2022 Draft Primer, EDGE - Top 15

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Rating: 93.23 (All-Pro)

Pro Comparison: Jared Allen

Strengths:

Edge rusher with great combination of size, speed and strength. Capable of winning with speed and power. Displays fast, effective hands. Constantly working towards the quarterback without getting too deep. High football IQ to exploit opponent's weaknesses. Developed inside moves to pair with corner rush.

Weaknesses:

Average closing speed and change of direction. Shorter arms that could lead to difficulty against offensive tackles with longer arms to re-route him. Lacks elite top-end speed. Strictly hand-in-the-dirt player, not going to drop back into coverage.

Accolades:

2021: Ted Hendricks Award winner (best defensive end)
2021: Big Ten DPOY (led conference with 14.0 sacks)

A top-10 defensive end recruit and Detroit Free Press All-State Dream Team member in 2017, Hutchinson was the Wolverines' Rookie of the Year in 2018, playing in all 13 games as a reserve (15 tackles, 1.5 for loss). He had a third-team All-Big Ten sophomore campaign (68 tackles, 10 for loss with 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 13 starts) and started the first three games of the 2020 season (15 tackles, two pass breakups) before a leg fracture that required surgery ended his season. He exceeded the already-high expectations for his 2021 season, winning the Lott IMPACT Award, Lombardi and Ted Hendricks Award while being named first-team Associated Press All-American and Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. The two-time Wolverines captain was also the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, a rare feat for a defender (former Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson is the only defensive player to win the award), and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (also known as the Academic Heisman), Walter Camp Player of the Year and Senior CLASS Award (excellence on and off the field). Leading Michigan to the 2021 College Football Playoff, Hutchinson ranked third in the FBS with 14 sacks among his 62 total tackles, including 16.5 for loss, while breaking up three passes and forcing two fumbles in 14 starts. His exceptional return from injury in 2021 gained him one of three Mayo Clinic Player of the Year Awards, along with Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton and Kentucky linebacker J.J. Weaver. He is the son of Michigan All-American defender Chris Hutchinson, who signed with the Cleveland Browns (with then-head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Nick Saban) but decided to walk away from the field to get his medical degree. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 1
NFL Comparison
Kyle Vanden Bosch
Overview
Defensive end prospect with a can't-miss combination of football character, skill and physical traits who is more likely to contend for occasional Pro Bowls than become an All-Pro playmaker. Hutchinson's strength and flexion allows him to drop a deep anchor and set a very firm edge, and that is unlikely to change as a pro whether he's used in 4-3 or 3-4 fronts. He can be too mechanical, engaging in cursory contact rather than using his hands to whip the man in front of him quickly. Hutchinson is an instinctive rusher, assailing the pocket with a non-stop barrage of activity. His hands are skilled and efficient to grease the edge while fluid counter steps open inside paths to the pocket. He needs to add a few more items to his rush menu in order to maintain his rush production against NFL tackles. Hutchinson is scheme versatile and should be a very good starter with a very high floor, but his ceiling might not be as elevated as some of the talent he's been compared to.
Strengths
Legendary weight room grinder who is strong, flexible and explosive.
Traits and toughness to play end in odd or even fronts.
Quick lateral response versus initial movement from blocker.
Charged up attack into first contact.
Early press into single-arm separation to set a firm edge.
Plays with consistent knee bend and base width at point of attack.
Has harmonious hands and feet to slip blocks when he wants to.
Strong core helps to unhinge or shed a block abruptly.
Pass rush features rapid-fire hand work.
Maintains up-tempo pace through the top of the rush.
High winning percentage with two-hand swipe at half-man positioning.
Rarely clamped up and stuck dead in his tracks.
Instinctive counters bolster rush consistency.
Inside move is sudden and fluid in his rush.
Possesses drive-through power in his hips to charge through edge.
Weaknesses
Pure muscle mass might be maxed out.
Below-average arm length along the edge.
Run-game instincts are just average.
Plays the game in pieces rather than a continuous flow.
Grapples rather than rids defender as quickly as possible.
Segmented in mirroring change of direction within the play.
Upfield burst in his rush won't bother athletic tackles.
Needs to find a counter more quickly when stalemated.

Michigan EDGE defender Aidan Hutchinson is the prototype. When you’re building out a 4-3 defensive end prospect and assembling the required tools for a dominant player, the end result will look a lot like No. 97 in maize and blue. Hutchinson, a second-generation Wolverine who’s father, Chris, played for Michigan from 1989 to 1992 (team MVP in 1992), plays with the kind of motor and passion that leave little doubt for his enthusiasm of the game. But that effort becomes a special product when you appreciate it paired with one of the most dynamic athletic profiles eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft. Hutchinson is a member of The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman’s Freak’s List; highlighted by a 135 lb. Turkish Get Up. Length, power, fundamentals, effort, and speed are all hallmarks of Hutchinson’s profile, leaving little doubt that he is one of the top prospects this season. Having fully realized his potential as a college prospect, I have no qualms about projecting him into any kind of defensive system. Odd or even front teams will have a home for him, as he’s proven to be equally dynamic coming out of two and three-point releases at the snap. Teams with NASCAR personnel or 5-0 pressure packages will enjoy having the luxury of moving Hutchinson around the front in order to try to craft ideal mismatches in pass rush situations. He’s experienced playing OLB, base end, 4i, 3T, and even in a 0T alignment during the course of his career at Michigan. Hutchinson is a presumed “plug and play” prospect thanks to his refined hand usage and his understanding of how to deconstruct blocks at the point of attack. The sky's the limit.

Ideal role: Primary pass rusher, every-down defensive end

Scheme tendencies: Multiple front, blitz-heavy system with several alignments in the box for rush personnel/base packages

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Ohio State (2019), Alabama (2019), Minnesota (2020), Washington (2021), Wisconsin (2021), Michigan State (2021), Indiana (2021), Penn State (2021), Ohio State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Washington (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Alabama (2019)

First Step Explosiveness: Offers an equal amount of juice from either a two or three-point stance and does well with his initial drive off the line to gain ground and push tackles to open their sets when working off the edge. He’s not a dominant speed rusher but he’s claimed plenty of angles with aggression as a fastball to his vast array of rush maneuvers. Seeing him accelerate around the edge is a testament to his sustained burst and explosiveness, too. Drive up the field is a large portion of his success with inside counters as well.

Flexibility: There’s no shortage of lean and contortion in Hutchinson’s frame to squeeze angles and press the issue off the edge. His contortion skills are most notable on his inside counters to open his shoulders and reduce striking surface while still carrying explosive burst through the gap. Coils well into his stance and offers no shortage of functional strength in a three-dimensional plane—will stack blockers from all angles and shows little issue with recovery if he’s caught by late contact to contort himself into a firm fit.

Hand Counters: Comfortably one of his better traits, Hutchinson offers a slew of counters but has a few favorites in his bag. His rip and dip has claimed many victims on the edge and his hard jab/inside swim is his primary go-to when tackles overset him and push for a hard vertical set. There’s ample awareness of anatomical weak points and Hutchinson is persistent in attacking the wrist or the elbow in order to break the grasp of the opposition. He’s shown scissors counter, lift maneuver, and, most importantly, converts speed to power with a bull rush and long-arm to walk tackles back into the lap of the quarterback. The power in his hands complicates matters for tackles who wish to simply sit on his speed.

Length: Hutchinson offers prototypical length for the position and his upper-body power amplifies his separation skills, allowing him to punch and extend to stack blocks and make sustaining a fit very complicated for blockers. He has the ability to press tackles back into the plus side of the line of scrimmage and should have the needed skills to play in a gap-control style system as well if required. Length shines the most in rush situations when his punches land firm and he’s able to compress sets and reduce angles.

Hand Power: This is Hutchinson’s best skill. He’s constantly winning at first contact and setting himself up with advantageous angles thanks to his ability to bully offensive linemen and skill players alike. He’s got a ferocious punch and when he’s stepping down to squeeze the edge, he’s not often going to let tackles slip through to the second level or successfully turn him out as a means of gaining the edge.

Run Defending: Has flashed prominently in both penetration reps to fire through the mesh point unblocked and to stack up blockers alike. You do wish there was a little better anticipation on give/keep reps at times, as he’s left some production on the field by being too quick to commit—although he does appear to be executing his primary responsibility and assignment first and foremost regardless. He can be a bit late on penetration instances to gear down and square up, meaning he’s overrun some plays as well. But his wingspan and hand power allow him to squeeze gaps and help finish tackles and keep backs in the grasp when they try to run off his hip.

Effort (Motor): Relentless is the best way to describe him. I’ve watched him haul tail underneath perimeter blockers on a swing screen and double back into the pocket after his initial rush track is disturbed and he loses leverage on the quarterback. Plays hard against the run and is a featured piece of short-yardage defensive packages to reduce inside and help win the point of attack. His skill set is accentuated with the urgency he plays the game with and a number of his splash plays have come with the quarterback/ball-carrier getting wrangled down while still in the grasp of a blocker.

Football IQ: Active in communication and signaling in the pre-snap process. Has taken the transition from Don Brown to Mike Macdonald in stride and taken a big leap in his play despite the system change after the 2020 season. Has a natural feel for navigating the pocket and seamlessly transitions from an initial charge upfield into a rush counter and is constantly in motion—most impressively stringing together moves with forward progress to the football in mind.

Lateral Mobility: Isolation reps on the edge will be impacted with his redirection skills, but expecting him to string out a read and then flash to the football may be unrealistic. He’s very good, particularly for his stature, but he’s not an athlete with the raw twitch to make superhuman plays on the edge when isolated or left unblocked. He’s better when he’s taking a charge upfield and hoping he’s right as compared to slow-playing the mesh trying to read and react. But when he’s engaged with blockers and leveraging to stay overtop of outside runs, he’s got plenty of juice.

Versatility: Pick your poison. He’ll be able to fill the role. I wouldn’t necessarily advocate for a lot of reps dropping in underneath zones, although I have seen him do it a few times in 2021. That is, however, a misallocation of his talents. He can rush inside, outside, or stack a block and control the point of attack. There’s not a defense in the NFL that would be unable to accommodate and weaponize Hutchinson.

Prospect Comparison: Nick Bosa (2019 NFL Draft, San Francisco 49ers)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 91.83/100 (Top 10 Overall Value)

Crabbs Grade: 92.00/100

Marino Grade: 92.50/100

Harris Grade: 94.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 91.00/100

Weissman Grade: 90.50/100

Parson Grade: 91.00/100

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Rating: 90.06 (All-Pro)

Pro Comparison: Arik Armstead

Strengths:

Tall, long, well-built EDGE who uses his long arms to his advantage on nearly every snap. Sturdy edge-setting and can disengage because blockers rarely get into his frame. Thickness stands out on film and against the run. Not easily moved whatsoever. Tweener type who will probably be best inside in obvious passing scenarios. Strength will help him quickly acclimate to the NFL.

Weaknesses:

Good burst for his size, but not a suddenness specimen. Lacks pass-rush moves. Really just tries to bull his way into the QB/backfield. Minimal bend around the corner.

Accolades:

2021: Career-highs in TFL (7.5) and sacks (6.0)
2021: Started all 15 games at DT for CFP national champ

Yury Travon Walker was a five-star recruit out of Upson-Lee High School in 2019, starring in football and basketball. He stayed in his home state to play college ball, signing with Georgia over many suitors. Walker was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team in his first year in Athens with 15 tackles, 3.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks in 12 contests, and played in nine games as a reserve the following season (13 tackles, two for loss with one sack). He started all 15 games for the national champions in 2021, recording 37 stops, 7.5 for loss with six starts, and two pass breakups. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 1
NFL Comparison
Ezekiel Ansah
Overview
Walker is a big, rugged run-stopper with the playing style and body type to play as an even- or odd-front end. He consistently outreaches blockers to take control at the point of attack and sets firm edges despite playing with limited knee bend. He has quick-shed ability to make plays near his gaps and could see an increase in production if allowed to play in a scheme that asks more of him than Georgia did from a playmaking perspective. He has the strength and length to plow through overmatched pass protectors but will need to improve his skill level to consistently find the quarterback as a pro. Walker's blend of explosiveness and aggression could help push his draft stock beyond his tape grade.
Strengths
Big, long and powerful at the point of attack.
Excellent understanding of how to create leverage.
Transfers power from hips to hands to lift opponent's pads.
Violent hands create a jarring pop.
Consistent to outreach and post-up the blocker as edge-setter.
Able to stack and release for tackles near his gaps.
Use of length makes him difficult to latch onto.
Adequate closing burst down the line.
Pure power occasionally opens rush paths to the pocket.
Stays on his feet throughout the game.
Weaknesses
Below-average get-off playing inside or outside.
Very limited bend in his lower half.
Works with elevated pad level and a lack of fluidity.
Dull pursuit burst in space.
Not threatening as an edge-to-edge rusher.
Struggled to displace Alabama OT Evan Neal's outside hand with force.
Lethargic getting from move to move.
Will need scheme help as NFL rusher.

Georgia's Travon Walker is an exciting defensive lineman who offers rare athleticism and versatility along the defensive front. Walker, a former 5-star recruit and high school basketball star, has been a mainstay for the Bulldogs in his three-year career but has taken his game to the next level as a junior. Walker has outstanding size and length for the position and pairs those attributes together with rare athleticism. As a pass rusher, Walker displays rare get-off and explosion off the snap. He can easily win edges and shoot through gaps with his explosive and quick-twitch movements. He flashes very good power at the point of attack and has a terrific long arm, which he utilizes to knock back and shock offensive tackles. Walker primarily wins with quickness and speed-to-power as a pass rusher, failing to show consistent hand counters and secondary rush moves. In the run game, Walker sets a firm edge with a strong lock-out and anchor. He has outstanding lateral pursuit and consistently makes plays across the line of scrimmage or down the field with excellent effort. He struggles to get off blocks at times and can be slow tracking the football. All in all, Walker has rare athletic upside with position versatility but needs to develop into more of an impact player to warrant as high of a pick as his athletic traits suggest.

Ideal Role: Versatile defensive lineman who can win as an edge or along the interior.

