We continue our 2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report, currently reviewing Dallas Cowboys players He was drafted last week. This time it's a report on Marshawn Kneeland, a second-round selection from Western Michigan.
Marshawn Kneeland
D.E.
western michigan broncos
Senior
6’3”
267 pounds
Hand size – 9 1/8 inches (17%)
Arm length – 34 1/2 inches (70%)
Wingspan – 83 3/8 inches (90%)
history:
2019: Marshawn Kneeland was a two-star recruit who played tight end in high school. He joined Western Michigan and redshirted his first season.
2020: Kneeland appeared in five games late in the season, recording 13 pressures and three sacks as a pass rusher. He had 23 tackles and 12 defensive stops in run defense.
2021: He appeared in all 13 games for the Broncos. He had 23 pressures and four sacks on passing downs. In run defense, he recorded 31 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and increased his defensive stops to 15.
2022: Nyland sat out 10 games with a lower leg injury. He racked up 38 tackles, 10 TFL, and 24 defensive stops. Despite his reduced playing time, he recorded 25 pressures and two sacks.
2023: Started 10 games. He set career highs with 57 tackles and eight tackles for loss. He also added five sacks and 37 pressures.
Statistics for 2023:
557 Defense Snap
Total tackles 57
8 Tackle for loss
5 bags
37 Pressure
35 Defense Stop
2FF
2 penalties
nfl combine/Pro Day:
10 Yard Split – 1.66 seconds (35%)
40 yard time – 4.75 seconds (62%)
Bart – 35 1/2 inches (75%)
Wide – 119 inches (67%)
3C- 7.02 seconds (80%)
Shuttle – 4.18 seconds (92%)
Awards:
Second Team All-MAC (2023)
scorecard:
Overall – 86.0
Speed - 73
Acceleration – 67
Agility – 90
Strength – 79
Tackle – 75
Pass rush-82
Run Defense – 85
Discipline – 96
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Good things:
- Demonstrates exceptional agility and change of direction skills
- The motor runs at high temperatures all day long
- Shows good strength and balance and establishes an advantage in run play
- He's very versatile in how he can adjust. He played on both sides of the line, 3-tech, 4i, and also as a stand-up defender in a two-point stance as a joker. He also played 85 snaps last year as an off-ball linebacker.
- It's a great contrast to Run, who shows incredible hustle to chase down ball carriers or find ball carriers in trash cans.
- Has an NFL-ready bull rush
bad person:
- not an elite athlete
- Bend around the edge as pass rusher needs improvement
- He had 12 missed tackles in the past two seasons.
- If you hold the attack point in a three-point stance, you will lack power.
- You need to use your hands to move away from the block.
Fit:
Marshawn Kneeland is a very athletic player who shows incredible agility and the strength to maintain the same intensity from the first moment until the end of the game. His ability to stop the run is obvious and he is excellent at finding the ball carrier on early downs. His athleticism and impressive run defense give him versatility as he can be seen at a variety of defensive positions. But his biggest strength is his hustle.
His athleticism and low sack numbers mean he won't be a big pass rusher at the next level, and his missed tackles in the backfield need improvement. His speed to power will take some effort. How that translates to the NFL is the most difficult part of evaluating him.
Overall, Kneeland is clearly an early pick on Day 2. He shows great strength off the ball and is great at holding his line on run plays. He performs best as a five-tech or 4i, but is very versatile in his position and can perform in any alignment. He is expected to play in a heavy rotation initially and work toward starting snaps early in his career.
Comparison:-
Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys
School year:
Mid-round 2nd round
Consensus ranking:
58th place
(Consensus ranking based on average ranking of 90 major scoring services)
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