Owen Pappoe NFL Draft Profile – Overview
Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 225 pounds
School: Auburn
2023 NFL Draft: Owen Pappoe Scouting Report
Owen Pappoe, a four-year starter for the Auburn Tigers, has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. A former five-star recruit from Loganville, Georgia, Pappoe was a standout player for Auburn. Pappoe started from the time he stepped on the campus and was unquestionably the leader of the Auburn defense. Important to note in the Owen Pappoe Draft Profile, Pappoe is a member of Bruce Feldman’s freak list which tries to find the most athletic players in college football. He ran a 4.39 40 yard dash, which would have made him one of the fastest wide receivers, let alone linebackers. This was the third fastest time by a linebacker since 2000, and less than a hundredth of a second from the fastest ever. Pappoe jumped in the top five for linebackers in both the broad and vertical jump. His nickname is “the Freak” and let’s just say it was well earned.
Outside of the measurables, Pappoe has had some pretty impressive production in college. As a freshman in 2019 he started every game for the Tigers. Despite being a true sophomore in 2020 he was second on the team in total tackles, second in tackles for a loss and even recorded an interception and fumble recovery. Unfortunately, he dealt with injuries throughout his 2021 campaign but would rebound as a senior this past season. In 2022 he led the team in tackles with 91 and forced two fumbles.
Strengths
- Blazing fast sideline to sideline;
- Transitions from speed to bone crushing power at the collision point;
- Reportedly the leader of the Auburn defense;
- “Freak”-y athleticism that helps against both the run and the pass;
- Has a knack for reading the play, reads blocks extremely well;
- Solid pass-rusher despite not being asked much to do it at Auburn;
- Smart defender in coverage, not overplaying double moves.
Weaknesses
- Slightly undersized at the next level;
- If an offensive lineman gets into his frame, Pappoe is going wherever that guy wants to take him;
- Struggles with pulling guards/lead blocking fullbacks;
- Trusts his reads too much at time, and his blazing speed gets him out of position quickly;
- The best player on an otherwise poor defense, was he only good in comparison?;
- Will get dunked on by tight ends or big slot receivers in coverage.
NFL Comparison: Jack Lambert in the 21st Century
Teams with Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears
Projection: Round 3
Bottom Line on Owen Pappoe
As the NFL is shifting to more speed and space, teams need their linebackers to do the same. The new mold for NFL linebackers looks a lot like “the freak”. He possesses elite athletic traits, a plethora of immeasurables and a nose for the big play that NFL teams crave. He could very quickly find himself the team captain for a team at the next level, and if he was coming from a better defense, he may be receiving round one buzz. His athletic profile and the SEC bump make him worthy of a day two selection at the least.
Pappoe processes plays quickly and matches this with his athleticism. He is not the kind of athlete that the mind and feet are out of sync, he immediately is reacting to the play in front of him. Unfortunately he needs to play in a system with defensive lineman to prevent him from getting man-handled by run blockers at the next level. Whichever team chooses to draft Pappoe is going to select a playmaker that can impact their team for years.
