2021 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - EDGE RUSHER

Click on the names of the prospects below to see their draft profiles:

EDGE #1: KWITY PAYE, MICHIGAN WOLVERINES

Height: 6’4”.   Weight: 277lbs

PRO’S: Possesses all the size and athleticism required for an NFL edge rusher. Muscular, powerful physique with impressive lower body strength. Leg drive up and into blockers is a thing to behold. Excellent length with strong arms that can lock out opponents from getting their hands on him. Aggressive with his hands. Elite quickness for his size. Twitchy off the snap and has blockers on the back foot immediately. Good closing speed to hunt down the ball if the play flows away from him. Low stance and plays with excellent leverage and bend. Just as proficient in pass rushing as he is in run defending. As a physical specimen, Paye has the lot.

CON’S: Unrefined. Has shown progression in his pass-rush repertoire, but his go-to is still the bull rush and overwhelming blockers with strength and quickness. A little more guile to his game would see him be the complete package. Small technique issues that can be cleaned up include hand timing and placement, play diagnosis, and gap discipline against the run. Stat totals at Michigan were fine, but not spectacular.

SIMON CARROLL: “Kwity Paye is already a three-down NFL defensive end, yet has barely scratched the surface of his potential. A high floor, high ceiling prospect, scouts will be drooling at the thought of getting him into the building and polishing the minor, correctable flaws to his game. An immediate starter with all-pro potential, and I don’t think it will take him long to hit that level.”

NFL COMPARISON: EVERSON GRIFFEN

PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK

EDGE #2: JAYSON OWEH, PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 257lbs

PRO’S: Yeah this guy can move. Quick-twitch off the snap and into the offensive line before they have set their feet. Long, gangly arms that aide his penetration into the backfield but also well used in making tackles from an unreasonable distance, swatting balls out of the air and creating turnovers from the ball carrier. Has developed a good pass-rush repertoire. Will chase down any play from anywhere, and never gives up on a rep. Change of direction speed is second to none, and has shown the ability to cover both options against RPO’s. Has a degree of positional versatility providing you can give him the space to let his speed shine.

CONS: Raw. Limited college football under his belt and it shows; play diagnosis, hand usage and leverage all stand to improve. Strength is a concern - upper body torque lacking and not able to shed blockers who manage to get their hands on him. Needs more sand in his pants to bestout against the run, and fails to sufficiently set the edge when lined up as a seven tech or tighter. Run defense in general is not to the same standard as his pass rush ability, although this should improve with experience and a better anchor.

SIMON CARROLL: “Jayson Oweh might need a little time to acclimate to the NFL but I'm convinced he’ll be a pro bowl calibre edge rusher when all is said and done. He might not possess the same upside as an Azeez Ojulari but he also has less bust potential too - you can line him up in different techniques as a defensive end or as an OLB in a 3-4. Just let his speed do the talking and he’ll thrive. And once he becomes more reliable against the run - which he will - he’ll bring three down value to a franchise.”

NFL COMPARISON: JASON PIERRE-PAUL

PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK

EDGE #3: JAELAN PHILLIPS, MIAMI HURRICANES

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 258lbs

PRO’S: Excellent play strength, witnessed most notably in his powerful hands. Moves blockers at will with his initial strike. Excellent edge setter, planting his feet and holding his own and squeezing the ball carrier inside. Strong hands allow him to ragdoll opponents before disengaging to the football. Plenty of length helps him keep free and in control of the rep. Unbelievable motor - as energetic in the last throes of the game as he is at the first snap. Plenty of football smarts and understands what blockers are trying to do to him before countering. Has looked comfortable as both a DE in a 4-3 and an OLB in a 3-4.

CON’S: Smooth rather than quick. Doesn’t explode out of his stance, rather glides into the point of contact. Plays tall and loses the leverage battle too often. Flexibility only average, limiting his change of direction speed and pass coverage ability. Hand placement could stand to improve when slipping through gaps. Plays ‘open faced’ too often, showing blockers his numbers. Significant injury history - including concussions - meant limited playing time in UCLA and it took a change of scenery to show what he can really do. Just one season of impressive production because of this.

SIMON CARROLL: “Miami did not miss Gregory Rousseau one bit in 2020. Whilst Jaelan Phillips might not provide as much upside as Kwity Paye or his fellow Hurricane, he brings a much more rounded game to the NFL. The few deficiencies he shows look easily correctable with good coaching, and whilst his burst doesn’t jump off screen he’s always in and around the football. The never ending injury niggles at UCLA might give scouts pause, but with a clean bill of health last year I think he’s a borderline day one prospect.”

NFL COMPARISON: DANIELLE HUNTER

PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK

EDGE #4: AZEEZ OJULARI, GEORGIA BULLDOGS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 240lbs

PRO’S: So much speed. Explodes off the snap and is at top speed in the blink of an eye. Elite dip and bend, getting under the arms of his blocker and round the edge before you can blink. Excellent change of direction speed will aide his pass coverage at the next level. Attack dog who is in the backfield on almost every play. Extremely strong hands, particularly for his stature, that rock offensive linemen. Good hand placement and timing allow him to palm off would be blockers and slip by. Non-stop motor and will hunt down the football from the backside all day. Solid against the run when lining up at the second level.

CON’S: Far too lightweight to be a hand in the ground, true 4-3 defensive end. Despite the high effort struggled to set the edge in the run game against the bigger blockers. If offensive linemen find his numbers he’s too easily marshalled out of the play, and if Tight Ends shade him he will be knocked off balance. Does he show positional versatility or does he not have a true home? Used situationally and rotationally - wasn’t a true three-down defender at Georgia. Just one season of true production in Athens.

SIMON CARROLL: “A flash of lightning, Azeez Ojulari lives to rush the passer. His speed is terrifying and he marries it well with excellent bend off the edge to seemingly always be at the quarterback’s doorstep. The concern for NFL teams will be where to play him - he’s far too small to be an end in an even front, making him either a situational pass rusher or just a fit as a 3-4 OLB where he can kick to off the ball linebacker in the subpackage. You cannot argue with the athleticism or intensity, but he’s no sure thing”.

NFL COMPARISON: VIC BEASLEY

PROJECTION: 1ST ROUND PICK

EDGE #5: GREGORY ROUSSEAU, MIAMI HURRICANES

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 260lbs

PRO’S: Quick, long, oppressive edge rusher who creates issues for offensive lines on every snap. Aggressive short area burst - loves to attack from the snap and has an urgency that proves difficult to match. Extremely long arms and he puts them to good use, extending out and palming off blockers on his way into the backfield or locking in and controlling contact before shedding to the ball. Speed round the backside of a play is astonishing. Disruptive in the backfield  and has gaudy production numbers from his time in Miami. Tackling machine; ball carriers find it difficult to get away from those long strong arms. Scheme and positional versatility, moving around the defensive line for The Hurricanes.

