Marshawn Kneeland
Marshawn Kneeland  DE  Western Michigan | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Marshawn Kneeland
Height
6-3
Weight
267
College
Western Michigan
Position
DE/EDGE
Class
Junior
Home town
Grand Rapids, MI
85.1/100
Player Rating
14
PositionRank (DL)
4.75
FortyYD Time
Sacks
4.5
Fumbles Forced
2
Tackles
57
Sol tackles
29

Marshawn Kneeland DE/EDGE Western Michigan | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Marshawn Kneeland DE/EDGE Western Michigan
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.75 seconds (69%*)
Age: 23.3 DOB: 07/08/2001
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl
Measurables:
Height: 6-3 (32%*) Weight: 267 (50%*)
Hands: 9 1/8 (17%*) Arm: 34 1/2 (69%*) Span: 83 3/8 (90%*)
Forty: 4.75 (C) (69%*) Shuttle: 4.18 (C) (87%*) Ten Yard: 1.66 (C) (45%*)
Vertical: 35.5 (C) (76%*) Broad: 119 (C) (72%*)
Three Cone: 7.02 (C) (83%*) Bench: 21 (C) (30%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER
Last Updated: 04/21/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.75 seconds (69%*)
Age: 23.3 DOB: 07/08/2001
Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-3 (32%*) Weight: 267 (50%*)
Hands: 9 1/8 (17%*) Arm: 34 1/2 (69%*)
Span: 83 3/8 (90%*)
Forty: 4.75 (C) (69%*) Shuttle: 4.18 (C) (87%*)
10 Yard: 1.66 (C) (45%*)
Vertical: 35.5 (C) (76%*) Broad: 119 (C) (72%*)
3 Cone: 7.02 (C) (83%*) Bench: 21 (C) (30%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 85.1 / 100
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
77%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Tackling:
70%
Pass Rush:
79%
Run Defense:
83%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 3rd
Overall Rank: #72 Position rank: #14
College Games: 37 College Snaps: 1602
Grade: 247 Sports 2  Stars 247 Sports 79 Stars 247 RATING: 79/100
Grade: 2 Stars 2 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.2 (85%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Josh Paschal - Kentucky
91%
Daelin Hayes - Notre Dame
90%
Cameron Thomas - San Diego State
89%
Dallas Cowboys Drafted: ROUND: 2 - Pick Number: 56 (DAL)
Draft Profile: Bio
Hailing from Godwin Heights Senior High School, Marshawn Kneeland made a significant mark at Western Michigan. Despite starting as a 2-star recruit, his collegiate career was nothing short of impressive. Kneeland showcased his potential early on, participating in 5 games as a freshman and quickly evolving into a formidable force on the field.

In 2022 as a junior Kneeland played in 9 games and contributed on 465 snaps. He recorded 30 tackles, 7 assists while making 24 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 22 total pressures, which included 19 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 2 sacks on the year.

In 2023 as a senior Kneeland logged playing time in 10 games and logged a total of 557 snaps for the Broncos. He also added 38 tackles, 14 assists, and 35 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 37 total pressures, which included 28 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 6 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Boasts an NFL-ready frame with impressive strength and long arms, enabling effective point of attack and edge setting against the run.
  • High-motor player, capable of achieving coverage sacks and maintaining high performance throughout games.
  • Skilled bull-rusher with good pad level and leg drive, adept at collapsing the pocket against offensive tackles.
  • Demonstrates remarkable versatility and agility, effectively adapting to various defensive positions and strategies.
  • Consistently generates pocket pressure, excelling in both bull rushes and counter moves against opponents.
  • Exhibits excellent run defense capabilities, leveraging strength and agility to disrupt offensive schemes.
  • Commendable work ethic and determination, often making hustle plays that highlight his relentless pursuit of the ball.
  • Alignment versatility allows for effective play in multiple defensive schemes, enhancing team adaptability.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Lacks elite athleticism, with a tendency towards clunky movements and limited burst off the line.
  • Struggles with hand usage in pass-rushing, needing refinement to effectively disengage from blockers.
  • Has room for improvement in finishing tackles in the backfield, occasionally missing opportunities for loss.
  • Faces challenges in maintaining point of attack when positioned with his hand down, highlighting a need for strength conditioning.
  • While possessing good agility, Kneeland's ability to bend and execute tight corner turns could be enhanced.
Scouting Report: Summary
Marshawn Kneeland enters the NFL draft as a high-motor, power-based defensive end, with an established track record of terrorizing the backfield. Kneeland's strength and ability to set the edge make him a formidable run defender, while his bull rush technique has been effective in collapsing pockets. Despite a non-elite athletic profile, his versatility and motor have compensated, allowing him to adapt across defensive schemes.

However, Kneeland's transition to the NFL will require addressing certain aspects of his game. His lack of burst and acceleration off the line limits his ability to win with speed on the edge, presenting challenges against quicker NFL tackles. Additionally, his hand usage and ability to finish tackles in the backfield need refinement to maximize his impact on every play. These areas of improvement are critical for Kneeland to evolve from a rotational player to a consistent starter at the next level

His performance at the Senior Bowl has already showcased his potential against higher-level competition, suggesting that with targeted coaching and scheme fit, he could overcome his current limitations. His journey from a 2-star recruit to a draft prospect is a testament to his resilience and adaptability, traits that will serve him well at the next level.

Marshawn Kneeland percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Marshawn Kneeland (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
70.6
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
20.0
*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.