Caden McDonald LB/EDGE San Diego State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Caden McDonald LB/EDGE San Diego State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/25/2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.96 seconds (3%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 26.2 DOB: 08/13/1998 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Hulu Bowl | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 03/25/2023 | |
| Draft Year: 2023 | |
| 40 time: 4.96 seconds (3%*) | |
| Age: 26.2 DOB: 08/13/1998 | |
| Bowl Invite: Hulu Bowl | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: |
58.5 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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75% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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43% |
| Pass Rush: |
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53% |
| Run Defense: |
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46% |
| Coverage: |
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54% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#476
Position rank:
#60
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| College Games: 53 College Snaps: 2471 | ||
ESPN RATING: 72/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 82/100
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Ovr Rank:
#1612
College Combine Results
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RIVALS RATING: 5.4 (89%)
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Draft Profile: Bio
Caden McDonald from Northwest High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, McDonald joined San Diego State.In 2018 as a freshman McDonald saw action in 6 games and played a total of 27 snaps for the Aztecs. He recorded only one tackle, 2 assists, while adding one stop.
As a sophomore for the Aztecs in 2019 McDonald played in 13 games and took part in 566 snaps for the Aztecs. He recorded 26 tackles, 3 assists, while adding 21 stops. In coverage McDonald made no pass breakups, one interception, and a QB rating when targetted of 63.8. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 17 total pressures, and 13 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 3 sacks during the year.
In 2020 as a junior McDonald played in 8 games and contributed on 499 snaps. He recorded 21 tackles, 9 assists while making 24 stops. In coverage McDonald chalked up no pass breakups, no interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 73.6. As a pass rusher, he produced 29 total pressures, which included 18 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and 6 sacks on the year.
In 2021 as a senior McDonald logged playing time in 14 games and logged a total of 752 snaps for the Aztecs. He also added 33 tackles, 11 assists, and 22 stops. While in coverage McDonald made one pass breakup, no interceptions, and a QB rating when targetted of 102.2. As a pass rusher, he tallied 29 total pressures, which included 19 QB hurries, 7 QB hits, and 3 sacks on the season.
In 2022 as a fifth year senior McDonald logged playing time in 12 games and logged a total of 627 snaps for the Aztecs. He also added 31 tackles, 10 assists, and 18 stops. While in coverage McDonald made no pass breakups, one interception, and a QB rating when targetted of 70.1. As a pass rusher, he tallied 20 total pressures, which included 14 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 3 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Good key and diagnosis skills. Quickly locates the ball and shows no wasted motion in getting there. At least adequate lateral agility to avoid blockers and shows good vision and anticipation.
- McDonald has an excellent motor and shows the stamina to last deep into the fourth quarter.
- Accelerates rapidly and has a great feel for angles. McDonald isn’t huge, but McDonald packs a pop.
- Downhill defender and physical tackler. Uses his eyes to decipher and break down the play, showing good awareness and discipline to sniff out fakes.
- Flashes strength to punch or stiff-arm to get off blocks. Stays with plays downfield, often making tackles even after being hit by multiple linemen.
- Quick to read run, showing good agility and speed to get past blockers and finish. Experienced in coverage and gets a strong jam on outside receivers.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Attacks the line but needs work on stacking and shedding blocks.
- . McDonald doesn’t have elite take-on skills. He’s not a violent hitter, but more of a grab-and-drag tackler. He’s also limited in man coverage, and McDonald won’t be able to run with athletic tight ends.
- While he moves well laterally, he doesn’t always get there in pursuit.
Caden McDonald percentiles vs other Linebackers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Caden McDonald (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
516.7
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
83.0
*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.