{"id":140497,"date":"2023-04-24T07:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T11:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=140497"},"modified":"2025-09-25T12:07:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T16:07:55","slug":"yaya-diaby-draft-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/04\/24\/yaya-diaby-draft-profile\/","title":{"rendered":"YaYa Diaby 2023 NFL Draft Profile"},"content":{"rendered":"

YaYa Diaby NFL Draft Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

Position:<\/strong> Edge
\nHeight:<\/strong> 6\u2019-3\u201d
\nWeight:<\/strong> 263
\nSchool:<\/strong> Louisville<\/a><\/p>\n

More NFL Draft Profiles<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

2023 NFL Draft: YaYa Diaby Scouting Report<\/h2>\n

Louisville defensive end YaYa Diaby took a precarious path to get to the 2023 NFL Draft. Coming out of high school in Atlanta, Georgia, Diaby did not receive any D-1 scholarship offers and chose to go the junior college route.<\/p>\n

After spending a year at Georgia Military Academy, Diaby received an offer to play for the Louisville Cardinals. Diaby\u2019s first two seasons at Louisville saw him net some playing time but the defensive end failed to make a significant impact.<\/p>\n

However, 2022 was a different story for Diaby. In 2022, Diaby registered 14 tackles for loss to go along with nine sacks while playing up and down the defensive line. Diaby was named third-team All-ACC for his efforts.<\/p>\n

After further tape study, it is easy to see why Diaby is trending up during the current draft cycle. He plays stronger than his size would indicate, which is probably why the Louisville coaching staff felt comfortable giving him interior snaps. Diaby uses his long levers well and regularly resets the line of scrimmage.<\/p>\n

The most impressive pass-rushing ability Diaby demonstrated was his bull rush. Diaby personally escorted offensive linemen to their quarterback\u2019s lap with regularity. But when Diaby wins reps, it is generally with physicality, and he will need to develop a more nuanced pass-rush plan at the next level.<\/p>\n

Diaby\u2019s best attributes are in the run game. He sets an effective edge and is adept at shedding blockers and knifing inside to stop ball carriers. Diaby\u2019s ability to be a plus as a run defender is what will get him playing time early on in his NFL career.<\/p>\n

The biggest detraction to Diaby is his age. He will turn 24 one month after the draft and that factor alone will scare some teams away from Diaby on day two. A team could take a chance on Diaby inside the first 100 picks given his athletic measurables: 4.51 40-yard dash\/ 1.56 10-yard split, 37\u201d vertical, and 10-foot broad jump.<\/p>\n

But the more likely outcome is that Diaby will come off the board somewhere in rounds four or five. Whichever team selects Diaby will get a physical force that, given adequate time to develop and a year or two in an NFL strength and conditioning program, could develop into a starting-caliber defensive end.<\/p>\n

Strengths:<\/strong><\/h3>\n