Forrest Merrill DT Arkansas State | NFL Draft 2021 Scouting Report

Strengths

• Girth and wide-body size with a strong upper and lower body. Extremely strong with the raw power to overwhelm blockers at the point of attack.
• Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands.
• Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase.
• Provides some secondary interior pass rush, getting most penetration when playing three technique.
• Has the upper-body strength to rock his opponent back onto his heels.

Weaknesses

• Might be limited to one-gap systems. Agility isn't a question but misses tackles when he doesn't square and break down.
• Isn't able to consistently shed blocks and makes plays in the hole.
• Appears to have only average arm length, and ballcarriers too often are able to shield him with a stiff-arm.
• Good strength, though his marginal arm length limits his ability to grab hold of ballcarriers as they run by.
• Lacks closing speed and inconsistent quickness off the snap prevents him from being an elite pass rusher.

How other scouting services rate Forrest Merrill (Overall Rank)