Keion Adams

Adams was a key cog in what turned out to be one of the best stories of the 2016 college football season, as Western Michigan ran the table to a MAC Championship and a 13-0 start before losing to Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. Adams played defensive end in WMU's even front, but projects to a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level. At defensive end for the Broncos, Adams lined up in both a two point and three point stance. He earned Second Team All-MAC honors in 2016, posting 49 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 12 hurries. After seeing spot duty as a true freshman in 2013, Adams started three games in 2014, seven games in 2015 and all 14 games in 2016. STRENGTHS: Adams is a speed rush specialist off the edge, and has the physical tools to be solid in coverage as well as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has very good explosiveness, knee bend, feet and burst to close. That combination of traits makes his speed rush difficult to stop at the college level. His motor, range, hips and hands are all good, enabling him to still make some plays even when his speed rush is initially stopped. His feet make his speed rush that much more effective, because the offensive tackle knows Adams can change direction as quickly as he wants. If an offensive tackle's feet and range in pass pro aren't at a high level, he will have his hands full with Adams. WEAKNESSES: Adams is a physical player who doesn't shy away from contact and will punish the ball carrier. Therefore, considering how good his knee bend is, it's concerning that Adams isn't better at converting speed to power in his passrush. Because he struggles with this, the offensive tackle really doesn't have to focus on anchoring at any point when going up against Adams. The former Bronco is also average at the point of attack, as his combination of power, size and hands isn't good enough to change the line of scrimmage, lock out and shed in the running game against better competition. IN OUR VIEW: In this day and age, passrush specialists are becoming more and more common at the college level, and that can carry over to the NFL. With his explosiveness, knee bend, feet and burst to close, Adams is an intriguing prospect as a passrush specialist. However, the NFL is all about figuring out what a player's weaknesses are and then exploiting them as often as possible. The fact that Adams struggles to convert speed to power may turn out to be a significant issue at the next level, as more tackles will have the range and feet in pass pro to stop his speed rush. Armed with the knowledge that Adams is very unlikely to effectively convert to a bull rush, that makes the tackle's job much easier. Additionally, Adams may be a liability at the point of attack in the running game at the next level, limiting his role on defense. Ultimately, his explosiveness and feet are too good for him not to get a shot as an Undrafted Free Agent in an NFL camp, but he may have an uphill battle when it comes to making the 53 due to the weaknesses mentioned above. COMPARES TO:

Member of 2010 North Carolina State Championship team, earning Central Carolina Conference and regional championships along the way

named All-CCC as well as All-Rowan County

earned spot on NC East vs. West All-Star team

named to the Carolina Preps All-State Team

three-sport athlete earning letters in football, basketball and track.

Criminal justice major with a 3.09 GPA

son of Desmond Adams and Tanika Burnon

born June 8, 1995 in Salisbury, N.C.

2016

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
1.0	0.0	0.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
18.0	12.0	49.0	0.0	0.0	7.5	34.0