Brandon Staley revamped his defensive line last season, and continued to add to the depth of the group by drafting Boise State’s Scott Matlock. Matlock will compete for backup reps at the 5-tech defensive in in Brandon Staley’s 3-4 scheme with a good chance of making the 53-man roster. He did not generate consistent pressure in the backfield for the Broncos, but he showed traits that make him a good developmental prospect. Matlock lost both his parents before he made it to high school, and still managed to graduate with a 4-year degree, while still continuously keeping a focus on his football career.
Physical Metrics
Matlock measured in at 6’4, 304 pounds as a redshirt senior. In high school, he was an All-State tight end, offensive and defensive lineman before moving to defensive tackle/end full time in college. He played a little tight end in goal line situations and even caught two touchdowns. He was not invited to the NFL Combine, but he impressed at his pro day in speed and agility drills. He would have tested first among defensive tackles in 3-cone (7.20) and shuttle drills(4.27), showing off his great athleticism. He also added a 4.81 40-yard dash and put up 29 reps on bench press. For a sixth-round pick, Matlock has traits that can overcome his draft slot.
Statistics
2020
22 TKL | 4.5 TFL | 2 Sk
2021
41 TKL | 8.5 TFL | 7 Sk
1 FF | 2 FR
2022
49 TKL | 6.0 TFL | 2.5 Sk
Film Analysis
Matlock did not manage consistent backfield production in college. Statistically, he was underwhelming, but those athletic traits he possesses as a 5-technique shows there is positive room for improvement. As a pass rusher, Matlock plays with urgency and effort, generating 28 pressures last year, and 24 pressures in 2021. While he showed athleticism at the combine, and even as a tight end in the red zone, it did not always translate to his pass rush. He is slow in stunts, and he struggles to beat stronger interior defenders with power.
As a run defender, Matlock struggles to use his strength to dig into the ground. Most analysts believe there is room to grow and bulk further to help bring weight to strength. He gets walled off by reach blocks and struggles to disengage at times. For a smaller defensive tackle, Matlock needs to become a better technician with his hands to get off blocks in both the run and pass phases. There are times when he is quick to disengage and come up with tackles for a minimum gain, but he is streaky at best and needs to be more consistent. Also provides great pursuit, which shows the high motor and the want to chase down the ball carrier from the backside. PFF gave Matlock a 78.3 RBLK grade and credited him with 27 STOPs.
Matlock started every game over the last three seasons, showing that health is not a concern. He played across multiple spots for the Broncos last season with 285 snaps lined up over or outside the tackle, and 413 snaps lined up inside, primarily in the B gap. Matlock played on field goal block units and blocked three over his career. That will be his primary role to start his rookie year, but he has a lot that needs to be developed to become a dependable rotational interior pass rusher.
Expectations
Matlock is not a lock to make the initial 53-man roster, but there is a good chance he at least makes the practice squad. He will battle with Carlo Kemp and UDFA Jarrod Clark in training camp for a roster spot. Jarrod Clark was actually ranked higher by Dane Brugler in his defensive tackle rankings, so there will be a major battle between the two interior defenders, even though Clark projects more as a nose tackle while Matlock is more likely to play beside him. If Matlock does make the roster, his primary role will be as a reserve for his injury.
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