Scheme Fit: A multiple front scheme that is willing to move him around the LOS to create advantageous matchups.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Brentley Weissman

Games watched: Clemson (2021), Kentucky (2021), Alabama (2021)

Best Game Studied: Kentucky (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Alabama (2021)

First Step Quickness: Walker’s first-step quickness and explosion jump off the screen whenever you turn on the tape. He explodes out of his stance low and converts his speed to power by shocking the offensive lineman with a long arm to the chest. He can quickly shoot gaps or win the edge thanks to his explosive burst.

Flexibility: Walker is a fluid athlete who can change direction in space with little wasted movement. I don’t consistently see an ability to bend the edge nor turn tight corners to get home to the quarterback, but I also don’t think he is an overly tight player. He needs to continue to win the edge, turn the corner, and get home to the quarterback to show that he is worthy of a high selection.

Hand Counters: This is an area he needs to work on. Walker lacks secondary rush moves and consistent hand counters once his initial rush is stymied. He needs to learn how to tie rush moves together and win with his hands in order to consistently get home to the quarterback or uncover in the run game.

Hand Power: Walker possesses a fast and violent punch that consistently knocks back opposing offensive linemen. Walker’s ability to shock offensive linemen with his hands is outstanding and one of the ways he wins in both phases. While he needs to clean up hand placement at times, his power is very evident.

Run Defending: Walker is very good in the run game. Whether he is lined up inside or outside, he flashes power and anchor to hold his ground at the point of attack. He has excellent length to make tackles in the open field and has the quickness to close on ball-carriers. He needs to work on disengaging and locating the ball-carrier quicker.

Effort: A high-motor player, Walker plays with excellent effort overall. You see Walker fight to the whistle every play and work to uncover when he is blocked. He makes a ton of plays late in the down and always hustles backside to make tackles down the field.

Football I.Q: Being asked to play multiple roles in a very complex defense, Walker shows good overall football IQ and ability to recall assignments. There are times he is late to locate the football and also needs to improve reading blocking schemes.

Lateral Mobility: An outstanding overall athlete, Walker displays excellent lateral mobility. He is quick to cross the lineman’s face and his ability to jump gaps is very impressive. He is quick, agile, and very light on his feet. He is often asked to drop into coverage, where he shows great ability to play in space for a player his size.

Core/Functional Strength: Walker is a powerful player at the point of attack, displaying knock-back power at the line of scrimmage. In both phases of the game, Walker uses his strength and power to his advantage. As a pass rusher, he displays excellent bull rush, long arm, and speed-to-power. In the running game, he sets a firm edge and also knocks back blockers to disrupt the mesh point.

Versatility: Walker aligns everywhere along Georgia’s defensive front. He plays 1-tech, 3-tech, and rushes off the edge. He has shown he can play any position with success, but I actually believe his lack of time at one singular position has hurt his development a bit. Ideally, he is used in one role at the next level so he develops the finer nuances of the position.

Prospect Comparison: Rashan Gary (2019 NFL Draft, Green Bay Packers)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 86.42/100 (First Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 87.00/100

Marino Grade: 87.50/100

Harris Grade: 84.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 89.00/100

Weissman Grade: 84.50/100

Parson Grade: 86.50/100

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Rating: 92.8 (All-Pro)

Pro Comparison: Myles Garrett

Strengths:

Explosive, twitchy, powerfully built with strong hands and a quick first step. He explodes off the snap and if he gets a half-step on offensive tackle it's over. Quickly gets into body of offensive tackle and then uses speed-to-power -- plus hand usage -- to consistently create problems on the edge. Can flip his hips like a cornerback, open up and drop into coverage, then has the athleticism and leaping ability to clog throwing lanes on short and intermediate routes. Non-stop motor and freakish strength that can wear out offensive tackles.

Weaknesses:

Occasionally gives up the edge in run support, and can sometimes play outside of responsibilities while trying to make splash plays. Sometimes disappears for stretches -- he doesn't lose off the line of scrimmage but he could be more consistently dominant at times. That said, there's a lot to love about his game.

Accolades:

2021: Unanimous All-America (7.0 sacks, 12.0 TFL in 10 games)
Career: 19.0 sacks, 35.5 TFL in 31 games

Thibodeaux (pronounced TIB-uh-doh) was the consensus No. 1 recruit of the 2019 class coming out of Los Angeles' Oaks Christian High School. The USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year had 54 sacks in four years (two at Dorsey High School) and enrolled early at Oregon to contribute immediately the following fall. When asked about why he picked Oregon, Thibodeaux said, "It was journalism. It was Nike. It was Cristobal. It was the whole program." He was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 pick and the conference Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2019 with 35 tackles, including a team-high 14 tackles for loss with nine sacks, three pass breakups and one blocked kick in 14 games with five starts. He led Oregon with 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks (38 total tackles, three pass breakups) in seven starts as a sophomore, collecting third-team Associated Press All-American honors, winning the Pac-12 Morris Trophy as its top lineman and earning the Pac-12 Championship Game MVP award. He had 12 quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss with one sack vs. USC in the conference title game. Though Thibodeaux missed time with an ankle injury in 2021, he was still named a first-team Associated Press All-American and finalist for the Chuck Bednarik, Ted Hendricks and Bronko Nagurski Awards. The first-team all-conference selection led Oregon with 12 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks among his 50 total tackles in 11 games (nine starts) before opting out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 1
NFL Comparison
Brian Orakpo
Overview
Enticing edge defender whose game is fueled by traits and power over skill and instincts at this juncture of his career. Thibodeaux is hardly a finished product, but has pro-ready attributes that should help him acclimate quickly. He's a plus run defender who punches above his weight at the point of attack with heavy hands and a sturdy base. He has some suddenness in tight quarters and above-average pursuit speed, which should keep the tackles for loss rolling in throughout his career. Thibodeaux rushes with effort, upfield burst and play-through power that should bring reasonable sack/pressure production. However, he needs to add some go-to moves and more skilled hands to his bag if he is to affect the quarterback more frequently and reach his lofty potential as a standout, two-way edge defender.
Strengths
Scouts say he's fueled by solid internal drive.
Long, strong, explosive and plays hard.
Initial movements off the snap are fast and furious.
Speed to consistently stress high side of the rush.
Effective shoulder dip and lean into the turn.
Firm base makes it hard to redirect or wash him down once he's to an edge.
Wicked closing kick to the quarterback.
Heavy hands into entry point in speed-to-power.
Generates decent bull-rush despite lack of desired bend.
Plays with effective use of length and upper-body power.
Twitchy hands get on top of blockers first.
Creates space through forceful punch and extend.
Treats tight ends to shock-and-awe power at point of attack.
Back-side burst to wipe out running backs and ruin the play call.
Pursues ball-carrier with extended motor and plus speed.
Weaknesses
Not a natural or instinctive pass rusher.
Not as bendy or fluid as teams would like.
Needs to be schooled up in hand usage.
Underdeveloped counters to keep rush alive versus quality tackles.
Lacks awareness and play recognition.
Needs to play with better control and shed timing at the point of attack.
Still has technique work in front of him as edge-setter.
Can be a little disjointed and tall as a tackler.
Sources Tell Us

"He's not fluid like (Jadeveon) Clowney, but he has the same type of upside coming out ... He's going to get better as a rusher but he might top out at 10 or 11 sacks -- I don't see him as a 'dude' in that area." -- Personnel director for NFC team

Kayvon Thibodeaux is a former No. 1 ESPN 100 player when entering the University of Oregon. Upon arriving, he earned countless honors and awards including the Morris Trophy and Pac-12 Championship Game MVP while also earning All-American and All-Pac-12 status in nearly every publication. Thibodeaux is a very good athlete with regards to explosion and agility. In the passing game, he has an explosive first step and demonstrates very good ability to counter if he doesn’t win with his initial move. He rushes with good instincts and feel and has shown an uncanny ability to set linemen up throughout the game. In the run game, he plays with heavy hands and does a good job holding the point of attack. He should improve the consistency in which he disengages but plays with high effort, motor, and emotional endurance.

Ideal Role: Starting EDGE defender

Scheme Fit: Can play in an even or odd front. He’d ideally add more mass to his frame if drafted by a 4-3 team.

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: USC (2020), UCLA (2021), CAL (2021), Fresno (2021)

Best Game Studied: USC (2020)

Worst Game Studied: N/A

First-Step Explosiveness: He plays with outstanding first-step explosion. He is equally adept at rushing from an up or down position. His initial get-off also forces his opponent into false start penalties as they try to get enough depth in their pass set.

Flexibility: He plays with excellent flexibility on the edge. This is demonstrated in his ability to get upfield, bend, and get the edge. He also demonstrates the hip swivel to counter when his initial move has been thwarted.

Hand Counters: He demonstrates savvy and awareness to counter with his hands. He uses his very good hand fighting techniques when the lineman punches while in his pass set. This helps him get a good enough angle to get the edge and ultimately get home as a pass rusher.

Hand Power: He has good power in his hips and hands. He gives a good stab and holds the point of attack very well. He will improve at disengaging quicker and with more efficiency with pro coaching.

Run Defending: He does an outstanding job defending the run. He uses his athleticism to get in the gaps and disrupt run plays. He has good instinctive feel to find the football and has improved as a tackler in space in 2021.

Effort: He plays the game with outstanding effort. He is a relentless pass rusher who rushes with an extreme desire to get home. He also plays with very good pursuit angles on the backside of run plays.

Football IQ: He plays the game with high-level football IQ. This is evident as he sets up offensive tackles throughout the game. He also shows an uncanny ability to alter his rush depending on where the QB steps up in the pocket.

Lateral Mobility: He plays with excellent lateral mobility. He effortlessly moves down the line of scrimmage and to the football. He also shows good flexibility to move laterally back inside after he rushes upfield.

Functional Strength: He plays the game with excellent strength. This is evident in his ability to hold the point and set the edge in college. He also demonstrates his strength in his ability to deconstruct blocks and disengage.

Versatility: He plays the game with excellent versatility. He is an ideal fit for a team with a hybrid scheme. He could easily play 4-3 DE in the NFL but would be best served playing heavier. He is also a true 3-4 OLB who can do all of the things required for an EDGE.

Prospect Comparison: Jadeveon Clowney (2013 NFL Draft, Houston Texans)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 90.75/100 (Top 10 Overall Value)

Crabbs Grade: 89.00/100

Marino Grade: 89.00/100

Harris Grade: 92.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 90.50/100

Weissman Grade: 92.50/100

Parson Grade: 91.50/100

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Rating: 88.87 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Montez Sweat

Strengths:

Tall, long, active rusher with demonstrations of his best power when he can use his length to his advantage. Nasty one-arm bull rush. Moments of nice, efficient hand work but not a strength. Nasty edge setter/block defeater against the run. Flashed an occassional inside-out that's effective. Same with his spin.

Weaknesses:

Rushes are almost always high. Stalls out at the blocker more frequently than you'd like. Counter rushes aren't there yet. His inside move is great but doesn't use it often enough. Athleticism/bend are good, not great. Burst is there but won't consistently threaten NFL OTs with it.

Accolades:

2021: ACC Defensive Player of the Year
2021: Led ACC in TFL (18) and sacks (12)

Johnson did not qualify academically coming out of Eden Prairie High School in the Twin Cities metro area, so he began his collegiate career playing two seasons at Independence Community College, where he was featured on the Netflix series "Last Chance U" and eventually rated the top overall junior college prospect after racking up a total of 12.5 sacks. Johnson was a reserve pass rusher for the Bulldogs in his first year in Athens with 20 tackles, three for loss with 2.5 sacks in 14 games (one start). He started three of seven appearances in 2020 (16 tackles, five sacks). Johnson wanted more playing time, so he transferred to Florida State to help former South Carolina end Keir Thomas replace departing veterans Joshua Kaindoh and Janarius Robinson. He did much more than that as a leader for the Seminoles, receiving ACC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference honors and ranking tied for eighth nationally with 18 tackles for loss with 12 sacks among 70 total stops with two pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 12 starts. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 1
NFL Comparison
Maxx Crosby
Overview
Ascending edge prospect. Johnson has NFL traits and the potential to keep getting bigger and better as a pro. He is a one-year full-time starter with an underdeveloped pass rush and occasional lapses in awareness, but both areas should be correctable with more coaching and game experience. He's more instinctive and consistent as a run defender, but his length and relentlessness are excellent building blocks for challenging protection. Johnson's blend of strength and athleticism should make him a firm edge-setter and playmaker near the line of scrimmage for odd or even fronts. He has the traits, athleticism and talent to project as a top-40 pick with a bright future.
Strengths
Broad through shoulders with impressive wingspan.
Looked thicker and stronger in his lower half in 2021.
Explodes from his hips into initial contact.
Lifts blocker's pads with leveraged hands to set edge.
Length to separate and stay alive in plays.
Times up block shed to tackle.
Plays hard and fast; rarely stays blocked.
Agile with quick change of direction.
Always around the ball and is a very capable tackler.
Keeps feet moving, generating secondary-effort sacks.
Seek-and-destroy finisher once he's in the pocket.
Weaknesses
Inconsistent approach in attacking run design.
Gets his outside shoulder covered, giving up contain.
Needs more consistent depth to set effective edges.
Inconsistent mesh-point diagnosis.
Rushes with force and effort but could benefit from finesse.
Face-up rusher with some hip tightness when bending the edge.
Rarely gets to a fluid rush counter.
Hands are violent but not very skilled yet.
Sources Tell Us

"I thought his 2020 tape was pretty impressive so what he did with more snaps and playing time wasn't a surprise to me." -- Area scout for AFC team

A 4-star recruit from Minneapolis, Jermaine Johnson began his career in the JUCO ranks where he played from 2017-2018 before transferring to Georgia for 2019-2020 and finishing his career at Florida State in 2021. After flashing at Georgia in a rotational role, Johnson became one of the most impactful defensive playmakers in the nation with Florida State in 2021. Watching the Seminoles’ defense in 2021, it was abundantly clear that Johnson was the best player on the field and he made an impact every week and in the most critical points of the game. As a pass rusher, Johnson is quick off the ball, has terrific length, a variety of rush moves, takes good angles, and relentlessly pursues the quarterback. As a run defender, Johnson is an exceptional processor that is stout at the point of attack, understands how to respond to blocking schemes, effectively stacks and sheds blocks, and is a consistent finisher. There are very few limitations with Johnson’s game and he’s a balanced defender against the run and pass with appeal in any scheme. The biggest question Johnson had to answer in 2021 was what type of impact he could make in a featured role and he absolutely aced the test. Overall, Johnson has good size, athleticism, technique, and functional strength while playing the game with tremendous urgency and features a high football IQ. Johnson has the makings of an impact starter at the next level.