CON’S: Raw. Only played the position for one year at high school before going to Miami. As a result, the subtle nuances of the position are yet to be developed. Pass-rush combos, hand timing and positioning, play diagnosis and gap responsibility all need refinement. Tall and lean and could do with more stoutness to improve his run defense - his big frame should easily withstand more muscle mass. Can play a little tall. Hips a little stiff in change of direction, and lack of knee bend reduces dip off the edge.

SIMON CARROLL: “Rousseau is a relative novice at the position, and opted out of 2020, presumably further inhibiting his development. I don’t care - this kid is a wrecking ball who utilises his speed and length to disrupt any play in front of him. 15.5 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss in 2019 speak for themselves, and when the rest of his game catches up he will be an uncontrollable force for an NFL team. Eventually, he’ll line up wherever you need him and he won’t come off the field.”

NFL COMPARISON: BUD DUPREE

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

EDGE #6: JOSEPH OSSAI, TEXAS LONGHORNS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 245lbs

PRO’S: Twitched up, electric edge rusher who is fast off the snap out of both a two and three point stance. Motor runs hot every play with almost an air of desperation to get into the backfield - insatiable in his efforts. Excellent body control when moving at speed, and shows good flexibility to dip and round the edge. Excellent length allows him to stay off blockers, and active, strong hands let him work off bodies and aide his route to the football. Has excellent positional versatility after playing as both a true edge in an even front and an outside linebacker in a 3-4.

CON’S: Slender lower body brings issues to his anchor in the run game. Effort has helped him set the edge at Texas, but needs to get more stout at the next level. Late entry into the sport shows up more against the run than when he’s given licence to pin his ears back - play diagnosis a hair slow and can leave him on the back foot against down blockers. Suddenness not quite matched with change of direction speed, and pass coverage effectiveness is affected as a result.

SIMON CARROLL: “In a normal year, Ossai’s athleticism in the pre draft process would see him shooting up boards as April approaches. His ability to read and react at high speed along with his impressive motor make him extremely difficult to control for sixty minutes. An immediate situational pass rusher from any defensive scheme, Ossai will likely become a three down 3-4 OLB, where the extra space will help him against the run. Pass coverage improvement will come with experience and familiarity.”

NFL COMPARISON: DEREK BARNETT

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

EDGE #8: QUINCY ROCHE, MIAMI HURRICANES

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 243lbs

PRO’S: Intelligent, cultured edge rusher with an innate feel for the game and a nose for the backfield. Elite play diagnosis - knows exactly what’s coming from across the line of scrimmage. Excellent technique, showing good knee bend and pad level as he evades hands of blockers. Hand timing and placement are unparalleled in this draft class. Savvy with body positioning, keeping his numbers hidden and ensuring he shows just ‘half man’ to his opponent. Rarely gets locked in to blocks. Quickness around the edge can catch blockers off guard. Confident against the run; sets the edge well thanks to good positioning and timing of contact.

CON’S: Lightweight. Played as low as 230lbs for Temple & Miami in his college career. Play strength lacking as a result; affecting the run game with brute power or squeezing the pocket against the pass proves problematic. Length a shade shorter than desired at the NFL level. Quick but not fast - for an undersized edge rusher you would want more straight line speed from him. Moments of stiffness in his hips when changing direction. Stats fell away when stepping up to a Power 5 program.

SIMON CARROLL: “Quincy Roche dominated at Temple, and didn’t look out of place last year in Miami either. Despite the drop in sack numbers, his relentless pressure on the quarterback remained. You just wish he had more physical tools and was a hair quicker, because every other aspect to his game is there. His lack of mass dictates that as wide an alignment as possible would give him the best opportunity to succeed at the next level, but it’s likely scouts view him solely as a 3-4 OLB”.

NFL COMPARISON: SHAQ BARRETT

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

EDGE #8: CARLOS BASHAM WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS

PRO’S: Perfect NFL size and stature for a 4-3 defensive end. Physically intimidating and likes to use his core strength as the backbone of everything he does. Such strong arms that lock out and control the contact from start to finish. Plus length that aids his ability to keep blockers at bay. Stupidly quick off the snap for a man his size, and slips through gaps that don’t exist. Brings the pressure on EVERY play and motor never switches off. Has experience kicking inside and rushing from a 3-tech alignment. Solid understanding of his run game responsibilities, comfortable setting the edge and uses his mass to squeeze gaps.

CON’S: Put on possibly too much weight his final year in Winston-Salem, and seemed to lose a touch of athleticism as a result. Needs to pay more attention to the fundamentals on each rep; can get lazy with footwork, hand placement and timing, preferring instead to just overwhelm blockers with physicality, urgency and dedication. A noted lack of dip and bend as he rounds the edge, and stiff hips mean his change of direction speed doesn’t match his straight line quickness.

SIMON CARROLL: “An almost unnatural blend of mass and speed, ‘Boogie’ Basham looks like the quintessential edge rusher NFL scouts look for. He’s smart, knows how to maximise his chances of getting into the backfield, and is a ball of intensity on every play. He lacks some natural flexibility that the elite prospects possess, but aside from that there’s nothing wrong with his game that better coaching can’t fix. I think he could also stand to trim down a little to maximise that initial burst, but he’s a starting 4-3 end with three down capability that is equally proficient against the pass and the run. Those guys don’t grow on trees.”

NFL COMPARISON: CAMERON JORDAN

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

EDGE #9: RONNIE PERKINS, OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 251lbs

PRO’S: Excellent athlete with all the explosion and short area quickness you’re looking for off the line of scrimmage matched with unparalleled long speed to hunt down ball carriers front the back side. If a quarterback breaks contain and is on the move, it’s Perkins who’s taking him down. A factor every down - doesn’t necessarily get home but he’s in the vicinity and causing chaos. Impressive lower body strength shown when crashing down and squeezing gaps in the run game. Low center of gravity with exceptional bend around the corner. Extremely effective with inside moves. Used speed well to hit gaps and be effective in the run game at Oklahoma.

CON’S: Concerning lack of upper body strength. Makes it difficult for him to beat blockers who kick out quick or get to his chest.  Little pop in his jabs and his arms are nothing more than windmills on his way past - lack of punch and displacement. Has had little success disengaging from blocks, and if his first attempt fails he’s unable to reset and counter. Big blockers with good length can keep him at bay and have him on the ground too often - see the 2019 Iowa State tape for details. More body control when rounding the edge could counter this.

SIMON CARROLL: “Perkins is a flurry of activity on every snap and loves nothing better than to pin his ears back and come haring after the football, from a two or three point stance. My big concern is his size and play strength, which hasn’t improved during his time in Norman despite being a three year starter. His ability to make plays against the run will be limited at the next level, pigeonholing him as a pass rush specialist. That limits his value to a day two pick, but to me that makes him better value than the Azeez Ojulari’s of this world that have similar concerns but will crack the first round. Perkins will be an impact player in the NFL.”

