NFL Draft: Top 10 edge rushers prospects
Although there is a distinct drop off after the top three players, an underrated quality exists throughout the tight end depth in this draft class. Apparently, the ACC was the conference to go to if you wanted an impactful tight end. Since Notre Dame played for the ACC Championship, including them brings the total to five tight ends on this list from one conference. If "variety is the spice of life," which player best flavors your favorite team's offense? Pleae enjoy this week's breakdowns, as you consider your squad's most likely draft candidate.
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 266 lbs
UPSIDE:
In a word...relentless. Phillips is a quick react / recover player, who plays with physicality and an advanced awareness that makes him omnipresent on the gridiron. An explosive first step is too quick for most offensive right tackles, which makes him a useful tactical weapon on obvious passing downs and key third down situations. Phillips is adept at seamlessly bending and flattening around the edge of the line in order to beat blockers and sow havoc in the backfield. A balanced defender who is stout versus the run and equally effective against the pass, he aggressively uses active hands to manipulate the opposition. Phillips might be the most nuanced edge defender in this draft class, a talent capable of consistently blending size, speed, athleticism and functional strength against opponents.
DOWNSIDE:
Concussion issues and a problematic wrist caused this five-star talent to withdraw from playing collegiately while at UCLA. So, there is a definite "buyer beware" tag that hangs over drafting him in the first round, although he is clearly talented enough to be a top 15, day one selection. Also, organizations will have to strongly consider if Phillips is making a "payday" display of his abilities, in order to acquire first round guaranteed money, only to suddenly retire after one season of play. Outside of those health risks, Phillips is susceptible to pulls and crack back blocks. He tends to get upfield too quickly, effectively taking himself out of plays without linemen having to truly block him.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Phillips is a top 15 talent in any draft class, but the ugly specter of past injuries and prior retirement from football, may reduce his stock and have him slip down various teams' big boards. Pass rush needy teams like the Giants, Vikings and Raiders may take a chance on this risky, high level defensive talent.
COMPARISON:
Joey Bosa
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 272 lbs
UPSIDE:
Kwity Paye might be the best edge defender against the run with pass rushing upside in this draft class. Paye is able to stack and shed defenders with alacrity and defuse plays before they fully develop into offensive gains. Great at run containment, he consistently sets the edge to force plays inward, or make stops by effectively collapsing the corner himself. Athletically, he is as gifted as they come with elite quickness that mirrors the type of twitchiness seen from wide receivers. Keenly aware, Paye is extremely good at play recognition, avoiding falling for the proverbial "banana-in-the-tailpipe" misdirections teams use in their offensive schemes to confound less savvy defenders.
DOWNSIDE:
Paye needs to seriously upgrade his pass rush moves if he wants to become a complete edge rusher at the NFL level. Currently, he resorts primarily to a bull rush mode of attack to get to the passer. It appears as if he doesn't have a clear plan or approach toward defeating linemen when he needs to pressure quarterbacks. He heavily relies on basic pass rush maneuvers and his athleticism to beat blockers. Unless he improves his limited pass rushing technique, he'll become more of a run defending defensive end needing additional bulk, to endure the rigors of defensive trench battles.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Overall, Paye has a great frame and physique for the NFL, and plays with intelligence and astute awareness, especially against the run. A very coachable player that teams can expect premium effort from, Paye is high on the Vikings list and other squads like Las Vegas and Indianapolis.
COMPARISON:
Everson Griffen
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 249 lbs
UPSIDE:
Ojulari is a twitchy, athletic player who showcases a reactive quickness that puts blockers on their heels, and stresses the perimeter protection of an offensive line. He threatens more with his speed than power, but Ojulari can transition his athletic bursts into a solid thump at the point of impact, while engaging blockers or ball carriers. Ojulari is very good with extending his arm in a jabbing attack motion to create space away from a blocker. After gaining some separation, he generally slaps away his opponent's outside arm to bend and flatten around him in an angled fashion toward the intended target. With his closing speed, if Ojulari develops a solid counter move, he would become more unpredictable and virtually unblockable.
DOWNSIDE:
Unlike Kwity Paye, who is exceptional versus the run, Ojulari is less enthusiastic in his approach when defending running plays. Teams use his overeager attempts to get into their offensive backfield against him. They allow his momentum to take him past ball carriers, or inadvertently widen rush lanes and create sizeable gaps to run through. It is imperative that he increase his strength at the point of attack, because, too often he is unable to disengage from quality blocks by bigger linemen.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Ojulari is a decisive pass rusher who knows how to navigate through blocks to get to the ball carrier. He possesses vast potential, but needs to understand the nuanced aspects of playing his position at the pro level. Teams pumped for him may be... Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Miami (second 1st round pick).
