Arnold

Ebiketie

The acquisition had not been finalized, according to Schultz, who said said the nixing of the deal “is not physical or performance related.” It could be related to the Ebiketie acquisition forcing the Bengals to forfeit a 2027 3rd round compensatory draft pick that via the team’s Trey Hendrickson trade to the Ravens. In any case, the Bengals will likely head into the second half of the season with one of the league’s worst pass rushes. Only the Bills and Chiefs have fewer sacks on the season.

The Bengals are shoring up their defense ahead of a postseason run with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins healthy and operating at a high level. Ebiketie, who had played 48 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps this season, logging zero sacks, no tackles for loss, and two QB hits, will join a Bengals defense with the NFL’s tenth highest pressure rate and tenth highest quick pressure rate on the season. Only the Bills and Chiefs have fewer sacks than the Bengals through Week 9.

The contract includes $4.3 million in financial guarantees. Ebiketie spent the last four seasons with the Falcons after they drafted him in the 2022 NFL Draft’s second round. He totaled 25 quarterback pressures, two sacks, 24 solo tackles and seven TFLs last year. He now joins a talented Eagles defense.

Ebiketie came back to the sideline with a large wrap around his forearm. Asked if he’d be ready for Week 13, Ebiketie responded “That’s the goal.” This injury doesn’t appear to be a season-ender, but it’s possible that Ebiketie could miss some time.

Ebiketie’s deal will be worth roughly $8.8 million over four years. Atlanta traded up five picks to nab Ebiketie, who broke out in his fifth collegiate season after transferring to Penn State. He tallied 62 tackles, 17.0 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in his one year with Penn State. A speedy pass-rusher with an array of moves, Ebiketie will likely be thrust into a starting role for Week 1. The Falcons’ defense ranked dead last in sacks per game last year, so any impact from Ebiketie will go a long way.

The Falcons surrendered picks No. 43 and 114 for the right to move up five spots. Somewhat surprisingly, it was not for a quarterback. Born in Yaounde’, Cameroon, Ebiketie (6’2/250) grew up playing soccer before emigrating at 12 years old. He played his first four seasons at Temple, not starting until his fourth year where he racked up 42 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.0 sacks, and three forced fumbles in just six games. Ebiketie then transferred to PSU, leading all Big Ten edge defenders with 62 tackles in addition to 17.0 TFL, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a pair of field-goal blocks. The second-team All-American also performed well across the board in his athletic testing, with a 4.66 40, 4.24 shuttle, and a scorching 6.95s three-cone drill that would have been the third-highest mark in this year’s wide receiver class. Though he doesn’t possess prototypical height, his long 34-inch arms, speed, and get-off allow him to get an immediate advantage on tackles, causing them to overset. That is when Ebiketie digs into his array of moves, utilizing a club/chop and hand swipe to keep his pads clean before dipping his shoulder, leading to an exceptional 90.5 PFF pass-rush grade last year. He is tireless in pursuit of ball carriers, flowing to the ball and using his speed to track them down. He can sometimes let linemen latch on and overpower him in the run game, but he has the tools to be a starting-caliber pass rusher in the NFL.

Last season, the Cowboys selected linebacker Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick of last year’s draft. Parsons totaled 13 sacks as a rookie and was named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year and a First-team All-Pro. With the recent success of PSU players, Fowler mocks two more Lions to the Cowboys in Brisker (6'1/200) and Ebiketie. Brisker has the ability to line up at both safety and cornerback, displaying great versatility during his time at Penn State. Ebiketie wrecked the Big 10 in 2021 to the tune of 62 tackles, 18 TFLs and 9.5 sacks.

In a deep edge class, anything you can do to stand out will help you separate from the pack. Ebiketie (6'3/253) was able to do that with a three-cone drill in the 88th percentile at 6.95 seconds. He has the size, skill set, and production with eight sacks and 52 pressures last season per PFF. Ebiketie projects currently as a day two selection.

This is a really good draft for pass rushers with a few players projected to go into the first round, one of those being Ebiketie (6'3/253). Penn State has always had a history of great defensive teams and this one was no different as they finished sixth in points allowed, so being a good player on this defense should get you high praise. Pro Football Focus likes Ebiketie a lot as he received the highest defensive grade for a Penn State player since Micah Parsons in 2019. Parson was one of the stars coming into the draft last year, was selected 12th overall to Cowboys, and not only was the clear-cut Defensive Rookie of the Year, but finished as the runner-up for overall Defensive Player of the Year. This could be a good sign for Ebiketie’s draft stock.

In an article written by PFF’s Doug Kyed, Ebiketie (6'3/253) earned a second-round draft grade, but could jump up boards after Penn State’s pro day. Kyed pointed out Ebiketie’s elite numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, although it is worth noting that he opted out of the 40-yard dash. Penn State had two EDGE rushers drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, with Dallas’ Micah Parsons winning Defensive Rookie of the Year. Ebiketie totaled 47 tackles, eight sacks and 52 pressures last season, per PFF.com, and finished his career with 14 sacks.