NFL COMPARISON: K’LAVON CHAISSON

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

EDGE #10: JOE TRYON, WASHINGTON HUSKIES

Height: 6’4”.   Weight: 251lbs

PRO’S: Ultra-aggressive edge rusher who brings the heat on every snap. Shoots off the snap and drives into his blocker. Loves to take his opponent with him and crush the pocket. Powerful hands jolt offensive linemen, and can maintain contact until time to disengage. Good length keeps himself clean when looking to attack gaps rather than run through a blocker. When it’s power on power, Tryon is in control. Plus lateral movement who can adapt on the fly and change course quickly. Plays pass coverage as good as any edge rusher in this class. Major production in 2019, with big strides made at the end of the season.

CON’S: Uncultured. Seek and destroy mentality has him barreling into contact when shooting gaps would be much more efficient and productive. Hasn’t developed a portfolio of pass-rush moves, relying more on speed and brute force to get home. Needs to keep his pads much lower and play with better leverage, and hasn’t shown the natural dip and bend of an elite edge rusher. Anchor not quite as stout as you’d expect from such a physical player, but lower body frame indicates plenty of room for improvement. Opted out of 2020 - scouts denied seeing further growth after a promising end to 2019.

SIMON CARROLL: “Tryon’s measurables, physicality and athleticism ticks all the boxes NFL scouts are looking for. The lack of game tape and rawness to his game limit his draft stock, but my counter to that would be ‘think about the upside’. He looks scheme versatile, but I would argue playing the ‘Leo’ role in a hybrid defense might be his best fit. Coach him up and you’ve got excellent value from a day two pick.”

NFL COMPARISON: MELVIN INGRAM

PROJECTION: 2ND ROUND PICK

EDGE #11: HAMILCAR RASHED, OREGON STATE BEAVERS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 254lbs

PRO’S: Explosive. Fires out of his stance with speed that scares offensive linemen. Demonstrates excellent bend when cornering around the tackle and into the backfield. Torpedoes to the football and finishes aggressively. Quick and elusive to the point that on multiple occasions he’s at the handoff and making a play. Speed translates very well at the second level; pass coverage is well developed and his change of direction is smooth. Understands blocking concepts well and how best to circumnavigate them. High effort prospect who refuses to be a liability against the run. Extremely versatile skillset and has aligned everywhere for the Beavers.

CON’S: Small, slight frame will make NFL teams nervous about his ability to be a three down edge rusher. Added some weight in his final season in Corvallis and it significantly affected his production - zero sacks in 2020 compared with fourteen the year before. Doesn’t possess the anchor to set the edge against the bigger boys at the next level. Calmer blockers who controlled Rashed’s speed early in a rep had success keeping him out of the backfield. Needs to work on pass rush moves, particularly combos when his first attempt is thwarted.

SIMON CARROLL: “Hamilcar Rashed is going to have a much easier time convincing scouts he is an off the ball, weakside linebacker with pass-rush upside rather than a three down, edge defender. For all his athletic ability and nose for the backfield, his physical limitations will see him bottled up far more regularly at the next level. He’d be better served dropping back down to 230lbs and finding a home at the second level in a 4-3 defense, where he can let his speed and flexibility shine in pass coverage and run defense.”

NFL COMPARISON: ZACK BAUN

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #12: PATRICK JOHNSON, TULANE GREEN WAVE

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 255lbs

PRO’S: Blessed with all the tools. Quick-twitch off the snap with excellent acceleration - at full speed in approximately three steps. Comfortable in space - fluid with excellent change of direction speed and glides across the turf. No plays off - opponents will have to deal with his speed all day. Good length and body type designed to play the edge in the NFL. Core strength a plus; plays aggressive and tough and coils power from his bottom half through his torso when driving into blockers. Hands land on offensive linemen with a thud. Understands body positioning and limits real estate on his chest for the man opposite to latch onto.

CON’S: Heavily reliant on his god-given traits and has work to do on technique and fundamentals, although 2020 was better in this regard. Needs to develop his pass-rush moves, particularly combos if the first one doesn’t work. Hand placement a bit awry, and arms can drop a touch later in the game. Not as polished against the run despite having the length and strength necessary.

SIMON CARROLL: “Patrick Johnson has flown under the radar for four years at Tulane, and it seems like he’s a victim of a similar ignorance in this draft process too. A playmaker in the AAC, he shows up, does his job and goes home. I can find little fault in his game that cannot be corrected, yet most consider it a coin flip whether he’s a day two or day three prospect. How often do you find kids with both the size and athleticism to start in the NFL in the later rounds? I wouldn’t even call him raw. Line him up as a 3-4 OLB and give him the keys to get into the backfield. He’s the epitome of a sleeper.”

NFL COMPARISON: ALEX HIGHSMITH

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #13: PATRICK JONES, PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 264lbs

PRO’S: Classic NFL pass-rusher physique. Tall with good length and a frame that carries 260lbs effortlessly. Brings every ounce of his body to each rep, releasing aggressively at his blocker. Knows how to use his arms to win duels, with a collection of pass rush moves he uses to keep offensive linemen on their toes. Excellent play diagnosis and is effective when offenses throw misdirection his way. High football IQ allows him to be in position, set his feet and be a problem to manipulate in the run game. Shows a surprising stoutness when setting the edge and funneling the football back inside. High effort, high character prospect who loves to compete.

CON’S: He’s a pure 4-3 defensive end with little in the way of experience outside of that position - 94% of his snaps saw him line up outside the tackle his last season at Pitt. NFL scouts will want to see more core strength and probably an increase in weight if that’s where he plays at the next level. Zero evidence of any pass coverage ability in his college career, and would be a work in progress on that front. Jones would see more consistent results from his pass rushing with better hand placement and timing. Lack of elusiveness coming off the edge - needs to show less chest to blockers. Dip and bend not his forte.

SIMON CARROLL: “Patrick Jones had a very good college career for The Panthers. 22 sacks and 32 tackles for a loss in 40 games shows he has the ability to make plays in the backfield, and he’s aggressive and productive against the run. His all round game is appealing, but he has shown little role diversity and there are big question marks about what he offers outside of the position he was used at Pitt. The ceiling might be set a little lower than you’d like, but for a defense operating with an even front he’ll prove to be a quality addition with starter potential.”

NFL COMPARISON: MONTEZ SWEAT

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #14: OSA ODIGHIZUWA, UCLA BRUINS

Height: 6’2”.   Weight: 280lbs

PRO’S: Classic gap penetrator who has plenty of experience lining up both inside and outside on the defensive line. Got an exceptionally quick first step for a 280lb lineman. Smart rusher who understands hand usage is key to the backfield - love the way he can reset them and try a different approach when initially thwarted. Blend of hands and speed make him a constant rush threat from any alignment. Works his socks off from start to finish. Acceptable length despite height being shorter than most linemen, and can apply it well against the run when he’s looking to stay off down blocks.

