Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Jamie Sharper (Virginia) - 1997 NFL Draft Pick #34 by BAL

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1997 NFL Draft Pre-Draft Analysis: Jamie Sharper

Player Profile:

• Name: Jamie Sharper
• Position: Linebacker
• College: University of Virginia

Overview:

Jamie Sharper was a standout linebacker at the University of Virginia, known for his athleticism, intelligence, and leadership on the field. As he entered the 1997 NFL Draft, Sharper was regarded as one of the top linebacker prospects due to his impressive college performance and potential for development in the NFL.

Strengths:

• Speed and Agility: Sharper exhibited excellent speed for a linebacker, allowing him to cover ground quickly and make plays sideline-to-sideline.
• Tackling Ability: He was known for his sure tackling skills, rarely missing opportunities to bring down ball carriers.
• Football IQ: His understanding of the game and ability to read plays made him a valuable asset on defense.
• Leadership: Sharper was a team leader at Virginia, demonstrating the ability to inspire and motivate his teammates.

Areas for Improvement:

• Coverage Skills: While solid, his pass coverage skills needed refinement to match the demands of the NFL.
• Consistency: Sharper needed to work on maintaining peak performance levels throughout games.

Draft Projection:

Leading up to the 1997 NFL Draft, Jamie Sharper was projected to be selected in the second or third round. Teams were intrigued by his potential to contribute immediately, especially in a league increasingly focused on speed and versatility in defensive schemes.

Potential Fit:

Sharper's skill set made him a fit for teams looking to bolster their linebacker corps with a player who could play both the run and pass effectively. His ability to adapt to different defensive schemes would allow him to land in various systems.

Conclusion:

Jamie Sharper was seen as a promising prospect with the potential to develop into a starting linebacker in the NFL. His combination of speed, tackling ability, and football intelligence made him an appealing choice for teams looking to enhance their defensive units.