2020 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Tim Bonner, DE, Florida Atlantic University

• Name: Tim Bonner
• Height: 6050
• Weight: 250 lbs.
• Position: DE
• Draft Class: 2020
• College: Florida Atlantic (2017-2019), East Mississippi CC (2016), Louisville (2015)
• Hometown: Demopolis, AL
• High School: Demopolis HS

Games Watched: 2019: at Ohio St, vs UCF, vs Wagner, at Charlotte, vs MTSU, vs Marshall, at Old Dominion, at UTSA, vs Southern Miss, vs North Texas. 2018: vs Bethune Cookman. 2017: at Wisconsin, at Buffalo

Career Stats: 28 GP, 58 Tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 8 Sacks, 2 PD, 2 FF

Positives: First Step, AA, Play Strength vs Pass, Lateral Agility, Quickness, Hand Speed, High Motor, Wrap-Up Tackler, Versatile

Negatives: Strength at Point of Attack, Play Strength vs Outside Run, Setting the Edge, UOH, Pursuit Angles when rushing the QB

Projection: A weakside DE in a 4-3 defense or nickel package in passing situations that will allow him to play as a 5, 6, or 7 technique and cause disruption in the backfield.

Scheme Fit: A DE in a 4-3 scheme

Summary: A three-year contributor from 2017-2019 under HC Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic after playing for HC Buddy Stephens in 2016 at East Mississippi CC. Originally signed his LOI with Louisville out of high school, but was redshirted. Has excellent height with a good frame to add weight if needed. Displays good arm length. Shows versatility when lining up along the defensive line. Can lineup as a 3-technique in a 3-3-5 defense, and as a 5-technique, 6i-technique, and a 6-technique in a 4-3 defense. Has a good first step at the snap off the LOS, uses quickness & leverage to get through the B-gap against HB dives. Demonstrates good hand speed & rip move to disengage offensive linemen off the edge, shows some ability to bend around the corner against high setting offensive tackles. Can bull rush tight ends into the backfield. Shows okay lateral quickness & a high motor in pursuit. Is more of a wrap-up tackler than a big hitter. Flashes AA to break a wedge & track down the returner on special teams. Did not show much production each year from a statistical standpoint. Does not always show violence hands at the point of the attack. His ability to hold his ground & set the edge against counters, off-tackle runs and sweeps is a question. Does not show much variety with pass rush moves, relies heavily on a rip move to disengage. Can over pursue the QB in pass rushing situations. Bonner will fit best in a 4-3 defensive scheme or a nickel package as a weakside DE where he can lineup in a variety of techniques and cause disruption in the backfield. Will need to show that he can hold his ground & set the edge against the run.