Sebastian Cheeks LB/EDGE Wisconsin |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #15 PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.51 seconds (93%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.8 DOB: 02/06/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #15 | |
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 11/02/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.51 seconds (93%*) | |
| Age: 22.8 DOB: 02/06/2004 | |
| Overall Rating: | 81.2 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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66% |
| Pass Rush: |
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95% |
| Run Defense: |
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81% |
| Coverage: |
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72% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#192
Position rank:
#23 (LB)
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| College Games: 33 College Snaps: 918 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
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247 RATING: 93/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Que Robinson - Alabama |
|
77% |
| Jalen McLeod - Auburn |
|
77% |
| Chris Braswell - Alabama |
|
77% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Sebastian Cheeks was a two-way star at Evanston Township High School in Illinois, rushing for 2,145 yards and 22 touchdowns while returning three interceptions for scores. A four-star recruit and ESPN 300 prospect, he ranked No. 142 nationally and played in the All-American Bowl.His college path started slowly. An injury ended his true freshman season at North Carolina after three games, and he made one tackle in eight games in 2023 before transferring to Wisconsin. As an outside linebacker for the Badgers he had two sacks in 2024, then three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss in 2025.
Now a graduate student, Cheeks has become Wisconsin's main edge rusher in 2026. His eight games so far have produced five sacks and two forced fumbles, including a strip-sack in the opener at Notre Dame. In the 24-7 win over USC on 24 October he shared a sack and was in the backfield all afternoon.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Explosive get-off puts tackles on their heels, with rare speed for a 243-pound edge
- Finishes at the quarterback, with five sacks and two forced fumbles this season
- Strip-sack at Notre Dame in the opener showed he hunts the ball, not just the passer
- Bends under the tackle's reach and stays on a tight path to the quarterback
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Late bloomer whose production arrived only in his fifth college season
- Run defense trails his rush, and bigger tackles drive him off the edge
- Tackling in space is loose, with two missed tackles in the win at Iowa
- Lean frame limits his ability to set a hard edge against power runs
- Injury history includes a season-ending injury as a freshman at North Carolina
Scouting Report: Summary
Cheeks has finally turned his physical tools into production, and his 2026 season is the best case for him. He gets off the ball as quickly as any edge in the Big Ten, bends low around the corner and finishes when he gets there, with five sacks and two forced fumbles. He lived in the USC backfield in Wisconsin's 24-7 win.However, this is one productive season after four quieter ones. His run defense has not kept pace with his rush, bigger tackles can move him off his spot, and his tackling in space slipped at Iowa. His frame will be tested against NFL power.
Overall, Cheeks gives a defense rare edge speed and a rush plan that keeps improving. He projects as a seventh-round rush specialist who will have to win a roster spot on special teams while he adds strength.
How other scouting services rate Sebastian Cheeks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
186.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
25.0
*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.