Daiyan Henley 2023 NFL Draft

Daiyan Henley, NFL Draft, 2023, Linebacker, Washington State

Daiyan Henley 2023 NFL Draft

This scouting report for the 2023 NFL Draft on Daiyan Henley was completed by Justin Caballero of Digging in the Trenches. Make sure to check the links and tags at the end of this draft profile for more prospects.

2023 NFL Draft: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State

Daiyan Henley, Washington state, Nevada. 2023 NFL Draft

Rating scale: 1 Poor 10 Elite COD: Change of direction

Caballero says that Daiyan Henley might be smaller than some view a prototypical NFL linebacker but gets the job done. His speed is good and is sneaky fast. Faster running ahead than he is running laterally. Can change direction nicely during a play so he is able to stop and go.

Solid tackler but there is room for improvement. Could do a better job of following through on his tackles to finish the play. According to Caballero, Henley stands out best in coverage as he diagnoses pass plays and then sticks on his guy. Covers like a former safety so he has ball-hawking skills that should help in the pass-happy NFL. His range is average. Better in underneath coverage but still capable in deeper or outside coverage.

Henley can shine while blitzing as well. He has some push-rush polish to his game when given the green light to go after the quarterback. Has the ability to shred would-be blockers. Plays with a high motor so he has the dog factor working for him. Does not give up while the play is going on. A solid developing linebacker prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft. Should continue to get better early in his pro career. Daiyan should be able to contribute as a special teamer from day one if he does not hit the field as a starter.

By the Numbers

Defense & Fumbles Table
						Tackles					Def Int					Fumbles
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
2017	Nevada	MWC	FR	WR	9	1	0	1	0.0	0.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
*2018	Nevada	MWC	SO	WR	7	1	0	1	0.0	0.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
*2019	Nevada	MWC	JR	DB	2	4	1	5	4.0	0.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
*2020	Nevada	MWC	JR	LB	8	28	21	49	0.5	0.0	0	0		0	0	0			0
*2021	Nevada	MWC	SR	LB	12	59	35	94	2.0	0.0	4	59	14.8	1	3	3		1	0
*2022	Washington State	Pac-12	SR	LB	12	54	52	106	12.0	4.0	1	11	11.0	0	1	2	11	0	3
Career	Overall					147	109	256	18.5	4.0	5	70	14.0	1	4	5	11	1	3
	Nevada					93	57	150	6.5	0.0	4	59	14.8	1	3	3		1	0
	Washington State					54	52	106	12.0	4.0	1	11	11.0	0	1	2	11	0	3

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/26/2023.

Receiving Numbers

Receiving & Rushing Table
						Receiving				Rushing				Scrimmage
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Plays	Yds	Avg	TD
2017	Nevada	MWC	FR	WR	9	8	103	12.9	3	1	0	0.0	0	9	103	11.4	3
*2018	Nevada	MWC	SO	WR	7	9	129	14.3	0	0	0		0	9	129	14.3	0
Career	Overall					18	268	14.9	3	1	0	0.0	0	19	268	14.1	3
	Nevada					17	232	13.6	3	1	0	0.0	0	18	232	12.9	3
	Washington State					1	36	36.0	0	0	0		0	1	36	36.0	0

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/26/2023.

The Prospect Sheet

Daiyan Henley attended Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, California. He was not heavily recruited coming out of high school. Originally committed to and enrolled at Nevada to play for the Wolf Pack. Actually started his college career as a receiver before switching to defensive back then linebacker.

Transferred to Washington State for his final year of college ball. The linebacker position change helped him become an NFL draft prospect. Daiyan participated in the Senior Bowl which helped him skyrocket up some draft boards. He has been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. (Source: 247sports.com).

Draft projection: Looks like a day 2 pick that should be off the board by the end of the 4th round. Moving up and could move up higher.

Overall, Caballero says that could become a solid starter with a floor of a career backup that can play special teams. Daiyan Henley is a good prospect with upside potential.