Looking for the top Western Kentucky NFL Draft prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City? Here are the Western Kentucky scouting reports for the school’s top players hoping to find an opportunity in the NFL.
Western Kentucky 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Brodric Martin, DT
Strengths: Large, wide-bodied two-gap lineman who takes up a lot of space in the middle of the field. Displays good first-step quickness, immediately gets his hands up, and keeps his feet moving. Starts with proper pad level, is tough to move off the point, and occupies multiple blockers in the middle of the line. Gives effort chasing the action, defeats blocks, and works to maintain leverage on opponents.
Weaknesses: Lumbering lineman with an average closing burst. Must develop more moves and become quicker disengaging from blocks. Can only play in a small area and more of a gap occupier rather than a playmaker.
Overall: Martin played well for Western Kentucky after transferring from North Alabama, but he’s a scheme-specific lineman whose sole purpose at the next level will be occupying blockers. Martin possesses the ability and temperament to line up as a nose tackle or zero-technique lineman.
Jaylen Hall, WR
Strengths: Western Kentucky transfer who displayed progress in his game last season. Quickly releases off the line of scrimmage, immediately gets to top speed, and displays a burst. Tracks the pass in the air, gets vertical, and high points the ball over defenders.
Easily adjusts to the pass on crossing patterns and uses his frame to shield away defenders. Extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame and displays strong hands. Effectively uses the sidelines, knows where he is on the field, and displays focus as well as concentration. Competes to come away with the tough grab. Plays to his 40 time.
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Weaknesses: Average run-after-the-catch skill. Possesses a thin frame, struggles in battles, and is easily brought down in the open field by a single defender.
Overall: Hall has nice length and next-level speed, and he showed NFL pass-catching skills the past three seasons. He possesses an upside and comes with return potential.
Kahlef Hailassie, CB
Strengths: Tall, fluid cornerback best backed off the line of scrimmage. Engages receivers at the snap of the ball, quick flipping his hips in transition, and mixes it up with opponents. Keeps the action in front of him, stays with assignments, and shows good anticipation. Possesses a burst of closing speed to the action and fires to the throw out of his plant. Works to get off blocks, gives effort defending the run, and is hard-hitting.
Weaknesses: Not a stout cornerback. Prefers to side shuffle downfield and must be more disciplined backpedaling. Deep speed is a concern, and never ran for scouts prior to the draft.
Overall: Hailassie is a long and fluid corner who displayed flashes of ability throughout his junior and senior seasons. He possesses an upside but needs to polish his game and be more consistent. I like Hailassie best as a zone cornerback, and he should add value on coverage units.