STRENGTHS
Quay reminds me a lot of Bills LB Tremaine Edwards. He is tall and lanky and extremely athletic. He has the type of size, speed, and overall athleticism that makes you think he can play any place in your defense front seven. Quay has the talent to play off the line of scrimmage and the size to be used on the line of scrimmage. His long arms will allow him to keep players off his body, shed, and make tackles. His long legs allow him to make ground up fast and be used in coverage against big slot receivers and Pass Catching Tight Ends. Because of Quay’s size, if you put Quay on the Edge and try to block him with a Tight End or a running back on passing downs, your quarterback will pay the price. Quay has excellent potential to be an impact player for the team that selects him.
CONCERNS
Quay needs more repetitions to develop his instincts. To do that he needs to be in a structured defense playing one position. That defense and position could be as an outside linebacker in a 4/3 Defense, or as an outside linebacker/edge rusher in a 3/4 Defense. The keyword here is OUTSIDE.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.00
Quay should not be forced to play in a 4/2/5 defense (Like Tremaine has been) because of his athleticism, size, speed, and big wingspan. Quay’s change of direction skills are good, but not good enough to cover, down the field, just because in a workout he might show the numbers that suggest otherwise. Tremaine struggles to be the “impact” player his talents suggest because he has been forced into a defense that demands to much responsibility from him. Quay can be an impact linebacker if the team that selects him doesn’t demand that he have too many responsibilities at the snap of the ball. Don’t misunderstand what I am suggesting. I’m not saying Quay is not smart enough to play multiple positions in multiple defenses. All I’m saying is, if you use his athletic talent all over the field it gets watered down. Think of it this way, when you’re on the field of battle do you prefer to have the choice of only a shield to protect yourself or only a spear to attack your enemy? Using Quay as an OLB is like having a spear. Using him as a cover linebacker in a 4/2/5 defense is like using him as a shield. You decide, personally, I always like taking the fight to the enemy instead of trying to shield myself from getting hurt. With his talent, don’t be surprised if Quay sneaks into the 1st Round.
