Smael Mondon Jr. NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Philadelphia Eagles LB

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Georgia LB Smael Mondon Jr. with the No. 161 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Smael Mondon is a solid athlete who could be a good coverage linebacker in the NFL. He can be effective in man coverage with route recognition and speed, showing the ability to avoid picks and carry running backs and tight ends on vertical routes. Also, he has good eye discipline in zone coverage to locate threats and help tighten throwing windows.

Smael Mondon Jr. Highlights

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Mondon has the potential to grow as a run defender at the next level as he takes on blocks with his hands, has long arms to get extension and rarely misses tackles. However, he needs to get stronger to be more stout against offensive linemen and avoid giving up extra yards to bigger running backs.

While Mondon put up 25 reps on the bench press at Georgia's pro day, he could use more lower body strength.

Also, the former Bulldog relies heavily on his speed against outside runs. His ability to key and diagnose run plays is sub-par, forcing him to play catchup and chase down running backs toward the sideline. That's worked in college but could be a bigger issue in the NFL against more complicated rushing schemes and faster backs.

Mondon's medicals could scare some teams away as he's suffered several lower-body injuries at Georgia. However, he's a good fit for a team that's looking for an athletic linebacker who can cover and contribute on special teams.

MEASURMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'2"

WEIGHT: 229

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 32⅝"

WINGSPAN: 80⅛”

40-YARD DASH: 4.58

BROAD: 10'10"

POSITIVES

— Solid size and a good frame to add weight, also has long arms.

— Good speed to carry tight ends and running backs on vertical routes, get to his spot in zone coverage, play Tampa 2 and help range against the run.

— Has solid instincts in coverage, puts himself in a position to stay in phase when playing man coverage or pattern matching, and shows eye discipline in zone coverage to locate threats coming into his area.

— Avoids the trash well in coverage and against the run.

— Good at finding lanes as a pass rusher to take advantage of breakdowns in protection schemes when blitzing.

— Sure tackler who wraps up and runs his feet through contact.

NEGATIVES

— Sub-par instincts as a run defender, will fall for eye candy and can take too long to key and diagnose.

— Not strong enough to constrict running lanes against offensive linemen, needs to add some size and strength.

— Lacks pop behind his pads when taking on blocks or tackling, bigger running backs will get extra yards after contact against him.

— Lacks some short-area quickness to get in and out of his breaks, impacting his ability to cover angle routes and to close in coverage.

— Doesn't have an effective go-to pass-rush move when blitzing.

— Lengthy injury history

NOTES

— Born Feb. 13, 2003

— A 5-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2024 (Foot, missed 4 games), 2023 (Left foot, missed spring game, had surgery in the offseason), 2022 (Ankle, missed 2 games)

— 2023: Second-Team All-SEC

GRADE: 6.5 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 161

POSITION RANK: LB11

PRO COMPARISON: Troy Dye

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder