2022 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Phidarian Mathis

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Phidarian Mathis, 6-3/313 Defensive Tackle Alabama

Phidarian Mathis Scouting Report
By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Polished defender

Athletic, quick interior defender

Quick at the point of attack

Solid get-off

Quality feet

Fires his gap

Disruptive in the backfield

Quick at the point of attack

Good technique

Plays with good pad level

Can contribute some interior pass rush

Quality run defender

Developed upper body strength

Strong to stack at the line

Hustles downfield

Good motor

Excellent intangibles

Weaknesses:

Frame could be maxed out

Needs to improve pass-rushing moves for the NFL

Not overly strong

Not overly fast

Summary: With Alabama being so talented, it took some time for Mathis to see the field. Mathis worked his way onto the field as a junior and contributed 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and three passes defended. Mathis then played really well for the Crimson Tide as a senior and was their most effective interior rusher to play off of superstar edge rusher Will Anderson. In 2021, Mathis recorded 53 tackles, nine sacks and one forced fumble.

In the pass rush, Mathis flashes the ability to contribute in putting pressure on the quarterback. He is quick off the snap and he plays with good pad level to gain leverage on offensive linemen. Mathis possesses active hands and developed technique, and he is smart about how he attacks guards. In both phases, Mathis displays a steady motor and doesn’t quit on plays, going hard through the whistle. While he has some physical limitations for the next level, Mathis could be a rotational contributor.



Mathis is generally a solid against the run, but he is not an exceptional defender. Mathis uses his developed upper body to keep guards from pushing him off the ball, and he shows a nice ability to push off and pursue down the line to get in on tackles. Mathis will be a contributor, but not a dominant run defender in the NFL.

In the 2022 NFL Draft, Mathis has the potential to be a second-day pick. Mathis has the ability to be a tackle in a 4-3 and a five-technique end in a 3-4. He could go in the third round and probably won’t last long if he slips to the fourth round.



Player Comparison: Dalvin Tomlinson. Mathis is reminiscent of Tomlinson coming out of Alabama. Tomlinson was tougher versus the run, while Mathis was better as a pass rusher. Both of them, however, are smart and tough, play hard, and have excellent intangibles. Tomlinson was a second-day pick, and Mathis could go in that range during the 2022 NFL Draft. Mathis could end up being a similar quality pro to Tomlinson.

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