2018 Draft Preview, Part 7: Edge Rushers

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March 22, 2018

by Adam Taraschke

The NFL draft is a little more than a month away, which means I’m starting to get into the positions of need for Washington.  This week I look at edge defenders. Fans will debate the severity of this need, but in its present state, the Redskins defense is lacking a speed rusher.  Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith get to the QB using technique and power more than anything.  While Junior Galette still may be re-signed, a speed rusher is still a major need moving forward.  Having said that, I’ve watched a couple guys who I think could give Washington that speed they need off the edge.  Here is my 2018 edge preview.

  1. Bradley Chubb (NC State) 6’4 269
  2. Harold Landry (Boston College) 6’3 252
  3. Marcus Davenport (UTSA) 6’6 264
  4. Sam Hubbard (Ohio State) 6’5 265
  5. Uchenna Nwosu (Southern California) 6’2 251
  6. Marquis Haynes (Mississippi) 6’3 225
  7. Lorenzo Carter (Georgia) 6’6 250
  8. Arden Key (LSU) 6’6 238
  9. Dorance Armstrong (Kansas) 6’4 246
  10. Kemoko Turay (Rutgers) 6’5 252

Day 1 prospect: Harold Landry (Boston College) 6’3 252

Strengths: Great explosion. He is always the first guy off the ball.  Excellent flexibility bending the edge.  Quick, direct hands in the run game.  He does a good job anchoring against the run despite his height.   He is a true speed rusher with the ability to turn his hips and beat you around the edge.  He has potential to develop a nasty speed-to-power, as well as, other counter moves.  His first step gives tackles trouble all game.  He plays with a lot of effort when he is involved in the play.  He moves well in space and can play standing up in a 3-4.

Weaknesses: Lacks elite size and length.  He needs to improve as a backside run defender.  He tends to anchor when the play is away from him and take the play off.  Still lacks a multitude of pass rush moves.  If his initial speed rush does not work tends to end up stonewalled.  He needs to focus on tackling more, he has the ability he just needs to wrap up and focus.

Overall: Landry would give Washington the true speed rusher they so badly desire.  His burst off the line would instantly make that defense more dangerous.  He has the potential to develop into a consistent double-digit sack performer and perennial pro bowler. He is versatile as he can play in a 4-3 or 3-4.  He can rush the passer, cover the flats and hook/curl zone, and he can set the edge in the run game.  Washington could use a dynamic defender at 13 and I believe Landry would fit that bill.

Day 2 prospect: Uchenna Nwosu (Southern California) 6’2 251

Strengths: He has good burst off the ball.  Flashed an array of pass rush moves, although they need to be refined.  Strong hands at the point of attack make him a threat in the run game despite his lack of height. Crashes down the backside of run plays collapsing cutback lanes for the runner.  He has a good motor.  Possesses a good nose for the ball.  Smart player that diagnoses plays quickly.  He has good movement skills and loose hips allowing him to play in space.  He is a great athlete with tantalizing pass rush traits.

Weaknesses:  If his first move does not land he usually gets lost in the sauce.  He could afford to gain 10 more pounds.  Struggled at times against bigger OL.  Struggled disengaging from blockers.  He lacks elite strength to set the edge in the NFL.  He needs to work on a real counter move and add more moves to his arsenal.

Overall: Nwosu is a player that I am very high on.  I love his tenacity and athleticism.  He flies of the ball and can cause tons of problems for an offense.  He is not an elite run defender, but his athleticism makes him a viable option on run downs.  He would give Washington a speed rusher they could deploy all over the defensive front.  He can stand up and rush the passer as a LB or put his hand in the dirt and rush as a DE.  I think Nwosu has a ton of potential he has yet to unlock.  Jim Tomsula could help develop him as a pass rusher.  He should be available anywhere from the middle of the 2nd to the late part of the 3rd round.  I would be pleased if the Redskins spent a day 2 pick on Nwosu.  He would bring much needed speed and youth to this defense, as well as an infectious swagger on the field.

Day 3 prospect: Marquis Haynes (Mississippi) 6’3 225

Strengths: He has a game changing first step and elite explosiveness. He has speed to beat tackles off the ball and loose hips to bend the edge and attack the QB.  Plays with an outstanding motor.  Showed good functional strength for his lack of size.  He has good length which can be deadly if pair correctly with his speed.  He has a ton of upside as a pass rusher.  His speed can be used in a variety of ways including twists and stunts.  His length and speed opens the door for a couple of effective pass rush moves.

Weaknesses: He has a narrow frame that will not hold up in the NFL in a consistent 3-down role.  He does not set the edge well against the run.  Needs to add at least 15 at the next level.  Despite his great effort his is not a huge factor against the run.  He struggled with pad level throughout the year.  Once an OL latches on to him he has a hard time disengaging.

Overall: Haynes is a pure pass rusher and true speed demon off the edge.  He will fall in the draft due to his lack of value as a run defender, but he will find a home as a situational pass rusher.  His athleticism and work ethic should combine for a player that develops into an effective pass rusher in the NFL.  He would be a great combination with Kerrigan and Smith on the outside. He would instantly affect the teams pass defense with his ability to put pressure on the QB. He should be available in the 4th round and would be a great value at that pick.  As I’ve said 100 times this team needs speed off the edge and Marquis Haynes supplies that in a big way.

Favorite prospect: Bradley Chubb (NC State) 6’4 269

Strengths: Elite pass rush traits with great burst and speed off the edge.  He has outstanding strength and balance.  He has a strong, quick hands that always make contact first.  Dominant run defender.  He plays with a great motor every play.  He has great length, but still possesses elite strength.  Has already shown an array of pass rushing moves.  He has great hips that allow him to bend the edge and attack QB’s.  He has quick jab steps that throw tackle off balance.  He is disciplined in his run fits.  Constantly drives his feet to collapse running lanes.

Weaknesses: Although he flashed an arsenal of moves his hands still need work.  He had issues with pad level when he would let his athleticism take over.  He struggled against quick tackles that could beat him to the set point.  He tends to get carried away when engaging a blocker causing himself to get caught up in the OL.

Overall: His combination of size, speed, and attitude make him the total package as an edge defender. He will come in day one and make any defense better against the run and pass.  He is a slight step down from Myles Garrett from last years draft.  He has room to grow as a pass rusher, yet he already possesses more moves than any other edge defender in this class.  His tenacity and power in the run game make him a nightmare for offensive coordinators.  Chubb is a very easy evaluation for most scouts.  He has everything you look for in a DE or OLB.  He has the potential to rush the passer and defend the run at a pro bowl/all pro level.  He is a sure-fire prospect.  I fully expect Chubb to be taken in the top 5, but if he somehow miraculously falls to 13 the Redskins would get a homerun draft selection and franchise changing player.

Highest Ceiling: Marcus Davenport

Highest Floor: Bradley Chubb

Most Pro Ready: Bradley Chubb

Best 3-4 OLB: Harold Landry

Best 4-3 DE: Bradley Chubb

Most Athletic: Marcus Davenport

Best Run Defender: Sam Hubbard

Most Technically Sound: Sam Hubbard

Most Room to Improve: Arden Key

Biggest Riser: Sam Hubbard

Biggest Sleeper: Kylie Fittis

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