Retrospective scouting report · Class of 2023R6 · #184
LB· Round 6
Zaire
Barnes.
Sickos Grade
46.3/100
LB· Round 6· Run-and-hit off-ball linebacker possessing strong instincts in pursuit
Zaire
Barnes.
Western Michigan
/ Recruiting profile
★★★☆☆stars.8288
National · #1606HS class · 2018Carmel Catholic, IL
247Sports composite via CFBD
R6 · #184 · NYJ
02Scheme fit
Ideal system
Cover-3 match with a 4-3 front, and quarters principles layered in, emphasizing zone drops with opportunities to blitz.
Will LBOff-ball LBStack LB coreSpecial Teams Ace
Best role
Immediate special teams contributor with a developmental path to a depth outside linebacker role.
Wrong fit
A weak-side linebacker in a 3-4 two-gap scheme where he would consistently be asked to stack and shed bigger bodies.
Barnes best projects to a special teams role early in his career, with potential to develop into a rotational WILL linebacker in a zone-heavy scheme.
08College production
| Yr | Team | G | Tkl | Sk | Int | PD | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Western Michigan | 13 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Western Michigan | 11 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2021 | Western Michigan | 13 | 68 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Western Michigan | 12 | 94 | 1.5 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Career | — | 49 | 206 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
A dash means the figure is not published by a source we trust — never a zero we invented.
Draft Sickos · retrospective scouting profile