Tyler Baron, EDGE, Miami
Size:
Height: 6045
Weight: 258
Arm: 33 ⅛”
Hand: 10”
Accomplishments:
All-ACC Honorable Mention (2024)
“Tyler Baron is a physically imposing edge rusher with intriguing traits that showcase a high level of projectability as a pass rusher down the road.”
Strengths:
Size and length
Projectability
Alignment versatility
Ability to win to the inside
Setting the edge
Concerns:
Hand counters
Rush plan
Explosiveness
Film Analysis:
A transfer to Miami after four seasons in the SEC at Tennessee, Tyler Baron is a physically imposing edge rusher with intriguing traits that showcase a high level of projectability.
As a pass rusher, he often wins with brute force and a relentless motor, consistently converting speed to power with heavy hands. He’s not the most explosive or flexible rusher off the edge and will play with a high pad level at times, but he compensates with good hand placement and the ability to collapse the pocket. Can overwhelm tackles once leverage is won (threw the Florida A&M RT into the QB for a sack in Week 2). When his momentum is stopped at the top of his rush, Baron will often look to spin off of contact and pursue the quarterback. While he lacks an elite first step, his effort and ability to disengage from blocks make him a disruptive presence. He’s also shown flashes of an improved pass-rush repertoire, mixing in a club-rip and inside counter to complement his power-based approach.
Against the run, Baron is stout at the point of attack and sets a firm edge – he will also not allow himself to be blocked by tight ends. His anchor allows him to stack and peek effectively, and he has the awareness to diagnose plays quickly. He rarely gets pushed off his spot and does a solid job maintaining gap integrity, making him a reliable defender in the fringe areas of the line of scrimmage. While he’s not the rangiest defender, his effort and technique allow him to make plays in the backfield when given the opportunity. Baron has shown instances of slashing down the line of scrimmage as the backside pursuit defender to blow up plays before they reach the line of scrimmage (11 TFLs in 2024).
Concerns stem from his athletic ceiling and overall pass-rush fluidity. He lacks the elite twitch and flexibility to consistently bend the edge against high-level tackles, which may limit his upside and success as a pure pass rusher at the next level. His first step is adequate, and without a consistent outside speed rush, he can become predictable in his approach. Working on running his feet through contact will also help in continuing to push as plays extend. While his natural power and mass are weapons he uses often, refining his counter moves and improving his ability to win with finesse would help elevate his profile at the position.
Overall, Baron is a high-motor edge defender who projects well as a rotational piece in an NFL front, and his ability to set the edge makes him a valuable piece on early downs. While he may not be a high-ceiling pass rusher at this point in his evaluation, his physicality and effort showcase a contributing prospect with a clear path to snaps at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Scheme Specific Contributor
Written By: Ryan Fowler
Exposures: Louisville (2024), Florida State (2024), Virginia Tech (2024)