Ideal Role: 4-3 defensive end, 3-4 outside linebacker

Scheme Fit: Any

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Arkansas (2020), Kentucky (2020), South Carolina (2020), Notre Dame (2021), Miami (2021), Clemson (2021), North Carolina (2021)

Best Game Studied: Notre Dame (2021)

Worst Game Studied: North Carolina (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: Johnson is quick off the ball and he does well to marry his strides to his rush plan. He’s clean when releasing from a two or three-point stance and absent of false steps. While he isn’t a speed rusher, he has plenty of juice available to deploy his rush plan.

Flexibility: Johnson is fully capable of winning around the outside hip of offensive tackles because of his ability to soften rush angles, reduce the path to the quarterback, press through the angle, flatten, and finish. While he has modest overall bend, he has good ankle flexion that enables him to corner the arc.

Hand Counters: Johnson’s hands are busy and he does well to work combinations to get off blocks and control reps. He has good timing and placement with his hands. In a full-time role with Florida State in 2021, Johnson’s rush variety was on full display and he has plenty of different tools in his bag to affect the quarterback when it comes to hand usage.

Length: Johnson has excellent length and he knows how to use it. He effectively uses his length to maintain separation from blocks and execute his rush plan. His length shows up as he closes on the quarterback, often tackling the quarterback outside of his frame because of how he can extend. It’s also a major asset against the run where he’s able to stack, shed, and tackle with consistency.

Hand Power: Johnson has firm hands that are not easily displaced. He maximizes the pop in his punch with good timing and placement with his strikes. His hands are weapons for him when working to soften angles and work around the edges of blockers.

Run Defending: Johnson demonstrates good power to exchange at the point of attack, set a firm edge, and squeeze gaps as a run defender. He appears comfortable in space and can work laterally to the sideline. Overall, he has good range as a run defender with a large tackle radius. Johnson understands the nuances of defending the run in terms of taking on pullers, feeling reach blocks, and competing for his gap.

Effort (Motor): Johnson is a relentless football player that is urgent in everything he does. Johnson is a smart defender that is never passive. He keeps working hand counters throughout every snap and is never content being blocked. His motor constantly runs hot. His workload increased dramatically in 2021 at Florida State compared to what it was at Georgia and he embraced the opportunity. Even with playing a large percentage of the snaps for the Seminoles, I love how he consistently made an impact late in games when his team needed it most.

Football IQ: Johnson is an extremely smart processor with a natural feel for diagnosing blocks, responding, and filling his role. He takes good angles to the ball and is committed to playing with sound technique and low pads. Even in limited snaps at Georgia, it was obvious that Johnson is a smart football player that executes what he is coached to do.

Lateral Mobility: Johnson has good lateral movement skills and is fully capable of pursuing toward the sideline or crashing down as a backside defender. His lateral mobility is maximized by taking precisely calculated angles with terrific vision and the ability to play off contact. He changes directions well and shows some comfort in space.

Versatility: Johnson has appeal as a hand-in-the-dirt 4-3 defensive end and as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He’s a balanced defender that makes an impact as a pass rusher and run defender. Overall, he doesn’t offer much in the way of limitations.

Prospect Comparison: Preston Smith (2015 NFL Draft, Washington Football Team)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 87.67/100 (First Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 86.00/100

Marino Grade: 87.50/100

Harris Grade: 87.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 90.50/100

Weissman Grade: 88.00/100

Parson Grade: 87.00/100

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Rating: 87.9 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Ryan Kerrigan

Strengths:

Big, well-built, powerful, athletic rusher who loves the arm-over/swim and is decently effective with it. Has very close to an NFL defensive end body right now and could easily get more powerful. Doesn't have much else in his arsenal besides the swim. Best way to describe his lower half is sudden, relative to his thickness. Decently bendy, too. Very talented, great size, high-floor prospect with decent amount of upside. Very young.

Weaknesses:

Bull rush could be a lot better relative to his size and girth. Doesn't have much else in his arsenal besides the swim. Feels like he should be more productive given his gifts. A touch up and down. Some games dominant; others nearly invisible.

Accolades:

2021: First-team All-Big Ten (50 pressures, third in Big Ten)
Career: 14.5 sacks, 29 TFL, 106 pressures in 27 games

Karlaftis began playing football when he was in eighth grade, when his family moved to West Lafayette, Indiana, from Athens, Greece. He was a four-star recruit at West Lafayette High School and was named American Family Insurance Defensive Player of the Year (a national award) as a senior in 2018 after racking up 17.5 sacks. He enrolled a semester early at Purdue and it paid off, as he was named a second-team All-Big Ten pick in 2019 (54 tackles, a team-high 17.0 for loss with 7.5 sacks, one interception and two pass breakups in 12 starts). Karlaftis missed time in 2020 due to injury and COVID-19 but was still voted second-team all-conference due to the impact he made (two sacks in three starts). Returning healthy in 2021, he garnered Associated Press third-team All-American and first-team all-conference accolades while also being named a Ted Hendricks Award finalist as one of the nation's top defensive ends. He started 12 games and led Purdue with 11.5 tackles for loss (five sacks) and three forced fumbles. Karlaftis opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 1
Overview
Edge defender with good power and a relentless motor to keep the heat on offensive counterparts throughout the game. Karlaftis' best production came in 2019, as he missed half of Purdue's 2020 season and saw teams focus more energy toward stopping him in 2021. He's a lift-and-leverage run defender at the point of attack but fits into a "team defender" column more than "premium run-stopper" category. He's a force-based rusher with anchor-busting power and the ability to get to his counters when the rush begins to stall. With just two full seasons under his belt, there will be more development headed Karlaftis' way. He's a future starter as a strong-side defender in an even or odd front.
Strengths
Well-built with broad hips and good musculation.
Plays the game through a physical filter.
Already possesses the disposition of a pro lineman.
Hands and hips are explosive into the target.
Creates lift and extension through contact.
Uses punch/release technique to open the B-gap.
Likes to test a tackle's anchor with a long-arm bull charge.
Works from one counter move to the next seamlessly.
Leg drive bounces tackle into the pocket.
Surprising ankle flexion for quick bend and redirect of the rush edge.
Works back inside when his rush hits quarterback depth.
Plays with persistence and energy throughout the game.
Weaknesses
Not a great playmaker against the run.
Movements tend to be a bit segmented.
Struggled to prevent being widened by Ohio State tackles.
Running backs are able to dart through his gaps.
Sticky feet when pursuit changes direction.
Average lateral twitch to slide and tackle.
Longer tackles will slow his rush.
Hulk-smash rush approach could use some variance.

Purdue EDGE defender George Karlaftis might be the best power rusher in this year’s class. This is a prospect who exploded onto the scene during a breakout 2019 freshman season and has since pieced together another tremendous campaign for the Boilermakers in 2021. I’m most impressed with Karlaftis’ motor and close quarters combat. He does not appear to play with the ideal length and separation skills as an edge defender, but he’s become quite refined as a puncher and with his shedding techniques to help enable him to win ground and get good “knockback” at the point of attack. Karlaftis moved to the United States at the age of 13 from Greece and was a high school stand out in both football and track & field, earning back-to-back state titles in Indiana for the shot put (60 feet, 0.5 inches as a junior) along with endless football accolades. Upon arriving with Purdue, Karlaftis quickly made an impact and was named a first-team Freshman All-American in 2019. His development as a player has seen him complement the urgency he plays with and raw power with more nuanced counters, precision striking, and a strong sense and feel for running the arc with speed. I get the sense that Karlaftis isn’t quite the same reactive athlete as some of his contemporaries in this year’s class, but he’s become quite the technician at the position and offers an impressive nose for rushing the passer. Karlaftis has rushed the passer from both two and three-point stances and gets strong release from his tilted two-point stance when he’s aligned at wider angles. Amid the debate about the value of speed and flexibility versus power on the edge, Karlaftis is going to be a testament to the latter. He wins many reps with his ability to roll blockers back on their heels and reducing the angles that he needs to work with in order to disrupt timing and comfort in the backfield before transitioning to the football. But don’t think he can’t claim outside wins, too. He’s fully capable of dipping the outside track or hitting an inside swim maneuver. He may not have the best pitches in his arsenal as a pass rusher out of this year’s class, but he might have the most.

Ideal role: Every-down 4-3 defensive end

Scheme tendencies: Multiple-front schemes, gap control defense with aggressive blitz packages

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Oregon State (2021), Notre Dame (2021), Iowa (2021), Wisconsin (2021), Michigan State (2021), Ohio State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Notre Dame (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Wisconsin (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: There is very, very good get-off here at the line of scrimmage. When Karlaftis is committed to triggering and attacking up the field, he’ll be on top of pass sets before tackles know what hit them—from there he’s got a slew of attacks. His initial spring is good and his second and third steps are very dynamic to build power or, alternatively, accelerate with a hard redirection step on a shallow angle to potentially set him up to work back inside.

Flexibility: You watch him play and you don’t expect to see him get through some of the creases that he does. Karlaftis is slippery in this regard and slides through chips, double teams, and framed blocks well. He’s got some natural leverage with his build, too, allowing for a low center of gravity and an effective edge track as he builds pace through his first few steps. The rush counters he displays are accentuated by a high degree of body control to get skinny or disassociate his hips and torso and still play with strength.

Hand Counters: How many moves does Karlaftis have? How much time you got? I love the versatility he brings in this regard. He’ll win with all of your traditional moves, some of which are more successful than others. I do think he’s a little spin happy at times and doesn’t always have the crease needed to work into space and gain ground after using it. But his power conversion and bull rush are excellent and his jab does a lot of the work for him; given the power his hands provide and the respect they command, he’ll hit or sweep a punch away with good timing as he flashes the inside arm.

Length: I don’t see a lot of separation in a lot of Karlaftis’ reps and I’m not confident he’s going to measure with a lot of anatomical length either. That’s certainly going to be a roadblock for some and makes his projection more murky than some of his contemporaries, especially since it does show at times. In instances where his punch power doesn’t win him control early, he can get sucked into the vacuum and disappear or get enveloped and washed out. It’s likely a big reason he’s become the nuanced technician that he has. But the lack of appeal here likely creates long-term barriers to opening more kinds of roles for him, particularly working as an interior alignment POA defender.

Hand Power: The short windup that Karlaftis is afforded due to a lack of ideal length is actually a benefit here; he creates massive amounts of force in a short time in order to stun and overwhelm blockers. Don’t leave him on skill players in pass protection—he ate TEs and RBs alive and his long arm speed to power conversion claimed victims against many comers this past season, including against Notre Dame and the big upset win over then No. 2 Iowa. There’s redeeming value here to help offer confidence amid an untraditional build.

Run Defending: Karlaftis is an effective penetration/slasher defender and his ability to create push when playing around or through bodies bodes well for him continuing to create disruption at the NFL level. He has missed some finishes on account of only modest length/tackle radius and lateral redirection skills, which does give me some pause. But his ability to dictate terms and play on the plus side of the line of scrimmage seems more likely to aggregate more good than harm and you’re going to be more than willing to live with disrupted plays that aren’t finished if they come at the same rate as they did at Purdue; particularly because he’s not going to miss them all.

Effort (Motor): Tireless. This is the best trait that Karlaftis offers and as you watch him play you gain appreciation for a motor that never shuts off. He’s constantly firing through counters or ripping over a skill player attempting to chip. Hustle plays are a hallmark of his film and he’s an absolute mauler in close quarters if he decides he can bull you.

Football IQ: I’m super impressed with Karlaftis’ acumen as a rusher. He appears to have a strong sense of reading weight distribution and body language of his blockers, allowing him to pick the right kind of attack coming out of the blocks for optimal disruption. He’s got a natural sense for feeling peel-back opportunities and his hand utilization is at the top of the charts for discarding bodies in traffic and continuing in pursuit.

Lateral Mobility: I do wish his reactive quickness when needing to react late to ball flow was a little more dynamic—this is a divider for me between him and the top pass rushers in this year’s class in Hutchinson and Thibodeaux. When Karlaftis needs to drive and redirect, he’ll often overrun the target and gear down late, allowing the ball to escape his grasp and potentially break contain. Edge contain will need to be something he’s committed to because when he decides he’s coming or attacking, he doesn’t gear down easily.

Versatility: His frame appears to be fairly maxed out so I’m not sure you’ll have a chance to stack on the weight to get him into that 285/290 range and potentially open up a world of more consistent reps in the B-gap, but for a 275-pound guy, Karlaftis is quite effective on the edge and I’d like him plenty as either a standup rusher or as a hand in the dirt option. Shows great variance in his rush attacks to play with speed or power.

Prospect Comparison: Justin Smith (2001 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 84.33/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 85.00/100

Marino Grade: 83.50/100

Harris Grade: 84.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 83.00/100

Weissman Grade: 84.50/100

Parson Grade: 86.00/100

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Rating: 86.80 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Uchenna Nwosu

Strengths:

Wiry strong and displays good balance. Long arms. Great explosive testing. Capable of dropping into coverage. Does a good job squeezing run gaps. Has some speed to power capability. Contains the edge.

Weaknesses:

Lacks ideal height. Would like to see him improve in his ability to string together pass rush moves. Lacks great strength in his lower body.

