Inside the Draft: Edge Rusher Breakdown

[gmf1369]

Edge Rusher Rankings Top Ten:

1. Edge Nick Bosa
2. Edge Josh Allen
3. Edge Montez Sweat
4. Edge Clelin Ferrell
5. Edge Brian Burns
6. Edge Jaylon Ferguson
7. Edge Oshane Oximines
8. Edge D'Andre Walker
9. Edge Chase Winovich
10. Edge Jachai Polite

Nick Bosa: Top edge rusher in this draft but is he worth our top pick for him?

Well-built, bendy, explosive, hand-work master who can win a variety of ways when flying around the corner. Sets a strong edge and can disengage from blockers to make plays against the run near the line of scrimmage. Core muscle injury is slightly concerning, but otherwise, he's a polished, instant impact rookie

Josh Allen: Bosa verse Allen pick your poison

Returned to Kentucky for senior season and added 15 pounds of muscle. Has a quick first step -- often first off the ball -- to regularly beat offensive tackles -- but can also beat them with power. Can occasionally get engulfed by blockers but effectively uses hands to win more times than not. Also has the athleticism to drop into coverage, which he was asked to do in college.

Montez Sweat: If the Jets are turning a new leaf and they trade down, Sweat is a great option to still be able to acquire/draft...

Looks like an NFL defensive end. Coming off a strong season at Mississippi State and only reconfirmed his ability to dominate at the Senior Bowl. Sweat uses his strength and hands to overpower offensive linemen and get into the backfield though he'll need to prove he's flexible enough to regularly win on the edge.

Clelin Ferrell: There is something about this prospect, reminds me of a younger more athletic Calvin Pace... Would give the Jets a hybrid edge rusher and give Gregg Williams more options...

A dominant college career, Ferrell has an explosive first step, good change of direction and a high motor. He needs to work on getting stronger but despite concerns about flexibility, he has the athleticism to regularly turn the corner on offensive tackles and get to the quarterback

Brian Burns:

Concerns about his weight (he reportedly played at 235 during the 2018 season) were alleviated at the combine where he weighed 249. It didn't hurt that he ran a 4.53 40. Burns is an explosive edge rusher who is surprisingly strong. Regularly wins to the outside with his speed but showed the ability to run stunts inside as well. Needs to get better with hand usage and better develop his pass-rush moves but he reminds us on the field of Aldon Smith.

Jaylon Ferguson: Another day two prospect who has the talent to develop into a steal of a pick...

Epically productive edge rusher with the looks of a starting NFL defensive end. Most of his sacks came via effort or other elements outside of his control. Pass-rush plans are essentially non-existent, and he's not nearly as bendy around the corner as you'd expect.

Oshane Oximines:

Polished small-school prospect with long arms, good burst off the snap, and a dazzling array of pass-rushing moves. While it may take time for him to acclimate to the speed and power of the NFL, Ximines as the tool box to thrive as a situational edge rusher right away

D'Andre Walker:

Shows great hand usage, which is critical because he's undersized. He can beat offensive tackles with his strength -- he gave Alabama's Jonah Williams one of his toughest tests of the season -- and can dominate tight ends assigned to block him. Walker shows a great motor and has the athleticism to drop into coverage. Can he add weight and still be effective? That's the question some NFL teams have.

Chase Winovich:

Decently bendy edge rusher who plays with his hair on fire and enters the league with a nice arsenal of initial pass-rushing moves. While his pass-rushing moves are decently effective, he's not heavy handed and doesn't convert speed to much power. Potential to be a three-down defensive end in the future and should be a solid contributor early.

Jachai Polite:

Incredible first step around the edge, possesses elite change-of-direction ability, and a high motor. Can sometimes get engulfed by offensive linemen but has the quickness to break free. Will have to prove that he isn't undersized and can regularly win against bigger players.

 

[AFA2017]

Ferrell,or Burns may be our choice with a trade down.

 

[Gramoah]

Ferrell,or Burns may be our choice with a trade down.

Ferrell is pretty darn good, not as good as Allen, but still pretty good. I watched him play this year and if we have to settle for him over Allen to move down and get, let's say, Dillard I would be good with that because Beachum won't likely be here next year and Dillard could step right in at LT at anytime.