Aaron Maybin DE/OLB 6'4 249 4.88 Penn St.

Maybin redshirted his first season on campus, then flashed his big play potential as a freshman in 2007. In reserve action, he tallied 12 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and four sacks. Maybin broke out as a sophomore, earning various All American honors after finishing the year with 49 tackles, 20 for loss, and 12 sacks on the year.

Strengths

Maybin is as explosive a pass rusher as there is in this draft. He is a great athlete, with a tremendous burst off the line. He has the agility to change direction and get past the tackle, and the speed to close once he has his sights set on the quarterback. Maybin’s playmaking ability should project well in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He is active and will battle to make plays in the running game. He is a hard worker and there is no reason for his progress to stop once he reaches the pro level.

Weaknesses

Maybin is very young and needs a lot of work. Aside from just one season of experience as a starter, he is just three years removed from high school. He has a lean frame and must put on weight to reach his potential. His impact as a rookie may be limited to pass rushing situations, because he lacks the strength and power to hold up at the point of attack against the run.

Future

Maybin could have used another year in college, if only to gain more weight at a natural pace. His lean frame could limit him as a rookie and his team may need to have some patience for him to develop into an all around player. His athleticism and pass rush ability should translate early, but he will be a situational player. Maybin had a solid combine, surprising some by checking in at 249 and still looking fluid in drills. His 4.88 40 left something to be desired but his potential is through the roof, and he is still in contention for a selection in the top 20 picks in April.