The Good
Play Recognition
You do not produce a ton without understanding concepts, especially at middle linebacker. Troy Dye was a consistent force over the middle for Oregon and he did a good job of making his presence felt. His ability to read and react set him up for a lot of positive plays throughout his career.
Linebacker is a spot that should result in tackles, and Dye did just that for the Ducks. He can step in as a coverage backer and limit the big plays by tackling after the catch.
Range and Athleticism
Dye is a very gifted athlete in the middle of the field with a lot of length. He has the speed and the physical tools to fly around the second level of the defense and make plays where they need to be made. This range will be crucial when covering tight ends down the seam and flying to the sideline to stop the run.
If Dye does not pan out as a defender, his athletic tools will make him a valuable special teamer. He will see a lot of playing time for the Vikings in his rookie season if he stays healthy.
Tackling Ability
There is no doubt that Dye can make some plays as a tackler thanks to his range. His long arms extend his tackling radius over the middle and this was evident by his high tackling numbers at Oregon. He never finished with fewer than 84 tackles in a season for the Ducks, a number that stands out for the four-year player.
This comes with a bit of a caveat, however. While Dye can tackle, he still struggles a bit with his contact balance and driving ball-carriers back after contact. He has to clean up his form and limit the yards after first contact, but the tools are there.