CON’S: Best position is debatable - he has more of an athletic profile which screams edge rusher, but his sheer size is valued inside. You want more core strength from a frame like that; Osa’s anchor is susceptible to aggressive blockers and you see him rocked back when he can’t get those arms extended. Lack of aggression in his first strike; feels like he can give more in that regard and the speed to power transfer is somewhat inefficient. A little stiff-hipped as you would expect for a man his size.

SIMON CARROLL: “Odighizuwa will be considered an interior pass rusher by many scouts and it’s clear to see why - he’s a man with mass who can move. I don’t mind him kicking to the interior on occasion, but I think his slightly disappointing power means he’s more dynamic off the edge. Shows savvy skills to get into the backfield and a workrate that will impress NFL teams. His draft range is wide open - I think he might sneak into day two. Feels like a Seahawks kind of player to me.”

NFL COMPARISON: JONATHAN BULLARD

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #15: DAYO ODEYINGBO, VANDERBILT COMMODORES

Height: 6’6”.   Weight: 265lbs

PRO’S: You name a position in the front seven, Odeyingbo has lined up there. Ultra-versatile pass rusher who will exploit a hole from anywhere on the football field. Immediate urgency from the snap of the football. Remarkable quickness for a man who played at more than 275lbs in Nashville. Aggressive attack of his blocker and wants to impose himself on the game. Knocks the wind out of his opponent with his strong, violent hands. Displaces with strength and slips through to the backfield with speed. Intuitive - comfortable inside or outside and changes technique for each role effortlessly. A well developed collection of pass rush moves.

CON’S: Underwhelming stats, but then Vanderbilt rarely had their opponents in favourable positions on third down. Plays tall and pays little attention to leverage, instead resorting to sheer physical dominance to win the rep. Struggles to maintain gap integrity on occasion - gets excited and starts edging through. A touch more patience would serve him well against the run. Desperation to get the blocker on his haunches sometimes has him making the wrong decision with poor play diagnosis. Tackling fundamentals leave a lot to be desired - guilty of looking for a knockout blow rather than wrapping up.

SIMON CARROLL: “If Odeyingbo is somehow still on the board when day two is over then I may as well go and scout table tennis. A physical monster, more than enough athleticism and brimming with upside, the only reason I can even call this kid a sleeper is because he played for Vandy and his lack of opportunity to showcase his skills has limited his draft stock. He’s got some areas to clean up but they seem easily correctable. Some teams will ask him to add more weight and line him up as a three tech on the interior, which is fine. But i’d love to see him land in a defense with a creative co-ordinator willing to move him round the formation.”

NFL COMPARISON: CALAIS CAMPBELL

PROJECTION:  3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #16: CAM SAMPLE, TULANE GREEN WAVE

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 274lbs

PRO’S: Strong as an ox, with plenty of lower body torque that he uses to great effect. Drives up and into blockers from a good low stance and keeps his legs churning, forcing power through his torso and having his opponent on his haunches. Arms are brutal, just clubs offensive linemen into submission with heavy hands. Hard to control and is constantly making blockers reset their hands on him. Astute in diagnosing blocking schemes and understands best technique and positioning to maximise his chances on any given play. Elite work ethic with no plays taken off. Has shown positional versatility during his time at Tulane.

CON’S: Limited athletically, though not completely bereft of fluidity. Average jolt out of his stance and won’t alarm blockers by getting into their pads early. Length is a concern at the next level and it takes all his leg drive to mask his lack of extension. Pass rush repertoire currently limited to power moves as you would expect, with the bull-rush potentially overused to the point of predictable. Just a touch more elusivity would improve his game and keep his numbers clean with an easier route into the backfield.

SIMON CARROLL: “Cam Sample had been turning heads in New Orleans long before he marked his arrival to the NFL Draft process with a standout Senior Bowl week. He’s a tackling machine with the physicality and willpower to get to the football on every snap. Yeah - there are limitations to his game; speed and length being the obvious deficiencies. But he’s a prospect who can line up off the edge in a three or four man front, and will provide excellent bonus value kicking inside on obvious passing downs and getting to the quarterback. He’s shown more than enough to be a day two pick.”

NFL COMPARISON: MARIO EDWARDS

PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #17: PAYTON TURNER, HOUSTON COUGARS

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 270lbs

PRO’S: Powerful, big defensive end with long arms and the strength to bully blockers with them. Violent with first contact and sets the tone for the rep with it. If opponents come unprepared for his aggression he’ll have them beat from the get go. Plays with an urgency and motor unmatched at this position; his desire to win every rep jumps off the screen and will outrun smaller guys to the football from the backside. Lower body has the anchor to take on double teams and set the edge against the run.

CON’S: Lack of athleticism apparent - he’s a big defensive end and he plays like one. Sluggish off the snap despite his 100% effort. Understanding of the game in the developmental stage. Has the physical tools to deal with the run game, but yet to foresee down blocks or blocking schemes prior to them happening. Work on hand technique needed - he keeps them moving and makes life hard for his opponent, but placement is wayward and he’d have much more success with better timing. Relatively good fluidity for his size, but won’t be asked to drop into coverage at the next level.

SIMON CARROLL: “Turner is going to be one giant pain in the ass for NFL offensive linemen from the first snap to the last. There’s simply no quit in him, and he has the physicality and arm length to win his fair share of battles. He’s far from the complete package and there’s a definite learning curve for him at the next level. But teams will like his ability to play the end in a three or four man front and he eventually could provide three-down value. Might be considered a long-term selection, but he could sneak into day two.”

NFL COMPARISON: CARL NASSIB
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #1AEDGE #18: JORDAN SMITH, UAB BLAZERS7: PAYTON TURNER, HOUSTON COUGARS

Height: 6’6”.   Weight: 255lbs

PRO’S: Production machine. In two years in Birmingham, Smith totalled 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, a pick and 24 tackles for a loss. Lean speedster with impressive length to keep off blocks and glide into the backfield. Utilises length well, coupling it with a vicious jab that showed good accuracy and displaced even the bigger linemen he faced. Once he’s free of attention he eats up space rapidly, closing on the football astonishingly fast. Alpha dog that brings a controlled aggression on every snap. Throws himself into tackles as if he weighs 30lbs more. Competitive against the run and shows smarts to keep clean and make plays.

CON’S: Character concerns after getting kicked out of Florida for his role in a credit card fraud scheme. As such has seen an elongated, disrupted development of his game. Linear frame causes leverage issues. Not as stout in his lower half as you would like - maintaining the edge will be a tough ask at his current weight. Struggles to work through tight quarters with lots of contact, and shedding blocks will never be his forte.

SIMON CARROLL: “Smith’s path to UAB has been bumpy, but he’s made the most out of his second chance. His explosiveness off the line and his short area speed when playing stood up make him the ideal Leo or Elephant linebacker in a hybrid defense. Some plays he seems a little lost, but he’s still raw and getting his feel for his role. I’d be more concerned about his linear frame and the lack of bend around the edge, but his length and speed more than make up for it. If he falls to day three he’s a steal.”

