FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Alabama DL LT Overton.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: LT Overton
LT Overton (DL – Alabama)
6’5″ – 283 lbs.
Background
Given name is Lebbeus Thomas. Five-star recruit who originally committed to Texas A&M, where he spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career. Started the last three games of his freshman season, finishing with 323 snaps on the year and a 31-3.0-1.0 line, then saw his playing time decrease as a sophomore, starting only the season opener and finishing with 220 snaps and 17 tackles. Transferred to Alabama and played over 500 snaps as a junior (four starts and a 42-3.0-2.0 line) before becoming a full-time starter this past year (42-6.0-4.0).
Positives
Very sturdily-built five-technique with good musculature and four years of SEC experience. Typically plays on the end of Alabama’s three-man lines, but has a little bit of experience from wider alignments on four-man lines. Very effective two-gapper who sets a hard edge and maintains gap discipline. Plays with a wide base and a very good anchor to hold the point of attack; very difficult to move one-on-one. Good awareness to locate the ballcarrier when engaged, with heavy hands to discard blockers and make the tackle. Not an especially explosive player, but can slowly grind down opponents with his bull rush to reset the line of scrimmage. The team often kept him on the edge when moving to a four-man line in obvious passing situations. Surprisingly, has some finesse elements to his game as a rusher; not purely a power-based player, although his bull-rush is his most effective tool. Active with his hands when working around the edge, and actually shows quicker feet and more flexibility in his ankles/hips than anticipated; there’s a little bit of knee-bend there. Has a little bit of experience dropping into coverage and feet look surprisingly light for a player with his size.
Negatives
2025 was his first season as a full-time starter (despite playing similar snaps in 2024), and his effectiveness dipped a bit. Range in run defense is closer to average. Doesn’t make a ton of plays in opposing backfields, although Alabama’s defense calls for a conservative read-and-react approach. Not a sack artist; has just seven career sacks over his four seasons. Brings intensity off the edge, but probably isn’t going to win much with speed at the next level and could be better-suited to taking more snaps inside in third-and-long situations.
Summary
Never played under Nick Saban, but is a classic example of an Alabama defensive lineman: big, tough, sturdy, powerful, and disciplined, with the anchor and strong hands to two-gap effectively in the run game. While he will likely never be an impact pass-rusher off the edge like some of the other top edge defenders in this year’s class, he can be a handful because of his power, intensity, and surprising combination of quickness and flexibility. Does what he does very well, but it’s possible he could fall out of the first round, as he could be considered somewhat of a throwback type in today’s NFL.
Projection: Round 2
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