Ali Fayad 3-4 OLB Scouting Report

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Ali Fayad NFL Draft Profile

  • Position: 3-4 Outside Linebacker
  • School: Western Michigan
  • Current Year: Senior
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Weight: 248 pounds

Ali Fayad Scouting Report

Ali's size, strength and versatility should push him into the top 75 picks. He plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands. Has a quick burst off the line and times the snap well. Good upper-body strength and length to lock-out his opponent and at least moderate lateral agility to slide inside or spill out to contain.

Ali offers some versatility, rushing from a two-and three-point stance with the playing speed to stand up in space. Flashes strength as a bull rusher and his energy doesn't plateau. His vision to locate the ball and recognize cut blocks. He can rip past blockers and pull down ballcarriers when he cannot fully disengage from linemen.

Areas for Improvement

Fayad doesn't have the elite quickness or flexibility to flatten off the edge against NFL blockers and might have to add bulk to be a 3-4 defense five-technique, or strong-side end in a 4-3. He is never out of a play, but can get out of control and work himself away from the action.

Fayad stands up well against the run but is very pursuit-conscious and will take unneeded wide angles. He lacks overpowering strength and can stick to blocks. Lacks explosive speed to bend and flatten off the corner with stiff hips and ankles. Not flexible or fluid. He is uncreative pass rusher who lacks counter moves. Raw technique. He is streaky and slow to react.

Ali Fayad Career at School

Ali Fayad had 60 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 17 sacks in 2016, added two touchdowns as a tight end. Ali led Dearborn to the division championship, and was selected to Detroit Free Press First-Team, Detroit News All-Metro team and Associated Press All-State team.

As a freshman, he played in all 12 games making three starts. He totaled 20 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks with a fumbler recovery. As a sophomore, he played in all 13 games and started the final 12. He registered 34 tackles with 12 for loss. He also registered 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble receovery and seven quarterback hurries.

Entering his junior campaign, Ali started all 13 games totaling 53 tackles, with 15 for loss. He also registered 6.5 sacks, four forced fumbles with one fumble recovery and a pass breakup. He also totaled nine quarterback hurries. In the pandemic campaign in 2020, Fayad played in four of six games. He totaled 17 tackles, including six for loss and four sacks. He also added two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.

Ali Fayad NFL Draft Player Profile

Fayad was a very good player at Western Michigan the past three seasons and is a potential Day 3 selection who projects as a situational third-down pass rusher on Sundays.


 
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