Nick Perry is a scary prospect (in a bad way). No coverage skills, only played majority of run downs one year at USC.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) March 7, 2012
I've been pretty interested in the pass rushing abilities of USC's Nick Perry. He was a highly sought after college recruit who led the Pac-12 in sacks last season. But it's not a good sign that in the pass-first Pac-12, Perry was seen as somewhat of a liability against the run.
If all he can provide is quickness off the edge, and no ability to drop into coverage or play in run support, he's not going to make a very good outside linebacker. The Green Bay Packers might already have a similar player in LB Jamari Lattimore. And Perry might have trouble moving ahead of even Brad Jones on the depth chart.
If Perry can't project out as an every down outside linebacker, he shouldn't be selected in the first round.