Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Paul Berner (College Stats) - 1985 NFL Draft Pick #234 by SDG

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Paul Berner - 1985 NFL Draft

Player Profile:

• Name: Paul Berner
• Position: Linebacker
• College: University of Wisconsin

College Stats:

• Games Played: 40
• Tackles: 240
• Sacks: 15
• Interceptions: 5
• Forced Fumbles: 4

Strengths:

• Versatile Playmaker: Berner was known for his ability to impact the game in various ways, showcasing strength in both pass coverage and against the run.
• Strong Tackler: His tackling ability was highlighted by his impressive statistics, with a high number of solo tackles and limited missed tackles.
• Leadership Qualities: Berner was a team captain at Wisconsin, demonstrating leadership on and off the field, an invaluable trait for any NFL team.
• Football IQ: His understanding of the game allowed him to read plays effectively, contributing to his high interception and forced fumble numbers.

Weaknesses:

• Injury Concerns: Throughout his college career, Berner faced some injury issues that raised questions about his durability at the professional level.
• Speed Limitations: While effective, he was not considered the fastest linebacker, which could limit his effectiveness in coverage against quicker players.

Overall Assessment:

Paul Berner entered the 1985 NFL Draft as a well-regarded linebacker with a strong collegiate career. His combination of tackling ability, football intelligence, and leadership made him a solid prospect for teams looking to strengthen their defense. While concerns about his speed and injury history existed, many scouts believed he had the skill set to adapt and succeed at the professional level. Projected to be selected in the mid to late rounds, Berner was seen as a potential steal for teams in need of a reliable linebacker.