Scouting Report | DE/OLB George Karlaftis
The best part for me in terms of gaining credibility when it comes to the NFL Draft is boasting a proven track record of getting it right in real-time. I can’t speak for anyone else but this is how I value a person’s ability to scout and analyze player performance--whether in college or NFL.
I always say:
“My job is to predict, it’s the player’s job to perform. Don’t like it? Play better.”
Credibility is everything. Why would you follow someone who gets things right only 35-40% of the time?
To peel back another layer of the onion, why would you follow someone who is only 50-60% accurate in their analysis of player performance? That’s a bad track record if you ask me.
This isn’t betting where if you win 51% of bets made--you’re considered a winner.
This is about player performance evaluation where real-time analysis is key. But hey, do what you will with the limited time you have.
I’m not here to judge--just painting a picture of how I do like to do business here in the BWF and how I judge my own performance.
With that being said, I have spent countless hours evaluating game-film, talking to coaches and scouts, and then formulating my analysis of the top players in the upcoming draft.
The past few months have been gut-wrenching. This is why I haven’t been on YouTube--doing the legwork behind the scenes and watching 60-70 hours of college game film weekly.
It’s something I’m proud of but admits is time-consuming.
Thankfully, we have the BEASTwriter+ Newsletter. The past week, I have been running my BWF game grades on Purdue DE/OLB George Karlaftis.
A player who has asserted himself as a top EDGE in the 2022 NFL Draft. Where does Karlaftis get drafted? What does he bring to the table? What NFL traits does he need to work on?
I break it all down for you below. He may not get the NFL media hype but make no mistake--Karlaftis is a player everyone should be high on.
DE/OLB George Karlaftis | Scouting Report
Height 6-4 | Weight | 266 | Arm length | 32 5/8
Scheme-diverse
Strong at POA vs run
Displays NFL pass-rush arsenal
Displays heavy hands to keep OTs at bay
Non-stop motor
Run-fit integrity could use work
More of a run-fit stop-gap than a run-fit penetrator
Injury in 2020
NFL Comparison: DE/OLB Chike Okeafor & DE/OLB Michael McCrary
BWF Game Grades
When I scout college players and project their NFL ceiling--I look at NFL traits.
NFL traits are individual skill sets that a player has which in turn can potentially translate into the NFL.
It’s imperative that I’m not overly critical when it comes to gap-containment due to college coaches teaching different techniques based on pre-to-post snap leverage/splits.
However, I look at the NFL traits and believe that Karlaftis has the NFL tool-set to thrive in the NFL as a premier “tweener.”
I graded three games of Karlaftis in 2021 & two games in 2020. In 2021 he had the following stats in my BWF grades:
3 missed run-fits
2 missed tackles vs run
1 penalty (offsides +5)
1.5 TFLs (-5)
4 QBP
3 QBH
1.5 sacks (-12)
What I love best about Karlaftis is his ability to be scheme-diverse. He can play in a 3-4 base as a two-point stance OLB or a 4-3 DE. He’s also not a one-trick pony.
In terms of being strong at the POA, he has that box checked. He often wins the box to spill game by leveraging his pre-snap splits to his advantage. The problem he has is not disengaging from the stack in a timely manner--leaving gap containment responsibility.
However, this can get cleaned up at the NFL level with good coaching. Let’s be honest, this is the time of year to nitpick college prospects. Go back and look at QB Kenny Pickett’s hand size and ILB Nakobe Dean’s height (5-11).
Everything is evaluated under a microscope. Fair or not.
Other than that--I really don’t see too many weaknesses in Karlaftis game. In fact, he is one of my favorite prospects in this upcoming EDGE class. Right behind, DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson and DE/OLB Jermaine Johnson.
Yes! You read that correctly. I even have Karlaftis ranked higher than DE/OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux. Go figure. Thibodeaux clearly has the higher upside based on HWS, but I like Karlaftis overall NFL traits more--the kicker being run-fit integrity.
Best fits/scheme fits:
I always eye roll when I see player’s mocked to a team that aren’t a SCHEME FIT. In order to understanding scheme-fit--again it comes down to game-film and understanding the coaching styles of each team.
