The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Daiyan Henley 2023 NFL Draft Profile.
Position: Linebacker
School: Washington State
Size: 6-foot-1, 225 pounds
Class: Redshirt Senior
2022 Stats: 106 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass defended, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
Henley played multiple positions during his college career, but really impressed as a linebacker. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.
As an unranked recruit, Henley signed on with Nevada. He played wide receiver for two seasons at Nevada, seeing limited playing time. Henley then converted the defense in 2019, but had a season-ending injury. The 2020 season was his first extended time at linebacker. He registered 49 total tackles. His play helped the Wolf Pack go 7-2. In 2021, Henley had 94 total tackles, two tackles for loss and three interceptions. He led Nevada to an 8-5 record. Following the season, Henley transferred to Washington State. He had 106 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2022. The Cougars had a 7-6 record.
After opting out of the Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl, Henley entered the draft. He is currently projected to be a mid-round pick.
Henley is a great athlete for a linebacker prospect. His experience as a former wide receiver shows up on tape, as he has good quickness, agility and speed. He flies around the field at a pace that isn’t common for most linebackers.
He has great pursuit of the football, as he is able to use his speed to track down ball carriers. Henley takes good angles to the football and doesn’t give up on plays easily. He can be a productive run defender by getting through traffic to tackle ball carriers.
As a mid-round linebacker, Henley may have to log some time on special teams before seeing more time on defense. He has plenty of special teams experience. The range he shows taking down ball carriers on defense shows on special teams as well. He can be a very good special teams player if he is unable to be successful at linebacker.
Henley is a little undersized for a linebacker at the NFL level. He measured in at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds at the NFL Combine. Henley can be overpowered by blockers and can sometimes struggle to shed. He needs to add play strength to his frame to help him shed blocks.
It is clear Henley is new to the position, as he has just limited awareness. Henley can get out of position because he misreads his keys. He can be fooled by misdirection and play action. Henley needs to show better instincts to see the field more consistently at the NFL level.
Henley is an older prospect after playing college football for six seasons. That isn’t a huge issue for some, but because he is still learning the linebacker position, he will have limited time to develop. Henley will have to learn quickly on the job.
Projected Draft Range: Third Round Pick-Fifth Round Pick
Draft Grade: Fourth-Round Pick
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