Accolades:

2021: First-team All-Big Ten
2021: Second in Big Ten in TFL (18) and third in sacks (9.5)

Ebiketie (pronounced ebb-uh-KAY-tee) transferred from Temple to Penn State for 2021, adding weight to his frame to help the Nittany Lions replace edge rushers Odafe Oweh and Shaka Toney. He led the team with 18 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks among his 62 total tackles, two fumbles and two blocked kicks. Big Ten coaches voted him first-team all-conference. At Temple, in his first year as a starter in 2020, he garnered second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors by leading the Owls with 8.5 tackles for loss with four sacks (42 total tackles) and added three forced fumbles in six starts. Ebiketie unfortunately missed the regular-season finale due to COVID-19 protocols. The native of Cameroon did not start playing football until his sophomore year in high school. When he was 12 years old, his family moved to Maryland, where he played soccer and basketball before hopping on the gridiron. Temple signed him out of Albert Einstein High School and Ebiketie played in six games as a redshirt freshman (four tackles) and 12 games off the bench the following year (13 tackles, two sacks). -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Uchenna Nwosu
Overview
Purposeful rusher with good length. Ebiketie is quiet to the edge with accurate, active hands and a pressure percentage worthy of projection. He's not bendy and loose but uses body lean and skilled hands to grease the edge and access the pocket. He will need to keep adding to his bag of tricks as a pocket hunter, as he lacks the base and body type to hold his ground and plug up run games on a consistent basis. Ebiketie could see action as a sub-package pass rusher early in his career. He has the potential to find starting reps as a 3-4 rush linebacker in the future.
Strengths
Brings all he has into his initial punch off the snap.
Snakes into gaps to disrupt zone plays.
Consistently beat the back-side cutoff versus Iowa.
Good discipline and recognition reading mesh point.
Skilled rusher with active, accurate hands.
Subtle, efficient movements help to grease the edge.
Good job of flattening his angle to the quarterback.
Possesses inside stab hand to displace over-setting tackles.
Has some charge in hands for speed-to-power shots.
Special teams experience, including two blocked kicks in 2021.
Weaknesses
Leaner lower half creates a less sturdy base.
Needs to stay away from bulldozers inside.
Has jolt in his hands but lacks size for staying power.
Forced to look for stalemate rather than shed.
Some hip tightness shows up in his rush.
Pad level rises on inside counters.
Not very slippery in upper half to elude punch.

Penn State EDGE defender Arnold Ebiketie offers enticing speed and twitch off the edge; he’s a prospect whose ability to claim wins with speed would be a welcomed addition to just about any defensive grouping in the NFL. Finding the right value for his skill set, however, is a bit more of a complicated proposition. Ebiketie has transitioned well in 2021 as a new member of the Nittany Lions’ defense, which will undoubtedly boost his perception after a modest tenure as a member of the Temple Owls program. Ebiketie nearly doubled his career totals in sacks and tackles for loss in 2021 on a Lions defense that has afforded a number of players with similar skill sets with prime opportunities to attack the backfield and encourages them to utilize that speed to attack up the field. An NFL system will need to offer the same kind of approach to maximize his talents as he’s not overly effective as of this point in handling a more diverse and nuanced role in a defensive front; he didn’t negotiate blocks with the kind of consistency you’d like to see in the run game. Ebiketie’s measurables suggest he is capable of further growing into a full-time role, but this is a player who I think would benefit from a select menu of plays as a designated rush specialist in the early chapters of his pro career. Depending on where he lands, that may be his ceiling, too—although wide-9 structures will have more opportunities for him on early downs.

Ideal role: Designated pass-rush specialist (rookie season) and developmental defensive end

Scheme tendencies: Wide-9, aggressive gap penetration front

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Wisconsin (2021), Auburn (2021), Iowa (2021), Ohio State (2021), Michigan (2021)

Best Game Studied: Iowa (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Auburn (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: There are some instances in which he is simply overwhelming off of the edge. The drive and initial stem on his outside rushes puts tackles in high stress sets and he’s always going to loom as a threat to take the edge. I still think he can get more efficient here, too—I saw some instances where he was late to release on the snap and allowed his tackle to get a head start in gaining leverage on the rep.

Flexibility: Ebiketie certainly has the ability to flatten at the top of the arc and his pliability as an athlete popped on numerous occasions to help him get low and run under the hands of tackles outside. He also showcases some admirable torque throughout his torso on rush counters to stay skinny and slip through creases.

Hand Counters: His inside counters are allowed to succeed more thanks to his burst and step, but the accuracy of his hands in these situations to rip or swim through punches is effective nonetheless. His rushes outside are primarily rip and dip to duck the inside shoulder and I’ve seen a few power conversions as well to collapse when he’s got enough of a runway to build a few necessary steps. He’s not as dynamic when stacking the line of scrimmage, however, and I’m not overly sold on his upper-body power here to create room for clean disengagement as of this point.

Length: Ebiketie’s anatomical length will check boxes for just about every team in the league, although his functional length doesn’t appear to be as effective as he measures. Too often he’ll let blockers into his body and I’ve seen a number of skill players effectively lock him out in both pass protection and in the run game. He’s got the tools to be more effective here but he’ll need to embrace the value in full extension and be more consistent in creating that room to work. He does, however, dictate punch timing to tackles at times to help set up his rush counters.

Hand Power: I thought his punch flashed the most on speed conversions to attack tackles in head-up instances to create push. In stun-punch situations, I didn’t see him consistently dictate terms and too often he was put in situations where he needed extra work to find his way clear of the block.

Run Defending: Penetration is where he’s going to win here. The initial quickness he illustrates is effective to beat blockers to landmarks and then his length and reactive athleticism can take over to allow him to mirror ball-carriers or press the mesh point. From this perspective, I do consider him to be a scheme-specific talent who will need either significant coaching to be more diverse or to be placed in situations where his get-off can create chaos. His point of attack skills against blockers is going to need better initial contact, better extension skills, and a more refined feel for holding ground before parlaying into pursuit.

Effort (Motor): Ebiketie plays with good flow, pursuit and secondary effort, which has allowed some of his production to come to fruition. Backside pursuit when left unblocked is excellent and he’s not someone you will be able to get away with leaving unaccounted for in the blocking surface. His ability to peel back and work into the pocket if he’s run past the arc is strong and quarterbacks need to be heady of his presence on an extended hold of the ball. I have an appreciation for how he will play through the whistle, even after he’s lost the initial exchange and needs to provide a lot more juice to find his way back to the ball.

Football IQ: I can appreciate that this is a scheme-specific talent who, in the right conditions, could feasibly garner success quickly with the marriage of opportunity, scheme, and complementary talent. Teams who call upon the front four to create chaos and have several other prominent players up front could free Ebiketie up for some splash plays quickly. But the more conservative projection is the one I’ll favor, which is that he’s going to need some seasoning to come into his own. I like his three-year projection much more than his one-year projection.

Lateral Mobility: This is a fluid athlete who will have little issue flashing and reacting in space to redirect and protect the perimeter. He’s got the dynamic base to drive and get width quickly if you’re looking to option off of him.

Versatility: He can certainly rush from either a two or three-point stance but I do think his overall role is one that is going to require him to play with wide angles to have run support leverage built into his alignments. Penn State did, on occasion, move him around the front and ask him to rush from interior angles;. I see no reason why he couldn’t find penetration as a looper in more exotic rush schemes; although such a situation could require him to be a rush specialist for his primary role and not as a three-down defender.

Prospect Comparison: Josh Sweat (2018 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 80.67/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 80.00/100

Marino Grade: 81.00/100

Harris Grade: 80.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 80.50/100

Weissman Grade: 82.50/100

Parson Grade: 80.00/100

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Rating: 86.98 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Charles Omenihu

Strengths:

Frenetic hand fighter who possesses raw power and that equates to a nightmare for interior offensive linemen. Regularly double-teamed and regularly found ways to split them. Devastating push-pull that can destroy interior offensive linemen who can't match his strength. Explosive get off as 4i and 5 technique, and with an added swim move he can give offensive linemen all sorts of trouble as a pass rusher.

Weaknesses:

Occasionally gets too upright as a pass rusher and get stymied, which can sometimes manifest itself as struggling to anchor, though Hall consistently showed the ability to quickly make in-game adjustments. Doesn't currently have an array of pass-rush moves because typically he wins with power and strong hands.

Accolades:

2021: First-team all-AAC (6.0 sacks, 13.0 TFL)
2021: Highest PFF grade (89.2) among AAC DL

Hall signed with Houston after starring at Belton High School, which is north of Austin. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2018 (14 tackles, three for loss) and even made a start in the team's Armed Forces Bowl game against Army. As a sophomore, he started three of 12 games played (14 tackles, two for loss) and started seven of eight games in 2020, playing as a defensive end/tackle in Houston's 3-4 scheme (23 tackles, two for loss with one sack). With Payton Turner off to the NFL in 2021, Hall became a big playmaker and garnered first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors with a team-high 13.5 tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks among 48 tackles in 13 games (12 starts). -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Jalyn Holmes
Overview
Hard-working, two-year starter with projectable frame and developmental traits whose best positional fit could be in the eye of the beholder. Hall played defensive tackle in college, but his playing style and physical profile are better suited for defensive end in a 3-4 alignment. He's segmented and a little gradual in his attack, but flashes violent hands and forward charge as an interior rusher. Improvement lies ahead for Hall, but he needs a scheme fit and extended runway as a rotational lineman.
Strengths
Steadily grew into frame, with more growth likely.
Good explosiveness off the ball.
Explodes from hips into blocks at point of attack.
Can torque, turn and toss opponents.
Adequate pursuit range in space.
Uses a fluid spin counter to disengage from run blocks.
Keeps feet charging forward as a rusher.
Violent slaps and sliding feet help clear the edge.
Ability to swim past blockers for a quick win.
Searches for blocker's edge rather than sitting on a block.
Weaknesses
Might not have a clean positional fit early on.
High-cut with tightness in his lower body.
Struggles to leverage and control the action in front of him.
Too gradual pressing and shedding the block.
Frenetic and lacking desired body control.
Manhandled by double-team blocks.
Straight-legged rush counters get redirected.
Segmented rush lacks a threatening flow.

Logan Hall is an ascending talent that combined mental and technical growth in 2021 to produce his best season and vastly improve his overall valuation. Houston plays him all across the defensive line, giving him plenty of chances to play on the edge and interior as both a run defender and pass rusher. Hall features a long, stocky, and well-proportioned frame that is engineered to play defensive line in the NFL. He is an explosive athlete that plays with a motor that is always fully cranked. He does well to stay leveraged and compete hard from snap to whistle. The growth he demonstrated in 2021 with his hand technique is notable and he’s slippery working through the edges of blocks. He’s developed counters and refined his overall pass-rush plan. As a run defender, Hall shines when he gets opportunities to shoot gaps but is also fully capable of fighting pressure with pressure and remaining stout at the point of attack. With that said, his lack of mass will be challenging to do the same in the NFL if asked to play on the inside on run downs. Hall’s versatility will be an asset at the next level as teams continue to become more and more multiple with their fronts. In year one, Hall has the upside to crack the rotation and situationally make an impact. By year two or three, Hall has the makings of a fixture up front that claims a starting role and plays at least 60% of the snaps while taking advantage of his balanced skill set and ability to execute from a variety of alignments.

Ideal Role: 5-technique that can reduce inside on long and late downs

Scheme Fit: Any

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: BYU (2020), UCF (2020), Cincinnati (2020), Tulsa (2021), SMU (2021), Memphis (2021), Cincinnati (2021)

Best Game Studied: SMU (2021)

Worst Game Studied: BYU (2020)

First Step Explosiveness: Hall has a dynamic first step and he has good overall twitch and suddenness. I love how he explodes out of his stance and uncoils with leverage while attacking the neutral zone with urgency. Houston played him as a 3-technique on most reps and his quickness was often too much for guards to handle.

Flexibility: Hall blends his explosiveness with good flexibility, showcasing the ability to slip around the edges of blocks and turn. While I wouldn’t label him as overly bendy, he is fully capable of taking advantage of soft angles and reducing the distance to the quarterback. He has good overall control in pursuit and is capable of maximizing the fullness of his length to extend his tackle radius, which speaks to his overall flexibility.

Hand Counters: From studying Hall in 2020 and comparing those notes to 2021, this was the most notable area of improvement. He has a terrific club/swim combination in addition to club/rip and he is extremely effective executing a bull rush with well-placed hands and the ability to shed. He is slippery when working to clear blocks and it’s due to his growth as a hand technician.

Length: Hall firmly checks the box in terms of length and he knows how to use it. Serving primarily as an interior defensive lineman at Houston, Hall did well to play with extension and maintain separation from blocks to keep him from getting enveloped. He knows how to maximize his length as a pass rusher and tackler.

Hand Power: Hall has heavy hands that often stun blockers, creating an initial jolt and enabling Hall to take control of reps. His hands are not easily displaced and he knows how to use them to soften the edges of blockers.

Run Defending: Hall was a sound run defender in college and it’s important to keep in mind that he primarily played on the interior. With that said, he doesn’t have the ideal mass when forecasting him to an interior role at the next level and defending the run. He is lethal when shooting gaps and slanting, but asking him to fight pressure with pressure against NFL guards is going to force him to work overtime.

Effort (Motor): Hall is an extremely urgent football player that battles through the whistle on every down. I love his energy in pursuit and he’s never passing. Hall fires off the ball with intent and brings the fight on every snap.

Football IQ: Hall made strides as a processor in 2021 and that helped with the jump in production in addition to technical growth. His utilization as both an interior and edge player speaks to his football intelligence and I believe he does a good job of reading the set of his blocker and executing appropriately. He still has room to grow when it comes to processing the run but the development has been encouraging.

Lateral Mobility: Hall is fully capable of working laterally and pursuing from the backside. I wouldn’t call him explosive in terms of lateral mobility but he is at least sufficient. There are plenty of reps on tape where he showcases good speed when pursuing to the sideline and crashing down as a backside defender.

Versatility: Hall’s versatility adds to his appeal. There is reason to believe he can play base end in a 4-3, 5-technique in a 3-4, and attack interior gaps as both a run defender and pass rusher. Houston played him up and down the line of scrimmage and he can do the same in the NFL.

Prospect Comparison: Jack Crawford (2012 NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 80.67/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 79.50/100

Marino Grade: 80.50/100

Harris Grade: 81.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 79.50/100

Weissman Grade: 81.50/100

Parson Grade: 82.00/100

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Rating: 86.12 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Brian Burns

Strengths:

Great bend at the waist and top-end speed. Eager to learn and improve. Gets up to speed quickly. Plays to the whistle. Keys on the football at the high side of his rush.

Weaknesses:

Has only played football for five years. Liability in run defense. Suffered torn Achilles at pro day in March. Do not trust him to mirror a route out of the backfield. Thin lower body. Would like to see him show an ability to win with power. Needs to develop more counter moves.

