The 2020 NFL Draft may be over, but the off-season isn’t complete just yet as NFL teams were on the phone immediately after the virtual event was complete. Liberty linebacker Solomon Ajayi was one of the first to be plucked by the Cleveland front office. It is important to note that the COVID-19 situation clearly impacted the number of small schoolers selected and some of the players signed afterward including Ajayi may have been selected within the initial seven rounds under normal circumstances.
Name: Solomon Ajayi
Position: Inside Linebacker
School: Liberty
Height: 6-0
Weight: 235 pounds
One of a Kind 💯
Official Solomon Ajayi (@SoloAjayi7) Junior Highlights
📈 73 Tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 Int, 2 PD
🎬 Full Tape: https://t.co/ysr2es4qUT pic.twitter.com/U9vufJejYs
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) December 19, 2018
Strengths: Full disclosure, Ajayi was not a player I spent a lot of time on during the pre-draft process, but there are some traits that lead me to believe Ajayi can grow into a quality depth piece at both linebacker positions and be an impact player on special teams. A ton of focus was given to the Liberty skill position players on the offensive side of the ball, but Ajayi was rumored to be a player that was going to light up their scheduled pro day before the cancellations due to COVID-19.
It was rumored Ajayi was going to run the forty in the 4.7 seconds range and was going to light up the speed/agility drills. Ajayi not only had an impressive career at Liberty but worked up to that level coming from the JUCO ranks at Bakersfield College.
Here's Solomon Ajayi coming off the back peddle, recognizing it's a run and exploding to the ball-carrier to save a first-down gain. Just another example of what this linebacker brings to the table athletically. pic.twitter.com/joNlWrVs4g
— JAKE OLIVER ELLENBOGEN (@JKBogenDTR) March 30, 2020
Weaknesses: Ajayi had some very productive games and moments at Liberty, but wasn’t dominant on a consistent basis. He was expected to be the stud on their defense after leading the team in tackles as a junior, but he wasn’t a player that popped off the screen even against non-BCS opponents. It is not surprising that he went undrafted as he lacks both the ideal size and athleticism you want at linebacker, but again it should be noted he was robbed of his pro day.
Overall: Ajayi has an uphill battle to make this roster and it would be pretty shocking if he stuck around on the practice squad as well. Unlike Alex Taylor, who is another undrafted free agent target of the Browns, Ajayi doesn’t have eye popping traits and there doesn’t seem to be anything other than a adequate back-up and consistent special teams player ceiling.
