Now this is interesting -- the New Orleans Saints had a prominent presence at UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger's pro day, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. 30 teams were represented and five of them sent their linebackers coaches, including the Saints, who Schefter says met privately with Schwesinger (as did the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants positions coaches).
So why all the attention? Schwesinger has the look of someone who will be a better pro than college player after starting just one season for the Bruins, but he was very effective last year for UCLA. He graded out as one of the nation's best coverage linebackers and rarely missed a tackle. He was credited with two interceptions and a forced fumble, plus three passes defensed, four sacks, and nine tackles for loss last year. Pro Football Focus charting credited him with 18 quarterback pressures on just 62 blitzes. Despite his inexperience, he's a playmaker.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler adds that while he didn't run the 40-yard dash, Schwesinger did time the three-cone drill in 7.05 seconds and clocked the 20-yard shuttle at 4.25 seconds. That shows really impressive agility for a 238-pound linebacker (he was listed at 225 last year but weighed in at 242 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, and shed a little weight for his pro day). Take it with his 10-foot-7 broad jump and the 39.5-inch vertical he posted at the combine and you've got an exemplary 9.80 Relative Athletic Score.
Schwesinger is projected to be a top-50 draft pick; probably hearing his name called early in Round 2, but maybe late in the first round. He'll be an option if he makes it to the No. 40 overall pick for New Orleans. Demario Davis is entering the final year of his contract and, while he's said he plans on playing through 2027, the Saints could look to start developing his replacement. If he's stuck on special teams early in his career, as Alontae Taylor and Pete Werner were before injuries pushed them into the lineup, that's a role Schwesinger knows well. He logged 569 snaps in the kicking game at UCLA covering punts and kickoffs. Don't sleep on him in this year's draft class.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Saints have big presence at Carson Schwesinger pro day
