In the NFL Draft, the cliches are standard. Players drafted in the 1st round are generally the “top guy on our board” and/or “the guy we really wanted.” While in the 2nd round, they go to things like “we couldn’t believe he was still available,” or “we graded him as a 1st rounder.” The 7th round is “taking a flier.” All the other rounds are about getting the “sleeper” and “value” picks.
That is the feeling for 49ers fans after getting Scott McKillop in the 5th round.
Our initial reaction after giving McKillop’s credentials the quick eye test was there is nothing particularly impressive about this pick, but that changed after closer inspection and what we had to hear around the building today from Niners insiders and other analysts about what this scrappy guy brings to the table. He was ultra-productive at a big-time college program, and while that doesn’t always translate to NFL success for an inside linebacker, McKillop is a guy who can get to the football and seems to fit in with what the 49ers are trying to accomplish defensively. He’s a sell-out performer who can help on special teams and has potential to eventually be the guy that’s lining up regularly next to Patrick Willis in the middle of San Francisco’s 3-4 defense.
That seems to be the theme. The eventual replacement for Takeo Spikes after a year or so on special teams.
As mentioned in the last blog, he’s a tackling maniac who won’t wow anyone in practice, but he’s nearly 250 pounds and could be the perfect replacement for Takeo Spikes.
The cracker jack 49ers public relations staff just had McKillop on a conference. He sounded earnest and excited. McKillop was a special teams standout for the Panthers before becoming a starter at middle linebacker in their 4-3 defense.
Here’s the transcript from the conference call.
RE: Did you play much special teams at Pitt?
“Yes. Actually my first two years at the University of Pittsburgh I backed up H.B. Blades, who’s at the Washington Redskins now. So that was basically my niche in the team was playing kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return. Actually at Pitt, I’m our backup long-snapper.”
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RE: This is obviously a 3-4 [defense]. What about the transition there? What do you expect?“I’m looking forward to the challenge. I think that I’m a very smart player. I think that I can pick up well on new defenses and I’m looking forward to getting there as soon as possible, being a film rat and just trying to study and learn the defense and special teams as well. I’m really excited about that. That was the first thing that opened eyes here at the University of Pittsburgh was special teams: making plays and just trying to get my name recognized for helping out the team.”
RE: Where do you see yourself fitting in here as a rookie?
“I’m looking forward to making the team. Nothing is guaranteed. I’m looking forward to contributing on special teams. I know a lot of people say that they love special teams but I truly do love special teams. I didn’t play at all my first two years and all I was was special teams and that’s where I first made a name for myself. If they need some depth at any linebacker position, I’d be more than willing to help out. But there are a bunch of great linebackers that are already there. I’d just be willing to help them out [by] any means necessary.”
The 49er coach Mike Singletary spoke a bit about the pick.
RE: Earlier in the fifth round, you took [Scott] McKillop. Were you thinking [Nate] Davis possibly there?
“We were hoping he was there. When we did it that way, we looked at the linebacker situation and realized that [McKillop] had some real value as a long snapper as well. Something that we needed. The other thing – he would really help us on special teams. And, he’s a pretty decent linebacker as well. So felt very good about the fact that he was there. So we’re looking at two players that we really didn’t feel would be there at that particular pick.”
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RE: Does [Scott] McKillop project to be a Ted linebacker? Is that the plan to have him play?
“Ted or Mike, it depends but I think he’s flexible. I think that he’s one of those guys that could do either. I know he’s a very bright guy and when you watch him play, he can play either Ted or Mike. We’ll see how it goes.”RE: Will he challenge Jeff Ulbrich for a spot on the roster?
“He’s going to challenge everybody. When he comes in there’s competition everywhere I wouldn’t just say ‘Well, he’s going to challenge Jeff Ulbrich.’ We just want the best guys on the field so in my mind everybody out there, whether it’s Jeff Ulbrich or whomever it might be if we brought another linebacker in, it’s just a matter of how the numbers work out. But the competition has to be there and we’ll go from there.”
Good luck to Scott McKillop out in San Francisco.