COMPARISON:
Brian Burns
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-7
Weight: 260 lbs
UPSIDE:
Although he opted out of the 2020 college season, Rousseau's impressive 2019 campaign (15.5 sacks / 19.5 tackles for loss) still resonates with scouts. An explosive burst that puts blockers on their heels, Rousseau uses his length and size (6'5", 260 lbs) to bend the edges along the line and infiltrate backfields. He definitely plays with extension and utilizes that to his advantage when tackling opponents from unusual and unexpected angles on the field. Rousseau is still learning how to command his position, but he functions best when his athleticism and length overwhelm the opposition, and he doesn't have to problem solve another player's counter measures against him.
DOWNSIDE:
There are doubts about Rousseau's true impact for a team because he only had one great year at Miami. Still a work in progress, Rousseau tends to play upright exposing his pad level to better leveraged blockers that may uproot him, or at least manipulate where he wants to go. A bit stiff around the hips, Rousseau has to learn how to counter off his initial speed moves to the quarterback if he wants to be effective as a pro. A true enigma entering this draft, Rousseau has general managers contemplating how high is the reward, or how dubious the risk resides in taking him in the first round.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Rousseau has true boom or bust potential and it'll be interesting to see which team pulls the trigger on this athletic conundrum at the edge position. Some squads that may have patience developing Rousseau are...the Giants, Chargers and Miami with its second first round pick.
COMPARISON:
Harold Landry
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 253 lbs
UPSIDE:
Ossai is an athletically spry player with a thick-bodied lower torso and NFL ready frame primed for contact. The former Longhorn demonstrates enough athletic range to play either as an edge rusher, or weakside linebacker. which enables him to make plays all over the field. Flashing active hands while pursuing targets, Ossai doesn't stay blocked for long and maintains a high-motored approach until the whistle is blown ( maybe twice). An infuriating wingspan allows Ossai a level of separation, via arm extension, creating enough room for him to employ his go to swim move technique to get after quarterbacks. He is an emerging talent who is developing a feel for the game, yet hits like a runaway Mack truck.
DOWNSIDE:
His inexperience surfaces during pass rushing sequences, when blockers just ride Ossai's momentum in an arcing fashion past the quarterback. Still acclimating to bending and flexing efficiently, he tends to play upright when rushing from a two-point stance, which make him vulnerable to better leveraged blockers. Another concern is his penchant for high tackles, an undependable technique that will account for missed stops at the professional level. Ossai sports a lot of potential, but needs to mature his game if he wants success in the NFL.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Ossai is still learning the game (originally from Nigeria) and possesses numerous athletic traits that translate well on the NFL landscape. Increasing his understanding of the pro game and his overall football awareness will benefit the organization that takes him in this draft. Teams like the Ravens, Titans and Jets (second first round pick) could use Ossai's untapped talents.
COMPARISON:
Preston Smith
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 285 lbs
UPSIDE:
Basham is the type of bullying defensive end who plays extremely well against the run, yet can still generate a sufficient pass rush to compliment his overall game. He's an agile, balanced defender who's light on his feet for a man his size. Basham employs angled attacks and enforces his will with a suddenness that surprises most blockers. He makes great plays as a trail-side edge rusher, pursuing ball carriers and generating loss of yardage tackles. A leader by example, "Boogie" just plays to win as evidenced by his career totals at Wake Forest amassing 35.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks in four seasons.
DOWNSIDE:
Basham doesn't display the explosive "get-off" from the snap that many scouts desire in prospects. Physically, his lack of burst hinders his chances of beating bigger, stronger blockers that can stymie his initial surge toward the quarterback. If used primarily as an edge rusher, he may struggle against seasoned NFL tackles. Moving inside could benefit Basham because of his size and quickness against guards he may thrive as pass rushing interior defender in a 4-3 scheme.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Basham is an intriguing prospect because he was extremely productive in college. Skeptics may counter with him being the best defender on an average team, but Basham's potential at the next level is worth consideration. Teams like...Detroit, Cincinnati or Buffalo could make a play for Boogie.
COMPARISON:
Trey Hendrickson
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 254 lbs
UPSIDE:
Rashed is a rangy defensive presence suited for today's wide open offenses. Rashed is a loose hipped, edge rusher with exceptional burst and good bend off the corner. His quickness and sneaky leverage skills make him a deadly weapon suited for a variety of blitzing schemes. Rashed's strong but quick hand usage gains him a leveraged advantage versus long armed blockers that overextend when trying to stop him. A very disruptive player with a malleable body that twists, bends and unloosens from a slew of angles, Rashed's elusive frame is difficult to target when linemen try to block him. Rashed may be the most overlooked, versatile and unpredictable pass rusher in this draft class, and that is not an overstatement.
