Prospect Profile: DE Bjöern Werner - Florida State

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Name: Bjöern Werner
Height: 6'-4" (1.93 m)
Weight: 273 lbs. (123.8 kgs., that's 'kilograms', not 'kegs' Raider fans)
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Date of Birth: August 30, 1990 (22 years old)
High School: Sailisbury School (Salisbury, Connecticut)
German Football: Played for German Adler before moving to The United States.



Florida State Statistics:
2012 (Jr.): 40 total tackles (28 solo), 18.0 TFLs, 13.0 sacks, 7.0 PBUs, 7.0 PDs, 5 QBHs, 1 FF and 1 FR


2011 (So.): 37 total tackles (25 solo), 11.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, 1 INT, 8 PBUs, 9 PDs, 8 QBHs, 1 FF and 2 FRs

2010 (Fr.): 20 total tackles (14 solo), 6.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 PD, 1 FF

Junior Year (2012) Highlights:














Sophomore Year (2011) Highlights:






Berlin Adler (2007) Highlights:



Positives:
- Very good hand use
- Stout at the point of attack
- Quality run defender
- Extremely quick first step, strong edge speed rusher
- Closes quickly on Quarterbacks
- High motor, finishes plays with a mean streak
- Good agility, can catch backs down the line from behind
- Combination of speed/strength
- Can overpower blind side tackles, and sprint by front side tackles

Needs to work on:
- Consistent pad level from play to play
- Development of different pass moves
- Adding bulk for 3-4 DE looks in the NFL

Ideal fit for 4-3 DE system

Accolades and NFL Draft Outlook:
2012 CBS Sports 1st Team All-American at DE
2012 Athlon Sports 1st Team All-American at DE
2012 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
1st Team DE ACC (alongside teammate Cornelius Carradine)
Named one of three 2011 Team Defensive MVPs
2011 Capitol One CoSIDA Academic All-District

Projects as a Top 20 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft currently.  Werner can solidify himself in the Top 8 picks if he interviews well and shows his overall athleticism for NFL scouts.  The biggest and most important thing for Werner is his outstanding game tape.  A true football player with instincts and explosion when the pads are on.

Oakland Raider GM Reggie McKenzie has recently stated the following in an Oakland Tribune interview with Steve Corkran:  "Two things _ I want to win up front, and that’s on both sides of the ball, with the big boys, but also I want to somehow affect the quarterback position and that’s by with good coverage, and corners and a free safety that’s going to pick ‘em off, or with somebody hitting them upside the head.  Pass rush. A good push up the middle and somebody he’s going to be scared of. We’re going try and get, guys, we’re going to try and upgrade at a lot of positions, depth-wise, and get some impact players. That’s going to be on me."

Werner certainly fits the bill.  We'll see what direction Reggie goes this April.