Post by cardinalsins on Apr 29, 2023 12:34:03 GMT -7
Draft Network:
LB, Auburn Tigers
As the middle linebacker for the Auburn Tigers, Owen Pappoe is an impact player and second-level defender. He is a clear leader on this team, as he has been voted as a team captain for two consecutive seasons. Pappoe is an experienced linebacker prospect with starting experience dating back to 2019 with more than 2,200 defensive snaps in his career. He has amassed 191 tackles and seven sacks in four seasons. 2022 has been Pappoe’s best season to date with a clean bill of health—unlike last season, where he missed a good portion of the season and spring with a leg injury.
As a middle linebacker prospect, Pappoe communicates assignments well with his teammates. Whether countering offensive alignment shifts or the quarterback’s audibles, he has shown good skills in the leadership department. Pappoe has the athleticism and range you covet at the linebacker position. He can chase down plays from the backside with ease. I came away impressed with his zone coverage ability. He understands depth and landmarks, all while working into the quarterback’s passing lanes/vision. As a run defender, he does not handle climbing offensive linemen with physical the strength or consistency to shock and shed. Pappoe would rather use his speed and quickness to slip/evade offensive linemen before making a play on the football. There is hope for development in this area because of his arm length which can keep him clean if he works on his timing and shedding skills at the next level.
Pappoe was a highly-touted linebacker out of high school. He graded out as a five-star recruit and one of the best at his position. Projecting to the NFL, I foresee Pappoe’s best path to success as a weak-side linebacker where he can run and chase the football. This allows his athleticism to take over early in his career without dealing with the processing responsibility as a middle linebacker. He would benefit from covering hash to sideline in coverage and securing the edges/outside as a run defender to funnel runs back inside. Due to his athleticism, Pappoe could operate as a QB spy at times with the influx of athletically gifted mobile quarterbacks in today’s NFL.
Overall, I envision Pappoe becoming a versatile and athletic playmaker in the NFL. He has the athletic profile to develop into a reliable defender in pass coverage and as a blitzer to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Playing him outside will limit him from dealing with heavy run-action between the tackles and climbing offensive linemen.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
-Tremendous athleticism/range
-Coverage upside
-Developmental run defending upside
-Leadership/work ethic
Top Reasons For Concern:
-Undersized for a middle linebacker
-Ability to take on and deconstruct blocks
-Modest read-and-react skills
-Too many missed tackles
Intro:
Highlights:
LB, Auburn Tigers
As the middle linebacker for the Auburn Tigers, Owen Pappoe is an impact player and second-level defender. He is a clear leader on this team, as he has been voted as a team captain for two consecutive seasons. Pappoe is an experienced linebacker prospect with starting experience dating back to 2019 with more than 2,200 defensive snaps in his career. He has amassed 191 tackles and seven sacks in four seasons. 2022 has been Pappoe’s best season to date with a clean bill of health—unlike last season, where he missed a good portion of the season and spring with a leg injury.
As a middle linebacker prospect, Pappoe communicates assignments well with his teammates. Whether countering offensive alignment shifts or the quarterback’s audibles, he has shown good skills in the leadership department. Pappoe has the athleticism and range you covet at the linebacker position. He can chase down plays from the backside with ease. I came away impressed with his zone coverage ability. He understands depth and landmarks, all while working into the quarterback’s passing lanes/vision. As a run defender, he does not handle climbing offensive linemen with physical the strength or consistency to shock and shed. Pappoe would rather use his speed and quickness to slip/evade offensive linemen before making a play on the football. There is hope for development in this area because of his arm length which can keep him clean if he works on his timing and shedding skills at the next level.
Pappoe was a highly-touted linebacker out of high school. He graded out as a five-star recruit and one of the best at his position. Projecting to the NFL, I foresee Pappoe’s best path to success as a weak-side linebacker where he can run and chase the football. This allows his athleticism to take over early in his career without dealing with the processing responsibility as a middle linebacker. He would benefit from covering hash to sideline in coverage and securing the edges/outside as a run defender to funnel runs back inside. Due to his athleticism, Pappoe could operate as a QB spy at times with the influx of athletically gifted mobile quarterbacks in today’s NFL.
Overall, I envision Pappoe becoming a versatile and athletic playmaker in the NFL. He has the athletic profile to develop into a reliable defender in pass coverage and as a blitzer to pressure opposing quarterbacks. Playing him outside will limit him from dealing with heavy run-action between the tackles and climbing offensive linemen.
Top Reasons to Buy In:
-Tremendous athleticism/range
-Coverage upside
-Developmental run defending upside
-Leadership/work ethic
Top Reasons For Concern:
-Undersized for a middle linebacker
-Ability to take on and deconstruct blocks
-Modest read-and-react skills
-Too many missed tackles
Intro:
Highlights:
