Only three Hilltoppers have been drafted on Day 2 since 2000. Western Kentucky OLB Can DeAngelo Malone use his scout report to enter the opening rounds of 2022 NFL Draft? Malone has the production and the talent, but how does it all come together?

DeAngelo Malone NFL Draft Profile

• Position: outside linebacker
• School: Western Kentucky
• Current year: Senior
• Height: 6’4 ″
• Weight: 240 lbs

DeAngelo Malone Screening Report

Athletics is not exclusive to the most prestigious programs. Yes, there is a definite correlation. The more athletic players tend to be more successful early on, and these players are getting more attention nationally. But at the same time, some players don’t get the same recognition – and those are varying factors. Players can slip through the cracks, and small schools take advantage.

In recent years, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have been reaping the benefits of Malone’s talents. Malone himself wasn’t ranked very well coming out of high school, but the NFL scouts likely won’t make the same mistake. Malone is a worthy draft candidate, but what level of selection does his scouting report require?

Malone’s athletic profile

Standing at 6’4 ″, 240 pounds, Malone’s height immediately stands out. It has an extremely long and lean frame that offers a lot of reach. Its natural length serves as an exceptional conduit for the production of artificial energy, and its slim and compact frame makes it incredibly slippery as a rusher.

Malone has good mobility in addition to his length. He shows strong explosiveness on the line and his long strides can cover the ground with impressive speed. His chasing speed, when playing at maximum pace, is stellar. It also has an impressive range. He can easily chase quarterbacks and he’s a passing threat as well.

Going further, Malone suddenly blinks and contracts as he moves sideways. It has some natural turning ability and it can change direction well for its size. There are a few flashes of supernatural fluidity when changing direction in space, and Malone also has the lateral mobility to manipulate the leverage with inner-outer movements.

Additionally, Malone’s athleticism and length can provide coverage value, just as they provide value closer to the line. The West Kentucky OLB has a certain ingrained versatility, which only makes their screening more exciting.

Execution beyond physical traits

Malone’s physical base is the most important part of his profile, but the Western Kentucky OLB complements that base with other traits.

More importantly, Malone often shows his ability to bend. The Hilltoppers speedboat can reduce its surface area and accelerate over the edge. The flexion of his ankle and the flexibility of his torso can be dangerous in rushing situations. Malone’s flexibility also shows up in the run defense. In the midst of resistance, he can twist and hold his anchor.

Moreover, Malone’s awareness is quite promising. The West Kentucky OLB has shown impressive attention at times. He’s aggressive when fighting blocks to disengage, and he’s often aware of the ball carrier’s position. This allows him to disengage quickly and gain valuable saves for the defense. His conscience is also apparent on the option sets, where he has the means to cover the launcher, removing the QB’s safety valve.

Among other things, Malone flashes quick and focused manual use. Its length naturally provides a lot of potential energy, and it has been shown to be able to convert that energy.

Areas of improvement

Malone’s NFL Draft scout report is unique. His athletic skills alone inspire optimism. However, even at its experience level, there is still a refinement to undergo. In addition, some physical limitations should be noted.

Malone’s height is negative, just like she is positive. The Western Kentucky OLB’s lightweight frame allows blockers to absorb its mass relatively easily. To this end, blockers can off-center it and control its positioning. Malone lacks natural power or overwhelming playing strength, and his lack of strength can sometimes impact his ability to disengage.

Beyond his size, Malone can aim for more overall consistency. The West Kentucky OLB doesn’t always race in pursuit. He can be hesitant in crowded spaces, and he doesn’t consistently stack markers to free himself. By the same virtue, the placement and precision of his hand can also be more consistent.

More generally, the efficiency of Malone’s movement may improve. He can better control his movements and he can also multitask more consistently. He doesn’t always use his length in conjunction with his athleticism, wasting a lot of potential energy.

Preview of Malone’s NFL Draft Scout Report

Malone possesses many of the strengths and weaknesses you would expect from his long, athletic figure. It is explosive and flexible, and its potential for disruption is extremely high. At the same time, he sometimes plays at too high a pad level and lacks the physical strength to beat his opponents.

Malone presents himself as a powerful passer. His natural features give him a lot of advantages, and his conscience also gives him a solid ground. In addition, its length and the flexibility of its torso give it immediate utility in running defense. The questions stem more from Malone’s ceiling. Can he add more power to his frame and complete his game? Or will there remain a finesse rusher with insufficient three down capacity?

Either way, Malone’s athletic profile is worth considering on Day 2, especially for teams with 3-4 lineups. He has proven that he can perform with his natural features. Any increase beyond that point, however, is contingent upon him refining his game further.

Player profile for DeAngelo Malone

Playing for Cedar Grove High School in Ellenwood, Ga., Malone has enjoyed great success as a team. He was part of a team that won a Class 3A State Championship. His team amassed a 13-2 record in one year. But Malone himself, a lanky 6’4 ″, 215-pound outside linebacker, didn’t get the individual recognition he expected.

Malone was unranked on the ESPN board and just a two-star rookie on 247 Sports. His only two FBS scholarship offers were both from out of state. One was from Buffalo, while the other was from western Kentucky. By choosing proximity, Malone ultimately signed up with the Hilltoppers.

DeAngelo Malone’s career in Western Kentucky

Despite his low billing as a rookie, Malone played at least 11 games each season at Western Kentucky. And for three of his four seasons, he was one of the best defensive players on the team.

Malone’s career began in 2017, racking up 1.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks as a true rookie. The West Kentucky OLB returned for their second campaign in 2018 and burst onto the scene, racking up 60 tackles, 9 loss tackles, 6 sacks, one interception, one pass deflection and 2 forced fumbles.

2018 was Malone’s breakthrough, but 2019 made him look modest. Malone hit an even higher speed in 2019, amassing 99 tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Malone was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year for his performance and carried unprecedented hype in 2020.

In a year affected by COVID, Malone still managed to post numbers. In 11 games, the Western Kentucky OLB recorded 71 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, one pass deflection and 2 forced fumbles.

Malone’s rise to NFL draft

Malone was in a tough spot after the 2020 season. He ultimately opted to return to school in an effort to improve his NFL draft stock. However, it’s worth asking what more Malone can do. Ideally, he would be able to add power to his frame and show off a more complete skill set. That said, it’s unclear whether her frame can handle the extra weight without diluting her athleticism.

At the very least, a ambiguous class 2022 NFL Draft EDGE behind the upper level gives Malone a bit of a break in the middle of the towers. And if he can get back to his 2019 pace while adding more to his toolbox, Malone could solidify his status as a legitimate NFL Draft prospect.