Cody Lindenberg LB Minnesota | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Cody Lindenberg LB Minnesota
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/18/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 12/18/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 81.6 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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64% |
| Pass Rush: |
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68% |
| Run Defense: |
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80% |
| Coverage: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#214
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 33 College Snaps: 1528 | ||
ESPN RATING: 73/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 87/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.5 (90%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pete Werner - Ohio State |
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91% |
| Dylan Moses - Alabama |
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87% |
| Aaron Hansford - Texas A&M |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A local Minnesota product who transformed from a three-star recruit into one of the Big Ten's most instinctive linebackers, Cody Lindenberg has steadily developed into an NFL-caliber prospect during his time in Minneapolis. The 6'3", 240-pound senior emerged as the heartbeat of the Gophers' defense, earning First Team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches in 2024 despite battling through injuries in previous seasons. Growing up in Anoka, Minnesota, Lindenberg was a versatile athlete who played both sides of the ball, hauling in 30 receptions for 506 yards as a senior while anchoring the defense from his linebacker position.After seeing limited action as a freshman in 2020, Lindenberg's career took flight during his sophomore campaign where he started the final six games and racked up 71 tackles. Though injuries limited him to just four games in 2023, he returned with a vengeance in 2024, posting double-digit tackle performances against Maryland, Rutgers, and Penn State while showcasing improved coverage skills with multiple pass breakups against Illinois.
What stands out about Lindenberg is his cerebral approach to the game. Taking cues from his idol Luke Kuechly, he's become a pre-snap demon who orchestrates the defense through detailed film study and recognition skills. His appointment as the defense's green-dot communicator speaks volumes about his football IQ and leadership abilities.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Elite diagnostic skills pre-snap - consistently puts himself and teammates in position to make plays by recognizing formations and tendencies, particularly evident in his 14-tackle performance against Penn State
- Impressive straight-line speed for his size, clocking game speeds up to 19.5 mph with a 4.62 forty time that allows him to run sideline-to-sideline with authority
- Natural stack-and-shed abilities in the run game, using his length effectively to keep blockers off his frame while maintaining clear vision to the ball carrier
- Shows some serious dog in the trenches - plays with controlled violence when taking on blocks and brings consistent pop on contact when finishing tackles
- Advanced mental processing leads to quick trigger reactions against the run, rarely getting caught up in the wash or taking false steps
- Excels at pattern matching in zone coverage, displaying fluid hip transitions and spatial awareness to stay connected with crossing routes
- Reliable tackler who breaks down well in space and drives through contact, evidenced by his steady tackling grade despite facing Big Ten competition
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Injury history raises durability concerns - missed significant time in 2021 and 2023 seasons which could impact his draft stock despite strong 2024 campaign
- Can get overaggressive attacking downhill, occasionally running himself out of plays against misdirection and counter runs
- Man coverage skills remain a work in progress - can struggle to match up with more dynamic receiving backs in space
- Despite good straight-line speed, change of direction ability isn't elite which can show up when forced to redirect quickly in space
- Will sometimes rely too heavily on physical tools rather than technique when taking on blocks, leading to occasional struggles disengaging cleanly
Scouting Report: Summary
Looking ahead to the NFL, Lindenberg fits as a potential three-down linebacker who could make an immediate impact as a two-down player while working on his coverage skills. His combination of size, speed, and processing ability makes him an intriguing day-three prospect who could outperform his draft position.His best fit would be in a defense that emphasizes zone coverage concepts and allows him to play downhill against the run. Teams running heavy cover-3 or quarters schemes could maximize his ability to read and react while limiting his man coverage exposure early in his career. The mental aspects of his game - particularly his pre-snap recognition and communication skills - should help him contribute on special teams immediately while working toward a larger defensive role.
While the injury history will need to be thoroughly vetted during the pre-draft process, Lindenberg's tape shows a player with legitimate NFL traits and the intelligence to maximize them. His ceiling might not be as high as some other linebackers in this class, but his floor as a reliable backup with starting potential makes him a solid value pick in the later rounds.
How other scouting services rate Cody Lindenberg (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
222.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
28.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.