Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Ridiculously undersized for an NFL edge defender at just 210 pounds—will face questions about ability to hold up against pro-caliber offensive tackles.
• Will get washed out against the run when directly engaged by offensive linemen—lacks anchor strength to consistently set the edge against power schemes.
• Shoulder surgery prior to junior year raises durability concerns for a player who relies on explosive movements and physical tackles despite limited size.
• Pass rush arsenal still developing—wins primarily with speed and bend but needs counters when initial move is stalled by technically sound tackles.
• Occasionally overruns plays in pursuit, taking aggressive angles that create cutback lanes—needs to be more disciplined maintaining gap integrity.

Scouting Report: Summary

The elephant in the room is Perkins' miniscule 210-pound frame—built more like a safety than an edge defender. This severe physical limitation will get exposed when NFL tackles engulf him at the point of attack, particularly against power run schemes where he'll struggle to disengage. Yet what Perkins lacks in mass, he compensates for with explosive athleticism and positional versatility that could make him a defensive wild card in the right system. Third-down packages will be where Perkins earns his paycheck early, using his exceptional bend and closing burst to hunt quarterbacks while coordinators scheme ways to maximize his coverage skills. His high-end pass rush production (10.5 sacks as a sophomore) demonstrates genuine big-play ability, though questions persist about durability and whether his shoulder issues will become chronic when facing the weekly pounding from 320-pound tackles. Defenses utilizing multiple fronts can deploy him as a blitzing linebacker, standup rusher, or even in coverage—creating matchup advantages while hiding his inability to consistently set the edge. The boom-or-bust factor looms large with Perkins. His elite athletic traits and versatility suggest a defender who could become a game-wrecker if used creatively, but his extreme size deficiency creates a narrow path to success. Teams must decide if they're getting the next undersized pass rush specialist who overcomes physical limitations through technique and explosive traits, or a tweener who lacks a true position at the next level. The history of similarly-sized edge defenders finding sustained NFL success is limited, making Perkins one of the draft's more fascinating risk-reward propositions.