Accolades:

2021: All-Big Ten first team
2021: Most forced fumbles (five) and second-most sacks (11.0) in Big Ten

Born in Nigeria, Ojabo (pronounced oh-JAH-boh) moved with his family to Scotland in 2007 before settling in the United States for high school. He played soccer and basketball his first two years at New Jersey's Blair Academy, then joined the football team to see if he could have similar success to schoolmate Odafe Oweh, who signed with Penn State and became the Baltimore Ravens’ 2021 first-round pick. Ojabo earned four-star recruiting status but redshirted his first year in Ann Arbor, earning the team's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year Award. He suited up for six games as a reserve in 2020 before bursting onto the national scene in 2021, when he played in all 14 games (seven starts) across from Aidan Hutchinson. Ojabo was a second-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big Ten Conference selection, posting 35 tackles, 12 for loss with 11 sacks, and a school-record five forced fumbles, which ranked tied for third in the FBS. He was also voted a second-team Academic All-American by sports information directors. Ojabo suffered a torn Achilles during a pass-coverage drill at Michigan’s pro day on March 18. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 2
NFL Comparison
Cliff Avril
Overview
Emerging edge defender who should see a substantial leap in play consistency with more time to work on his technique and learn the game. The upside is evident, despite his inexperience. At times, the run tape can be a rough study, but it improved as the 2021 season progressed. Ojabo's rush approach is fairly sophisticated with the feet and agility to juke, stutter, spin and race his way past offensive tackles. He's not ready to take on pro run blockers, but Ojabo is in the early stages of his physical and play development. The Achilles tear he suffered at his pro day is likely to hurt his draft stock, but it will be hard for teams to pass on his upside if he remains available in the second round.
Strengths
Defensive scout team player of the year in 2019.
Holds himself and others to a standard.
Improved block take-ons as season progressed.
Spies runner through engagement and works toward him.
Speed to close down outside runs.
Rush is unpredictable and unusually diverse.
Confuses tackles with altered cadence and stutter steps.
Able to find a second gear at the top of the rush.
Fluid inside/outside spin move and able to stack moves.
Always searching for the strip sack.
Weaknesses
Played in only 20 games (620 snaps) during college career.
Currently projects as a liability against a pro run game.
Very few run snaps in playoff game versus Georgia.
Covered up by play-side zone blocks against Iowa.
Play recognition and instincts are still developing.
Below average block-shed twitch.
Struggles to counter a stiff outside hand.
Not much bend and dip to clip the edge.
Suffered Achilles tear during pro-day workout.
Sources Tell Us

"I'm not saying he's going to be a better overall player, but I think Ojabo will be a more productive rusher than (Michigan teammate) Aidan Hutchinson." -- Scout for NFC team

Michigan EDGE defender David Ojabo is sure to elicit excitement from NFL decision-makers and coaches alike given his raw tools and the bright flashes of high-level understanding of the game that peek through on film. Ojabo is very green in the grand scheme of things; he didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school after being born in Nigeria and moving to Scotland at the age of 7. And yet, Ojabo is still very much a high-impact defender and shows surreal natural feel and instincts for the game despite the lack of experience—his nose for the football and brilliant rush counters are awesome to take in. And with a high school background in track (he won a prep state title in the 100m dash in 2018 with a 10.93s time), Ojabo has freakish burst and range as an athlete to help make an impact on the perimeter as both a pass rusher and in pursuit. Ojabo isn’t a perfect prospect, but his ceiling may be as high as any 2022 pass rusher not named Kayvon Thibodeaux, and prospects with these kinds of physical gifts don’t last very long in April. Teams that implement wide-angled rushers will find great temptation in Ojabo’s game and will be best positioned to find an every-down role for him early in his NFL career as he continues to add seasoning and better understanding of the snap-by-snap workings of the game. The only thing standing between him and dominance as an EDGE rusher is more experience—finding a secure path to getting that experience will depend on his pro landing spot. I would consider that variable to be the biggest, most serious threat that could contribute to any variance in outcomes he’ll see as a pro player.

Ideal role: 3-4 outside rush linebacker (long-term) and a designated pass-rush specialist (rookie season)

Scheme tendencies: Multiple front, blitz-heavy system with several alignments in the box for rush personnel/base packages

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Washington (2021), Wisconsin (2021), Nebraska (2021), Michigan State (2021), Indiana (2021), Penn State (2021), Ohio State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Wisconsin (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Nebraska (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: When he decides to drive out of the blocks and attack with speed, he’s usually going to claim wins with a high level of consistency. His actual get-off is impacted at times with a false step out of the blocks, which cuts down on how effective he’s gaining ground initially. If he cleans that up, he’s going to be a terror in speed rushes and in wide angled opportunities, where he’ll stress tackles and break down pass sets before even initiating contact.

Flexibility: The ability to flatten at the top of the arc is impressive and has allowed his sack production to explode in 2021. His raw movement skills are pretty special and allow him to drive into resistance and carry speed and force effectively. I’m impressed with his body control as well on some of his rush counters to maximize his length and extension skills and sustain the needed force to clear hands off his frame and play through recovery contact from offensive linemen.

Hand Counters: What is most intriguing and exciting about Ojabo's game is the presence of a number of high-level pass-rush maneuvers. He's shown a hesitation move out of his speed rush to freeze tackles to protect inside and oversetting tackles have been pinned by an inside spin move that features a firm "ice pick" by the outside arm to finish. That, paired with the speed rush and rip move off the edge, give him enough variance to be a viable threat early on, especially with his elite physical traits.

Length: Ojabo’s anatomical length is top-shelf and his ability to flash hands and dictate punch timing from tackles or alternatively use that length to seal hands off of his frame with rush counters is going to afford him a lot of luxuries when he’s attacking pass sets. Ojabo’s tackle radius is boosted by his reach as well and he’s got a prominent presence on the edge of the pocket to bat passes or swipe at the football and create turnover opportunities.

Hand Power: There are examples of violence and deliberate intent to dislodge hands from his frame. When his strikes do land, he’ll successfully chop or rip free. But in read and react situations, Ojabo appears to be a bit more prone to catching blocks and that’s where he’ll get bubbled from his spot. This is clearly an explosive athlete and there’s plenty of raw power at his disposal, but he needs to tighten his strike zone to help him win more reps early.

Run Defending: This aspect of Ojabo’s game represents the phase with the most improvement to be found. Right now, Ojabo is a slasher who wins by attacking forward and beating blockers to the spot; which there will be room for in the NFL as well. But if he’s going to be a more complete player, further navigating and deconstructing blocks with efficiency will need to be developed. He’s got the length and enough mass to stack blockers effectively, but needs to ensure his placement, timing, and extension skills are honed in order to protect his frame from being swallowed at the point of attack.

Effort (Motor): There are some lulls in his play but I’m inclined to think they’re due to uncertainty of how to navigate certain situations and not a matter of effort or enthusiasm. You’ll see him concede some space and struggle to recollect himself with high pads if he’s catching hands and unable to leverage into a low-man posture at first contact. But when he’s rushing the passer, he’s a demon off the edge and comes screaming through the frame with suddenness. Effort in flow and pursuit is tremendous as well; I’ve watched him get on his horse and run down opposing players while giving up 10+ yards to the ball and he does so while moving at a different pace than the rest of his teammates.

Football IQ: There are some wrinkles that need to be ironed out and developed—understandably so given that he’s only played organized football since his junior year of high school. The finer points of stacking and deconstructing blocks at the point of attack are hit or miss and the quickness in which he transitions from initial blow to shedding counters needs to quicken for better results. But above all the inconsistencies, I am super impressed with his nose for the football and his natural feel for soft spaces in the pocket. He’s a ball-hunter and strips the ball from opposing quarterbacks on sacks at a surreal rate.

Lateral Mobility: Ojabo is a phenomenal athlete and a player fully capable of driving in space as a reactive athlete to expand the edge if teams try to option off of his platform on the perimeter. His initial explosiveness translates beyond a linear path and he can offer the same suddenness to both crash across the face of an overset or to flip his hips open to the boundary against the run.

Versatility: I think there’s a lot of untapped potential for Ojabo as a pure athlete and the potential exists for him to become a very diverse defensive weapon. But with that said, I would ultimately prefer to see him land in a place that will offer stability and a clear, single role in the defense before adding a larger menu of responsibilities to his plate. In time, I see an every-down rush linebacker with the potential to play to the field or boundary, to or away from the run strength, and play forward or backward. But build him up methodically and with purpose.

Prospect Comparison: Robert Quinn (2011 NFL Draft, St. Louis Rams)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 84.83/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 86.00/100

Marino Grade: 85.50/100

Harris Grade: 85.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 81.00/100

Weissman Grade: 86.50/100

Parson Grade: 85.00/100

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Rating: 88.05 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Bud Dupree

Strengths:

Well-built, thick athlete who does a great job of using his hands to soften the edge. Shows an above-average ability to bend at the waist around the corner. Great top-end speed and explosion. Does a good job of containing the edge or dropping into coverage. Has some power in his hands to stack and shed in the run game.

Weaknesses:

Needs to develop more counter moves and show an ability to pressure linemen inside. Average-to-below-average length. Rotational player who will have to shoulder a larger workload at the next level. Balance was an issue at times this season.

Accolades:

2021: Second-team All-Big Ten
2021: Led team in TFL (10) and sacks (seven)

Boye Mafe (pronounced BOY-ay MAH-fay) played in all 13 games as a reserve in 2019 (14 tackles, 3.5 for loss and three sacks) and in 10 games as a reserve (12 tackles) as a redshirt freshman the previous year. He blossomed in 2020, garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by leading the Gophers with 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks (27 total tackles, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles in six games with four starts. Mafe was a third-team all-conference selection in 2021, topping his squad with 10 tackles for loss with seven sacks (34 total tackles) in 13 games with nine starts. Mafe is the son of Nigerian natives, and his full name is Adeboye, which means "king meets with dignity." His mother, Bola, passed away from pancreatic cancer on Mother's Day 2018. His older brother, Dami, played football for Minnesota State-Mankato. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 1-2
NFL Comparison
Rashan Gary
Overview
Mafe's evaluation requires the evaluator to focus more closely on the flashes than just the play-to-play action. His combination of rare explosive measurables with average fundamentals could make for a perfect storm of rapid development once he gets focused skill work at the pro level. His footwork is average and he lacks desired instincts as a rusher, but pairing efficient hand work with twitchy upper-body power could turn him into a productive rush bully. He has the traits and toughness to develop into an above-average starter as a 4-3 base end.
Strengths
Explosive athlete with power.
Jab steps can open inside/outside angles.
Generates rush momentum with feet charging forward.
Powerful chop obliterates outside hand of tackle.
Leverage and power for serious stab-and-run potential.
Flashes ability to dismantle tight ends at point of attack.
Pursues through traffic with bend, leverage and speed.
Long, lateral slides restrict cutback lanes on inside zone.
Quick disengagement from block to slam into ball-carrier.
Combination of range and play strength as tackle finisher.
Weaknesses
False steps in his take-off as pass rusher.
Upfield strides are a little tight and restricted.
Inefficient pathways to the top of the rush.
Doesn't get to rush counters in a timely fashion.
Lacks natural instincts with hand usage.
Gradual foot quickness working around the edge.
Hands are more slippery than sticky when taking on blocks.
Needs better balance through lateral block engagement.
Sources Tell Us

"The numbers the strength coach put out there on him are crazy. If he hits the (NFL Scouting) Combine like he's supposed to then he's going to shoot up there." -- Scout for NFC team

Minnesota EDGE defender Boye Mafe is a high-tools prospect on the edge who projects best to the pro game as a traditional 3-4 rush outside linebacker. Mafe offers great athleticism on the edge and his flashes of effortless movement skills in space are an easy sell when projecting his pro game to the next level. I do believe Mafe is more of a developmental player than a plug-and-play starter, but the trajectory of Mafe’s play with the Gophers has been on a steady increase for the entirety of his career with the program, culminating with a career year in 2021 with six sacks, nine tackles for loss, and 30 tackles (all career highs). Mafe has bright flashes of nuance at times but the consistency is where his NFL team is going to require patience from him as he continues to grow a better feel for the game, particularly in deconstructing blocks and being a persistent threat as an outside pass rusher. In the 2022 NFL Draft class, which is loaded with talent, Mafe may not be the commodity he would otherwise be, but this is a high-ceiling prospect who should not be overlooked in the middle rounds as someone who can be an every-down player by year three if the light bulb comes on at the next level.

Ideal role: Developmental starter; special teams role likely needed early on for projective reps

Scheme tendencies: Odd front defense with a blend of pass rush and space responsibilities

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Ohio State (2021), Nebraska (2021), Wisconsin (2021), Colorado (2021)

Best Game Studied: Nebraska (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Ohio State (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: Mafe’s natural burst is very good. He’s got the ability to drive up the field and pressure vertical sets. His consistency as a rusher can be improved by cleaning up his first step, as well—there are instances of a false step off the line that cuts down on how much ground he gains out of his stance. The Gophers have worked him primarily in a two-point release and I do think he’s got the natural juice to win here in the pro game with some added focus. Lots of natural ability and some meat left on the bone to clean, too.

Flexibility: He’s a smooth athlete in all phases. I haven’t really seen him showcase a lot of oily hip displays on the edge when trying to flatten to the quarterback, but I’m uncertain if this is a “feel” issue or any actual tightness. I’m inclined to believe it is the former given how well he moves in space.

Hand Counters: When attacking tackles off the edge, Mafe has shown some awareness to implement rips, sweeps, and lifts in an effort to break hands and clear effectively to turn a tight corner. Stringing moves together or understanding how to set up tackles is where I think he can really build upon his foundation, but between his speed rushes and the showcases of hand usage that indicates he clearly understands what he’s capable of, I think he can continue to grow and develop here.

Length: Anatomically, he appears to have prototypical length and reach to help with his influence of the quarterback in the pocket and boost his ability to interrupt throwing windows both as a dropper and as a rusher. The full implementation of that length to stack blocks isn’t fully developed and I’d love to see him continue to learn to maximize his wingspan and reach to ensure he’s got more room to disengage when required. Excellent physical gifts, however—he’s credited with an 81.5-inch wingspan.