NFL COMPARISON: DION JORDAN

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #19: VICTOR DIMUKEJE DUKE BLUE DEVILS

Height: 6’2”.   Weight: 262lbs

PRO’S: Reliable, productive edge rusher with four years of solid tape at Duke. Impressive core strength that suggests upside to push inside when the situation dictates. Stout base with the ability to stack blockers and shed to the football in the run game. Sets the edge comfortably, even able to crash down and get to the football as it hits an interior gap. Works all day with no plays off. Strong arms are an attribute and he knows how to use them, showing the violence on first contact that allows him to control the rep. A significant pass rushing force with consistent sack numbers, and maintained the production against the bigger teams he faced.

CON’S: Athletically limited. Uses work rate and physicality to mask his lack of twitch off the line and straight line speed to the football. Flexibility is a worry, and he looks uncomfortable operating in space. Change of direction speed likely to be exposed more at the next level. Lateral mobility capped and chasing down plays from the backside is not his forte, effort notwithstanding. Smart body positioning as he rounds the edge doesn’t disguise his lack of bend.

SIMON CARROLL: “Despite the athletic limitations, Dimukeje brings a surprisingly well rounded game to the NFL. He’s not quick and you don’t want him playing linebacker and having pass coverage duties, but as a lineman with his hand in the dirt, he provides more than you would expect. He’s a 4-3 edge rusher who can set the edge in the run game, and you can see creative defensive co-ordinators slipping him inside to rush the passer on obvious passing downs. He’ll stick around in the league.”

NFL COMPARISON: Adrian Clayborn

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #20: ADETOKUNBO OGUNDEJI, NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Height: 6’4”.   Weight: 256lbs

PRO’S: Strong as an ox with impressive length he uses to manipulate blockers. Shows good extension on every snap, hitting his blocker with decent pop and locks out to maintain a clean jersey and slide by. Decent get-off and is quicker than he looks, but it’s the run game where he shines. Physicality at the point of contact is impressive, maintains control of the contact until it’s time to disengage and shed to the football. Sets the edge and crushes interior rushing lanes. Very disciplined and understands gap responsibility.

CON’S: Athletically limited and something of a ‘linear’ athlete - has some speed but the common deficiencies of power edge defenders are noticeable. Lack of bend when rounding the edge, and there’s an evident lean to his body balance when he’s rushing the quarterback. Struggles to keep his pads low. Some stiffness in his hips, affecting his lateral movement - he’s a lot more likely to slip inside on third down rather than drop into pass coverage. Limited change of direction speed.

SIMON CARROLL: Power and strength are Ogundeji’s calling card, and there are flashes on tape that suggest he can improve this as his body and game develops, which is a scary thought. Scouts will love his length and dedication to defending the run, and whilst he doesn’t possess top athletic attributes there is enough in his locker to get the job done. There’s some upside here - I don’t expect him to ultimately become one of the best edge defenders in this group, but he’s got dependable starter written all over him.”

NFL COMPARISON: JASON JONES

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #21: JANARIUS ROBINSON, FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 270lbs

PRO’S: Powerful, big defensive end with long arms and the strength to bully blockers with them. Violent wiA

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 266lbs

PRO’S: Long. Huge arms that he uses impressively well in the run game, holding defenders at bay before disengaging to the football. Possibly the best two-gapping edge defender in this class, which with his play strength makes him effective as a 5-tech in a 3-4 as well as a traditional edge rusher. Has brutal hands on the end of those long arms, and clubs blockers into submission with a violent first jab. When he finds the numbers of his opponent, he wins the rep. Shows good gap discipline and patience against the run. Almost bonus athleticism as a pass rusher and far from a one trick pony.

CON’S: Inconsistent. You want to see him channel his physicality and superior measurables into more frequent production. Won’t be mistaken for a designated pass rusher with speed and initial quickness just average. Yet to develop a set of pass rush moves and rarely employs more than one when getting after the quarterback. Has surprising cornering ability for a bigger guy but needs to maintain pad level. Lateral mobility and flexibility questionable - playing in space or as a stand up rusher will not be his role at the next level.

SIMON CARROLL: “In a draft class full of speed rushers, Janarius Robinson offers something different. Despite finding himself in a dysfunctional defense he imposed himself on football games at FSU, dominating the point of attack and ragdolling blockers in his desire to crush run games. His length will have scouts drooling, and he has shown proficiency to operate in odd and even fronts. If he can develop his pass rush then he has all the tools to be a three-down, game changing lineman.”

NFL COMPARISON: CARLOS DUNLAP

PROJECTION:  4TH ROUND PICK

th first contact and sets the tone for the rep with it. If opponents come unprepared for his aggression he’ll have them beat from the get go. Plays with an urgency and motor unmatched at this position; his desire to win every rep jumps off the screen and will outrun smaller guys to the football from the backside. Lower body has the anchor to take on double teams and set the edge against the run.

CON’S: Lack of athleticism apparent - he’s a big defensive end and he plays like one. Sluggish off the snap despite his 100% effort. Understanding of the game in the developmental stage. Has the physical tools to deal with the run game, but yet to foresee down blocks or blocking schemes prior to them happening. Work on hand technique needed - he keeps them moving and makes life hard for his opponent, but placement is wayward and he’d have much more success with better timing. Relatively good fluidity for his size, but won’t be asked to drop into coverage at the next level.

SIMON CARROLL: “Turner is going to be one giant pain in the ass for NFL offensive linemen from the first snap to the last. There’s simply no quit in him, and he has the physicality and arm length to win his fair share of battles. He’s far from the complete package and there’s a definite learning curve for him at the next level. But teams will like his ability to play the end in a three or four man front and he eventually could provide three-down value. Might be considered a long-term selection, but he could sneak into day two.”

NFL COMPARISON: CARL NASSIB
PROJECTION: 3RD ROUND PICK

EDGE #22: SHAKA TONEY, PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 238lbs

PRO’S: Lightning quick. Quick twitch explosion off the snap that is barely believable - you assume he’s offside. Outside blockers struggle to get their hands on him and are often palming at thin air as he rips around the corner, displaying excellent bend with a low center of gravity. Clever in his use of speed, and will swing inside to take advantage of opponents petrified of him getting to the edge. Oily hips and whilst he’s not played much in coverage at Penn State, you can project him as an asset when dropping out. Non-stop work ethic that, when coupled with his speed, make him a factor in finishing extended plays from the backside.

CON’S: 238lbs. That’s just not going to cut it for three downs at the NFL. Doesn’t have the frame to add weight and maintain athleticism, and to be honest he’s done well to add as much strength as you could possibly expect from a man with his body composition. Outside of gap shooting or attacking the handoff he’s just not got the play strength to be a factor in the run game. Double teams nullify him, and Tight Ends can control him if they get their hands on him early enough.

