Leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft starting on April 27th, we will be releasing several draft profiles of prospects who could potentially see themselves on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Next up...
DeMarvion Overshown (Linebacker), Texas, Senior
DeMarvion Overshown stands in at 6'3" tall, weighing 230lbs, and is one of the best athletes at the linebacker position in this draft class.
Brandon Wade
DeMarvion Overshown celebrates recovering a fumble in the Cotton Bowl in 2021
Overview
While being one of the more well known names among the draft community, Overshown is rarely talked about as one of the top talents in this draft. He possesses a unique blend of size and speed that most team's covet in the modern age middle linebackers, as well as good hit power that would have Steeler Nation jumping out of their seats.
Overshown converted from safety to linebacker, and when you watch his tape it definitely shows. While he made significant strides in his play recognition and play speed from 2021 to 2022, he still can be slow to react at times and gets stuck on blocks more often than you'd like to see.
Pros:
- Muscular build with room to add weight
- Good speed and change of direction
- Improved tackling greatly in final season
- Fast trigger when he trusts what he sees
- Solid covering tight ends and backs out of the backfield
- Continued progression from year to year
- Good hit power
Cons:
- Still too lean to take on lineman consistently in the run game
- Slow getting off blocks
- While improved, too many examples of slow play recognition
- Misses more tackles than you'd like
- No real pass rush moves as a blitzer, relies on athleticism and speed
The Steelers have struggled to find a permanent solution in the middle of their defense ever since Ryan Shazier's career was cut short due to injury. Whether it be the numerous free agent signings, i.e. Mark Barron, Jon Bostic, etc., or their failed draft picks, i.e. Devin Bush, no one they acquired has been the answer. Not saying Overshown would be an immediate answer in the middle, but he possesses a lot of similar traits to a young Shazier, and has upside to become one of the better linebackers in the NFL.
Michael Thomas | AP
DeMarvion Overshown making a diving tackle in a home game in 2022
Run Game
Considering his move from safety and his slender frame, it isn't a huge surprise that this is the area of Overshown's game that needs the most improvement. Since the switch to linebacker full time, there has been remarkable improvement in terms of his play recognition and play speed, but he still is behind the eight ball in this regard. Pair that with a slender frame that can struggle to take on lineman at times and you end up with the weakest area of Overshown's game.
Coverage
There is little doubt that Overshown has the needed speed and instincts in coverage to be a contributor to an NFL team early in his career. This is where being a safety previously drastically has helped, as Overshown has shown the instinct in route concept recognition and ability to flip his hips to stay with his man in coverage. At a minimum, Overshown should be able to carve out a role in the NFL as a 3rd down linebacker.
Tim Warner | Getty Images
DeMarvion Overshown celebrates a sack at home against the West Virginia Mountaineers
Blitzing and Athleticism
Overshown's length and athleticism are his best attributes, and he uses that to his advantage as much as possible. That includes when he is sent on a run blitz or rushing the passer, as he triggers downhill and can get into the backfield incredibly quick. Unfortunately, he relies significantly on his athleticism in this regard, and if he isn't able to get passed blockers with his quickness he lacks a plan of attack to shed the blocks.
NFL Comparison - Darron Lee
Both Overshwon and Lee were new to the linebacker position and were athletic linebackers who needed to add more mass to their frame. Lee was a bit ahead of where Overshown is, as he was a first round pick and showed excellent play recognition, but when Overshown trusts what he sees and triggers there are a lot of similarities between these two on tape.
Draft Projection - 3rd/4th Round
Due to how raw he has shown to be at times, it is unlikely someone takes Overshown in the first two rounds. He could sneak up draft boards due to his athleticism, but most likely he falls in the middle rounds.
Let us know below what you think about Overshown as a prospect and the potential of seeing him in the black and gold catching passes from Pickett! What other prospects would you be interested in seeing a profile on? Click to comment below!
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