Jeffrey Bassa NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Kansas City Chiefs LB

The Kansas City Chiefs here selected Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa with the No. 156 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jeffrey Bassa is a solid modern-day linebacker who has the potential to become a complete player at the next level. He has some experience as a defensive back, which shows in his athletic ability and coverage skills. Also, he has a good frame and a physical demeanor to grow as a run defender.

In coverage, Bassa's speed and fluid hips stand out the most. He can turn and run to help take away post routes when playing Tampa-2 or carry running backs and tight ends on vertical routes. Additionally, he doesn't take the cheese in zone coverage, is good at reading the quarterback's eyes and has the movement skills to tighten throwing windows.

Jeffrey Bassa Highlights

00:51

Against the run, the former Duck is physical, takes on blocks with hands and is decent at escaping to help make plays. However, he needs to do a better job of getting on an edge versus offensive linemen instead of taking them on square, and his lack of lower body strength will lead to him conceding ground against stronger linemen.

Bassa's instincts as a run defender are a work in progress, too, as he'll occasionally get caught guessing. But he's shown a high football IQ and can be an every-down contributor with more experience and some time in the weight room. Overall, he can become a starter by his second season in the NFL and could be a good fit as a SAM linebacker.

MEASUREMENTS AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 232

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 31⅝"

WINGSPAN: 78¾”

40-YARD DASH: 4.63

3-CONE: 7.34

VERTICAL: 38.5"

BROAD: 9'10"

POSITIVES

— Solid size and has room for growth on his frame to add weight.

— Decent eye discipline in zone coverage to locate threats coming into his area, reads the quarterback's eyes well to anticipate throws.

— Fluid hips to turn and run in Tampa-2 or man coverage and has the speed to carry running backs and tight ends on vertical routes.

— Uses hands well in coverage to help force re-routes in zone and stay in phase in man coverage.

— Against the run, he's physical and takes on blocks with his hands.

— Solid at getting off blocks, showing a decent ability to get extension, a nice rip move to escape and the potential to improve when stacking and shedding with added strength.

— Sure tackler, uses good pad level and wraps up.

NEGATIVES

— Especially against zone runs, he can be a little slow to key and diagnose and ends up being late to the spot.

— He looks unsure of when to crash downhill against zone runs, his instincts as a run defender are a work in progress.

— Likes to take on blocks square instead of getting on an edge.

— Lacks some lower body strength to hold his ground against strong offensive linemen in the running game and stay in phase against tight ends who are physical at the top of the route.

— Has a slight hitch when changing directions, allowing separation against shiftier route-runners and impacting his ability to close in coverage.

— In zone coverage, he will get caught staring in the backfield as the middle hook defender and manipulated out of his area by quarterbacks.

NOTES

— Born Sep. 20, 2002

— A 4-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2024 (Rolled Ankle, was limited but didn't miss any games)

— 2023: Second Team All-Pac 12

— 2024: Honorable Mention All-Big 10

GRADE: 7.5 (Potential Impact Player — 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 62

POSITION RANK: LB3

PRO COMPARISON: Bobby Okereke

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder