While edge rusher is not a desperate need for the Eagles, they have always been a team to overload at this key position. Luckily for Howie Roseman and company, this draft class has great top end talent and some good depth players for them to consider.
1. Jared Verse, Florida State
What he does well: Jared Verse looks like speed would be his game, weighing a bit over 250 pounds, but he is a remarkably powerful player. Rushing the passer, he packs so much punch in his hands and has such excellent technique ripping through blocks to generate pressure. He has a ferocious motor that never runs cold, making sacks and pressures a possibility on every snap.
Where he can Improve: Verse’s physical limitations are exposed as a run defender. If he does not win off the snap, he can be moved off his spot by more physical run blockers. He flashes the ability to anchor, but he will need to get a very consistent first step to offset the ways his size can let him down.
Pro Comparison: Kayvon Thibodeaux
2. Dallas Turner, Alabama
What he does well: Dallas Turner has blinding speed off the edge and it is by far his greatest asset. Turner spent years in the shadow of Will Anderson and this season took the role of Alabama’s most disruptive front-seven player. Turner is not just a great athlete, as he has also developed better and better technique in the last three seasons. He has an array of pass rush moves that he uses to great success and his combination of speed and long arms make them all possible against any opponent.
Where he can Improve: As a sub-250 pound defender, there will be a legitimate concern about Dallas Turner’s ability to deal with bigger, more physical offensive tackles. There’s good news though. Turner is one of the younger players in the class and could probably keep growing without losing too much speed. He will definitely have a learning curve in the NFL, but the talent is there for him to be a special player.
Pro Comparison: Josh Sweat
3. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
What he does well: Laiatu Latu has been an absolute terror over the last two seasons, piling up 27 sacks in that time. He is the most developed player in the class in terms of pass rush technique and football IQ. He is a tough, physical player who is just as dependable a run defender as he is as a pass rusher.
Where he can Improve: Laiatu Latu is a quick player with great snap anticipation, but he is not a top-end athlete. This might limit his ceiling in the NFL. Factor in his lack of arm length, and he will really need to depend on technique, physicality, and his motor to produce against NFL tackles.
Pro Comparison: Dee Ford
4. Chop Robinson, Penn State
What he does well: Chop Robinson is among the best pure athletes in this class. He has ridiculous first step quickness, the ability to bend the edge, and closing speed to chase down plays from the back side. He flashes speed-to-power that overwhelms much larger blockers. Looks absolutely otherworldly at times.
Where he can Improve: Robinson’s talents have yet to translate to consistent production. Part of that is his role in the Penn State defense, and part of that is overreliance on physical gifts. A great coaching staff will help him hone his athleticism and hopefully translate it into consistent, dominant play.
Pro Comparison: Boye Mafe
5. Bralen Trice, Washington
What he does well: Bralen Trice was incredibly disruptive at Washington over the last two seasons, generating 150 total pressures (Sacks+Hits+Hurries) in that time. He has great first step quickness, a relentless motor, and fantastic technique when it comes to fighting through blocks. Despite being a bit smaller, Trice held his own as a run defender as well.
Where he can Improve: Bralen Trice is a film and stats guy. His poor combine score definitely calls into question his overall ceiling. He might not be the type of player who can be the best pass rusher on a given team, but he could be a great complimentary defender.
Pro Comparison: Bryce Huff
The Rest
6. Chris Braswell, Alabama
7. Darius Robinson, Missouri
8. Adisa Isaac, Penn State
9. Jonah Elliss, Utah
10. Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
11. Austin Booker, Kansas
12. Gabriel Murphy, UCLA
13. Javon Solomon, Troy
14. Xavier Thoomas, Clemson
15. Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
You must be logged in to post a comment Login