Steve Linton LB/EDGE Baylor | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Steve Linton LB/EDGE Baylor
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 66.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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67% |
| Pass Rush: |
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80% |
| Run Defense: |
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67% |
| Coverage: |
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60% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#424
Position rank:
#37
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| College Games: 43 College Snaps: 1241 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 85/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Noah Taylor - North Carolina |
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68% |
| Kivon Bennett - Arkansas State |
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62% |
| Jordan Wright - Kentucky |
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60% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Steve Linton, born in Dublin, Georgia, began his football journey at Dublin High School where he excelled as a defensive end and tight end. His high school career was marked by impressive statistics: 30 sacks and 161 tackles overall. In his senior year, Linton amassed 67 tackles, including 18 for loss and 9 sacks, leading a formidable defense that allowed only 8.5 points per game en route to a 12-2 record. As a junior, he recorded 64 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks.Ranked as a three-star recruit by major scouting services, Linton was rated as the 32nd-best weakside defensive end by Rivals and the 62nd-best prospect in Georgia. He chose Syracuse over offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Missouri, and UCF. At Syracuse (2019-2022), Linton played in 29 games, starting two. His most productive season came in 2022, where he recorded 22 tackles, 6 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Over his Syracuse career, he totaled 45 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble.
Linton transferred to Texas Tech for the 2023 season, where injuries hampered his performance. Despite playing only 8 games, he managed 22 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 3 sacks. His standout performance came against Baylor, where he recorded 3 sacks and forced 2 fumbles. Following the 2023 season, Linton made another transfer, this time to Baylor, showcasing his resilience and adaptability. Throughout his college career, Linton has demonstrated flashes of potential as an edge rusher, with his length and athleticism being key attributes.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Prototypical length for an edge rusher with plus athleticism, offering an expansive tackle radius and closing speed to chase down plays
- Twitchy first step off the snap, demonstrating the burst to threaten tackles' outside shoulder and bend the edge
- High-motor player who shows relentless pursuit, consistently working through the whistle and hunting ball carriers
- Versatile defensive weapon with scheme diversity, capable of playing in a two-point stance or as a down lineman
- Natural hands fighter who displays active mitts to disengage from blocks and create separation at the point of attack
- Flashes dominant potential as a pass rusher, with the ability to convert speed to power and collapse the pocket
- Reliable wrap-up tackler who breaks down well in space, rarely allowing yards after contact when he gets his hands on the ball carrier
- Raw talent with a high ceiling, showing year-over-year improvement that projects well for NFL development
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Tweener build lacking the ideal bulk for an every-down edge, may struggle to anchor against NFL tackles in the run game
- Production doesn't match athletic traits, suggesting inconsistent hand usage and underdeveloped pass rush plan
- Susceptible to getting washed out against power run schemes, needs to improve leverage and play strength at the point of attack
- Limited exposure as a full-time starter, may face a steeper learning curve adapting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses
- Injury history raises red flags about durability, could impact ability to withstand the rigors of a full NFL season
Scouting Report: Summary
Linton's NFL transition will be marked by his raw athleticism and pass-rush potential, balanced against his need for technical refinement and increased play strength. His college production, while inconsistent, showed flashes of disruptive ability that could translate to situational pass-rushing roles immediately.Schematically, Linton's skill set aligns with 3-4 defenses as an outside linebacker or in 4-3 systems as a designated pass rusher. His performance against the run will likely determine his early-career snap count and long-term positional home. Improving his anchor and developing a more diverse pass-rush repertoire will be crucial for expanding his role.
Ultimately, Linton's NFL impact hinges on his ability to maximize his physical gifts while addressing his current limitations. His development curve and adaptation to pro-level competition will determine whether he becomes a specialist or evolves into an every-down player.
Written By:
Eli Cooper (Big 12)
How other scouting services rate Steve Linton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
665.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
68.0
*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.