SIMON CARROLL: The phrase ‘designated pass rusher’ was designed for Toney. Frighteningly quick, you basically wind him up and let him go. The holes in his game are obvious - anybody drafting him and expecting the complete package are deluded. But he is an impact maker with a valuable role to play at the next level. You want him lined up as wide as possible to maximise that burst, but he’s shown enough football smarts that i’d be keen to see what he can do in pass coverage as well from a 3-4 subpackage. Fans will love him, but in such a deep class his limited skillset could see him fall to day three.”

NFL COMPARISON: JORDAN WILLIS

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #23: CHRIS RUMPH, DUKE BLUE DEVILS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 225lbs

PRO’S: Devastating short area quickness. Rumph jolts off the line and into his attack. Drives feet into the ground and brings as much force as his quickness allows. Love his fluidity - can turn on a dime and watching him cut into an interior gap is impressive. Comfortable in space and looks to have the loose hips to play in coverage. Good length, and more importantly knows how to use it to mitigate his lack of size. Extremely intelligent footballer who excels in play diagnosis pre snap. Has worked effortlessly at the ‘extras’ to his game - impeccable footwork, minimal body exposure for blockers to get to, hand placement and timing consistently on point.

CONS: Too small. 225lbs is cornerback size, not edge rusher. Does his best to play with aggression and limits energy loss in his speed to power transfer, but it’s not enough. Won’t blow blockers away with his first strike. Outside of meeting ball carriers in the hole he’s not going to be an asset against the run.

SIMON CARROLL: “Watching Rumph on tape is fun. There’s so much to be impressed by - you can see the dedication he has to football, it jumps off the screen. He’s a film junkie, workhorse and perfectionist. But he’s too small to be on the field for three downs in the NFL. That obviously limits his draft stock, but I think defensive co-ordinators who like exotic blitz packages could have some fun with him. I’d also like to see what he offers as an off the ball linebacker in coverage - speed at that position is vogue in the league right now, and he has bags of it.”

NFL COMPARISON: SHAQ THOMPSON

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #24: ELERSON SMITH, NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS

Height: 6’6”. Weight: 262 lbs.

Pros: An intriguing late round developmental small schooler off 2019 film, Smith’s projection is arguably worthy of earlier investment entering the final stages of the draft process. A tight end and defensive end in high school, the well-rounded athlete competed in a range of sports, including track & field, basketball and wrestling. He took a couple years to see any action as he added weight to his 190 lb listing entering college. He quickly asserted himself once able to take the field with a productive final two seasons.

Smith has an impressive frame with length, alongside excellent athletic traits. A little lean however, his primary issues on film revolved around his light, lean build. Reportedly playing around 245 lbs, he was limited by a lack of power. In spite of that, the Panthers edge produced to a high level including 21.5 TFLs and FCS-leading 14 sacks. Now, Smith has bulked up to over 260 lbs, with the added weight benefiting his ability to win in multiple ways. Smith excelled at the Senior Bowl in both practices and the game. His added bulk also allowed for some solid reps moving inside in addition to his staple outside alignments.

Smith’s length is complimented by positive athletic traits. While not overly explosive, he has a nice first step, quickness and burst for his size. More notably, Smith is highly agile and loose hipped for his frame. After initially having some concerns over his balance from 2019 film, the weight increase appears to have provided added stability to his base. More flexible than most at his size, Smith shows ability to bend, dip and turn the corner effectively. The overall footwork is functional throughout.

Despite the issues on film with power, the effort and high motor consistently stood out. Smith was often able to compensate with good extension and with his impressive ability to get skinny and slip off blocks. Regularly proving difficult to contain beyond the initial block, Smith found ways to disengage. Though more finesse in nature, the UNI defender flashed good hand use to deflect and swipe away block attempts.

The added bulk should assist Smith in his play versus the run. Even at his skinny playing weight, the Panthers’ rusher hustled his way to 63 tackles in 2019. He generally wrapped up well when in position, utilizing his length. His pursuit led to plays made to the sidelines with good closing speed. There were multiple examples on film of Smith making good 1-on-1 open field tackles in space. There was plenty to like in setting himself up positionally against the run and looked very situationally aware.

Cons: There is an element of uncertainty in Smith’s projection. As referenced, his 2019 film is unquestionably flawed. Despite the strong Senior Bowl showing, it’s unknown how he’ll fully adapt his game at the heavier build. It should be an overall positive though, provided he has not compensating on his advantageous agility. While he flashes upper body technique, he remains raw as a rusher. Until progressing more defined and refined rush moves, he could take time before finding consistent production at the NFL level.

The game film shows Smith getting owned often from a physicality aspect. He was frequently overpowered and controlled against the run. Limited at the point of attack he often could not solidify his base and moved backward. At times lining up at 5-tech in a 3-man front, he looked out of place in such a role. Encouragingly however, some inside reps at the Senior Bowl showed are stouter base to hold up at the point of attack.

Rebecca Rennie: “An ascending prospect, Smith may only be scratching the surface of his potential. The added bulk to go with his length and agility combine for an intriguing physical profile and set of tools. Continuing to develop the technical aspects of his game could see him maximize his skillset and smart play. He may grade higher than most here, yet could still prove a bargain should he reach his ceiling.”

PROJECTION: 4TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #25: DAELIN HAYES, NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH

Height: 6’4”.   Weight: 261lbs

PRO’S: Versatile front seven ‘chess piece’ that lined up at a variety of spots in South Bend. Displays good football smarts which allowed him to be moved around, and play diagnosis seemed to give him a head start on occasion. Flashes of dominance against the run suggests he will be a force at the next level in this regard - his upper body has plenty of power and he has some pop in his first strike. Has plus length and when he uses full extension he controls the rep. Dropped some weight in his final season at Notre Dame and looked a lot quicker off the snap and chasing down plays.

CON’S: Not quite pieced it all together as yet. Modest production at college, with just 9 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss across 43 games. Not quite sure what his best position is, and I don’t think he knows either. Lack of consistency across his entire game; pad level is up and down, distinct lack of a pass rush repertoire, footwork gets a bit antsy at times. Predictable pass-rusher who attacks the corner of the tackle and tries to win with power and speed but little guile. Despite improvement in athleticism in 2020 there’s still a noticeable lack of bend and fluidity - flattening the corner is a work in progress.

SIMON CARROLL: “A tough eval, I find it difficult to peg Daelin Hayes at the next level. I don’t think NFL teams will leave him in this kind of ‘no mans land’ of size and speed - they’ll want him to bulk up and be an edge setter in any front, or drop back to 250lbs and see if he brings any versatility as a stand up rush backer. I think he’ll have a better pro career than at college - better coaching will knock a lot of flaws out of his game, and there is the feeling he’s about to explode. If he brings some consistency to his game he’s a competitive, rotational 5-tech at the very least - with the hope of much more to come.”

