DAY 2 POSSIBILITIES
EDGE Harold Landry, Boston College | 6’2, 252 | Athleticism: 87th percentile | Age: 22
Where He Wins: Pure speed and explosion off the edge. Even if he didn’t have moves or counters, tackles would fear Landry because of his ability to run the arc. That alone will create production. His flexibility to turn the corner and take a tight angle towards the quarterback might be the best in this class. The outside threat allows him to set up the inside move. Understands he needs to locate the quarterback when getting depth.
Forecast: Deal with injuries in 2017, but his 2015 and 2016 stuff is high high end tape. A natural pass rusher and that is what matters most. Don’t be too concerned about his run fits on the outside.
DL Maurice Hurst, Michigan | 6’1, 292 | Athleticism: N/A | Age: 23
Where He Wins: Burst off the snap to shoot gaps or attack edges of interior offensive linemen. Hurst is so quick that he takes advantage of any error on the inside. Late on a reach block? Hurst is in the backfield. Hesitate to fill for a pulling lineman? Hurst will make a play. Likely fits as a 3-technique in a one gap defense, but has plenty of snaps at 1-technique in a NASCAR package. Plays low, which helps carry the momentum he created. Plays with timing and vision to separate and make plays on the ball.
Forecast: Interior disruption is king, and Hurst offers it most consistently in this class. Hurst was held out of the Combine with a heart concern, but he has since been cleared.
CB Joshua Jackson, Iowa | 6’0, 196 | Athleticism: 82nd percentile | Age: 22
Where He Wins: Plays inside and outside. Slow plays his footwork to mirror in routes then drives on the ball off breaks. Anticipates certain routes and understands he has sideline help. Very good in isolation in the red zone. It is his ball in the air, and Jackson’s receiver background likely plays a role in that.
Forecast: Likely an outside corner who will attack the football in the air. Ball skills are an important part of his game, and it is not just the interception numbers.
EDGE Lorenzo Carter, Georgia | 6’5, 250 | Athleticism: 96th percentile | Age: 22
Where He Wins: A true force player. Rotates between playing off the ball, on the edge and even takes snaps in the slot. So sound at accomplishing his assignment on the edge and in space, forcing ball carriers inside then shedding to make the tackle. Does the same in coverage. Athleticism equals a pass rushing ceiling, even though he is a bit lost in that area. Chews up ground on blitzes.
Comparison: Jamie Collins, Browns
Forecast: One of the few edge players who might be better in space than as a pass rusher. He’s comfortable and aggressive where other edge players have difficulties. Question is if his athleticism will translate into disruption.
S Justin Reid, Stanford | 6’1, 207 | Athleticism: 96th percentile | Age: 21
Where He Wins: Exceptional athlete, and it shows when covering ground laterally or attacking ball carriers upfield. Combination of quickness and explosion allows him to play the ball in the air at the catch point to cause incompletions. Stanford asked him to line up in a variety of spots. In the box, as a safety and even played man to man in some instances. Play recognition can lead to tackles for loss.
Forecast: Reid had eight or nine visits during the process, so expect him to be a top 40 selection.
LB/EDGE Genard Avery, Memphis | 6’1, 248 | Athleticism: 87th percentile | Age: ?
Where He Wins: Exciting prospects because he combines athleticism, bend and closing quickness. With that said, he isn’t strictly a pass rusher. He often works as a true off ball linebacker and is asked to cover receivers in the slot. A front seven weapon who is equally as talented to chase and defend the run or rush the passer, especially with his natural leverage advantage and flexibility.
Comparison: LB Haason Reddick, Cardinals
Forecast: Does have trouble knifing through blockers in his path. Luckily I don’t have to decide where he is being used, but he can win in multiple roles.
EDGE Sam Hubbard, Ohio St | 6’5, 270 | Athleticism: 64th percentile | Age: 23
Where He Wins: At his best when space is created. Able to turn the corner or change direction on one step, which is uncommon at 270 pounds. Will take advantage of inside lanes when looping inside.
Forecast: Hubbard’s athletic profile is an odd one. He posted a ridiculous 6.84 3-cone… then a 4.95 forty. He wins in space, not on contact, which is a bit of a conundrum based on his size.
LB Fred Warner, BYU | 6’3, 236 | Athleticism: 80th percentile | Age: 21
Where He Wins: Exactly the combination of athleticism and aggression you want at the position. Warner often knifes through lanes or gaps or gets in front of blocks with his speed and quickness. On top of that Warner flashes when blitzing or sticking with a tight end or back in coverage when asked to do either.
Comparison: LB Shaq Thompson, Panthers
Forecast: Many BYU prospects are overaged. That is not Warner. He can come in and make an instant impact if afforded the opportunity.
EDGE Josh Sweat, FSU | 6’5, 251 | Athleticism: 95th percentile | Age: 21
Where He Wins: Insane athlete. Sweat can fire up the field in a hurry, instantly putting an offensive tackle in panic mode to get a deep drop set. If Sweat has space, he will win and disrupt the backfield. Held up in run defense well.
Comparison: EDGE Danielle Hunter, LSU
Forecast: FSU often used sweat as a tight edge instead of a true edge, where he would be afforded more space. In fact, often it seemed he was reactive rather than asked to be disruptive. Hopefully that changes. He gets a bit lost when his initial momentum is stopped, lacking a counter. I hope he lands with a coach who can coach.
DL Nathan Shepherd, Fort Hays State | 6’4. 315 | Athleticism: 64th percentile | Age: ?
Where He Wins: Wants to get upfield and disrupt rather than stay at the line of scrimmage. Explosion plus power plus balance. He uses heavy hands and hips to work behind interior offensive linemen.
BEST OF THE REST -
S Jessie Bates, Wake Forest
EDGE Kemoko Turay, Rutgers
S Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
DL Deadrin Senat, USF
LB Dorian O’Daniel, Clemson
EDGE Obo Okoronkwo, Oklahoma