Hand Power: I haven’t seen him create consistent knockback at the point of attack yet and put blockers on their heels, but I do think he’s coiled with a lot of power. He’s got a rocked-up build and is otherwise a quick-twitch athlete as a whole.

Run Defending: Mafe can get glued onto blocks far too easily and leverage issues, hand placement, separation skills, and feel of blocks are all subject to improvement. I am impressed with his ability to cut across the face of cutoff blocks on the backside and his leverage issues appear to be improving, but there are too many times where I think he gets hands on at the point of attack and can’t get unglued.

Effort (Motor): Mafe is an impressive high-motor player who pairs athleticism with effort. He has flashed most persistently as a high-motor player. I’ve watched Mafe chase down plays 40-plus yards downfield as the unblocked backside defender. Love the energy that he brings to the field.

Football IQ: Mafe’s reactive swiftness has improved throughout the course of his time in Minnesota. Play diagnosis hasn’t been an area that’s impressed as recently as the 2020 season unless the Gophers found themselves in obvious down-and-distance situations. While I do feel he’s still piecing together his full pass-rush pallet and feeling out his strategy there to win with consistency, he did appear to play more confident this past season.

Lateral Mobility: Mafe has notable short-area burst, acceleration, and agility, all of which flash early in reps and illustrate his athleticism in space. He’s going to be hard to get the edge on if you leave him unblocked by design and try to claim the edge on him. I certainly think he’s got the reactive quickness to close the door on rolling pockets and sprint outs as a rusher, too.

Versatility: I’m very impressed with his ability to do a little bit of everything. He’s crashed off the backside to run down plays, he’s picked up running backs on ‘BOBO’ assignments and carried them up the field stride for stride, and he’s won off the edge as a rusher. I see little reason an athlete of this caliber couldn’t grow into a maxed-out role on defense in the right environment.

Prospect Comparison: Josh Uche (2020 NFL Draft, New England Patriots)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 82.17/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 82.00/100

Marino Grade: 84.00/100

Harris Grade: 80.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 82.00/100

Weissman Grade: 83.00/100

Parson Grade: 82.00/100

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Rating: 82.77 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Smaller Jonathan Greenard

Strengths:

Long, spindly outside speed rush-based edge rusher. Impressive burst. His bend really pops on film but strangely doesn't use his outside speed rush nearly enough as he should. Length, flexibility and lightness in his feet are his most appealing traits.

Weaknesses:

Hands are more active than they are effective. Has to develop his moves to NFL-caliber. Absolutely needs to get much stronger to deal with NFL blockers in the run game or simply when attacking the quarterback.

Accolades:

2021: All-Pac-12 second team
2020: Second-team All-Pac-12

Jackson's father prophetically asked hospital staff to put "Drake Jackson from the University of Southern California, starting linebacker coming in at 260" on his son's birth certificate. Still, the recruiting process for the top-60 prospect nationally came down to the wire before he chose the Trojans after an outstanding career at Centennial High School in Corona, California. After enrolling early, he was a Freshman All-American in 2019, starting 11 games at defensive end and leading USC with 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks and adding 46 total stops and three pass breakups. Jackson earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors that season and as an outside linebacker in 2020 (20 tackles, 5.5 for loss with two sacks, one interception in six starts) and 2021 (37 tackles, eight for loss with a career-high five sacks, one interception in 11 games with 10 starts). -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 3
NFL Comparison
Eli Harold
Overview
Jackson lacks play strength but has the frame to add muscle and mass. He's a loose-limbed, restless pass rusher with the activity level to find angles and openings in both his primary and secondary rush. However, he lacks successful counters to do it consistently against stronger tackles. Jackson also lacks the take-on toughness and functional anchor needed to hold up at the point on run downs. He has developmental rush potential, but needs a major upgrade in grit and technique against the run.
Strengths
Athletic with long strides in space.
Backside quickness to beat reach block and tackle down the line.
Follows the action with good reactive athleticism.
Has bend and corner talent at the edge.
Stays low when making inside entry on two-way go.
Accelerates feet through contact for his secondary rush.
Upper-body swivel helps him slip the punch.
Effective use of length to keep himself clean.
Looked natural in limited drops into space.
Weaknesses
Action rusher who needs to level up in skill.
Hasn't developed rush counters against power.
Base isn't strong enough to fight through redirection.
Plays into -- and not through -- blocker with initial punch.
Lacks physical demeanor at the point of attack.
Rolled out of the gap against his will.
Excessive arm tackling.
Sources Tell Us

"He should have kept his weight up instead of trying to lose it. He's a good athlete regardless of weight and he's not big or strong enough right now." -- Scout for AFC team

Jackson is a third-year junior who aligns as an edge defender for the Trojans defense. He is a good reactive athlete, as evidenced by his get-off, swivel, and bend on the edge. In the run game, he is seemingly most effective when plays are run away from him, as he has moments of struggling when he is a play-side defender. Conversely, he can bend, get in the gaps, and disrupt run plays in the backfield with quickness and agility when he can use his athleticism and speed to pursue the football. When plays are run at him, he can be inconsistent. When linemen get their hands on him, he can struggle to disengage. Although he displays good length on the edge, he is only sufficient as an edge setter. In the passing game, he uses his athleticism to beat linemen on the edge. He’s a little unrefined as a pass rusher but wins with pure athleticism and quickness. He effortlessly drops into coverage and is even athletic enough to walk out in coverage over slot receivers. Jackson has moments where he feels like a finesse player who doesn’t play with the violent, contact-seeking temperament you’d like to see from defenders. He can afford to improve his strength at the point of attack. As a result, when linemen get their hands on him, he struggles to disengage. He exposes his chest much too much as a pass rusher and overall has been really inconsistent as a defender. Although somewhat unrefined as a pass rusher, Jackson has some redeeming value due to his length and athleticism on the edge.

Ideal Role: Edge rusher

Scheme Fit: 3-4

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Drae Harris

Games watched: UCLA (2021), BYU (2021), ASU (2021), Colorado (2021), Stanford (2021)

Best Game Studied: Colorado (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Stanford (2021)

First-Step Explosiveness: He demonstrates effective first-step explosiveness off the snap; particularly in obvious passing situations. He typically gets a better get-off from a three-point stance than a two-point one.

Flexibility: He plays with good flexibility on the edge. This is demonstrated in his ability to get upfield, bend, and get the edge. He is not as advanced as he should be with regards to counters after his initial move has been thwarted.

Hand Counters: He could really afford to improve his hand usage overall, as well as counters. He doesn’t really have a plan on the edge in both instances of trying to flash hands and create a free run past a block or when needing to break down blocks and get off of established contact.

Hand Power: He doesn’t have the type of power in his hips and hands that translates to him having success somewhere other than the edge. He has a wiry frame and his lack of good power doesn’t allow him to disengage at the rate that he should.

Run Defending: He needs to improve at defending the run, particularly when he is the play-side run defender. He’s better as a chase player where he can use his lateral mobility to get to the football.

Effort: He plays the game with inconsistent effort at times. On obvious passing downs, he is slightly more effective as a decisive rusher to play in attack mode and press the issue. Would like to see more effort and precision getting off blocks at the point of attack.

Football IQ: He plays the game with good football IQ. He can take the next step while learning to set tackles up throughout the game. He also shows adequate ability to alter his rush depending on where the QB steps up in the pocket

Lateral Mobility: He plays with good lateral mobility. He effortlessly moves down the line of scrimmage and to the football. He also shows good flexibility to move laterally back inside after he rushes upfield.

Functional Strength: He can get overwhelmed when reduced inside. He has a wiry frame and lacks the overall bulk, strength, and mass to be a traditional 4-3 defensive end. He played stronger at the point of attack during his sophomore season when he played heavier.

Versatility: He lacks true versatility. At this stage, his skill set is best suited as a 3-4 OLB. He lacks the bulk, mass, and strength to be a traditional 4-3 DE.

Prospect Comparison: Markus Golden (2015 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 75.58/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 76.00/100

Marino Grade: 75.50/100

Harris Grade: 75.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 75.00/100

Weissman Grade: 75.00/100

Parson Grade: 77.00/100

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Rating: 82.42 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Haason Reddick

Strengths:

Smaller, super-twitchy outside speed rusher. One of the few of this type of rusher in this class. Makes up for power deficiency with a nasty crosser move to the inside, a slippery swim, and the ability to make himself skinny around the corner. Bend isn't elite but close. Same goes for his dip ability. Can really flatten to the QB when at good speed around the corner. Pass rush is a plus, and he has the tools to be a very good one in time.

Weaknesses:

Smaller than most edge rushers in the NFL. Minimal strength at the point of attack. Would like to see more pop in his hands. A block avoider, not a block defeater by any stretch. Not a run-defense type and has to get considerably bigger/stronger to not be a liability on those downs in the NFL.

Accolades:

Two-time All-Big 12 second-team
15 sacks, 25.5 TFL over past two seasons

Bonitto (pronounced bo-NEE-toe) was a four-star recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before signing with the Sooners. Bonitto redshirted in 2018, playing in three games as a reserve (three tackles). He played in all 14 games in 2019, starting the final eight contests, and amassed 43 tackles, 6.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks, one interception and four pass breakups. Big 12 coaches voted Bonitto honorable mention all-conference in 2020, but the Associated Press valued his production (32 tackles, 10.5 for loss with eight sacks, two pass breakups in 10 starts) enough to vote him to its second-team All-American squad. He was a third-team AP pick and second-team All-Big selection in 2021, topping the Sooners with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 39 total tackles in 12 starts. Bonitto opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 2-3
NFL Comparison
Vic Beasley
Overview
Undersized edge defender who plays in a slant-based scheme that makes evaluating his three-down value more difficult. Evaluating the pass-rush talent, on the other hand, is quite easy. He's a wildly athletic rusher who blends get-off, stride length and flexibility into one alarming package for tackles trying to slow him down. Rush counters come instinctively and his ability to seamlessly transition his attack from outside to inside makes him a projectable rusher against athletic tackles as a pro. Teams will want him to get bigger, stronger and more assertive against the run as a 3-4 outside linebacker or he could be relegated to DPR (designated pass rusher) status.
Strengths
Quick, athletic and agile from anywhere on the field.
Hands have some snap when he activates them.
Sudden feet to dart inside B-gap and spoil the play.
Change of direction and burst to pursue and tackle in space.
Slippery to slide off a block and make a tackle.
Potentially versatile rush piece who can be moved around the front.
Races out of the gates with long strides that eat up the tackle's cushion.
Menacing edge-to-edge foot quickness.
Counters come instinctively.
Bends and flattens around the corner and into the pocket.
Weaknesses
Plays a little too small in manning the edge.
Gets himself swallowed and sealed in contain duties.
Needs to keep his motor turned up away from the ball.
Below-average speed-to-power conversion.
Hands lack power to grease the edge.
Redirect punch knocks him off of a light base.

Oklahoma edge defender Nik Bonitto is a versatile player who has been a spark plug for the Sooner defense. Bonitto aligns as an EDGE, playing out of a two-point stance in the Sooner’s multiple-front scheme. He is an undersized defender but offers outstanding overall athleticism for the position. As a pass rusher, Bonitto wins with speed, quickness, body control, and bend. He has excellent get-off to gain the edge and has flexibility in his ankles to bend tight angles. He is creative in his rush moves and is extremely hard to land punches on as he has excellent lateral agility to make offensive linemen miss. He can knife through gaps, contorting his body and slipping through. Bonitto plays with outstanding effort and is relentless in his rush. His lack of length and power allows him to get covered up if stronger offensive linemen get their hands on him early, but he often gets late in the down production due to sheer motor. In the run game, Bonitto is above average setting the edge and is quick to disengage and locate the football. He is an excellent tackler in the open field as well. Bonitto shows well in coverage, having the eyes and awareness to drop in zone and the athleticism to cover in man. All in all, Bonitto is an exciting edge defender with outstanding athleticism and motor, but his size and strength will paint him as a tweener in some teams’ eyes.

Ideal Role: Starting 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 off-the-ball linebacker with DPR ability on passing downs.

Scheme Fit: 3-4 front

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Brentley Weissman

Games watched: Nebraska (2021), TCU (2021), Texas (2021), Florida (2020)

Best Game Studied: Florida (2020)

Worst Game Studied: TCU (2021)

First step explosion: Bonitto offers excellent first-step quickness and is explosive out of the blocks. He is able to gain the edge quickly, forcing tackles to over-kick, and then he uses his quickness and lateral agility to counter inside. Given his lack of size, his explosiveness and quickness are his best assets to get home.

Flexibility: Bonitto displays excellent ankle flexibility to turn sharp corners and tight angles when he is rushing the passer. He displays an excellent ability to bend the corner and get home to the quarterback. A very fluid athlete, Bonitto can make defenders miss with body fakes and seamless moves tied together.

Hand Counters: Bonitto uses his hands well and offers a wide variety of hand counters and moves when he is rushing. He is able to tie moves together with ease and rushes with a plan. He has quick and fiery hands that get released with urgency and timing.

Length: Bonitto has above average length overall but he does show he can use it as a pass rusher. You’ll see Bonitto effectively long arm defenders with a speed-to-power rush and disrupt the quarterback. In the run game, his lack of length shows up as he can get covered up at the point.

Hand Power: Bonitto has just above average power in his hands, but he can generate movement with speed to power. He isn’t the type to win with a firm bull rush square on offensive tackles, but if he threatens with speed to get the feet moving he can quickly transition to power while the tackle is on his heels.

Run Defending: As a run defender, Bonitto can set a firm edge and hold his ground at the point of attack. He is excellent at disengaging blocks and tracking the ball-carrier. He uses his quickness and lateral agility to stay uncovered and slip and evade ensuing blockers to make the play. Relentless in pursuit, Bonitto chases plays down backside and the effort is outstanding.

Effort (Motor): Bonitto plays with an outstanding motor and displays tremendous effort every down. He is relentless in his pursuit of the quarterback and is often gifted production late in the down simply because he never stops working. He plays with his hair on fire and is aggressive in his attack.

Football I.Q: Bonitto is a very instinctual football player who understands his assignments. He can process quickly and can read blocking schemes. He is asked to play a variety of roles for the Sooner defense, whether it's rushing the passer, dropping in zone coverage, or being a spy.

