Javon Solomon NFL Draft Overview
Position: EDGE/linebacker
Height: 6′-1″
Weight: 246 pounds
School: Troy
2024 NFL Draft: Javon Solomon Scouting Report
After spending the past five years at Troy, edge defender Javon Solomon has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. The Trojan finished his collegiate career on a high note, recording 56 tackles, 18 tackles-for-loss, and 16 sacks in 14 games while winning First-Team All-Sun Belt honors.
Solomon originally joined Troy as a member of the 2019 recruiting class but didn’t see extensive playing tine until the 2021 season. During that breakout year, the edge defender recorded 11 sacks, 50 tackles, and 17 tackles-for-loss in 12 games. While he took a bit of a step back in 2022, his impressive performance in 2023 ensures that he will hear his name at some point during the NFL Draft.
Strengths
- Fundamentally sound player who won’t need much developmental coaching;
- Knows how to get after the quarterback with a variety of moves;
- Above-average athleticism allows him to speed past tackles and slip around blockers;
- Highly productive in college – 16 sacks during his final season;
- Unmatched motor – always plays through the whistle and never stakes snaps off.
Weaknesses
- Far too small to be a defensive lineman in the NFL – will have to switch to off-ball linebacker;
- Lack of size shows up in run game – misses too many tackles and can be pushed around by bigger defenders;
- Struggles to move through congested areas and chase down the ball carrier;
- Basically out of the play if the offensive lineman engages with him first – needs to learn how to break contact;
- Takes too long to get around the edge and engage blocker in pass rush reps.
NFL Comparison: Tully Banta-Cain
Teams With Need At Position: Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders
Projection: Rounds 4-5
Bottom Line on Javon Solomon In the 2024 NFL Draft
If Javon Solomon were a few inches taller and 30 pounds heavier, he’d probably be a second-round pick in the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he isn’t, and his lack of size will limit his potential role at the professional level. However, just because he won’t be a full-time starter doesn’t mean he can’t be a reliable playmaker. The Troy product already possesses a wide variety of effective pass-rushing moves, and the silver lining to his smaller build is that he’s quicker than most offensive tackles.
When he times the snap correctly, he can blow past blockers with ease or slide between small gaps in the blocking. Coaches will also love his on-field attitude, as you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with a stronger motor.
Unfortunately, size does matter in the NFL, and Solomon is way too small to be a three-down player. While he can use his speed to get by as a pass rusher, blockers will eat him alive in the run game. He also lacks the strength to set the edge and can get caught up in traffic when pursuing a ball carrier on the other side of the field. This lack of size also shows up in the pass game, as he struggles to break free from blockers in the rare instances where they get two hands on him.
Ultimately, Javon Solomon enters the NFL Draft as someone who will probably never be anything more than a situational pass rusher. While that puts a cap on his ceiling, he can still be a valuable part of a defense.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
