Owen Pappoe Scouting Report: 2022 NFL Draft Profile
Linebacker, Auburn Tigers, #0
Owen Pappoe Measurements
6’1, 226 lbs
40-time: 4.47 (high school)
Owen Pappoe NFL Draft Player Profile
A consensus five-star recruit out of Grayson High School in Georgia, Pappoe was rated as the nation’s #1 outside linebacker prospect and the #2 player out of the state of Georgia. As a senior, he recorded 121 tackles and 14 TFL, winning him Georgia’s DPOY award. Pappoe possesses strong intangibles that should only help him during the draft process. He enrolled in classes a semester early as a freshman and was immediately a vocal presence in his first spring practice.
Former coach Gus Malzahn said Pappoe “comes from an outstanding family” and was key in helping Malzahn hold a strong recruiting class together. In August, Pappoe was voted one of two permanent captains for the 2021 season. As a true freshman, Pappoe started every single game. At one of the best programs in the nation’s best conference, his maturity and readiness to play were on display immediately. He finished the 2019 season with 49 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF, and 2 pass deflections. Expectations were sky-high entering his sophomore season.
Pappoe would go on to become one of the best players on his team that season. He registered 93 tackles, 4 sacks, and an interception and finished with a sack and 11 tackles in the Citrus Bowl. Now in his junior season, Pappoe hasn’t been able to put much film out there. He suffered a leg injury in Auburn’s third game of the season against Penn State. Pappoe is expected back soon for the stretch run of SEC play. We can’t wait so see what he is capable of prior to the 2022 NFL Draft.
Owen Pappoe Strengths
Athleticism
Pappoe’s 40-yard dash time says it all. He ran a 4.47 coming out of high school. He has the speed to compete with some of the world’s best athletes. His film backs this up too. Pappoe can fly sideline to sideline and has the lateral quickness to keep up in coverage. He displays quality burst and explosiveness getting to ball carriers.
Intangibles
Auburn LB Owen Pappoe
Pappoe is an intelligent player who understands his gaps and coverage assignments. He is a rare prospect with the production to match his unique physical traits from the early states of a college career. Pappoe is a high-level effort player whose consistent motor really jumps out on tape. He is the leader of his Auburn defense, and it is easy to see him wearing the green dot at some point at the next level.
Three-Down Linebacker
Pappoe projects as a three-down player in the NFL. Pappoe is solid against both the pass and the run. He is really good around the line of scrimmage where he plays his gaps and takes solid angles to avoid blockers. Against the pass, he is efficient at covering running backs and making it harder for the QB to have a security blanket. Outside the box, Pappoe displays solid coverage skills attributed to his elite physical tools and Football IQ.
Owen Pappoe Weaknesses
Size
Standing at 6’1, Pappoe doesn’t possess the prototypical size that NFL teams will look for in a linebacker. Even though he has long arms for his size, he simply won’t be as rangy and wiry as bigger linebackers. He could also stand to add some strength to his frame, with 230 pounds being a potential ideal playing weight. He has some trouble getting off blocks, which limits his playmaking ability against the run and rushing the passer.
Range
Auburn LB Owen Pappoe
While Pappoe is solid in coverage, his range will limit him to an extent. As previously mentioned, Pappoe’s smaller frame hurts him in this area. Also, he appears to have some trouble changing directions when he isn’t quick to diagnose the action. He will allow guys to get behind him in his zone by being manipulated by fakes and options. Pappoe would likely be best suited in a scheme that limits his vertical responsibilities.
Owen Pappoe Draft Stock
It will be interesting to see whether Pappoe’s limited availability thus far hurts his stock at all. This is an intriguing linebacker class with some really good names at the top of it. Pappoe has the pedigree, production, and potential to be a stock riser. A strong end to his season and good showing at the combine and Auburn’s pro day will entice scouts and analysts even more.
Final Thoughts on Owen Pappoe
Pappoe is a highly productive player who has a clearly defined position as a middle linebacker. That might raise questions about his versatility, but I would feel comfortable taking a player who does that job well. He has all the physical tools required and the intangibles to match. His size may limit him in some areas, but he has still found ways to make plays. His strengths will allow him to make an impact as an immediate contributor, and he has room to grow. A lack of eye-popping plays on film and smaller stature likely place Pappoe in the early round-three conversation.
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Owen Pappoe Scouting Report/ Owen Pappoe NFL Draft profile by Justin Trevisani