You can’t learn this in a year or two and be accurate. It takes years upon years.
When it comes to Karlaftis--the top scheme-fits based on where he’s valued on draft boards in R1 include:
Scheme-fit: Jets, Texans, Ravens, Patriots, Cardinals
I have Karlaftis with a tail-end R1 grade in any given draft (25-30). If he falls to R2, he would be considered a Day 2 steal. Aside from teams mentioned in R1, look for:
Scheme-fit: Seahawks and Browns
***Now full disclaimer, scouts I spoke with suggest he is best suited for a 3-4 OLB scheme, and if I had to make a push for one scheme over the other…I would AGREE***
Team fit
We also need to look at team fit. The instant gratification vs long-term gains in bringing in a player has great implications for a franchise in it’s current state and 4-5 year outlook.
The teams mentioned above are both scheme fits & team fits and I’ll break down reasons why below:
Jets (R1 | No. 10)
Huge need for 4-3 DE “LEO”
2019 49ers DC Robert Saleh and Co. drafted DE Nick Bosa
Jets to hold private meeting with Karlaftis at Purdue
BW+ insider analysis: Hearing that if CB Derek Stingley & SS Kyle Hamilton are both off the board at 10, they will trade down & target DE George Karlaftis OR DE Jermaine Johnson in 15-25 range. If Karlaftis somehow slides into R2, they will make the pick atop R2 (No. 38).
Texans (R1 | No. 13)
Huge need for 4-3 DE
2012 Lovie Smith drafted DE Shea McClellin with similar skill set
2012 VPOP Nick Caserio drafted DE Chandler Jones with similar measurables
If Karlaftis falls into R2, HOU could take him at No. 37
Ravens (R1 | No. 14)
Huge need for 3-4 OLB
2021 GM Eric DeCosta drafted DE/OLB Odafe Oweh
Karlaftis gives me former Ravens DE/OLB Michael McCrary vibes
DeCosta’s last two R1 picks have come from BIG 10
Don’t tip hand with pre-draft visits and Karlafis hasn’t been discussed much in Baltimore (hide interest)
If Karlaftis falls into R2, BAL could take him at No. 45
Patriots (R1 | No. 21)
Huge need for strong-side DE
2012 HC Bill Belichick drafted DE Chandler Jones with similar measurables, ironically at pick No. 21
Based on my analytics, Karlaftis fits what Patriots look for in EDGE presence
Cardinals (R1 | No. 23)
Huge need for 3-4 OLB with Chandler Jones signing with Raiders
Cardinals scheduled pre-draft visit with Karlaftis
Cardinals attended Purdue Pro Day
GM Steve Keim drafted three linebackers in his last five R1 picks
Seahawks (R2 | No. 40 & No. 41)
New DC Clint Hurtt implements 3-4 base
Karlaftis would be a steal in R2 for any team and SEA has back-to-back picks
Seahawks need a 3-4 OLB to pair with OLB Uchenna Nwosu
Browns (R2 | No. 44)
Browns need replacement for DE Jadeveon Clowney
Browns could trade up for Karlaftis in tail-end R1 or top of R2
Browns have little to no depth at DE
Karlaftis is one of my favorite defensive players in this year’s draft class. He’s vastly underrated considering all the hype surrounding DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, DE/OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, and DT/DE/OLB Travon Walker.
Still, Karlaftis is a great value in tail-end of R1 (25-30) while being an instant plug-and-play rookie. Currently, the Jets and Cardinals have shown the most interest but don’t count out those other teams mentioned as they will surely have Karlaftis high on their board.
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I am more inclined to place karlaftis ahead of Thibs mainly because of Thibs seems like bigger risk plus Karlaftis motor is hard to teach. Karlaftis is also scheme diverse which helps teams coach up the defense making it harder to make in game adjustments since 3-4 and 4-3 are mostly base fronts now. I have heard great things about his pass rush moves and his ability to be a plug and play prospect. I think altho sacks are low but his win rate is impressive. He will be a good pro. I wouldn't mind the cardinals getting him if he is there at 23. My favorite is still Jermaine Johnson II tho. I will revisit this post after the draft If he falls to my cardinals