Lateral Mobility: A dynamic athlete, Bonitto has tremendous lateral agility and quickness. As a rusher, he easily jukes out tackles with quickness and sharp cuts. He is able to keep his body clear and makes it very hard to land a proper punch. In the run game, he can change direction and make plays in the open field with ease.

Versatility: Thanks to his lack of size and top-end strength, Bonitto will be labeled as a tweener when you look at his projection at the next level. I believe he has the skill set to not just be an effective edge rusher but I think he has the skill and athleticism to play off-the-ball linebacker who can cover and play the run in an even front defense.

Prospect Comparison: Hasson Reddick (2017 NFL Draft, Arizona Cardinals)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 78.08/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 81.00/100

Marino Grade: 77.00/100

Harris Grade: 77.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 75.00/100

Weissman Grade: 83.50/100

Parson Grade: 75.00/100

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Rating: 84.05 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: K'Lavon Chaisson

Strengths:

High-end athleticism that will stress slower offensive tackles who rely on physicality to mask their athletic limitations. Can be disruptive in passing lanes even if he can't get to quarterback, and when he pass-rushes with a purpose he can do some damage -- he has speed to turn the corner, has moves to knock the offensive tackle off balance, and is bendy enough to get to the quarterback.

Weaknesses:

Sometimes his lack of strength shows up on tape, and he will struggle to disengage from blocks. Can dominate and then disappear for stretches, and while he has the speed and bend to beat OTs around the edge, there are just flashes; he needs to do it more consistently.

Accolades:

2021: Led SEC in pressure rate (16.5%)
2020: First-team all-SEC (career-high six sacks)

Enagbare (pronounced ee-NAG-bar-ee) enrolled a semester early after helping Hapeville Charter Academy in Atlanta win a state title as the Class AA Defensive Player of the Year. Taking part in spring practices paid off in his freshman campaign, as he contributed in 12 games as a reserve (20 tackles, three for loss with one sack, two pass breakups, one blocked kick). Enagbare made only one start in 2019 but had a strong pass rush presence in 12 appearances (27 tackles, seven for loss with 3.5 sacks). SEC coaches recognized his 2020 performance, in which he had 30 tackles, seven for loss with a team-high six sacks, and tied for sixth in the FBS with three forced fumbles in eight starts, by naming him first-team all-conference. Enagbare missed the final two games due to a hip injury and had surgery after the season. He was left off the all-conference lists in 2021 but was still productive in 12 starts for the Gamecocks with 44 tackles, seven for loss with 4.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. Enagbare opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. Kingsley's nickname, "J.J.", comes from his love for the children's show, "Jay Jay the Jet Plane". -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5
Overview
Enagbare is long and strong but lacks explosiveness, which could create diverging opinions regarding his position and how best to play him. He's heavy-handed and physical but will never be confused for a playmaker on the edge. He's best suited as a cubicle defender where his power and length can benefit him in smaller spaces. He has played heavier in the past and teams might ask him to pack the pounds back on in order to compete as a run-defending interior lineman in an odd or even front.
Strengths
Above-average length and upper-body power.
Punches with good knockback pop.
Powerful slap to flip and clear blocker's edge at point of attack.
Uses his heavy hands to bully blockers.
Potential to develop into a five-technique with more weight.
Forceful demeanor fits the NFL game.
Thud tackler with stopping power.
Weaknesses
Tight hips with slow twitch.
Inconsistent punch-and-separate move.
Below-average range and short-area agility as tackler.
Predictable, face-up rusher.
Slow and linear in twist game.
Lacks functional explosiveness to the top of the rush.
Shoots upright when hitting inside move.

Kingsley Enagbare found playing time as a true freshman in 2018 and his role in the defense continued to expand from there, eventually developing into a full-time starter across his final two years. Enagbare offers an intriguing blend of burst, length, and power that mostly shows up as a pass rusher, where he finds ways to apply steady pressure. He does well to convert speed to power and use his length to compromise the width of the pocket, get even with the quarterback, flatten, and disengage with good angles. While he has excellent first-step quickness, he isn’t extremely bendy to consistently corner the outside hip of the offensive tackle and relies on his ability to reduce rush angles. He has plenty of room to expand his pass rush repertoire but it’s easy to appreciate his awareness of his strengths on how he taps into them. As a run defender, Enagbare has plenty of room for improvement where his processing skills are below average. He doesn’t ID blocks quickly and is frequently out of his gap due to tardy responses, high pads, and peeking into the backfield. Enagbare has plenty of experience as a base end in even fronts but also as an outside linebacker in odd fronts operating from a three or two-point stance. Enagbare is still a work in progress but his foundation of traits and ascension throughout college makes him appealing. He is likely a rotational player as a designated pass rusher that can attack the pocket from a variety of alignments in year one but has the makeup of a starter by year two or three. The key for his development is further growth with hand usage and run defense.

Ideal Role: Hybrid Edge

Scheme Fit: EDGE player in a defense that is multiple with its fronts

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Joe Marino

Games watched: Tennessee (2020), Florida (2020), Kentucky (2021), Georgia (2021), Tennessee (2021), Clemson (2021)

Best Game Studied: Tennessee (2020)

Worst Game Studied: Clemson (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: Enagbare has excellent first-step quickness which accentuates his linear explosiveness. He’s clean when releasing from a two- and three-point stance with no wasted movement or false steps. He can do more to vary his stride length to set up his rush, but he checks the box in terms of get-off.

Flexibility: Enagbare is loose enough to run the arc and corner, but labeling him overly bendy is too aggressive. He does a good job of reducing his upper half to work around the edges of blocks when the angle is softened. Around the near hip, he does well to flatten, lean into the rush angle, and finish with efficient footwork and a strong understanding of rush angles. He has good ankle flexion.

Hand Counters: Enagbare is excellent at converting speed to power to set up his rush plan. Combining that with his efficiency winning around the near hip with a blend of inside moves makes him a really effective pass rusher. He competes to work counters and clear contact but still has room to grow with timing, placement, and variety.

Length: Enagbare has good length and does well to use it as a pass rusher in terms of landing his hands and keeping separation to execute his rush plan. His bull rush is largely effective due to his length. I would like to see it show up more when tackling in space and affecting passing lanes.

Hand Power: Enagbare has firm hands that aren’t easily displaced. When he locates his hands, there is notable pop and strength behind them. His placement and power in his hands when executing a bull rush are outstanding.

Run Defending: Enagbare is inconsistent maintaining his run fits, especially when playing 5-technique. There are so many positive reps where he plays with leveraged hips, extension, and fights for his gap, but some lapses in block recognition and processing find him rooted out of gaps. He has to be careful to not get caught peeking into the backfield, which forces him to lose leverage and enables blockers to take control of reps.

Effort (Motor): Enagbare competes and battles on every snap and is never content being blocked. Because of that sustained effort, he’s able to make plays in the backfield and a fair amount of his sacks have been due to his motor staying cranked. He does dial it up to a higher level at times, but I didn’t come away disappointed in his effort from my exposures.

Football IQ: Engabare has room for improvement when it comes to processing and play recognition skills. There are too many instances of him failing to read blocks in the run game and he concedes his gap because he gets reached. There are times when he is peeking in the backfield and loses track of his positioning on the field.

Lateral Mobility: Enagbare’s athleticism is more impressive in linear situations. While he isn’t deficient when it comes to lateral mobility, he isn’t springy when changing directions. He isn’t an ideal option to be used in space with frequency.

Versatility: Enagabare has experience as an even front defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker. In 2021, it felt like he was primarily in a two-point stance as a rush linebacker. He is a more effective pass rusher than run defender, although he isn’t lacking the physical traits to be a good run defender, he just has to process it better.

Prospect Comparison: Darrell Taylor (2020 NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 72.50/100 (Fourth Round Valuation)

Crabbs Grade: 71.50/100

Marino Grade: 72.00/100

Harris Grade: 72.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 72.00/100

Weissman Grade: 74.50/100

Parson Grade: 73.00/100

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Rating: 73.02 (Chance to start)

Pro Comparison: Brian Robison

Strengths:

Quick re-direct. Good speed and bend around the edge. Good shoulder dip to get under opposing linemen. Has an understanding of countering inside and not working too deep. Good height and length to play on the edge.

Weaknesses:

Limited production over the past two years. Not a lot of examples of him dropping into coverage. Needs to get stronger to consistently play on the edge. Would like to see him do a better job of stacking and shedding blocks. Needs to develop more counter moves.

Accolades:

2021: Third-team All-MAC despite not being a starter
Senior Bowl invitee at DL after playing first three seasons as WR

Robinson was a productive quarterback at Canton McKinley High School in Ohio, but signed as a receiver for the RedHawks. He played in seven games as a reserve as a true freshman in 2017 and scored four touchdowns on just 13 receptions (156 yards, 12.0 per) in 12 games with five starts in 2018. Robinson started eight of 14 games played in 2019 (14-296-21.1) before making the move to defense. The team's 2020 season was shortened due to COVID-19, but he showed glimpses of talent as a pass rusher (nine tackles, 2.5 for loss with two sacks). Though Robinson did not start in 2021, MAC coaches appreciated his blossoming talent enough to vote him third-team all-conference (29 tackles, 8.5 for loss with 4.5 sacks in 12 games). -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Rounds 3-4
NFL Comparison
Whitney Mercilus
Overview
Wideout turned quarterback hunter with the bricks and mortar needed to build an impactful career as a 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 rush end. Robinson frequently flashes despite his relative inexperience at the position. He's quick off the snap, using plus fluidity, athleticism and bend to trim the edge and assail the pocket. However, he needs additional moves and counters before he's ready to beat pro tackles. He must get stronger and more technically sound in run support. Aligning as a stand-up rush linebacker might help expand his range as a playmaker in space. Robinson projects as an unpolished gem with a high ceiling and stable floor.
Strengths
Former wideout with explosive athleticism off the edge.
Play is more natural than expected given his experience.
Races out of stance with immediate upfield threat.
Unveiled effective two-hand swipe against Central Michigan.
Sudden change of direction torments less athletic pass-setters.
Bends, flattens and bursts to snare the sack.
Fluid in space to hound scramblers or cover tight ends.
Hard for blockers to keep him centered up and sustained.
Covers serious ground and rallies to the football versus the run.
Knifes through B-gap to disrupt play flow on slants.
Can halt run play with unblocked, backside crash.
Weaknesses
NFL competition could stall scheduled growth along the edge.
Must learn to stack blocks and maintain run fits.
Leans way out past his feet and into blocks.
Downhill rushing attacks will be an early challenge for him.
Doesn't use hands early on in his rush to open pathways.
Limited go-to moves and counters at this stage.
Continues to race beyond the quarterback's drop depth.
Lacks broad base to play through strong punch.

Dominique Robinson projects as a developmental pass rusher at the NFL level. Robinson offers very good short-area quickness and agility for a rusher—which is in part to be expected by a player who was recruited as a dual-threat quarterback and spent his first few seasons on the Miami Redhawks roster as a tight end before transitioning to play defensive end. Robinson logged some 33 games and 13 starts at receiver between 2017, 2018, and 2019 before playing in three games on defense amid Miami-Ohio’s abbreviated COVID-19 season in 2020. Since then, Robinson has shown a significant level of agility and raw athleticism but has yet to really package his skill set together effectively and efficiently to create consistent chaos on that side of the football. He’s been a rotational player at times who flashes on 3rd-and-long situations as a speed rusher off the edge—and with bright flashes, there appears to be a skill set here worth gambling on late in the draft.

Ideal role: Developmental base 3-4 rush linebacker

Scheme tendencies: Gap penetration defense

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Ball State (2020), Cincinnati (2021), Minnesota (2021), Central Michigan (2021), Ohio (2021)

Best Game Studied: Central Michigan (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Minnesota (2021)

First Step Explosiveness: Robinson has plenty of natural juice in his frame, but his efficiency getting out of the blocks and his initial stem as a rusher is going to need development in order to effectively stress tackles with consistency. He has sustained this athleticism despite bulking weight well.

Flexibility: I can’t say with confidence whether his cornering skills are limited because he’s tightly wound or because he’s not apt at executing yet. I certainly think he’s got the ability to really improve with attacking small creases and sustaining speed through turns; he bails too quickly and doesn’t appear to trust his ability to flatten and turn the corner.

Hand Counters: This is an understandable work in progress, but you do see some bright flashes here—which is what you cling to in order to stay optimistic. Robinson beat Bernhard Raimann on one outside rush with a cross chop and successfully turned the corner vs. CMU this season, but consider him a ground-level player in this regard who needs to be built up.

Length: It appears as though Robinson has plenty of natural length at his disposal and if you can steadily work him into stacking blocks and understanding value of sustaining a clear chest, you’ll boost his efficiency rushing the passer.

Hand Power: One of Robinson’s more underdeveloped traits is his functional power in all abilities. He’s been able to stack some significant weight onto his frame but he’s still built lean and needs more power and mass in order to successfully win at the line of scrimmage.

Run Defending: Robinson was featured predominantly as a designated pass rusher on a number of the possessions I studied of the Miami-Ohio defense and his instincts to key and diagnose blocks before subsequently deconstructing them has not been developed to a degree in which you should feel confident playing him early in his career on the early downs.

Effort (Motor): Robinson gives very good effort. You can easily appreciate the motor and willingness to fight through traffic to try to find the football. He’s parlayed through twists and stunts up front and continued working to grass and has been rewarded with extended plays with the QB rolling into his lap. He frequently makes opposing QBs feel his presence if he’s close upon release.

Football IQ: He’s understandably raw and should be afforded plenty of time and patience for any team that invests in him. I don’t necessarily think he’s going to command an active roster spot in 2022; he’s got a lot of needed growth on defense so he will need to impress coaches with his special teams acumen as a rookie.

Lateral Mobility: His reactive quickness appears to meet desired levels, but his designed gap exchanges and twists up front are a bit forced and telegraph his intentions to drive inside. He’s better when unoccupied and trying to flash and get width in the quick game as a rally defender. I need to see more explosive drive on his inside charges in order to feel as though he can slash across the face of blockers effectively.

