IDP Rookie Player Profile – Owen Pappoe
Owen Pappoe was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the 33rd pick in the 5th round. This linebacker spent the past four seasons manning the middle for the Auburn Tigers.
| Height | Weight | College |
|---|---|---|
| 6’0″ | 225 | Auburn |
Strengths
- Great speed and explosion, with an acceleration over the average
- Team leader
- Great covering RBs
- Instinctive player
Weaknesses
- Identify the calls
- Consistency of tackling
- Coverage of tight end
College
2022: 91 Tackles, 3 Tackles For Loss in 12 games
2021: 23 Tackles, 3 Tackles For Loss in 5 games
Pappoe was a five-star recruit coming out of high school in Georgia. He chose to play for Auburn and had a productive four-year career with the Tigers, serving as a team captain for two seasons. He missed half of the season in 2021 with a leg injury but returned in 2022 to lead the team in tackles.
Highlights
https://twitter.com/pricecheck3/status/1455955240738562061?s=46&t=R2jXXM3UPRuQj8uTg9dQHg
https://twitter.com/benfennell_nfl/status/1401571165429239818?s=46&t=R2jXXM3UPRuQj8uTg9dQHg
Landing Spot
Owen Pappoe landed with the Arizona Cardinals, who have a new head coach (Jonathan Gannon) and defensive coordinator (Vance Joseph). Gannon previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles and helped make them arguable the scariest defense in the league. Bringing this culture to Arizona, we can predict a similar idea in terms of posture and schemes. The scheme the Eagles used was based on a 4-2-5 nickel with two inside linebackers spending plenty of time on the field. This linebacker usage is promising for players like Pappoe.
The linebacker situation for the Cardinals has been a problem for a while, but the new coaching staff had plans to address the situation in free agency and the draft.
In free agency, the Cardinals brought in Kyzir White from the Eagles, who will be a starter. White signed a two-year, $10 million contract. He has a head start on the competition because he already knows the playbook.
The Swiss Army Knife, Isaiah Simmons, had his 5th year contract declined, however I’m expecting an interesting usage of him primarily as nickel, but also inside linebacker. He may even play some safety if Budda Baker is traded.
Zaven Collins has been practicing with the edge rushers during minicamp. In 2022, he struggled at times in run defense from the inside linebacker position, so it’s no surprise to see the team try him at another position.
Conclusion
Pappoe has some tough competition to be the starter with Kyzir White, Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons Krys Barnes in the fold, but he has an opportunity with very little settled. He has the potential to be developed in his first year and assume the full role in his second season. Although, he must earn the trust of the new head coach and defensive coordinator, it wouldn’t surprise me if Pappoe found a way to win the second starting spot in 2023. Make sure you don’t sleep on him.
IDP Rookie Ranking
Owen Pappoe is RPO Football’s Rookie LB #8 – Complete list can be found here: IDP Rookie Rankings