Tommy Eichenberg Falls on Draft Board

Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg is a tougher evaluation because he makes it hard to root against him.

Eichenberg competes hard.

He’s just too limited. Despite the effort he gives, it’s hard to hide his average football-playing speed and below-average playing strength (especially at linebacker).

Eichenberg is still the type of prospect who will move the meter, but it has to be at the proper valuation and that valuation has to be based on what he put on game film.

Try-hard run defender

Eichenberg’s tackling stats fell off this past season:

2022: 120 tackles

2023: 80 tackles

This is where his lack of playing strength really shows up ⎯when he has to take on big offensive lineman. He had a whale of a time getting off these types of blocks and that’s not too good when he was positioned inside at middle linebacker.

Offensive linemen kicked his fanny.

To his credit, Eichenberg was able to make his share of tackles and assists when he managed to keep himself unblocked or the block wasn’t that good.

Regardless, he often could only get involved once the ball carrier reached him.

Eichenberg is not a run-in and blow things up type of defender.

Blitzed a lot

In Ohio State’s defensive scheme, Eichenberg blitzed often.

The only problem was he didn’t get there much.

Eichenberg logged one sack in 2023.

The issue once again was a lack of playing speed and playing strength when he was forced to take on blocks en route to the quarterback.

Pass coverage

This was the best part of Eichenberg’s game.

He looks like a smart football player on film and he was effective dropping into short zones matching up well in man against tight ends.

Despite not running a 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine or his Pro Day, Eichenberg can run around in coverage on film.

He did a decent job staying in phase (matching) routes against tight ends and getting out in position to cover running backs on lateral screens. If he wasn’t there in time when the ball arrived, he was able to get there in time to make a tackle or assist.

Football is important to him

After the Michigan game, Eichenberg had this to say in a Fox Sports article, “I just know I definitely could have played a lot better,” he said. “I felt like I let down so many people, really. Especially being a captain, too. You know, that’s the standard is winning that game. It was very hard for me. But you gotta keep moving forward.”

It’s the players who care ⎯the players who want to win ⎯that move the meter.

Because of this, there is a place for Eichenberg at the next level.

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

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Fifth-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 3.3% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 14, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Tommy Eichenberg Lacks Playing Strength (6 games evaluated)

2023 game film reviewed: Notre Dame, Penn State, and Maryland (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Eichenberg Combine Results

Pro Football Focus Profile

Good fit: Detriot Lions

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A modern-day linebacker with a throwback football attitude. Competitive. Against the run looks to stay clean or sustain minimal contact to get involved in stops. Active. Battles and tries inside. He’s just limited. Uses hands, with below-average results. No pass rush moves are shown when blitzing. No pop or explosives at the point of attack. When dropping into coverage often ends up around the action one way or the other. No burst shown. Average change of direction. One gear average playing speed. Well-rounded prospect.

Final words

He looked like Lions’ Head Coach Dan Campbell’s type of guy.

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. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.