He wouldn't be a bad pick up as an undrafted FA! Height: 6'4" Weight: 265 lbs Position: DE/OLB Speed: 4.8 Scouting Report... Strengths: A gifted athlete with good NFL bloodlines. Is the brother of former Washington State Cougar Defensive Tackle Rien Long, who won the Outland Trophy as the Nation's top interior linemen in 2002. Rien has since moved on to the Tennessee Titans, where he has had marginal success, and it is now Devan's turn to try his luck in the NFL Draft. Devan is a solid athlete with nice size who arrived at Oregon having only played Tight End and Linebacker in high school. Is an extremely tough player who plays with a non-stop motor and is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback. Also has the ability to make plays on the run in the backfield as shown by his 45.5 Career Tackles For Loss, which is an Oregon record. Is an agile defender who has active hands and a nice array of moves that he uses to help get past opposing linemen. Devan is also a disciplined player who rarely bites on play fakes and is rarely, if ever, caught out of position. Is a solid tackler from the End position and rarely misses tackles or sacks. Is a hard worker who has improved his technique and strength each season at Oregon. Due to his experience as a linebacker, the transition to Special Teams won't be hard for him and has openly said that he wants to play Special Teams at the next level. Is an experienced player who has worked hard to get in this position and must continue to do so at the next level in order to have any type of long-term career. Weaknesses: Despite being an above average athlete for the position, Long lacks great straight-line speed and quickness off the ball. When he doesn't get the initial step on the tackle, he can be contained. Although he is listed at 265, he has had problems while at Oregon with keeping weight on. He usually starts the season off weighing around 260 but loses 10 or so pounds throughout the course of the season. Will need to keep this weight on at the next level or else he becomes a tweener. Has merely average strength and struggles with run plays directed towards him. Lacks great range but will make up for it with his intensity and hustle. Long is still raw in terms of technique and although he has come a long way since his freshman year, he still has a lot to learn in order to have success against the athletic Tackles he will face in the NFL. At times, he can get tired due to the fact that he goes all out on every play and when this happens he has the tendency to play too high thus taking away all of his leverage. Has only has marginal upside. Overall: A classic overachiever who doesn't have ideal physical tools but finds a way to get the job done. A limited prospect but the type that you hate to doubt. He would be great coming off the bench due to his non-stop hustle and work ethic. Has merely average size and speed and may get overpowered by stronger players at the next level. Has above average athleticism but lacks great timed speed. Good player in pursuit who set the Oregon record for Tackles For Loss. Has solid pass rush skills and has shown the ability to get after the quarterback. Is still a bit raw when it comes to technique, but good coaching should take care of this. His high energy and non-stop motor will be welcomed by any team.
He might be able to make an NFL team, but I don't know. He was always good but never completely dominated games, he gives you the feeling that he's not as thletic as he is when you watch him.
