Ezekiel Noa 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• Two-time All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2020, 2021)
• Three-star recruit

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: 3-3-5
• 2022 projected role: Starting ILB

Pros: Ezekiel Noa is an instinctive middle linebacker for the Broncos’ defense. He communicates audibles and checks pre-snap to the rest of the front seven. A reliable tackler, he squares up his target before coiling from his hips and driving. He plays with good physicality in the run game to bring down the ball carrier. He displays solid spatial awareness and has diagnosing skills in zone coverage to read route combinations—he’s only effective as a spot dropper in zone coverage. He possesses enough lateral agility to flow and scrape on east/west running plays.

Cons: Ezekiel Noa is not a dynamic mover or athlete. His height hinders his ability to quickly locate the football in the backfield. Poor arm length is a concern when stacking and taking on blocks. He commits eye violations when reading backfield action—play-action fakes force false steps. Noa needs to activate his hands to slip and defeat climbing linemen. He lacks fluidity. His transitions and movements are segmented.

Ezekiel Noa NFL Draft Scouting Report by Damian Parson