Looking for the top Western Michigan prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City? Here are the Western Michigan scouting reports for the school’s top players hoping to find an opportunity in the NFL.
Western Michigan 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Dylan Deatherage, OL
Strengths: Tough, nasty small-area blocker with average athleticism. Incredibly explosive, fires off the snap, and knocks defenders off the line. Stays square, blocks with proper lean, and anchors in pass protection. Nasty, always looking for someone to hit, and works well with linemates. Keeps his feet moving, turns defenders off the line, and plays through the whistle.
Weaknesses: Lacks footwork in space. Lacks balance and can be all over the place. Minimal blocking ability on the second level.
Overall: Deatherage is a power-gap blocker who lacks great upside, yet his tenacity and approach are very appealing.
La’Darius Jefferson, RB
Strengths: Large, powerful ball carrier who began his college career at Michigan State. Patient, waits for blocks to develop, and displays outstanding vision as well as instincts. Consistently turns upfield, has a punishing style, and bounces off defenders to pick up yardage.
Runs with proper lean and barrels through defenders to fall forward when tackled. Battering ram who keeps his feet moving, gets a lot of momentum going, and moves the pile. Sells ball fakes with the quarterback.
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Weaknesses: Plays to one speed and takes a while to get going. Purely a downhill runner. Poor receiver who takes his eyes off the ball. Played in just five games last season before being suspended for a violation of team rules.
Overall: Jefferson chose to return for a second senior campaign after two productive seasons at Western Michigan, but it didn’t work out. He offers potential as a short-yardage ball carrier for a Sunday roster, though Jefferson will have to improve his pass-catching skills and, more than anything else, prove he can block this summer.
Zaire Barnes, LB
Strengths: Athletic linebacker who makes plays all over the field. Fluid flipping his hips in transition, goes sideline to sideline, and covers a lot of area. Gets depth on pass drops, easily runs downfield with ball carriers or tight ends, and has a closing burst. Quickly picks up coverage assignments, immediately gets into space to make plays, and takes proper angles.
Weaknesses: Small and gets controlled by tight ends and running backs. Lacks great growth potential.
Overall: Barnes is a fierce and fast one-gap defender who makes plays in pursuit and in coverage. His ability to quickly get to the action and make the tackle is appealing and could help him catch on as a backup LB in a 3-4 alignment.
Want more information on Barnes? Here’s our expanded scouting report and draft profile: Zaire Barnes, LB, Western Michigan | NFL Draft Scouting Report
