knee bend and has excellent change of direction. Avoids low blocks smoothly. Very quick knifing through openings. Skilled blitzer with a great initial burst and good one-on-one moves. Has solid coverage skills. Aware in a zone. Turns his hips smoothly and has the speed to run with backs. Improving. Had a big senior year and a strong Senior Bowl performance.
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