NFL Draft Profile: Virginia OLB Max Valles

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As part of our coverage leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft we will provide profiles of 200 prospects, including what the scouts around the league are saying and video interviews with each player.

Max Valles (OLB), Virginia

6’5” | 251 lbs.

2014 stats:

55 tackles, 12.5 TFL, 9 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FF

Projection:

4th-5th round

What scouts are saying:

"Redshirt sophomore who relies solely on his outstanding athleticism and physical tools rather than an understanding of how to play the game. If Valles can improve his football intelligence while becoming a more skilled pass rusher, then he should be able to unlock his starter's traits and become a quality NFL edge player. In the short term, Valles will require patience and might not be much of a factor in Year 1." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

"Extremely raw. In need of more experience and more coaching. Shows very little instinct as a defensive end or linebacker and takes longer than desired to process what he sees. Won't always pursue the ball carrier with revved motor. Florida State tight end Nick O'Leary kept him blocked all game long. Lack of instincts and feel prevents him from utilizing proper footwork and angles to attempt tackles at times. Sack total skewed. Vast majority of sacks did not come with a win against a tackle." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

Fit for the Bears:

The amount of linebackers on the Bears roster (especially after moving some defensive ends to 3-4 OLB) makes it hard to believe that Ryan Pace will add too much more depth at the position in the draft, unless there's an elite pass rusher available at No. 7. Valles could be an interesting option in the later rounds because of his athletic ability. But the former Cavalier is very raw and would need to take somewhat of a "redshirt" year to develop. Valles isn't completely off the Bears radar but he's a project the Bears may not want to take in the middle rounds. 

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