A comparable DE to the well-respected Cameron Jordan.
The New Orleans Saints have scheduled their second Top-30 prospect visit of the 2024 NFL draft. One of the invited prospects is Western Michigan’s defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (See Full List Here).
Marshawn Kneeland solidified his status as a rising star in the NFL draft process with a standout performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He was one of 321 players invited to the prestigious event, having previously impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl earlier this year.
At the Combine, Kneeland’s physical attributes turned heads. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 267 pounds, he possesses ideal size for a defensive lineman, comparable to the well-respected Cameron Jordan (6-foot-4, 287 pounds). But Kneeland wasn’t just physically impressive; he excelled in athletic testing, showcasing exceptional abilities across various drills.
If the Saints did draft Kneeland, he could be a good predecessor to Cameron Jordan. Playing with Jordan would be great on-hands experience. He could be the next stage of the evolving Saints defense. His on-field performance bolsters his draft stock. He was a disruptive force for Western Michigan, generating 37 total pressures, 6 sacks, 38 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles. This disruptive playing style is exactly what NFL teams seek in a defensive lineman.
Let’s take a look at his stats from the combine. He ranked highly amongst his peers at the defensive end position:
- 40-yard dash: 4.75 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.66 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35.50 inches
- Broad jump: 9 feet 11 inches
- 3-cone drill: 7.02 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.18 seconds
- Bench Press: 21 reps
His strong combine showing, combined with his prior collegiate success, has garnered significant interest from NFL teams. He has secured pre-draft visits with several teams in the top 30 picks, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers. This level of attention suggests a potential rise in his draft stock, with some analysts now projecting him as a potential second-round to third round pick.
Let us know in the comments below about what you think of Marshawn Kneeland as draft prospect for the Saints.