Michael Barrett NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Michigan LB

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 233

HAND: 8½"

ARM: 32⅛"

WINGSPAN: 78"

40-YARD DASH: N/A

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: N/A

VERTICAL: N/A

BROAD: N/A

POSITIVES

— Has good speed and movement skills to help in coverage, allowing him to get to his landmarks when spot-dropping, carry most tight ends up the seam and mirror and match most tight ends.

— Good eye discipline in zone coverage to locate threats; uses his hands to disrupt routes.

— Accelerates well to help close in coverage or when unblocked as a blitzer.

— Physical run defender who isn't afraid to throw his body around.

NEGATIVES

— Shaky instincts versus zone runs. Will get caught out of position or out of his gap.

— Takes on blocks square instead of on an edge against the run. Lacks upper-body strength to get extension versus offensive linemen and gets stuck on blocks.

— Will get pushed around as a run defender.

— Undersized, so good offensive linemen will absorb and be unimpeded by his contact when coming downhill.

2023 STATISTICS

— 15 G, 65 TOT, 3.5 TFL, 3 SK, 2 PD, 3 FF

NOTES

— Born Dec. 21, 1999

— 3-star recruit in the 2018 class, per 247Sports

— No major injuries

OVERALL

Michael Barrett has the profile of someone who can carve out a long NFL career on special teams. He has good speed, moves well, is physical and is a decent open-field tackler. He also played special teams during the beginning of his career at Michigan.

As a linebacker, Barrett's movement skills could serve him well in coverage. He was solid at taking away tight ends in man coverage and was effective when playing underneath zones. The problem is that he struggles against the run and lacks ideal size for an NFL linebacker.

Additionally, Barrett is an older prospect. He will be 25 before the end of his rookie season, which could push him down draft boards. However, a team looking to fill out its depth chart with a 'backer who could contribute on special teams should take a flier on him in the later rounds.

GRADE: 5.6 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 215

POSITION RANK: LB18

PRO COMPARISON: Micah Kiser

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

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