Scouting Report: 2022 Rookie Linebackers
Scouting Report: 2022 Rookie Linebackers
Kyle Bellefeuil of IDP Guys weighs in with his thoughts on the top 10 incoming linebacker prospects for the 2022 NFL Draft.
On the latest episode of The Big Nickel IDP Podcast, PFF’s Jon Macri welcomed Kyle Bellefeuil of IDP Guys to grind the tape on the incoming crop of rookie linebackers. The Molson Bros covered all the hot names, including Nakobe Dean, Devin Lloyd, Chad Muma, and they even scrounged through FCS tape to cover Troy Andersen!
Below, Kyle gives us his scouting report on each of the LBs discussed on the podcast. Give the episode a listen to hear Jon’s thoughts on these players. Be sure to follow all of Kyle’s work over at IDP Guys, and Jon’s work at PFF here.
Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State
Combine: 4.42 40, 36’’ vertical, 128’’ broad jump
Pros:
Excellent athlete with an impressive combination of size and speed (played QB and RB to start his career)
Ran a blazing 4.42 40 to lead the linebacker group at the combine
Serious range; flies around the field
I thought he was a pretty fluid mover for an LB of his size
Flashed some coverage upside, but it is certainly a work in progress
Cons:
An inexperienced player who needs to develop his feel/instincts (1 year as full-time LB)
Lower level of competition playing in FCS; although I do like the fact he definitely stood out
Coverage is a work in progress; saw some good reps and some real bad ones
Brian Asamoah, LB, Oklahoma
Combine: (6’ 226 lbs) 4.56 40, 36.5’’ vertical, 124’’ broad jump
Pros:
Good athlete who can cover ground sideline-to-sideline
I like the aggressiveness he plays with; makes his read and gets after it
Good change of direction; saw some nice reps where he pressed the line hard and was able to retreat and recover fluidly
Has some twitch to his game, that should aid him in navigating the mess
Cons:
Smaller frame LB; struggles to get off blocks
I thought overall his play diagnosing was a bit inconsistent; he has a tendency to bite on misdirection and motion
I thought there were a few reps where he came in too high as a tackler; needs to clean up his technique a bit
Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin
Combine: (6’ 3’’ 250 lbs) 4.53 40, 40.5’’ vertical, 128’’ broad jump
Pros:
Chenal is a powerhouse, an absolute enforcer against the run
Gets downhill and fills run gaps with authority; I think he legitimately hates ballcarriers
Fierce, effective blitzer with good burst
Has the strength to run through blocks and fight them off by stacking and shedding
Cons:
Liability in coverage; I have big concerns he won’t be able to hold up in man
Thick build LB and he’s a bit stiff in his lower half; not the most agile
Has good speed but it’s more straight-line speed; his lack of agility limits his run and chase ability
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Combine: DNP - (5’ 11’’ 229 lbs) 4.53 40, 40.5’’ vertical, 128’’ broad jump
Pros:
Fantastic athlete with legit speed and range
His ability to track down ball carriers is truly exciting to watch
Coverage upside; especially in zone
Excellent blitzer, has fantastic timing when blitzing from interior
Cons:
Smaller stocky build and lacks length
Can get hung up on blocks due to his size
His speed can cause him to overrun his angle which can lead to missed tackles on occasion
Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
Combine: (6’ ½’’ 226 lbs) 4.44 40, 34.5’’ vertical, 132’’ broad jump
Pros:
Excellent athlete; has speed and moves fluidly
Closes quickly when attacking downhill and, I like his ability as a blitzer
Run-and-chase LB with legit range
Cons:
Instincts and reads were a bit inconsistent; there were times when he was a bit hesitant
Can take reckless angles when in pursuit; needs to clean up his tackling technique
I think he has some coverage upside and I saw a few flashes, but he graded poorly and needs improvement in that area
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Combine: (6’ 3’’ 237 lbs) 4.66 40, 35’’ vertical, 126’’ broad jump
Pros:
Physical player; solid build with good length
I like the way he attacks downhill and shows good instincts/feel
Sound tackler with range; I thought he also navigates the mess well
Had some zone drops where he used his feel and length to disrupt passing lanes
Can impact the game as a blitzer; was even used out wide at times
Versatile player who can impact the game in multiple ways
Cons:
While I thought he moves well overall, Lloyd looked a little bit tight at times and didn’t always have the smoothest change of direction (nitpicking a bit)
Couple reps where I saw him looking to locate the ball, he hesitated; that can lead to blockers getting into him and gaining the upper hand.
Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming
Combine: (6’ 3’’ 239 lbs) 4.63 40, 40’’ vertical, 129’’ broad jump, 27 bench reps
Pros:
Absolute tackling machine; good instincts and does a really nice job keeping himself square to drive through the tackle
Good athlete who’s motor doesn’t stop
Good range
Some nice reps in zone when the play is in front of him and also flashed a nice rep in man mirroring and running with RB on wheel route (Boise State game)
Love his work in the box and he doesn’t miss tackles
Cons:
Muma navigates the traffic well, but I think he could work on using his hands more effectively to fight off blockers more at initial contact
Like any aggressive player, he can get overzealous at times
Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Combine: (6’ 3-½’’ 250 lbs) 4.52 40, 37.5’’ vertical, 128’’ broad jump
Pros:
Long, athletic, solid frame
Excellent athlete with speed and moves fluidly for a big framed LB
Bigger LB who can hit with power also has a nice tackle radius with long arms
Has coverage upside in both zone and man—does a nice job dropping in zone and using his length and athleticism to impede the passing lanes
He also has the size to matchup 1-on1 with TEs
Versatile skill set and played multiple roles at Penn State; played the Sam role (slot/overhang) as a sophomore and played more of a box role this year as a junior
Cons:
I liked that he played more stacked up in the box this year, but there were mixed results. Thought his reads and instincts were inconsistent. Due to inexperience maybe?
I found myself wishing he would attack aggressively downhill more often in the box
His block shedding technique needs work
Channing Tindall, LB, Georgia
Combine: (6’ 2’’ 230 lbs) 4.47 40, 42’’ vertical, 129’’ broad jump
Pros:
Strong well-built frame allows him to play with a physical edge. Hits with serious pop
Athletically gifted and blew up the combine
Has speed, range, and explosiveness
Hunts down ball carriers sideline-to-sideline
He’s a handful as a blitzer both from the interior and off the edge
Cons:
Although the competition was stiff, Tindall didn’t seize a role until his last year at Georgia. A bit concerning
Inexperienced player who needs reps and it shows in his play diagnosis and reads. Just needs more reps and hopefully he continues to progress
Explosive athlete, but he can be a little tight in his change of direction.
Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Combine: (6’ 4’’ 241) 4.52 40, 32’’ vertical, 122’’ broad jump
Pros:
Has a long, athletic build with big wingspan
Solid tackler with a big tackle radius. Can hit with power and does a nice job wrapping up
Uses length well to fend off blockers and also when dropping in coverage to disrupt passing lanes
With his size and length, Walker can physically match up with TEs
All around good athlete who moves well for an LB at his size
Cons:
Walker can get a little overaggressive at times
Saw a few times where he took false steps and got out of position (not too often though)
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