Karl Brooks came out of high school as a linebacker, weighing just 220 pounds, in 2018. Since then, he’s added 80 pounds and became a five-season starter. Brooks leaves the Falcons with 48 career starts, and didn’t miss a game (outside of the covid season) as a Falcon. He ends his career with 30 career sacks, and projects best as a 3-tech who offers some versatility as a five-tech. Think of a Brandon Graham-type prospect – that’s who Karl Brooks is.

I think that Karl Brooks has about hit his ceiling, that he doesn’t have much more to build on and effectively improve his game. Brooks has consistently grown every year of college football that he has played. That is my point, he’s gotten to his ceiling, maybe could improve his hand technique a little bit more, but we know who Brooks is right now and what type of player he is. 

Karl Brooks showing some fast, heavy hands pic.twitter.com/U9mHmvuOqm

— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) February 3, 2023

Karl Brooks stayed healthy through most of his career. Didn’t miss games, only took the usual nicks and bruises. 

Karl Brooks’ scouting report

Athletic Ability (45)

Athleticism: 15 

• Speed (6/7) – Good speed. Very athletic, moves very well.  Very rangy. Chases plays around the field. 
• Lateral Quickness (4.5/8) – Has some lateral quickness but is mostly an upfield/downfield type of runner. Not overly impressive. 

Strength/Power: 20 

• Upper Body Strength (6/7) – Solid upper body. Does a good job using power. Very stout and strong, has a great upper body build.
• Lower Body Strength (5/7) – Very stout, is able to use his speed to power very well. Generates a powerful rush and flashes some explosion. 
• Brute Power (5/6) – Has some brute to his game and has looked great at times at his career. Was absolutely unstoppable in his first day of Senior Bowl practices. 

Explosion/Burst: 10 

• First Step Burst (4/5) – Good first step. Makes up for any deficiency in his first step with his intensity coming off of the snap. 
• Explosion (3.5/5) – Good explosion. Sometimes looks like he lacks the motor and effort. 

Lineman Mechanics (20)

Containment: 10 

• Double Team Consistency (4/5) – Demanded double teams in the MAC. Was so dominant as a gap defender that he had a lot of extra attention. Best defender in the MAC hands down in 2022. 
• Double Team Win (3.5/5) – Don’t see a lot of double team wins but he can certainly contain them. 

Hand Technique: 10 

• Hand Placement (3/5) – Doesn’t have great hand placement. Still developing that part of his game. Can react and use his hands well to disrupt passing lanes. Showed some real improvement in this area of his game at the Senior Bowl. 
• Hand Strength (4/5) – Very strong hands. Excellent power in his arms, shows a nice stiff arm. Length might be a concern, but he’s very intense and makes it very difficult for players to grab him. 

Defender Ability (30)

Tackling/Pursuit: 15

• Tackling Ability (6.5/8) – Excellent wrap up tackler. Very strong and powerful finisher. Vicious in ripping the ball out. 
• Space Defending (1.5/3) – Average space defender. 
• Pursuit Angles (2/4) – Not a great pursuit defender. Has the energy but doesn’t understand angles as well as he needs to. 

Instincts: 10 

• Recognition (3.5/5) – Seems to recognize plays pretty well. 
• Natural Instincts (4/5) – Very solid instincts. Makes a lot of heady plays. Looks instinctive enough to play two-gap. 

Pass Rush Ability: 5

• Pass Rush Consistency (3.5/5) – Very solid pass rusher. Was remarkably consistent in the MAC in 2022. Had consistent growth in production through his career. Looks like he will be a 5-7 sack player per year. 

Overall: (77.5) – 3rd/4th Round