Bjoern

Werner

Werner had his hand on the ground at various points during practice, but he’s expected to make a strong push for a starting role at outside linebacker as the long-term replacement for Dwight Freeney. “He’s really an athletic football player. He can bend. He’s got first-step explosion,” said head coach Chuck Pagano. Werner’s IDP value is limited with a linebacker designation.

Werner was a defensive end for Florida State. “He doesn’t make many mental (mistakes), so we’re going to keep throwing stuff at him and use him in a bunch of different roles,” Pagano said. “He can be effective not only in the run game, but when we get to third down, he’s going to be a hard guy to block.” Werner should still see snaps with his hand in the dirt, but it’s clear the Colts aren’t going to be shy about rushing him off the edge. We’re not so sure it’s a role he will thrive in.

The slow time reduces the chances that he’ll be looked at by 3-4 teams as an outside linebacker. Werner is more of a short-yardage burst player who racks up plenty of sacks, but he isn’t viewed as a “special” player. He still has a shot of going in the top-ten.

Often compared to Chris Long -- both are 4-3 left ends -- Werner weighed in at the exact same height as the Rams’ star pass rusher and just six pounds lighter. Opinions of late have seemed more mixed on Werner, with NFL Network’s Mike Mayock and Daniel Jeremiah both calling him unworthy of a top-ten pick.

“He’s good, but I don’t see the special in him,” the first scout said. “Kind of a try-hard, good football player but nothing special.” Remarked the second pro scout of German-born Werner, “He’s not a dynamic pass rusher but he seems to get sacks. He comes off the ball hard but he’s not special.”

Cole specifically mentions Florida State’s Bjoern Werner as a target, and says the highest the Falcons can “probably” trade up to is No. 22 or 23 overall. Atlanta currently holds the 30th pick. Another defensive end target for the Falcons could be Werner’s teammate at Florida State, Tank Carradine.

Werner (6-foot-3 1/4, 266) earned 2012 ACC Defensive Player of the Year by leading the ‘Noles in tackles for loss (18) and sacks (13), also batting down eight passes. Werner is not the explosive edge rusher his stats suggest, and ran 4.83 at the Combine with a 9-foot-3 broad jump. Hyped as a top-five pick early in the draft process, Werner’s tape and motor were inconsistent upon further review. He’s unlikely to be a double-digit sack threat in the pros. We don’t particularly love the fit in the 3-4 for Werner, but he did go through outside ‘backer drills at the Combine and Pro Day. He’ll rush the passer opposite Robert Mathis.

The quick “doubtful” tag suggests the Colts’ medical staff fears Werner has a serious injury. Erik Walden and Robert Mathis are the starting outside ‘backers. A rookie, Werner was the 24th overall pick in April’s draft.

Indy may be regretting its preseason trade of Caesar Rayford right about now. The 24th pick in April’s draft, Werner managed a half-sack and five tackles in Indy’s first four games. He suffered the injury in Sunday’s Week 4 win over the Jaguars. Erik Walden and Robert Mathis will play more in the meantime, with Cam Johnson filling the nickel ‘backer role. Although Werner wasn’t making a huge early-season difference, losing him is a blow to Indy’s pass-rush depth.

He’ll have an MRI on Monday, which indicates the Colts still aren’t sure the injury’s exact extent. A Lisfranc sprain could shelve the first-round pick for half of the season. A Lisfranc fracture would end Werner’s first year.