04/30/2012 - A closer look at the Browns' drafts: Round 6/204 - Emmanuel Acho, LB, 6-1, 238, Texas...Acho led the Longhorns with 131 tackles and had 14.5 tackles for loss in 2011. He plays outside linebacker. - The Sports Xchange
Emmanuel had been in his brother Sam's shadow since high school, but with the former Texas defensive end in the National Football League (fourth-round pick in 2011), Emmanuel got his chance to shine for the Longhorns in 2011, when he was named first-team All-Big 12 with a team-best 131 tackles, including 19 for loss, three sacks and 18 quarterback pressure.
Acho has the same strong character and production his brother did, and his athleticism and versatility should make him a mid-round pick for 4-3 teams as a chase, second-level defender. Multiple first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection. Missed three games due to knee injury in 2008. Had surgery on his hip before 2010 spring practice.
Acho has the same strong character and production his brother did coming into last year's draft process, but Sam fell a bit in the draft because scouts weren't sure if his best NFL fit was as a 4-3 end or 3-4 linebacker. There's no question with Emmanuel, whose athleticism and versatility should make him a top 100 pick for 4-3 teams as a chase second-level defender.
Analysis
Read & React: Intelligent player who can play mike linebacker despite his lack of size because of his instincts and ability to find the ball in traffic. Reads quarterbacks' eyes and reacts quickly to targets in zone coverage.
Run defense: Best on the edge, bends around the tackle to stop backs before they get to the hole, forces off-tackle plays inside, and uses his speed to cut off plays to the sideline. Wiggles through creases to find the ball inside, though, and can stand up backs in the hole. Often avoids lineman blocks to survive between the tackles, which gives backs running lanes, but will stiff-arm lineman to stay free on some plays.
Pass defense: Athletic enough to stay with running backs out of the backfield, though he will jump at hesitation routes. Lines up against slot receivers, needs to get a hand on them at the line to keep up down the seam. Knocks receivers running crosses off their route within five-yard area. Adept at knocking down passes with good hand-eye coordination but needs to create the turnover more often. Caught with the eyes in the backfield at times, has recovery speed to get back into plays in the flat if a step late. Drops into zones while keeping an eye on underneath routes, also aware of crossers behind him.
Tackling: Reliable open field tackler, wrapping up ballcarriers and at times throwing them to the ground with aggression. Adds himself to piles and churns his legs to push back ballcarriers from getting the extra yard. Strong backs can run through his tackle attempts, though, if he's not in position. Occasionally overruns plays due to aggressive nature.
Pass Rush/Blitz: Displays some ability here, though he's not regularly used in this capacity. Closes quickly off the edge and is reliable in wrapping up quarterbacks in the backfield. Hesitates when facing running back blocks, tries to shimmy past instead of exploding into them or moving the blocker with his hands.
Intangibles: Excellent character and work ethic. Multiple first-team Academic All-Big 12 selections. Parents born in Nigeria. His middle name, Cinedum, means "God guides me." Missed three games due to knee injury in 2008. Had surgery on his hip before spring 2010 practices.
--Chad Reuter