Versatility: There aren’t too many pass-rush prospects who were wide receivers as recently as 2019—one would have to think that could set the table for some special teams opportunities at the next level. He’s a better athlete than his instincts on defense allow him to play at times. I think he’s a capable player who, with time and development, could serve in an OLB role and drop into shallow zones.

Prospect Comparison: Josh Carraway (2017 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 72.33/100 (Fourth Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 70.50/100

Marino Grade: 70.00/100

Weissman Grade: 76.50/100

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Rating: 81.15 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Robert Windsor

Strengths:

Doesn't have the typical body type of an edge rusher (for starters, he's 278 pounds and plays primarily over or outside the offensive tackle), but he has surprising quickness off the snap and he'll pair that with a deadly inside swim move. Incredibly active with his hands and wins consistently that way. Shows a high motor in pursuit

Weaknesses:

Can struggle to get off blocks and isn't consistently stout at the point of attack. Needs to do a better job of moving the offensive lineman off his spot. Unique athlete but not particularly bendy around the edge. Needs to continue to expand his pass-rush repertoire. He'll dominate for stretches, then disappear for just as long; needs to play with more consistency.

Accolades:

Only three-time full-season captain in school history
2021: First-team All-SEC

As a true freshman at Kentucky in 2017, Paschal played in all 13 games with one start (17 tackles, 4.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks) after a strong career at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland. Paschal was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in July 2018, undergoing multiple surgeries and a year of immunotherapy treatment on the bottom of his right foot. While getting treatment during the 2018 season, he redshirted, playing in three games with one start. Paschal returned to start all 13 games in 2019 (34 tackles, 9.5 for loss with 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles) and 10 of 11 games played in 2020 (32 tackles, 6.5 for loss). He was a team captain in both seasons. He finished his career on a high note, earning second-team All-SEC and Academic All-American honors while leading the Wildcats with 15.5 tackles for loss, including 5.5 sacks among his 53 total tackles, in 12 starts. Paschal opted out of the team's bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 3
NFL Comparison
Emmanuel Ogbah
Overview
Fully grown defender with the play strength and versatility to contribute in odd or even fronts. Paschal's urgent, full-tilt demeanor helps him control his fair share of engagements, but it also leads to occasional lapses in footwork and balance. He's like a block of granite at the point of attack with low pads and a heavy anchor. He has the twitch to see-and-shed against single blocks and the range to make a tackle a gap away. His face-up rush style lacks elusiveness and will see limited success off the edge, but his snap quickness fits perfectly as an interior rusher in sub-packages. Paschal might never be a star, but he's a good future starter with winning character that coaches and fans will grow to love.
Strengths
Only three-time full-season captain in school history.
Big personality who loves the game.
Stocky lower half from his hips to his ankles.
Comes off the ball low, square and with a compact punch.
Bends and grows roots to leverage and counter drive blockers.
Full recognition and response for contain duties.
Forceful tackler with excellent shed power and timing.
Initial quickness offers quick-win potential as interior rusher.
Wide lateral steps take him quickly to the edge.
Attacks with heavy but sudden hands.
Highly determined once he finds the backfield.
Weaknesses
* Size and length fall below NFL standards
* Needs better feel for edge pressure. * Occasional imbalance due to inconsistent footwork. * Frenzied play lands him on the ground at times. * Limited success as face-up edge rusher. * Lacks upper-body flexion to turn and flatten at the top of the arc. * Uses predictable jump-and-swim rush move inside. * Rush gasses out if he doesn't win early in the rep
Sources Tell Us

"The (Kentucky) coaches will tell you that he's a player you can bring in as a culture builder. He's all about ball on and off the field." -- Area scout for AFC team

Kentucky defensive lineman Josh Paschal is a scheme-diverse talent who should be able to offer appeal to most defensive systems across the league. I think he’d be best weaponized in a Belichick-style defense that asks their defenders to play multiple spots along the line and serve multiple roles in both two-gap and gap-penetration scenarios. Paschal has the skill set to do both and he proved it in 2021 after enjoying a career season for an upstart Wildcats defense. He’s made plays in just about every way imaginable, serving as a stack-and-shed defender against Florida (2021), slashing into the backfield against LSU (2021), blocking a field goal against the Gators, and generally aligning all over the Wildcats front. Whether they played odd or even fronts, he took snaps as a base end in an over-front, as a 4i alignment in odd looks, a 3-technique in nickel sub-packages with two down linemen, and as the stand-up nose tackle for a 5-0 pressure look. This amount of versatility is impressive and he pairs it with powerful hands and a surprising level of juice in his frame to accelerate and attack the ball-carrier. Paschal’s biggest question is rooted in erratic performance and production; he had a down year in 2020 and looked nowhere near as dynamic that season as compared to his past year as a force to be reckoned with up front. Paschal was diagnosed in the summer of 2018 with malignant melanoma that required multiple surgeries and immunotherapy treatments (12 months) but was healthy enough to return to play that same season. He’s been a starter ever since and served as a team captain in 2020—he’s got a great resume off the field for academics and character. This is someone who plays motivated and is someone you’re going to want in your locker room.

Ideal role: 4-3 base end, 3-4 4i alignment IDL

Scheme tendencies: Multiple-front schemes and blend of gap penetration and two-gapping principles

FILM EVALUATION

Written by Kyle Crabbs

Games watched: Alabama (2020), Florida (2020), Ole Miss (2020), Florida (2021), LSU (2021), Louisville (2021)

Best Game Studied: Florida (2021)

Worst Game Studied: Alabama (2020)

First Step Explosiveness: There is a surprising amount of twitch in his frame when he’s queuing up the snap and looking to play in attack mode from the jump. He can be slow out of the blocks at times but those instances appear to be read-and-react reps. He gains good ground on attack reps and is capable of quickly getting hip to hip, especially on some of his interior alignments.

Flexibility: This isn’t a super bendy or pliable rusher off the edge. But in linear situations and when needing to stack and play with leverage at the point of attack, Paschal shows good hinges and very good hip and pad level to play with power. He does have the ability to dip the inside shoulder but I’m much more taken with his ability to disconnect his hips and shoulders to get skinny through small creases or when pressing through an interior crease. All that said, I have seen him flatten at surprising angles in interior games.

Hand Counters: He thrives more with hand power and angle reduction than he does as a finesse player. He’s got a violent stab, a hard chop, and he’s got sufficient push/pull ability thanks to his upper-body power.

Length: Paschal appears to have very good functional length and his separation skills are a big plus for his work at the point of attack. He shows very good upper body power and strength to pop and extend his hands, allowing him to make easy disengagement from offensive linemen when he’s keyed up the block. This isn’t just a long body, either. He’s effective in manipulating bodies at the full extension of his frame and shows violent finishes.

Hand Power: There’s a whole lot of pop in these hands. Blockers who are late with their hands or don’t have a reach advantage on Paschal are going to pay for it at the point of attack. He’s got a lot of juice here and wins knockback at the line of scrimmage with consistency.

Run Defending: I was very impressed with seeing how much more effective and confident Paschal was in this regard in 2021. He looked lethargic and uncertain at times in 2020 and was given fits by the likes of both Florida and Alabama that season in the run game, but he was a totally different animal this year. He moved swiftly, with a lot of confidence, and physically stonewalled a lot of blocks at the point of attack.

Effort (Motor): Tireless, relentless effort both at the point of attack and when working to the perimeter. I was impressed at the number of times I saw No. 4 flashing outside the numbers five yards downfield. He does well when he’s pushed past his landmark as a rusher to try to peel back and hustle in late.

Football IQ: I’m not sure what caused the lightbulb to come on for Paschal in 2021 but I’m glad it did. He was a totally different player in 2021 as compared to the 2020 contests studied and appears to have a much more confident understanding of how he can play and play diagnosis. Vetting what caused the issues of 2020 and what changed this offseason will go a long way in helping to determine the confidence I have in his reaching his lofty ceiling as a pro player.

Lateral Mobility: Paschal isn’t necessarily the most fluid or dynamic in lateral situations and there have been some instances where he’s been the read man in zone read and given up outside when trying to drive outside. I don’t think it will be too problematic in the pro game given his ideal role isn’t as a contain player, however. I also believe he’s got plenty of functional strength and enough shallow change of direction skills to crash across face against oversetting linemen or when attacking uneven levels to come back inside.

Versatility: His ability to align in any number of places in the defensive front and execute any number of styles of play is huge. I see him being a viable fit across most fronts and schemes, but a defense that asks their players to do all of the above is going to get the most mileage and value out of him as I’m not sure he’s got the ceiling as a pass rusher to be a dominant fixture in any one ideology of playing defense.

Prospect Comparison: John Franklin-Myers (2018 NFL Draft, New York Jets)

SCOUT GRADES

TDN Consensus: 79.67/100 (Third Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 80.00/100

Marino Grade: 80.00/100

Harris Grade: 78.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 80.50/100

Weissman Grade: 79.50/100

Parson Grade: 80.00/100

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Rating: 84.08 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Sam Hubbard

Strengths:

Versatility to play inside or on the edge depending on the situation. Plays to the whistle. Quick, active hands. Good strength.

Weaknesses:

Average top-end speed. Too reliant on strength, needs to develop more counter moves. Has to do a better job of maintaining gaps. Stiff, upright posture. Below-average arm length. Average-to-below-average change of direction.

Accolades:

2021: Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year
All-Mountain West first team three straight seasons (2019-21)

Thomas followed his brother, all-conference right tackle Zachary, to San Diego State after excelling at nearby Carlsbad High School. His size and physical nature led him to the defensive line however, redshirting the 2018 season after playing special teams in his only appearance that season. Thomas started 12 of 13 contests in 2019, breaking out as a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection and the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year with 49 tackles, nine for loss with 5.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. He was a repeat first-team all-conference pick in 2020 as an eight-game starter for the Aztecs (35 tackles, 9.5 for loss with four sacks). In 2021, Thomas finished with 16 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks on 71 total stops in 14 starts to garner second-team Associated Press All-American honors and the MWC Defensive Player of the Year Award. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 4
NFL Comparison
Sam Hubbard
Overview
In a perfect world, Thomas adds mass and muscle to develop into a starting 3-4 defensive end with interior rush value in nickel packages. He currently carries a scheme-versatile label, but is more of a base 4-3 end with average play strength and a lack of explosiveness to create fear as an edge rusher. The splashy run-stopping data comes via equal parts scheme and effort but might not be a true indicator of what to expect in the pros. A bigger, brawnier version of Thomas would allow teams to align him as an every-down 3-4 end, where his motor and hand work could mismatch guards. Regardless of alignment, he has enough in the toolbox to project as a rotational lineman with starting upside.
Strengths
Versatility to rush from a variety of spots.
Rush plan populated with set-ups and countering mindset.
Hands are well-schooled and instinctive.
Works back under rather than drifting past the pocket at top of the rush.
Nice job of tracking and hunting once inside the pocket.
Operates with quick punch-and-separate at point of attack.
Good rip-and-lift to drive through the blocker's edge and disrupt in the gaps.
Full-payload tackler who crashes into ball-carriers with a thud.
Weaknesses
Rarely faced NFL-level competition.
Tackle-for-loss stats bolstered by heavily slanting front.
Doesn't have enough power to handle 3-4 DE duties just yet.
Inconsistent results when asked to anchor and hold ground.
Monotone, one-speed approach in attacking the arc.
Unable to create panic through speed.
Too upright, causing extended stickiness in pass pro battles.

Cameron Thomas plays on the defensive line for the Aztecs’ defense. He has played in several different alignments from this position. He is a good athlete with good initial quickness, agility, and outstanding body control. In the run game, he is heavy enough to hold the point on the interior, disengage, and get to the football. He has a relentless motor and is a constant threat on the backside of run plays. In the passing game, he has been dominant in the Mountain West Conference. He’s virtually unblockable with single blocks. He not only wins with pure hustle and motor, but combines it with very good hands and an understanding of leverage. He has used a one-arm on the edge while also converting speed to power. He’s bull rushed and even slithers in the gaps when he’s reduced down to a 3 or 4i, showing really good instincts and pass-rush understanding when working a lineman’s half-man. In the NFL, he is ideally suited as a 4-3 DE. However, he will be impactful as an interior rusher in sub-packages. He is versatile enough to align in various positions on third downs.

Ideal Role: Starting Defensive End

Scheme Fit: 4-3 (Although he's front versatile)

Games watched: SJSU (2021), Nevada (2021), UTSA (2021), Boise State (2021)

Best Game Studied: Nevada (2021)

Worst Game Studied: UTSA (2021)

FILM EVALUATION

First-Step Explosion: He has an outstanding get-off. He is a quick-twitch athlete who plays with outstanding initial quickness. This puts linemen in really tough positions.

Flexibility: He has sufficient-level flexibility. He is a taller player whose size can get him in trouble when he’s reduced inside. However, he shows some level of ability to bend and get the edge.

Hand Counters: He is exceptional at using his hands. When he cannot get home with his initial move, he uses his hands very well. He has good pop and explosion in his hands.

Hand Power: He has some power in his hands. He can disengage and get to the football. He can also knock the opposition back with his explosive hands.

Run Defending: He is exceptional against the run. He is physical and tough at the point of attack. He also does a good job disengaging and his relentless hustle and motor help him get to the football.

Effort: He plays with rare-level effort. His emotional endurance is second to none in this class. He wins with his effort and outstanding hustle and also combines it with good technique.

Football IQ: He has good football IQ. He sets up offensive linemen and wins on the interior. He has a good feel for where the QB is going to set up at the top of his drop.

Lateral Mobility: He has exceptional lateral mobility. He can move down the line and get to the football in the run game. He also shows dynamic movement skills as a pass rusher.

Core/Functional Strength: He has good functional strength. This helps him as a power rusher in the MWC. His ability to disengage helps him be as impactful as he is.

Versatility: He has aligned in several different positions at SDSU. However, I believe his best position is 4-3 DE. He could potentially gain mass and play reduced down inside.

Player Comparison: John Simon (2013 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens)

TDN Consensus: 81.08/100 (Second Round Value)

Crabbs Grade: 80.00/100

Marino Grade: 80.50/100

Harris Grade: 82.00/100

Sanchez Grade: 83.50/100

Weissman Grade: 79.50/100

Parson Grade: 81.00/100