Chazz Surratt 2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Name: Chazz Surratt

Position: Linebacker

College: North Carolina

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 229 lbs

Overall Rank: No. 67 overall

Position Rank: LB7

Strengths: Chazz Surratt headed to UNC as a standout prep quarterback but moved to the other side of the ball prior to the 2019 season. In just two years at linebacker, he’s proven to be an ascending player with high-level competitive toughness and excellent athleticism for the position. Surratt plays the position with above-average athleticism and isn’t afraid to fit the run downhill with tempo and power. He’s got sideline-to-sideline speed and athleticism, allowing him to chase down boundary runs that most other linebackers struggle to track in space. The UNC staff didn’t waste time making him one of the centerpieces of their defense and he shows good leadership to be the alpha on a defense. As a coverage defender, he matches up well in man against tight ends and backs, using speed to get in-phase and able to play most routes horizontally or vertically. In a limited time, Surratt has shown he has the needed athleticism to be a modern-day linebacker that teams can win with.

Weaknesses: While Surratt’s growth as a linebacker is impressive, he still looks green at the position and creative playcallers that can mess with the eyes of defenders will have their way with him early. He plays with a bit of hectic pace, sometimes doing too much and needing to be a little bit more patient fitting the run. He has a tendency to block himself some times, running into bad angles or getting caught in the wash because he’s in such a hurry to make the play. While that enthusiasm is great, he’ll struggle to consistently fit downhill on counters that expect him to fill and squat with good leverage and power. Surratt doesn’t need to add much weight, but he does need to continue building out an NFL frame in regard to power and strength. Quite simply, gap schemes that square him up with an NFL guard won’t worry too much about him as an early run defender. 

What I Love: Nobody will question Chazz Surratt’s competitiveness or desire. The dude obviously loves football and is willing to do what it takes to get on the field. 

NFL Comparison: Akeem Davis-Gaither

Grade: 80/100

Position Specific Traits:

(key: +, ++, +++ positive scale | -, - -, - - - negative scale)

Athletic Ability: ++

Football IQ/Instincts: +

Pass Coverage: ++

Pass Rush: +

Run Defense: -

Tackling: +