Dolac gets his own thread

The rest is old stuff moved here from the former “UDFAs” thread

from https://ramblinfan.com/rams-waste-no-time-signing-13-potential-impact-players-after-the-2025-nfl-draft-01jstp746y41

Inside linebacker (1)

LB Shaun Dolac – 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker from the University of Buffalo. Shaun Dolac. He wowed scouts at his pro day. From Buffalo Bills Beat writer Ryan Talbot: Per source, UB LB Shaun Dolac is joining the #Rams as an UDFA. He has that unique S/LB potential

from https://ramblinfan.com/rams-quietly-make-17-roster-moves-immediately-after-2025-nfl-draft-01jsyzf8kx6t

Inside linebacker (1)

LB Shaun Dolac – 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker from the University of Buffalo. Shaun Dolac. He is a versatile tackling machine that I cannot believe did not go drafted. He is a defensive coordinator’s dream signing, as his 168 tackles, 6.5 quarterback sacks, and 5.0 interceptions in 2024 showcase a weapon who can be used in many ways and roles. We’ll talk more about him soon.

from https://www.the33rdteam.com/shaun-dolac-2025-nfl-draft-scouting-report/

Scouting Overview

Buffalo Bulls linebacker Shaun Dolac is an instinctive playmaker who has done well to maximize his abilities, thanks to excellent football IQ and underrated athleticism. He’s not a big linebacker, and his pro projection is muddied by his lack of length and lack of mass.

Still, there have been enough successful linebackers out of this mold as of late that suggest he’s got a puncher’s chance of fulfilling his potential at the pro level. That potential? A three-down starter. Dolac is tougher than his size and plays a frantic brand of football.

Positives

Play by play tackle machine with a career missed tackle rate of 7.5%
Productive middle-of-the-field zone defender with good eyes to drop into secondary throwing windows
Loose hips and a low center of gravity make for fluid changes of direction in space

Negatives

For being an undersized talent, he’s not the most explosive or twitchy player
Played in just four games in 2023 before a season-ending injury and then finished 2024 with an elbow brace
Will be a 24-year-old rookie in September while coming from the MAC

Tale Of The Tape

Dolac is a cerebral linebacker who has been the big fish in a small pond during his three-year run of terror through the MAC. There’s an obvious transition ahead of him, and he may not have the ideal traits to fit as a universal stack linebacker for every scheme.

However, his 2024 season showcased capable zone coverage work over the middle. Dolac offered good peripheral vision to feel routes crossing through his zone landmarks and enough mobility to flash and take away throwing windows.

He was disciplined with his eyes while plastering receivers and made additional plays on the football at the catch point. He lacks length and an explosive burst to jump throwing windows and will be more opponent error-oriented, but his anticipation of longer, developing routes in traffic could still yield opportunities.

As a run defender, Dolac offers Energizer Bunny effort and pursuit to the football. He’s the fastest-moving player on the field once the play declares, and he takes angles that allow him to hawk down ball carriers or otherwise press them out of bounds. Despite his size and lack of length, he was credited with a 5 percent missed tackle rate in 2024 and has success in the open field and at the line of scrimmage plugging gaps.

It is fair to question whether Dolac is properly suited for racing downhill against bigger ball carriers. His size will always be a natural barrier that he will need to circumvent with good form and proper hat placement.

Dolac will also need to ensure he’s adjusted his decision-making process regarding when to shoot gaps and attack downhill. When entering into the front, he is in danger of getting plastered to blocks and lacks the wingspan, reach, and block deconstruction ability to pull himself free.

He’s a sharp and fast decision-maker with confidence, but the point of no return on his rep fitting and shooting to run under blocks may be a threat if he can’t get home. These plays will hit faster and more intensely at the pro level.

Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Dolac projects as a scheme-specific developmental starter. He’s ideally a space player who thrives as an attacking defender when given the opportunity to use his vision and instincts.

He has enough athleticism to play zone and hit his landmarks. He’d be best served playing behind an aggressive front.

good instincts by Shaun Dolac pic.twitter.com/KnfUZyH9zp

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 18, 2025

.@RamsNFL @ShaunDolac @UBFootball his instincts are the same as when he was playing college. 2weeks in a row. stacking up tackles #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/DjRcJNuZoH

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 18, 2025

from https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/54662/

Shaun Dolac

2025 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about SHAUN DOLAC:

Buffalo | Hometown: West Seneca, NY | HT: 6002 | WT: 221 | 40 time: 4.63 | Hand: 0938 | Arm: 3000 | Wing: 7438

Three year starter. First team All-MAC and consensus All-American in 2024. Led the MAC in tackles in 2024. Led all FBS players with 81 solo tackles. Incredible numbers in his career with 384 tackles, 6 interceptions, 12 sacks, and 12 pass breakups. Missed most of 2023 with an injury. Former walk-on became a team leader on and off the field. Mostly lined up as an off the ball Sam but was also in the middle. Some overhang reps as well. Instinctive initial read and react and is patient and normally precise. Inside run fits are consistently accurate. When he “sees it” can fly downhill to make plays on the line. Adept at taking open windows to get into the backfield and make a play. Exhibits ability to slip blocks on the move with quick hands. Shuffles outside staying on the back hip of the ball carrier with angles to meet the play in the alley. Shows a burst out of a shuffle when a back declares upfield. In zone coverage is adept at passing crossers and reading the quarterback. Has mirror ability to match backs out of the backfield. Gets depth in his drop with vision to balance routes in underneath zones. Quick break on the ball with hands to the catch point. Excellent blitzer with timing on the snap and a closing burst chasing. Tackling skill is virtually flawless with gather, wrap and drive. Doesn’t miss many tackles. Not the best at taking on blocks. At times takes a side and is ridden out. On straight up blocks, lacks power and can be driven back. Was a notable Combine snub as he lacks elite speed and size. He’s too productive to ignore and will get a shot.