Player: Damone Clark

School: LSU

Height and Weight: 6’2.5”, 239

Combine Results:

• 40: 4.57
• Bench: DNP
• Vertical Jump: 36.5”
• Broad Jump: 10’7”
• 3 Cone: 7.12
• Other Notes: Damone Clark’s numbers at the combine weren’t eye popping. He probably ran a little slower than he looks on tape, but some players play faster than they run so that’s not a huge deal. Clark had a good day in the on field drills as well. I don’t remember him standing out in a good or bad way.

Strengths: Shooting gaps, spying QB, coverage

Weaknesses: Inconsistent tackling, does not use his size/strength in question

Projected Draft Day: Late Day 1/Day 2

Player Comparison: Lavonte David

Player Summary: Damone Clark is a super solid player that any team would love to be able to walk out of this draft with. When I watch Clark, I believe that this is what people think Devin Lloyd is. Clark plays fast and with a high IQ. Clark is definitely a better pass defender than he is run defender, but is serviceable in the run. There is not a linebacker who roams the middle of the field the way that Clark does. Clark can cover the zones in the middle of the field as well as spy the quarterback, and there’s no linebacker who shoots gaps like Clark does. There are plays when Clark is supposed to either spy or cover the middle of the field and will find a gap in the line, shoot it, and get a sack. He knows when to go and when not to go, as I stated earlier, he’s a super high IQ player. He rarely ever shoots the gap to apply pressure if it means blowing an assignment. His ability to play in space is top notch.

Clark’s primary issue on tape is that his tackling is pretty inconsistent. Clark’s style of play also really confuses me. It seems like he tries to predicate his game on speed, but based on the 40 he isn’t really the fastest guy. Again, Clark looks fast on tape, so I’m not all that worried about the 40 time, play speed means more to me. I believe Clark is one of the biggest linebackers coming out this year, but you would never know it. One big question mark for me is how strong is Clark? Clark did not bench at the combine, and I get the bench isn’t going to show his strength entirely, but at least I would be able to have an idea. Clark could very easily be one of the best linebackers to come from this class, but without knowing his strength level I don’t know what his potential is as a run defender. Clark needs to use his size to his advantage in the box and play to his size.

Just one final note is that Clark had spinal fusion surgery for a herniated disk. It sounds like he will miss his entire rookie season, but should make a full recovery. Although I believe Clark is a Day 1/Day 2 pick, this surgery could see Clark falling due to the uncertainty around surgeries like that. If he does fall, Clark could be the steal of the draft.