2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Alex Howard, LB, Duke

Alex Howard in action for Duke

Name: Alex Howard
College: Duke
Position: Linebacker (LB)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 230 lbs
Games Watched: NCUN, TNMI, CTUN

Strengths: Excellent pass coverage skills, decent range, impressive instincts.

Weaknesses: Subpar tackling technique, lacks explosiveness and twitch, struggles to shed blocks effectively, limited pass rush ability.

Summary:

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Alex Howard, a fifth-year senior linebacker, transferred to Duke from Youngstown State. He possesses the size and frame to potentially add more weight. While he demonstrates above-average capabilities in pass coverage, his performance as a run defender and pass rusher falls below average.

Howard displays good instincts and flows to the ball well in run defense. He shows flashes of decent range and willingness to take on blocks, but his lack of explosiveness often leads to overpursuit. His most significant weakness lies in his tackling technique. He consistently misses tackles, particularly in open space, and struggles to shed blocks effectively. He lacks the power to dislodge the ball and often resorts to drag-down tackles. His backpedal can appear clumsy and unstable.

In pass coverage, Howard shines. He effectively covers receivers, maintains tight coverage without drawing penalties, and demonstrates the ability to carry receivers downfield. However, as a pass rusher, his lack of explosiveness and speed hinders his ability to pressure the quarterback consistently.

Projection: Rounds 6 or 7.