2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Armon Bailey, ILB, Sacramento State
Player Data
| Name, Jersey # | Armon Bailey #4 |
| School (Code) | SAC STATE |
| DOB, Class Yr | N/A |
| Height, Weight | 6010, 231 |
| 40 Yd Dash | 4.54 (e) |
| Position/Depth | LB, #1 |
| Honors/Captainship | 1st Team All-Big Sky (2022, 2023) |
| Season Viewed (yr) | 2023 |
| Games Watched | |
| Scout Name / Date | Ryan Vidales 1/29/24 |
Player Summary:
Bailey is a sixth-year Inside Linebacker with a slender build, middling physical traits, and ample room to add mass to his frame. He does his best work downhill between the tackles. He possesses quality initial quickness & instincts to blitz through the A & B gaps and penetrate interior running lanes. Operates with sharp vision to sift through traffic and stuff runs at the LOS. Proficient play strength and knockback when stacking blocks in the first and second levels. Uses hands well to shed blocks and evade contact at the POA. Prone to getting driven back at the POA when hands get inside his pads. Recorded extensive tackling production over his final two seasons, most notably in 2023 when he led Sac State in total tackles. Flies around with a high motor to pursue the ball at all ranges of the field. Violent, explosive tackler at the point of impact. Seeks heavy contact in one-on-one situations in the open field. Habitually prioritizes the big hit rather than the secure tackle but isn’t overtly reckless enough to raise concerns about his overall tackling ability. Offers swift acceleration and burst to close when rushing the quarterback. Displays capable range when pursuing the ball from sideline to sideline. Often misjudges pursuit angles when racing the ball carrier to the edge due to adequate straight-line speed. Exhibits some lower-body stiffness when flipping his hips in coverage but provides solid ball skills at the catch point. Could make an impact on special teams coverage early in the preseason to compete for a roster spot in training camp.
Scheme Fit:
4-3 Mike Linebacker
Power Statement:
Bailey is an instinctual run-first ILB with noteworthy burst to close and explosive tackling ability in open space. He also presents intriguing blitzing capabilities as an interior pass rusher and requisite athleticism to cover the underneath zone in the MOF.