Steve Linton LB/EDGE Texas Tech | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Steve Linton LB/EDGE Texas Tech
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 04/24/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| PLAY STYLE: EDGE OLB | |
| Last Updated: 04/24/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.62 seconds (75%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 74.7 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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70% |
| Pass Rush: |
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87% |
| Run Defense: |
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60% |
| Coverage: |
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70% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#180
Position rank:
#15
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| College Games: 35 College Snaps: 943 | ||
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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Baron Browning - Ohio State |
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78% |
| Isaiah Land - Florida A&M |
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77% |
| Nick Hampton - Appalachian State |
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75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Steve Linton from Dublin High School was rated a 3-star recruit by ESPN and handed a 3-star grade by 247 Sports. After high school, Linton joined Syracuse.In 2019 as a freshman Linton saw action in just 2 games and played a total of 8 snaps for the Orange. He recorded only one tackle, one assist, while adding no stops.
As a sophomore for the Orange in 2020 Linton played in 8 games and took part in 280 snaps for the Orange. He recorded 13 tackles, one assist, while adding 7 stops. As a pass rusher, he chalked up 16 total pressures, and 13 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and no sacks during the year.
In 2021 as a junior Linton played in 6 games and contributed on 63 snaps. He recorded only 4 tackles, no assists while making 5 stops.
In 2022 as a senior Linton logged playing time in 11 games and logged a total of 297 snaps for the Orange. He also added 14 tackles, 6 assists, and 14 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 16 total pressures, which included 10 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and 4 sacks on the season.
After season's end Linton transferred to Texas Tech where as a fifth year senior for the Red Raiders in 2023 Linton played 8 games and took part in 295 snaps for the Red Raiders. He also added 19 tackles, 4 assists, and 15 stops. While in coverage Linton made no pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 77.1. As a pass rusher, he tallied 19 total pressures, which included 15 QB hurries, one QB hit, and 3 sacks on the season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- His closing burst is outstanding, and Linton routinely finished plays last year. Linton has range and toughness as a run defender, capable of dropping anchor to set the edge and showing the acceleration to chase down the backside in pursuit.
- He’s best right now against the run, playing with a low pad level despite his relatively tall frame, and he has the violent hands to win at the point of attack.
- He can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level.
- While he has the flexibility to dip and bend under tackles, what makes him truly dangerous is his ability to counter.
- He can also win going speed-to-power, with the leg drive to push blockers back.
- Accelerates rapidly and has a great feel for angles. Linton isn’t huge, but he packs a pop.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Size will be a problem. Linton doesn’t have much in the way of take-on skills, struggling to shed once blockers get into his body due to short arms and a relative lack of upper-body strength.
- Lacks functional strength in the pass rush, struggling to disengage and too easily pushed past the pocket.
- Linton lacks the ability to drop weight and anchor against the run, getting manhandled at the point of attack.
How other scouting services rate Steve Linton (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
180.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
15.0
*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.