Max Llewellyn Scouting Report

Max Llewellyn has the ideal size to be an alignment-versatile edge rusher, providing valuable reps against the run and rushing the quarterback.

Draft Grade: Round 3 - Adequate Starter

Strengths:

Scheme Versatility: At 6-foot-6 and 258 pounds, Llewellyn has the overall size to be a scheme-versatile player, being able to align in a 4-3 scheme or a 3-4 scheme. Llewellyn can play on the perimeter as an edge rusher or be reduced down inside in specific packages to create advantageous opportunities for himself and the defense.

Run Defense: Llewellyn shows himself to be a technically sound run defender on the perimeter. He does a good job of coming off the football, setting the edge, and shooting his hands; he can either quickly disengage from blockers to get to the ball carrier, or he can set a firm edge to force the track of the ball carrier back inside, setting a good foundational edge for the defense back into the flow of his teammates. Llewellyn can also use quickness to shoot gaps to get upfield penetration and make plays in the backfield.

Hand Usage: Llewellyn appears to be advanced in hand combat in both the run game and as a pass rusher. In the run game, Llewellyn is able to quickly use two-hand swipe maneuvers. He’s able to punch and disengage quickly, striking offensive linemen to free himself to get to ball carriers. In pass rushing, Llewellyn has an array of pass-rush hand counters that he properly and effectively executes to free his hands and get upfield penetration to get pressure on the quarterback.

Concerns:

Reactionary Athleticism: When having to react to a change of direction in the flow of a play—whether that’s retracing his steps, tracking the quarterback, or changing direction with the flow of a running play toward the ball carrier—Llewellyn appears to be average at planting his foot in the ground and quickly redirecting. Llewellyn appears to be a "one-flow" player; once his momentum is taking him in one direction, it is hard for him to plant, recover, and then accelerate to close in on the ball carrier or the quarterback.

Power Rushes: While Llewellyn has advanced hand mechanics in his pass rush, there are reps where he cannot convert speed to power, which would help his ability to overwhelm offensive tackles. It leaves Llewellyn in a position where he can only use hand counters, which allows offensive linemen to just play the speed element of his pass rush without having to be concerned about a power rush.