New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell with the 29th pick (169 overall) in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

OVERVIEW
A tall, yet lean, and muscular athlete with very little body fat, Powell returned triumphantly in 2013. Unfortunately for the strong-side linebacker, most of his team-mates succumbed to the “injury bug” last season, with fourteen projected starters missing considerable playing time. That led to a 4-8 season and Florida watching bowl games on television rather that customarily playing in one.
In three seasons at Florida, he has recorded 83 tackles, getting to the quarterback 12 times (10 solos/two assists) along with recording 28 tackles behind the line of scrimmage (16 solos/12 assists). Of his 11 quarterback pressures, three caused interceptions and four others resulted in incomplete passes on third-down plays.

The Moreno Valley, California native was regarded as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com during his senior season at Rancho Verde High School, where he played defensive end, linebacker and tight end. That recruiting service considered him to be the nation’s best weak-side defensive end and placed him at the top of their California Top 100 and Rivals 100 national lists. He also received a five-star grade and was ranked the best overall defensive end in the prep ranks by Scout.com.

During Powell’s senior season, he totaled over 80 tackles, 13 sacks, 28 tackles for losses on defense, while averaging over 15 yards per catch on offense. He was named a High School All-American by USA Today, Parade, and EA Sports. He was selected to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and earned MVP honors, in addition to being a finalist for the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award.

Powell would travel cross country to play college football, signing his national letter-of-intent to become a Florida Gator on January 9th, 2010. As a true freshman, he paid immediate dividends as a gunner on special teams, also earning his only starting assignment vs. Appalachian State at strong-side outside linebacker. He finished his first varsity season with 25 tackles that included one sack among his three stops-for-loss.
Trying to capitalize on Powell’s quickness and backfield penetration skills, he was moved to the “Buck” linebacker position as a sophomore. In 11 contests, he delivered 32 tackles, getting to the quarterback for six sacks, as two of his three QB pressures resulted in interceptions. He also finished fourth on the squad with nine tackles-for-loss.

Powell returned top action in 2013 and was one of the team’s few bright spots. Due to injuries, he often shuttled between the “Buck” and strong-side outside linebacker positions last season. He only collected 26 tackles, but did his most damage in the opposing backfield, collecting four sacks with seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage and eight quarterback pressures.

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He may or may not amount to anything, but I really like the pick. Lots of upside and untapped potential imo. Very highly recruited player coming out of high school.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Hopefully he can stay somewhat healthy. Looks like a player.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Developmental at best... practice squad material.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

I really don't expect to contribute anywhere immediately... even on special teams. But if he's motivated and Ryan can coach him to his potential, he can be a good player.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

OK.... but that could also mean UDFA.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Was the #1 recruit in the country coming out of high school. He has very good talent, just a matter of him staying healthy and committed to getting better.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Naw too much untapped talent. We were at the end of the 5th already. It's a fitting spot.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

He was projected going in rounds 4 - 6, so in the 5th is acceptable

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Well its pretty apparent we aren't standing pat on the #4 defensive ranking.

Most of these guys will be special teams standouts at worst.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Perhaps the beginning of a transition from Brees as a Saints QB.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Could be a GEM if he can stay healthy.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

never returned to form last year after the knee injury

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

True Dat but he's had another year to build strength in his knee. I'm pulling for him........just like every other Saint.:bng:

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

His Highlight films are amazing. But then comes his downfall. Staying on the field

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

2014 NFL Draft: 10 players teams will regret passing on - NFL.com

Ronald Powell, LB, Florida

Drafted: Saints, 169th overall (5th round)
Analysis: Injuries are a big factor with Powell, but when he was healthy at Florida he showed he can be an impact player on defense. His flexibility in playing either end or outside linebacker is a plus, and he is one of the more athletic players you'll find for his size. A former No. 1 recruit, he still needs some time to develop since he doesn't have a ton of snaps under his belt, but he has all the potential to turn into a Pro Bowler for Rob Ryan.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

you know for the risks involved this maybe a solid pick. i am warming up to the idea but the knee still worries me. i hope they got it right this time and Powell skipped any accelerated rehab.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

He's just the type of player Rob Ryan likes. Versatile. Can put his hand down and rush off the edge as a DE or stand up and pressure the QB.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

He seems a bit light to put his hand down, but as a stand up OLB he looks good.

I think I read where Powell will make a good WILL and the Fortt kid will make a good SAM or MIKE.

As someone mentioned earlier, you wanted LB's with some more speed, you got it.

Re: New Orleans Saints draft Florida LB Ronald Powell in fifth round
 

Or as I keep saying, perhaps it's the beginning of the transition to PAYING Drew Brees once his cap numbers start to go up.

Every single one of these picks or UDFAs this year, that are diamonds in the rough or borderline quasi-damaged goods...they're risky players, and people here don't like this one or that one -- they come with attitude problems, injuries, marginal stats, didn't try hard enough, they have bum raps with the scouts...almost every single one of them except Cooks, has something like this to him, SOME flaw or problem.

But THESE are the guys that are going to come CHEAP, cheaper than a well known, well-scouted UDFA with a standup record and stats. A guy like that, well known, with good numbers, you almost have to throw him an extra fifty or sixty thousand above league minimum, to be competitive.... it is what it is.

Because of these players' obvious flaws, Loomis is able to sit down with each and every one of them, and haggle them down in price, to absolute rock bottom. And if you don't like it kid, go back to driving the truck or bouncing at the bar, because no one else is looking at them.

THEN by doing this a bunch of times, by shaving $50,000, $100,000, $200,000 here or a little $30,000 there, off each of their contracts, that ALL ADDS UP to more cap room for Brees and Graham. They are literally nickle and diming on these smaller players. This is the future. This is how it's gonna be from now on. Mark my words.