Joe Pawelek Scouting Report

Like most players at Baylor, Joe Pawelek has gone under the national radar despite putting up great numbers; It is not like the NFL has something against Pawelek's 6-2, 240 pound frame or his experience. After redshirting in 2005, Pawelek had one of the best seasons by a freshman in Baylor history. He earned ten starts and tallied 86 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks and one interception. Pawelek did not have anything that came close to resembling a sophomore slump. The following year he earned even more national accolades after tallying 99 tackles, 8.0 tackles-for-loss, 2.0 sacks and three forced fumbles. All of that was before he was even an upperclassman. As Pawelek took over the leadership role on the defensive side of the ball, his numbers were even better. He tallied 128 tackles as a junior and 109 as a senior. Pawelek's versatility as an inside linebacker is a big plus to the NFL. He is certainly capable of getting into the backfield and stuffing the run, but he is equally comfortable dropping back into coverage. After Brandon Spikes and Rolando McClain, there might not be a better inside linebacker in this class.