DOWNSIDE:
Opting back into this past season didn't work out well for Rashed, as his numbers fell dramatically from the previous year. Scouts will potentially red flag this past season and wonder if Rashed is just a "one year wonder." Increasing his mass with additional weight and strengthening his lower torso could assist in maintaining his base on running plays, a struggling aspect of Rashed's game. Consistency is a mounting issue for Rashed, especially when comparing production from the past two collegiate campaigns.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Re-establishing what made Rashed effective in 2019 is something that might not happen until after the draft. Possibly 3-4 defensive front teams like Tennessee, Pittsburgh or Houston might find a place for the former Oregon State Beaver.
COMPARISON:
Leonard Floyd
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 270 lbs
UPSIDE:
Weaver possesses good length and plays with acute awareness and quick scheme recognition. His initial surge is strong off the snap as he moves with power, striding purposefully into offensive linemen. He capably holds the edge, but can quickly disengage from blockers and either contain or stop ball carriers from making significant gains. Weaver is adept at controlling his momentum after penetrating past the perimeter of the offensive line, and athletic enough to finish defensively in the backfield. Overall, he's a strong balanced edge defender.
DOWNSIDE:
Weaver is an athletic big man, but he doesn't provide that "twitchy" burst many scouts and defensive coaches desire. Although he operates powerfully and can gain the edge, he doesn't have a diverse toolbox of moves to counter effective blocks from seasoned linemen. Many of Weaver's wins against his opposition were against less skilled and athletically challenged blockers. There are also questions as to if his numbers were inflated by being surrounded by talented teammates.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
A bullying presence at the line of scrimmage, Weaver's aggressiveness will get him noticed by scouts and general managers. Some teams checking out his effectiveness might be...Cincinnati, Jacksonville, or Tampa Bay.
COMPARISON:
Pernell McPhee
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 257 lbs
UPSIDE:
Oweh is freakishly athletic and nerve-rackingly raw, with unbelievable potential. He'll test off the charts at whatever pro day he attends, and scouts will drool over the seemingly, limitless possibilities he presents. That's the good news. The danger in drafting him is that he may just turn out to be more "athlete" than "football player." Oweh's size allows him the flexibility to play with his hands on the ground or in a sprinter's stance to rush the passer from an elevated position. His 40-time (4.36) is hard to comprehend considering size (6'5", 257 lbs) and no coach can teach that type of speed. Only his inexperience is keeping him from being a higher rated draft prospect.
DOWNSIDE:
Oweh flashes classic boom or bust results, because of his extraordinary physical gifts that are married to minimal game production. It’s a mystery if his athleticism will translate at the NFL level. Oweh didn't start playing football until his junior year in high school, so, he is still learning the game. He's proficient at redirection because of his agility, but also, due in part to him often being out of position. It's imperative that he develop more pass rush moves than just the bull rush he relies on.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
Drafting Oweh will demand patience on an organization's part. Oweh is raw, but a blank canvas of athletic potential that could utilized in various positions. Teams like... Tennessee, Pittsburgh or Baltimore could mold him into super stardom.
COMPARISON:
Tremaine Edmunds
SIZE:
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 247 lbs
UPSIDE:
Perkins is an underrated productive and decisive player that could blossom in the right scheme. He operates with exceptional balance, always moving his feet and probing for weaknesses along the offensive perimeter. An intelligent player, he sets up blockers by using his hands to offset any size mismatch against larger offensive linemen. Using an effective swim move, Perkins' flexibility around the edge helps him maximize his quickness and speed to disrupt plays in the offensive backfield. Perkins' elite lateral quickness and analytical insight help him sift through traffic to negate ball carriers. Ultimately, Perkins is an active player that always seems to be around the action and consistently makes significant contributions.
DOWNSIDE:
Perkins is a bit undersized as a defensive end and may project as a "tweener" position wise, because he struggles in space as an outside linebacker. Undoubtedly, he'll have to increase his upper body strength and learn to leverage better when he's size disadvantaged. Perkins displays a few nice go to pass rush moves, but he needs to improve on combining them to take advantage of his quickness. His floor is solid, but Perkins' ceiling isn't much higher, so him maximizing his consistency will make him a better pro.
LIKELY SCENARIO:
A bit of a dark horse athlete, Perkins could pleasantly surprise the team that selects him on day two of the draft. Squads like...the Rams, Texans, or Eagles could benefit from his proficiency.
COMPARISON:
Kyle Van Noy
