beware_d-ware
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If I had to sell Karlaftis, I'd focus on his metrics.
Rotoworld did a study last year of what Combine drills correlate to success for certain positions. For "big" edge rushers (270+ lbs), the most predictive tests were broad jumps and vertical jumps. Karlaftis smashed both.
The takeaway is, you want to target a "big" end with at least a 37" vert and 9'3" broad. Karlaftis had a 38" vert (insane) and a 10'3" broad (insane), so he checks the measurables boxes.
As far as production, you generally want to see D linemen who get at least 1 TFL per game during their senior season. Karlaftis didn't quite make that (10 TFLs in 12 games this year), but his career as a whole was very productive, as CalPolyTechnique showed above. I would pass him on production... you want to see if a guy is beating blocks and making plays, and Karlaftis has been able to do that.
Overall, he's a guy who checks the right predictive boxes.
Rotoworld did a study last year of what Combine drills correlate to success for certain positions. For "big" edge rushers (270+ lbs), the most predictive tests were broad jumps and vertical jumps. Karlaftis smashed both.
Edge Rushers (At least 270 lbs)
Combine Tests That Matter: Vertical, Broad Jump (kinda), Speed Score (kinda)
I was surprised to see that the agility tests (three cone and short shuttle) held zero predictive value for big edge rushers, but luckily there is a little signal in the burst tests. Elite vertical jump scores have been helpful over the last decade plus, specifically verticals of 37 inches and above. The target for the broad jump is 115 inches and above, but it’s a pretty weak correlation to be honest. Because there’s not as much signal for big edge rushers, I’d try to target these smaller speed rushers on Day 1.
https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/article/combine-breakdown/which-combine-tests-matter-position?page=1
Combine Tests That Matter: Vertical, Broad Jump (kinda), Speed Score (kinda)
I was surprised to see that the agility tests (three cone and short shuttle) held zero predictive value for big edge rushers, but luckily there is a little signal in the burst tests. Elite vertical jump scores have been helpful over the last decade plus, specifically verticals of 37 inches and above. The target for the broad jump is 115 inches and above, but it’s a pretty weak correlation to be honest. Because there’s not as much signal for big edge rushers, I’d try to target these smaller speed rushers on Day 1.
https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/article/combine-breakdown/which-combine-tests-matter-position?page=1
The takeaway is, you want to target a "big" end with at least a 37" vert and 9'3" broad. Karlaftis had a 38" vert (insane) and a 10'3" broad (insane), so he checks the measurables boxes.
As far as production, you generally want to see D linemen who get at least 1 TFL per game during their senior season. Karlaftis didn't quite make that (10 TFLs in 12 games this year), but his career as a whole was very productive, as CalPolyTechnique showed above. I would pass him on production... you want to see if a guy is beating blocks and making plays, and Karlaftis has been able to do that.
Overall, he's a guy who checks the right predictive boxes.
