As we count down to the draft I thought we'd take a look at position groups. We'll start with pass rushers because that's where it all begins with the 49ers defensive scheme. Their two studs enter the season with big question marks. Ford may never play another down due to a back that's lost its sail, and Bosa is rehabbing from Wounded Knee. Counting on either to return to form this year would be foolish. Fortunately for the 49ers this draft, while not possessing top end elite talent; it does look deep in above average potential.
Jaelan Phillips, Miami, 6'-5" 265 lbs. 2020 AFCA 1st team honor winner/FWAA 2nd team honor winner
Known medical concerns begin with a brief retirement from a rash of injuries. One sprained ankle recovered only for the other one to take a crap, followed by a concussion. Hurt his wrist, got concussed again from an incident off the field. Retirement was then announced due to persistent headaches.
Traits include, size, weight, length, build, highly athletic, heavy hands, quick 1st step, fake jab, understands attacking half man at the line, nice club, rip and swim, hip sinker and shoulder dip, flexible enough, especially for a man his size, very versatile.
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
He'd fit in perfectly for this defense and Kocurek is probably drooling as I type. Question is, can the 49ers really afford to take a chance on another player with medical concerns after the tsunami of injuries suffered in 2020?
Azeez Ojulari, Georgia, 6'-3" 240 lbs. 2020 semi-finalist for Chuck Bednarik Award
Suffered acl injury in high school
Traits include, twitch, explosion, ankle flex, body bend
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
He's the best pure speed rusher in this draft as far as I'm concerned. Size isn't what you'd like but he had little trouble setting the edge in the SEC for two years. I like him as a situational pass rusher early on as he develops strength and adds counter moves, especially inside maneuvers.
Kwity Paye, Michigan, 6'-4" 270 lbs. A two time All Big-10 honoree, and he was voted team captain in 2020 by his teammates and coaches while also being an academic All Big-10 honoree.
Missed two games due to groin strain
Traits include, lower body explosion with some linear movement skill, hip flexible, has a good first step but he's not going to butter his bread by beating ot's up the arc
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
I think he's more of what the 49ers hoped for when they drafted Thomas. Here's what Don Brown had to say when describing Paye, "Kwity is an unbelievable athlete. He plays tailback as well as a defensive end. He could play up and down on defense, which is another sign of his athleticism. I have worked with him personally. He is an outstanding pass rusher, and his size potential is off the charts. I anticipate him being an open side defensive end along with the potential to play in packages with his pass-rush ability. We are glad to have him here at Michigan."
Intangible: hard upbringing immigrant who got to this point in his career through discipline and work ethic, he plays for a better future for himself and his family and would be a welcome addition to the culture that has been cultivated by Lynch.
Gregory Rousseau, 6'-6" 265 lbs. Redshirted freshman year due to injury, 2019 ACC defensive rookie of the year, 2nd team FWAA
Ankle surgery ended his freshman year
Traits start with his length, tackle radius is off the charts, plays the flat in zone
Current grade 7
Potential grade 9
Boom or bust. Extremely raw with not a lot of experience. Sat out in 2020. Put up video game stats in 2019 but a lot of his wins came against og's. I don't see a lot of flexibility off the edge, lacking technique, tools, plan and instincts. He's another college player that's made a name for themselves on his natural gifts. He's a piece of clay, but hey, we've got a hell of a sculptor in Kocurek, right?
Quincy Roche, Miami 6'-4" 240 lbs. Had 137 tackles, 39.5 for a loss, 26 sacks, 6 passes defensed, and six forced fumbles at Temple, transferred, then put together 45 tackles, 14.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles at Miami.
No known medicals
Traits, first step explosion, lateral quickness, short area burst, tool kit of moves, counters, plan
This is another situational speed rusher as far as I'm concerned. Although he's not a total liability against the run, he is on the smaller side. I think he's a smart, competitive, high ceiling player that could be one of those bargains on day 2.
Current grade 8
Potential grade 9
Jayson Oweh, Penn State, 6'-5" 250 lbs. Said to have ran a sub-4.4 time in the 40-yard dash and is among the team's strongest players.
Missed two games with an undisclosed injury
Traits, athletic specimen
Underdeveloped situational pass rusher that has untapped potential. Probably the most athletic freak in this class. Working with Kocurek and Bosa would give him a step towards that development.
Current grade 7
Potential grade 9
Razor,
ReplyDeleteIn writing this post did you look at DE's and OLB's?
Yes,the bigger bodies are your true de's, while the smaller ones are the olb's for the most part, OldCoach.
DeleteNice writeup Razor. Haven't looked at Paye yet (or any of the other tweener DE/DTs). Of the others pretty much agree with what you say.
ReplyDeletePhillips is the best edge prospect I have watched this year, and Ojulari the best pure speed rusher. Not a Rousseau fan. But a big fan of Roche as a bit of a less heralded guy that could sneakily be very good.
Oweh has the physical ability but honestly I doubt he will ever be a dominant pass rusher. But could be a bit like Jamie Collins.
I also quite like Patrick Jones II. He's a cannon ball. I think he could be a guy that fits Kocurek's wide 9 nicely.
Thanks, Scooter. I haven't made it to Jones yet. Got to see a little of him at the Senior bowl game/practices.
DeleteIf you ever get time and the inclination to do a write up, just email me. I'd rather not hold down the fort on my own, and it would give the blog more character with 3 or 4 differing perspectives, plus everyone values your input, myself included.
I think you will enjoy watching Jones.
DeleteI just finished watching Paye, Basham and Weaver. Can't say I really love any of them. Paye is a good run defender and clearly very athletic for his size, but he lacks pass rush moves and isn't good bending the edge. He basically reminded me of Solly Thomas, but a more polished run defender. Basham was the best pass rusher of the 3, but he's too reliant on his swim move and doesn't bend enough - he is just as likely to get completely washed out of the play as he is to make a positive play. But if he cleans that up he could be a pretty good player. Weaver was just solid. Gives good effort, has decent technique and seems to understand his job well, but overall lack of athleticism is going to limit him in the NFL imo.
Raz,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the breakdown.
If we are going to draft a DE/EDGE player we should draft one who has the best chance at staying on the field.
Of the players you mentioned I'm interested in those that had the best game availability.
Paye seems to check the box in that category.
Paye should also be available in the 2nd and possibly 3rd rd. One of the popular conversations here have been surrounding the availability of current players.
I hope the FO takes the same view regarding prior (serious) injuries on players of interest.
Paye is widely expected to be a top 15 player. He's a hard pass from me at that range.
DeleteYou're welcome, AES. Yea, as much as I love, Phillips his medicals, like everyone of these prospects, will make or break their draft stock.
DeleteI would go with Slater in the 1st rd rather than Paye.
ReplyDeletePaye could certainly be a good pick, but I see Slater as a bonified game one starter.
I think that the 49ers could find a gem (DE) later in the draft.
One small school player that could be a gem is Vaughn Taylor on Morehouse St. He played like a man among boys. Taylor could go anywhere between rd 5 to UDFA.
He reminds me of a Bud Dupree type player.
Again, as much as I love, Slater I would be surprised if the 49ers use their top pick on him, given how they viewed, McKivitz when they drafted him.
Delete