2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dayon Hayes, EDGE, Pittsburgh

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Dayon Hayes #50
School (Code)	University of Pittsburgh (PAPT)
DOB, Class Yr	08/26/2001, rSr
Height, Weight	6025, 275 lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.83e
Position/Depth	EDGE/1st
Season Viewed (yr)	2023
Games Watched	NCWF, NCUN, OHCI, WVUN
Scout Name / Date	Ian McNice, 10/26/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	7 GP, 22 TKL, 5.5 TFL, 2.0 SK, 2 PD
2022	8 GP, 17 TKL, 4.5 TFL, 3.5 SK,
2021	14 GP, 16 TKL, 9 TFL, 3.0 SK, 1 FF, 1 PD
2020	5 GP, 3 TKL, 2.5 TFL, 2.5 SK, 1 FF

Player Summary:

Redshirt Senior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a highly touted recruit who had over 25 scholarship offers, amassing 49.5 sacks in his final two seasons at Westinghouse HS. Below-average height at all positions on the DL, paired with elite weight as a 7-9 technique, marginal weight as a 5 technique and he appears to have adequate arm length on film. Good AA, solid acceleration, good lateral quickness, COD, adequate flexibility, and marginal balance. Good upfield burst coming primarily from a 4-point stance, with very little wasted movement in his footwork with no false step. Solid pass rush plan, he utilizes a double strike to his opponents with adequate accuracy and is effective in converting his speed to power when he lands his hands. He can win using a speed rush around the edge as well, he displays adequate bend when using a dip technique with his inside shoulder while pairing it with a solid rip from his inside hand. Good counter to his power rush, he can fake the double strike and time up a finesse move with the OL out on his toes. Marginal finishing ability, he is below-average gathering his weight when at a high velocity and allowing the QB to evade him with subtle movements in the pocket. Good at setting the edge as a run defender, he creates penetration on the frontside with excellent initial quickness forcing the RB back towards the tackle box. Good lateral quickness and hat position allow him to stretch designed outside runs toward the sideline while keeping outside contained. Adequately takes on gap scheme actions at the POA, he tends to turn himself laterally to brace himself with his shoulder vs lead blockers and can lose gap integrity as a result. Marginal tackler in space, he consistently has a high pad level when executing tackles as well as not being able to gather his momentum quickly enough in space vs superior athletes.

Scheme Fit:

5-9 technique in 4-3 one gap scheme

Power Statement:

Hayes is a versatile DL, he has aligned at 0, 4, 5, 7, and 9 techniques in different packages. He has shown to be a solid pass rusher vs all positions on the OL. Can improve his UOH at the POA in run support, specifically when he takes on pulling blockers he loses gap integrity.