2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Daiyan Henley (LB – Washington State)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Daiyan Henley.

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Daiyan Henley (LB – Washington State)

6’2” – 232 lbs.

Background:

High-school quarterback who originally attended Nevada, where he played wide receiver for his first two seasons, catching seventeen passes. Flipped over to the defensive side of the ball as a junior, but sustained a season-ending knee injury four games into the year and ended up taking a medical redshirt with just seventeen snaps at strong safety under his belt. Played middle linebacker for the Wolf Pack the next two seasons, with 49 tackles in the shortened 2020 season and 94 in 2021, adding four interceptions and scoring two defensive touchdowns. Transferred to Washington St. this past year and had an excellent season, with 106-12.0-4.0.

Positives:

Three-year starter who’s still relatively new to playing linebacker. Has a powerful build with a barrel chest and what looks like good length; looks the part of a linebacker. Used all over the defense; frequently shaded over the slot, but also blitzes and works as a traditional linebacker. Brings desirable energy, physicality, and toughness. At his best, looks like a heat-seeking missile; explosive downhill player who generates pop on contact and can stand his ground against blockers. Shows heavy hands to discard with brute strength. Rangy, high-motor player who pursues to the sidelines and is capable of chasing down ballcarriers in backside pursuit. Shows the ability to play with patience when dealing with window dressing. Length gives him an impressive tackling radius and misses very few tackles. Generates some pop on contact. Clean footwork in his backpedal when shaded over the slot; sound transitions. Can bend the edge and close quickly as a pass-rusher.

Negatives:

Spent six years in college. Frame looks close to being maxed out. More productive than consistent on a snap-to-snap basis, in part because his instincts at the position are still a work in progress; more reactive than anticipatory, relying on his speed to get back into the play. Would like to see him use his length to play off blocks more often, rather than relying on his strength and explosiveness. Fluidity and flexibility are above average but can be a little bit straight-linish. Relatively little work in man coverage, although he has the athleticism for it.

Summary:

One of the more unique linebacker prospects in the class as a rocked-up former receiver/safety, combining excellent explosiveness as a downhill player with the ability to make drops into coverage. Having only converted to linebacker in 2020 can be a little bit reliant on his superior physical/athletic tools, but represents a high-upside option who can already do a few things well, which should allow him to attract second-day interest.

Projection: Round 3