NFL COMPARISON: CHASE WINOVICH

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #26: TARRON JACKSON, COASTAL CAROLINA CHANTICLEERS

PRO’S: Tree trunk torso with tons of torque. Stout anchor make him handle down blocks effectively. Refusal to be moved lets him stay patient against the run, maintaining blocks and shedding to the football. Impressive upper body strength and knows how to use extension to control reps. Violent hands and loves to use them, jolting blockers when he finds the numbers. Love the leverage he plays with, and you see him get right underneath offensive linemen to displace them. Like his power to speed transfer and it helps him find some juice off the snap. Has the motor and enough pursuit speed to be a factor from the backside of plays. Excellent sack numbers at Coastal Carolina (24.5 in 43 games).

CON’S: Not quick. Won’t be mistaken for a speed rusher off the edge, and will always choose strength over pace when beating his opponent. Looks lost in space and likes the familiarity of contact. Able to adjust on the fly better than expected for his athletic profile but there’s still some stiffness in his hips. Dominated against the weaker teams on the Chanticleer’s schedule but had a lack of standout moments against the bigger programs.

SIMON CARROLL: “Having watched Coastal Carolina some this year i’m a big fan of Jackson and what he brought to the teal football field; his body composition and play strength scream run defender yet he’s impressively productive when going after the quarterback. He’ll find it much harder in the NFL when his lack of true speed will be more exposed, but if he gets the job done other ways his coaches won’t care. I’d argue his days in a two point stance are over, and his best fit for me would be as a 5-tech in a 3-4 with pocket pushing capabilities, who could possibly kick inside in the subpackage in obvious passing situations.”

NFL COMPARISON: AJ EPENESA

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #27: MALCOLM KOONCE, BUFFALO BULLS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 248lbs

PRO’S: Quick as a cat off the line of scrimmage. Most of his wins come from his immediate burst and first step. Consistently low pads as he attacks the edge, and has some good dip to get his inside shoulder under the arms of the tackle. Takes good angles into the backfield and has a tight ‘turning circle’ as he rounds the corner at speed. Closing speed is excellent. Length is way above average and he has shown he knows how to extend and make use of it, mostly to disengage from blocks and chase down from the backside. Long arms also aid him against the run when tasked with setting the edge. Has experience at both DE and OLB.

CON’S: Run defense the biggest concern. Sees concepts late and down blocks can catch him off guard. Misdirection from lienmen or plays where they get downfield are a weakness. Doesn’t quite have the power to match the length and his first strike doesn’t stun his blocker like you would hope for. Inconsistent motor, and picks and chooses plays to bring the heat. Always seems to be near the football but not quite the production to match it. 

SIMON CARROLL: “Koonce is a dynamic threat to the backfield with experience lining up in a two or three-point stance. Buffalo flirted with using him as an off the ball linebacker without any pass coverage responsibility, but for me to maximise his quick get-off and length he should have his hand in the dirt. You’d like to see more upper body strength but the core is there and it feels like there’s some upside to him. I wouldn’t call him a designated pass rusher as there is some nous to his run defense - he’s got a shot to share duties in a 4-3 defense somewhere.”

NFL COMPARISON: JULIAN OKWARA

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #28: JONATHON COOPER, OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 254lbs

PRO’S: Quick out of the snaps with efficient footwork and transfers his momentum into physicality at the point of contact. Mobility across the board is a plus and eats up space quickly and effectively. Able to navigate through traffic effectively. Excellently coached with good fundamentals; had placement and timing is impressive, suggesting he has more play strength than perhaps he does. Incredibly intelligent, can smell a down block from a mile off and has the quickness in his mental processing to adjust and be ready for it. Excels in single gap responsibility against the run where he uses impeccable timing to meet the ball carrier in the hole.

CON’S: Lack of explosiveness to his game. Reliable production rather than a playmaker. Got a relatively wide ‘turning circle’ as he rounds the edge. Inferior play strength disguised by good technique but may be exposed at the next level. Arm length is adequate but not particularly an asset, and he could do with playing with more extension on that front. Maintaining blocks and stacking and shedding to the football is not part of his game. Lower body torque, without a run up, is limited.

SIMON CARROLL: “The strides Cooper has made in his final season in Columbus are impressive. There’s no one factor or unique selling point to his game you can hang your hat on, but his all-round game give him something that some of the more explosive or physical linemen in this class do not - long-term three down potential. 100% effort and has been dedicated to honing his craft, the maturity and character of Cooper shines on tape. Finding a rotational piece with potential starting ability, certainly in a pinch, in the fourth or fifth round is what keeps scouts in a job. He’ll outplay his draft position and stick in the league for a solid career.”

NFL COMPARISON: CARLOS DAVIS

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #29: RASHAD WEAVER, PITTSBURGH PANTHERS

Height: 6’4”.   Weight: 265lbs

PRO’S: Arms like Mr. Tickle. Superior length that he uses well, playing with good extension to easily dispose of blockers when he needs too. A big, run stuffing edge defender with a strong frame that looks like it could get even more powerful. Consistently funnels the run game inside, and stacks and sheds to the football as the ball carrier comes through the gap. Can crash the pocket and throttle running lanes and basically use his strength to stop the ground attack. Has shown dedication to his craft, developing pass rush moves and perfecting angles of pursuit. Good production either side of a significant injury at Pitt.

CON’S: Needs to bring more aggression to his game. Has the build and mass to be a brute but doesn’t bully or intimidate opponents like he should. Athleticism is below average, with a sluggish first step off the snap. Can move but takes a fair while to hit top speed. Stiff in space and you want him on the defensive line at all times. Has hidden his athletic deficiencies well with good pre-snap processing and technique, but it will likely be exposed at the next level. Knee injury as a Junior may have something to do with this despite maintaining similar stat numbers in 2020 as he did in 2018.

SIMON CARROLL: “Weaver is a clever football player who is a reliable hand against the run with bonus pass rush potential. He’s strong but could be even stronger, and I think his lack of burst and mobility will have scouts pegging him as a 3-4 end where he can affect the pocket whatever the playcall. He’s got limitations but there’s definitely a skillset that will find work in today’s NFL, as a backup who may develop into a starter. It’s a deep edge class so like many of these guys he may go later than he should and provide a team excellent value as a day three pick”.

NFL COMPARISON: DA’SHAWN HAND

PROJECTION: 5TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #30: JOSHUA KAINDOH, FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES

Height: 6’7”.   Weight: 247lbs

PRO’S: Oozing with power for a lighter edge rusher. Robust lower body gives him all the torque and anchor to be a major asset pinching the edge against the run. Quick out of the traps and covers open field well. Fairly comfortable in space and has pass coverage experience in Tallahassee. A violence to his game, hands deliver the pop you look for and can move blockers with good timing and placement. Scheme versatile and able to operate as either a 4-3 edge or 3-4 OLB.

