Alex Reno

Special to Detroit Free Press

It’s no secret the Detroit Lions are thin along the defensive line. So far this off-season, they’ve re-signed defensive tackles Tyrunn Walker and Haloti Ngata, while also adding former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Wallace Gilberry in free agency.

While it was important to lock up their starters on the interior for another year, there is no clear improvement at any position along the D-line. Jason Jones, who started opposite of Ezekiel Ansah last year, remains a free agent and the Lions are looking to fill that void, as well as add some much needed depth.

Our next film series piece highlights one of the most versatile and underrated D-line prospects in this year’s NFL Draft: Appalachian State defensive end Ronald Blair.

Blair is not quite a household name, but his game tape is fantastic and some draftniks are beginning to jump on the bandwagon and call him a Day 2 prospect.

Let’s take a closer look at Blair’s game film and focus on why he’d be a perfect fit for the Lions’ defense.

Run stuffer

Blair is one of the most efficient and dominant run defenders in this year’s class. In 2015, he tallied 50 defensive stops and earned a position-high 13.8 run stop percentage via Pro Football Focus. Blair didn’t face many Power-five teams while at Appalachian State, but his dominating performance vs. Clemson in 2015 proved he can hang with NFL talent.

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Blair set up camp in Clemson’s backfield and ended the day with eight tackles (two for a loss) and two sacks. In the play above, he gets a decent jump off the snap and stays low so that he can gain leverage by getting underneath the right tackle’s pads.

I was very impressed with Blair’s ability to not only to shed tackles, but disengage at the perfect moment to make a play on the ball carrier. This play does a wonderful job of showing Blair’s awareness in the run game. He’s constantly keeping his head up with his eye’s locked onto the ball carrier at all times.

Versatility

Blair, who was measured at 6 feet 2, 284 pounds at the NFL Combine, may be listed as a DE, but I believe his best position in the NFL may be on the interior. The fact that he can win at multiple positions and in a variety of ways raises his stock tremendously.

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This play focuses on a couple different traits that I admire about Blair. When lined up on the interior, he wins with his quickness off the snap and loves to go to his patented arm-over swim move. Despite not finishing the play, he’s able to draw a holding call.

But what I truly love about this particular play is Blair’s high motor and effort level. He might look like a drunken fool chasing a dollar on a string, but in that moment, the only thing on his mind is getting to the quarterback, and he’s not the type of guy that’s going to give up on a play.

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There’s that quick arm-over move again. This time, Blair lines up in the 0-technique over the center and ends up with yet another tackle for a loss against Clemson. Is there anything this man can’t do?

I’m glad you asked.

The flaws

Though Blair shows flashes as a pass rusher from the interior, he’s not as fortunate when asked to do so as an edge rusher. In fact, when asked to rush the passer from the outside, his pass rushing moves consist of: bull rush, bull rush and bull rush.

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In the play above, Blair actually gets a solid jump off the snap, but his lack of explosion and stiff hips make it nearly impossible for him to beat tackles around the edge. His best chance at getting to the quarterback is by beating guards with his quickness.

One last concern I have with Blair is his leverage and pad level inconsistencies. He’ll start the play off low, exhibiting perfect bend, but gets too lazy and allows his pad level to rise, leaving his chest exposed. Here’s an example:

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In this play, Blair times the snap well and gets a great jump on the ball, but immediately allows his pad level to get too high and turns perpendicular to the ball. These are the type of mishaps that will completely remove him from the play and make him a liability. Blair must work on keeping his pads low if he wants to be a consistent threat in the NFL.

Pro comparison

Blair is such a unique talent that I find it difficult to make a direct pro comparison for him. To give a familiar comparison, think of him as a Jason Jones minus three inches in height, with the potential to make a much larger impact as both a run defender and pass rusher.

Bottom line

Blair would be a perfect fit in Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin’s 4-3 under scheme. In all likelihood, Blair would fill Jason Jones’ old role as the closed DE opposite of Ezekiel Ansah (open DE), with the ability to kick inside and play defensive tackle if need be.

As a closed end on the strong side of the field (where the tight end is normally lined up), Blair will play most of his snaps lined up in the five-technique on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle. This was a position he was very comfortable with at App. State. In this role, Blair has two gaps he’s responsible for (B and C) and his main job is to stuff the run. That plays perfectly into his strengths.

If Blair is on the board when the Lions are on the clock at the end round three (No. 95 overall), he’d be an absolute steal.

Alex Reno is a staff writer for SB Nation's Detroit Lions blog: Pride of Detroit. He has been studying and writing about the NFL Draft since 2013.

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