Chase

Winovich

Winovich (6’3/256) made 26 starts on the Wolverines’ defensive front, logging 45 career TFLs with 18 sacks and three forced fumbles and earning first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American as a senior. Winovich helped himself at the Combine with very-nice 69th-percentile SPARQ results, including impressive forty (4.59) and three-cone (6.94) times. Highly physical with a non-stop motor, Winovich outplayed teammate Rashan Gary throughout their time together and profiles as a Connor Barwin- or Rob Ninkovich-level edge defender with 7-10 sack upside and a well-rounded run-stopping game.

“Winovich is not a pure edge-rusher or an elite athletic specimen. This is why he hasn’t found himself in the same conversation as fellow Wolverine and near first-round lock Rashan Gary,” Knox wrote in his analysis. Winovich (6'3/256), who was banged up for significant stretches in 2018, still managed to play in 13 games and account for 59 total tackles (15.5 for loss) and five quarterback sacks. He also put up good numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, which should help his cause. Scouts expect Winovich to be a Day 2 selection, and he could prove to be a steal in a couple years’ time.

Winovich (6'3/256) is an above average athlete (68th percentile SPARQ), and he had a productive career for the Wolverines. If there was an obvious negative, it would be his age since he’s already 24 years old. Outside of that, Winovich has the profile of an NFL edge contributor with the potential to be an upper-end edge rusher. It would be surprising to see Winovich go as high as PFF’s ranking, but he should be a second-round or, at worst, third-round selection.

Winovich (6'3/256) has done nothing but help himself during the draft process. Known for his tireless motor and infectious physicality, he proved that he had a little more horsepower under the hood than you might outwardly think while at the combine, posting a composite SPARQ score placing him solidly in the 68th percentile of NFL edge rushers. His willingness to run through two position-group sets of drills on his pro day just speaks to the kind of worker and hustler Winovich has always been. He has a solid shot to land on Day 2 in April.

Winovich had a solid day at the combine, posting a 4.59 second 40-yard dash and testing in the 68th percentile at the EDGE position in Indianapolis. In his positives, Zierlein notes Winovich (6'3/256) shows good first-step quickness, and is “fueled by chip on his shoulder and a gas tank full of energy.” Zierlein also notes that the energy can get the best of him, as Winovich can play out of control. “Scheme fit could determine his role as 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 rush linebacker,” Zierlein says in his overview, “but his football character and physicality improve his odds for success as an eventual starter.”

Winovich (6'3/256) showed some nice speed in the forty, but he made a lot of noise in the agility drills, which have been the most correlated to NFL success. The Michigan product finished first among EDGE rushers in the short shuttle with a time of 4.11 seconds and then placed second in the 3-cone drill with a 6.94-second time. On top of nice athleticism, Winovich is known for his unique leadership skills and he’ll probably be loved by NFL executives during interviews. We expect Winovich to be a top-100 selection at this point.

Winovich (6'3/225) suffered the gruesome injury against Ohio State in which the tendon completely came off the bone. He still managed to play in Michigan’s bowl game against South Carolina. The Draft Network’s Jon Ledyard noted that Winovich is worthy of a top-75 selection on talent but needs to be healthy. In addition to his thumb injury, he also is suffering from ankle issues which will require surgery. It’s not a great look to have two surgeries scheduled right after the NFL Scouting Combine, but once those heal he could be a mid-round steal.

Winovich (6'3/225) is dealing with an ankle injury right now -- it kept him out of the Reese’s Senior Bowl -- and he’ll need to show he’s ready to roll at the NFL Combine to end up as a top-75 player. If not, there’s a chance that Winovich falls outside of the top-100 picks. Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline gave Winovich a Round 4 grade a few weeks back.

Winovich (6'3/255) has been dealing with an ankle injury requiring surgery, but as of late December had been planning on delaying that procedure to push through to take part in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. It’s not immediately clear whether he has since gone under the knife. We’ll update Winovich’s status and outlook as information becomes available. Draft Analyst’s Tony Pauline stamps him with a Round 4 grade at this juncture.

Winovich (6'3/255) is a warrior, and this is another example of that. The senior wouldn’t specify the details of the injury, but he says he can’t make it worse by playing. However, if he underwent surgery now, Winovich wouldn’t be able to play in the Senior Bowl and or test at the Combine, so it’s not an insignificant surgery.