Max Llewellyn

● Solid mass throughout his frame, with adequate length 358 Back to table of contents -- 362 of 629 -- ● Quick off the ball to disrupt set points of offensive tackles ● Skilled at using stab or long-arm moves to attack breastplates of blockers and create movement ● Uses Euro steps to set up cross chops or violent rips ● Very physical with arm-over and swipe moves to soften shoulders of blockers ● Always in pursuit mode, be it chasing the ball or finding throwing lanes ● Whether in practice or a game, motor stays cranked whenever he is on the field ● Coaches say he works overtime with his training (NFL scout: “I wouldn’t call him a team leader, but everyone likes him … level-headed, solid character.”)

● High-cut frame with tapered lowers; appears maxed out ● Stiff and struggles to flip his hips when turning the corner ● Pad level gets upright almost immediately post-snap ● Likes to go to his spin move — but it becomes predictable ● Below-average run defender; needs to key blocks quicker ● Has “stack” part down okay; not so much the “shed” ● Alarming number of missed and “almost” tackles on tape ● Only one year as college starter — below-average experience for someone who will be a 24-year-old NFL rookie

A one-year starter at Iowa, Llewellyn played left defensive end (three-point and stand-up) in defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s 4-3 base scheme. He patiently waited his turn and didn’t disappoint when he finally cracked the starting lineup in his fifth year in the program. He led the Hawkeyes in 2025 in pressures (45) and delivered a pressure on 14.7 percent of his pass rush snaps, which ranked No. 11 in the Big Ten. Llewellyn is a good-sized, versatile edge rusher who doesn’t grade as exceptional in any one area, aside from his nonstop motor. He pairs a quick get-off with a crafty setup to overwhelm blockers before they have much time to react. He is upright and stiff in his attack but strains and creates enough momentum to convert speed to power. He struggles to out-leverage blockers as an edge setter and doesn’t put himself in position to make run stops (averaged two tackles per game in 2025). Overall, Llewellyn needs to improve as a run defender if he wants to be an every-down NFL defender, but his relentless, high-effort pass rush will give him a chance to find a long-term role. He projects as a subpackage defensive end at the next level.