Tommy Eichenberg Lacks Playing Strength

Ohio State middle linebacker Tommy Eichenberg is the classic definition of a try-hard. He consistently gives it everything he has to give and makes plays, he’s just not a playmaker.

It’s just too darn tough when a middle linebacker lacks playing strength.

He has the height and weight, which confirms it is a strength issue.

This really rings true when he plays inside the box (inside the perimeters of the line of scrimmage) and is faced with taking on the big boys regularly.

He gets flat-out dominated.

Best dropping into coverage

Eichenberg is a classic run-and-hit cover linebacker who would probably be best served being moved to outside in the NFL where he can run, cover and hit in space.

He’s hyper-alert looking in zone coverage (dropping into a certain space of defensive responsibility) and he showed he can keep up with running backs and tight ends.

The issue is he still didn’t show the kind of speed (even at the college level) it takes to consistently get to the quarterback or consistently make plays on the ball in coverage.

He got a couple of legit pressures in this six-game block of film, but most of his blitzing efforts looked lame. He also showed some hip tightness that kept him from making quick enough adjustments in the pocket to get the quarterback.

Eichenberg does make a lot of tackles (and assists) out in coverage after the catches; in that way, he does have some value.

Eichenberg has three and a half sacks, five passes defended, and two interceptions at Ohio State in four years.

Against the run

Eichenberg makes the share of his run stops when he is left clean or when he can manage to fight off a block to get in a position to get involved.

I want to make this clear – – his effort in the run game is top-notch.

It’s just he’s inconsistent in using his hands to take on blocks (hits in with a shoulder sometimes). If he gets locked up with an offensive lineman, he’s toast.

That’s why whichever team drafts Eichenberg needs to get him out of the inside and get him out more in space where he can play to his strengths.

When offenses have set their mind to move Eichenberg out of the middle of the defense, it’s been like taking candy from a baby.

Jack Campbell

Not many teams are going to take a middle linebacker who struggles to get to the quarterback in the first-round.

Except the Detroit Lions did.

They selected Jack Campbell (out of Iowa) No. 18 in the first-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. I had a second-round pre-draft grade on Campbell. Ironically, Campbell and Eichenberg’s evaluations are almost identical when I went back and read Campbell’s.

Through his first 12 games, Campbell has 60 tackles (35 solo), one sack, and one pass defended as a rookie.

Hardly, elite production.

#35 Tommy Eichenberg 6-foot-2, 239 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Fall 2023 Grade: Second-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 7.8% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 5, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Game film reviewed (2022): Michigan, Wisconsin, Maryland, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Iowa (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 120 tackles (77 solo), 2.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, 1 interception, 1 touchdown

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Lean athletic frame high octane inside linebacker who is best when unblocked or out in space. Extremely disciplined in his assignments. Even when the play flow is going in another direction, he stays true to his assignment. Does everything he can to make run stops and aggressively attacks the line of scrimmage, but he is limited. In pass coverage, did a nice job dropping into zones and man coverage, but tends to arrive after the fact despite the short area burst shown. Excellent effort, will chase sideline to sideline and do whatever it takes to get in or around the stop. No off switch.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Disengaging from offensive linemen blocks?

2. Using hands consistently to disengage?

3. Adapting to play-flow?

4. Making plays on the ball in pass coverage?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.