Check out who Walterfootball compares Hightower to...

http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2012dhightower.php

Hightower is one of the freak athletes in terms of size and speed in the 2012 NFL Draft. The massive linebacker is a rare specimen who has the quickness and agility to be able to play in space. Most players who are Hightower's size are forced to move to defensive end and don't have the athleticism to play linebacker. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Hightower showed how unique he is with a 40-yard dash time at 4.62 seconds.

Throughout his career at Alabama, Hightower was a tough, in-the-box defender. He provided some splash plays while also serving as a core player against the run. Unlike many linebackers, Hightower has the strength and bulk to shed blocks. As a junior in 2011, Hightower had 85 tackles with 11 tackles for a loss, four sacks, one interception and three passes batted away this season. He had a dominant game against Tennessee and played well versus LSU. Hightower blocked a field goal against Georgia Southern, and it looked like he was spiking a volleyball.

A season-ending knee injury cost Hightower the majority of the 2009 campaign. He came back in 2010 but was clearly not over the injury, as he was much faster in 2011. He showed his versatility by rushing the passer from the edge on some passing downs. He is a tough blizer who should contribute as a pass rusher.

There have been some questions if Hightower is a three-down player in the pass-driven NFL. He doesn't have the sideline-to-sideline speed to cover the field and get deep in zone drops, thus he shouldn't be used in that manner. Hightower would be better utilized rushing the passer on third down rather than dropping back in coverage. There is little doubt that he should be a real force against the run in the NFL. He is a powerful player who will be a tough defender in the tackle box.

Hightower would be best in a 3-4 defense. He does not fit many 4-3 defenses because of his pass coverage. Hightower looks like a late-first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Player Comparison: Levon Kirkland. Hightower's game is reminiscent of Kirkland's. Both are massive linebackers who have surprising athleticism for their size. Kirkland had a very good NFL career, including nine years with Pittsburgh, followed by one year each with the Seahawks and Eagles. Kirkland (6-1, 275) was a Pro Bowl linebacker who was a big, physical in the box presence. Hightower may not turn out to be as effective in pass coverage as Kirkland was, but he should bring a lot of the same style of play to his NFL team.

 

to be a true first round talent , he should be able to stop the pass as effective as the run. while like levon because of size, the writer also keeps saying not at that level against the pass and better against the run then the pass overall. to me he's like putting woodley at ilb. yea woodley can stop the run and is good at blitzing and ok against the pass, but it's just not his strongest suite.

 

I've said before, if he didn't have any holes in his game he'd be going top 10. I've seen Farrior get embarrassed in coverage plenty too... Plus I think that's a strong suit of Timmons so let him cover the middle.

His main responsibility isn't going to be covering the pass, and he can improve.

 

Yeah I posted this in the Hightower thread below yesterday. And thats the one thing I worry about him to is being so big and not great in coverage...while he may not need to cover...it doesnt mean it wont happen. I dunno...I still think I'd rather have a mid round ILB over him.

 

You say that, but Hightower is the only guy I see as being there and not a reach. If you look at how our mock went (and I think in round 1 it was pretty reasonable), Hightower was the only guy left that made sense.

Now a trade down is possible. If we could pick up a couple extra picks in round 2-3 I'd be all over it but you've gotta find a partner. If we stay put Hightower would be the BPA, that fills a big need, and the slot makes sense for him.

 

Yeah I know what you mean...plus the other thing i hate having so much money in the LBers too. But yeah I'd rather trade back some and pick up some extra 2/3/4's or whatever.

 

CAN HE COVER?

 

With the Steelers playing a 2-4 nickel they need a big guy in the box. Timmons is fast let him roam.