2025 NFL Scouting Report: Carson Schwesinger

Carson Schwesinger, 6-2/242
Linebacker
UCLA

Carson Schwesinger Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Good instincts
Decisive, fires his gun at the right time
Capable zone coverage linebacker
Good speed
Rangy
Reads his keys well
Covers ground in zone
Good vision to read quarterback’s eyes
Speed to the sideline
Burst to eat up ground
Good height, length
Good ball skills for a linebacker
Athletic upside
Wraps up well as a tackler
Athletic
Good pursuit linebacker
Excellent blitzer
Serious downhill burst

Weaknesses:

Struggles taking on and shedding blocks
Could stand to get stronger
Needs to improve taking on blocks
Lacks stopping power
Not great in man coverage
Needs develoment in covering backs one-on-one
One-year wonder

Prospect Summary:

Schwesginer was a one-year wonder in college, but he had a tremendous 2024 season for the Bruins. Schwesginer totaled 136 tackles with four sacks, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and three passes broken up.

Schwesinger is a dangerous blitzer for the NFL, and he is very decisive about when he commits to coming downfield. That makes him dangerous on blitzes, as well as defending perimeter runs. He has a serious burst to eat up ground and can be a hard charger that dodges blockers while flying to the quarterback. With good straight-line speed, Schwesinger eats up ground in a hurry, and he is very dangerous on delayed blitzes. Schwesinger will trick the line that he is staying in coverage and then find an opening before exploding onto the quarterback.

In pass coverage, Schwesinger is able to contribute as well. Schwesinger can move around the field in space in zone coverage picking up receivers and covering up receiving options, he has shown nice read-and-react skills with the ability to eat up ground. Schwesinger will need some coaching on technique if his system requires him to play some man coverage on tight ends or backs. He has some struggles in man coverage to prevent separation.

In the ground game, Schwesinger is a good pursuit linebacker that uses his sideline-to-sideline speed to chase down backs. With good instincts, Schwesinger is always around the ball and puts himself in position to make a lot of plays. He has a nice burst and attacks downhill. However for the NFL, Schwesinger is a linebacker that needs some development. He has a lean upper and lower body so getting stronger is a necessity. Schwesinger struggles to take on and lacks some stopping power. Schwesinger can get bounced around by offensive linemen, and he will need to work on taking on and shedding blocks from pro offensive linemen.

In the 2025 NFL Draft, Schwesinger looks like a day-two pick and he could become a starting inside linebacker. He also was a good special teams contributor in college and could be an assest on kick and punt coverage.

Prospect Comparison:

Alex Anzalone. Schwesinger reminds me of Anzalone coming out of Florida. Both had good skill sets, but had limited playing experience in college. After a slow start, Anzalone has blossomed into an excellent linebacker with the Lions. I think Schwesinger’s career could follow a similar route.