CON’S: Very lanky and lean, which brings obvious obstacles. Winning the leverage battle is going to be difficult every down, and pad level will be naturally high. Speed rushing limited with lack of dip and bend around the edge - much more suitable with a bull rush or push and pull technique. Quick but not agile - turning circle isn’t tight and he struggles to flatten angles to the football.  Injury concerns - missed most of the season in 2019 with  leg injury and hurt his knee in 2020. Played just 10 games since 2018 with just one sack.

SIMON CARROLL: Kaindoh’s flexible game means he will fit somewhere in any scheme at the next level, but it’s difficult to see him being more than a rotational piece who provides solid reliability against the pass and the run. There’s little in the way of wow factors to his skillset, and the biggest concern is the injury affected lack of production since his sophomore year. Scouts will be worried they’ve already seen the best of him.”

NFL COMPARISON: EFE OBADA

PROJECTION: 6TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #31: WILLIAM BRADLEY-KING, BAYLOR BEARS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 254lbs

PRO’S: Quick-twitch who loves to fire off the line at speed. Brings that burst and acceleration from the first snap to the last. Ultra aggressive in both pay style and decision making - commits to a choice and sees it through. Excellent mobility and fluidity; shows true natural bend around the edge, plays low with a good pad level, and can move freely and quickly in space. Has had some experience dropping into coverage and has the change of direction speed to control a zone comfortably. Huge production numbers at Arkansas State, and whilst not matched when he stepped up to Baylor he looked very comfortable at a higher level.

CON’S: Reckless. His aggression is exciting to watch but gets him in all kinds of trouble. Routinely overpursues and allows cutbacks against the run. Ill-disciplined when setting the edge, just seems so eager to get to the football. Some technique issues that require polishing; modest length means he’ll need to use every inch of extension more consistently, and developing his pass rush moves and counters will be a priority when he realises speed alone won’t cut it in the NFL.

SIMON CARROLL: “Bradley-King tore it up at Arkansas State, and despite learning a different scheme and roll in difficult circumstances showed his qualities at Baylor too. Whilst I think his ultimate position is a 3-4 OLB, his scheme versatility and ability to line up in a three-point stance improves his draft stock. All the concerns with WBK are correctable, meaning a bit of development is required but ultimately he has all the tools, smarts and work ethic to be a three down edge in the NFL. He’ll outplay his day three draft position”.

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #32: JAMAR WATSON, KENTUCKY WILDCATS

Height: 6’3”.   Weight: 250lbs

PRO’S: Athletic thumper. Watson has a good get-off and enjoys attacking the corner. Impressive array of pass-rush moves. Uses his arms well to dictate the play - has a good feel for contact timing and able to manipulate blockers with accurate placement. Displays good drive and lower body strength when engaging with opponent. Able to string out contact and move on the football. Loves to hit, but ensures he wraps up as well as leaving his mark. Revels in ‘special mission’ duties and can be moved around to take advantage of mismatches or neutralise a particular threat.

CON’S: Uncompetitive against the bigger blockers he faced, which doesn’t bode well at the next level. Upper body strength doesn’t match the torque in his lower half, and physicality needs work. Arms don’t bring the power you want to see. Length is borderline acceptable but he needs to play with extension more consistently if it is going to stand up in the NFL.

SIMON CARROLL: “ As much as Watson enjoys rushing the passer, I have a feeling NFL teams are going at look at him more as an off the ball linebacker which they can use creatively. He’s got some really desirable traits but the lack of power is a problem, and when he finds tough games he gets discouraged. The production at Kentucky was good and that bodes well. He’s a baller no doubt, but a project who needs a specific role developing for him to see him on the field on Sundays.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #34: CHAUNCEY GOLSTON, IOWA HAWKEYES

Height: 6’5”.   Weight: 268lbs

PRO’S: Beast of a man with a taste for the trench battle. Physical and uses a strong anchor to hold his ground against the run. Good length allows him to maintain blocks on his own terms and wait for the ball carrier to make a decision before disengaging and making the tackle. Excels in the run game in other ways too - plays extremely clean and can come through the wash to the football effortlessly. Able to slip through interior gaps and meet ball carriers early. A team leader and locker room galvaniser who expects nothing less than 100% from himself and his teammates.

CON’S: He plays on the edge but ‘edge rusher’ is probably false advertising. More of a gap clogger than a gap shooter, a pocket pusher than a pocket penetrator. Some instances of good burst but few and far between. Doesn’t utilise good length to slip by blockers, and hasn’t got a go-to pass rush move or really any kind of tricks to get into the backfield. Lack of athleticism and discomfort in space makes him limited to playing in tight alignments.

SIMON CARROLL: “Golston is a workhorse who will bring his lunch to every snap, but he’s not quick and he’s not slippery. THe pass rush upside is limited but he plays the run extremely well, making him an early down edge setter in the NFL. I think he’s probably best suited as a 5-tech in a 3-4 where his battling skills can be highlighted, with potential to slip inside in the subpackage in short yardage situations. The intangibles likely make him a late round pick - i'm rooting for him.”

PROJECTION: 7TH ROUND PICK

EDGE #34: JAQUAN BAILEY, IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Height: 6’2”.   Weight: 261lbs

PRO’S: Takes control of the rep with his quick twitch off the snap. Into the blocker in a hurry and causing problems with his immediacy. Plays with an excellent pad level and able to drive up into his opponent. Has sufficient length but plays with good extension, keeping himself clean and in control. Has some pass rush moves in his locker that he brings out on occasion; push and pull and swim move are two favourites. Shows a good understanding of an offense’s intentions and the quick processing to digest what’s in front of him and adapt accordingly. Pleasing to see his keenness to change tack on a play if he gets nowhere initially.

CON’S: Obvious deficiencies in strength and athleticism give his draft stock a significant ceiling. Successful at Iowa State as he developed the rest of his game to mask these shortcomings. Aside from initial burst, Bailey shows little speed. His fluidity is concerning, and his lack of bend when attacking the edge doesn’t help his journey to the backfield. Poor lower body torque makes run defense problematic, and without the momentum off the snap he doesn’t have the arm strength to challenge big tackles.

SIMON CARROLL: “I have trouble deciding what would be best for JaQuan Bailey as he enters the NFL. His lack of speed makes me want him to rush the passer from a 3 point stance, but the lack of play strength causes me to worry about his ability to set the edge. I love how he’s dedicated himself to take care of what he can control, but I just don’t think it’s enough to allow him to be anything other than a low value designated pass rusher. The production at Iowa State might see his name called late on day 3.”

PROJECTION: UDFA

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

HEAD OF CFB/NFL DRAFT CONTENT

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN SCOUTING DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.  HE FULLY MIGRATED TO THE TOUCHDOWN AS HEAD OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND NFL DRAFT CONTENT IN JULY 2019. ALL THE RANKINGS ABOVE ARE HIS OWN, AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF ALL THE WRITERS AT THE TOUCHDOWN. FOR DISCUSSION OF ANY OF THE DRAFT PROSPECTS ABOVE, HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @NFLDRAFTSI.

5/5