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Daiyan Henley

Daiyan Henley Player Profile

Summary

  • Drafted: Round 3, 85th overall (2023) by the Los Angeles Chargers. Bolts From The Blue

  • College: Nevada (2017–2021) and Washington State (2022). NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima

  • Key Statistics / Career: In his breakout 2024 NFL season, Henley recorded 147 tackles, 8 pass breakups, 7 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 interception. NFL.com In college, at WSU in 2022, he posted 106 tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception. NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima

  • Accolades / Character: Henley was First‑Team All‑Pac-12 in 2022 and a Butkus Award finalist — the first in WSU school history. Pac-12 Known as a high-motor, versatile linebacker with strong special-teams experience and excellent leadership. Hogs Haven

Strengths

  • Sideline‑to‑Sideline Speed & Athleticism — Henley is very fluid for a linebacker, with strong recovery speed and pursuit ability. SI

  • Coverage Ability — Excellent in coverage; his speed and hip fluidity allow him to stay with running backs and tight ends, especially in zone. Hogs Haven

  • Explosive Finisher / Pass-Rush Upside — He shows burst when blitzing, with a good first step and ability to generate pressures. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Ball Skills / Playmaker — Has recorded multiple interceptions and pass breakups in college, showing good instincts in pass defense. NFL Draft Buzz

  • High Tackle Volume & Production — Proved he can be a high‑volume tackler in the NFL (147 tackles in 2024). NFL.com

  • Mental Makeup & Leadership — Known for high football IQ, being a “coach-on-the-field,” and strong leadership qualities. Bolts From The Blue

  • Special Teams Experience — Has experience on special teams, adding value as a core-specialist early in his career. NFL Draft Buzz

Weaknesses

  • Size / Frame Limitations — At ~6'1", 225 lb, he is not a big-bodied linebacker, which can make shedding blocks difficult vs larger linemen. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Instinct & Read Reaction — While athletic, he sometimes reacts late to plays or misreads the action, especially early in his career. NFL Draft Buzz

  • Run Defense Consistency — In some evaluations, his run‑defense grades lag; may struggle at times in very physical, run-heavy sets. NFL.com

  • Durability / Injury Risk — He has played through injuries and underwent offseason surgery (e.g., labrum), which could be a concern long-term.

  • Playmaking Ceiling — While productive, he is not yet an elite turnover machine; his interception and big-play numbers are not extremely high. NFL Draft Buzz

Fit & Outlook

Daiyan Henley projects as a three‑down, modern off‑ball linebacker in the NFL, particularly for defenses that value speed, coverage ability, and range. He’s well suited to a system that asks linebackers to cover tight ends and running backs, drop into zones, and run creatively on blitzes. In Los Angeles, he’s already become a defensive leader and high-volume tackler, and he offers real upside as a core linebacker. Long-term, if he continues to refine his run-defense technique, improve his play recognition, and stay healthy, his ceiling could be an all‑pro-caliber inside linebacker. Even if he doesn’t reach that, he has an excellent floor as a highly reliable starter in sub-packages and base fronts.