As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Owen Pappoe.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Owen Pappoe (LB – Auburn)
6’1” – 225 lbs.
Background:
Five-star recruit who has been starting since his true freshman season, a year in which he primarily played middle linebacker and finished with 49-3.0-2.0. Followed that up with 93-6.0-4.0 and an interception in 2020, 23-3.0-0.0 in an injury-shortened junior campaign, and a return to form in 2022 in which he totaled 91-3.0-2.0.
Positives:
Has started for Auburn since he arrived on campus, enjoying his best season as a senior; can play on the inside, as a weakside ‘backer, or shade over the slot and work in coverage. Calm, relaxed on-field temperament; never gets out of control on the field. Good athlete with smooth movement skills and solid balance and flexibility. Reasonably physical player who looks comfortable playing between the tackles; defensive scheme wasn’t really tailored to his tools but did a good job anyway. Has the quickness to slip by blockers and get to the ball; does a nice job of working through congestion. Active with his hands to work through trash. Pretty physical hitter who’s been more reliable as a tackler than his size/length would indicate. Able to pursue out to the sidelines. Carries opposing backs into the flats with ease. Does a nice job of using his hands in coverage to stay connected.
Negatives:
On the small side for a pro linebacker, and may not have the frame to bulk up too much more. Stat lines were generally more impressive than metrics prior to this past season. Manipulated by misdirection and can otherwise struggle to locate the ball, negating his natural athleticism. Run fits can be a little bit inconsistent. Struggles to get off of blocks, even when shaded over the slot and working against opposing receivers; consequently, takes some circuitous routes to the ball. Tackling radius is limited due to his lack of length. Can get caught peeking into the backfield in zone; coverage metrics have been up and down.
Summary:
A solid athlete whose technique shows the polish expected from a player with three-plus years of starting experience in the SEC, but whose vision/recognition skills are still a work in progress, which can negate his quickness. Plays better between the tackles than anticipated, but as he develops, best fit at the next level will be as a sub-package linebacker or potential weakside starter behind a four-man defensive line that lets him run to the football. Likely to begin his pro career on special-teams.
Projection: Round 4
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