Josey Jewell NFL Draft 2018: Scouting Report for Denver Broncos' Pick

POSITIVES

—Relentless competitor who is always around the ball.

—Squares up contact and can roll hips through tackles for efficient stops.

—See-it-and-go type of processor in run support who fires from processing to action immediately.

—Sniffs out screens and diagnoses quickly to compensate for athletic limitations.

—Technician who wins with fundamentals and sound hand usage.

NEGATIVES

—Average athlete who will have to win with film study at the next level.

—Change-of-direction skills show up in man coverage and will be exploited by offensive coordinators.

—Runs into everything and doesn't show much of an ability to dip and rip through contact.

—Drops eyes into contact and can out-leverage himself unintentionally.

—Lateral speed is underwhelming and causes concern consistently defending edge runs.

Josey Jewell LB NFL Draft

OVERALL

Josey Jewell is an ode to the throwback linebacker in playing style despite a frame that doesn't quite match. He lives near the ball and racks up tackle after tackle, an encouraging sign that highlights his instincts and competitiveness. Jewell will struggle when isolated against above-average athletes in space and will have to rely on tape study to compensate.

GRADE: 6.00 (Round 3)

PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Chris Borland, retired