2015 NFL Draft: Edge Defender

There is a solid crop of edge defenders at the top of this draft. The most impactful trait in a DE/OLB is pass rush ability. That’s why I have Vic Beasley at the top. Fowler is a more complete player that excels setting the edge, but he doesn’t bring as much heat getting after the QB. Do you think Von Miller was drafted 2nd overall to stop running backs?

Vic Beasley-DE-Clemson-6’3”-246-1st-97

This dude turns the corner in a hurry. Incredible balance dipping his shoulder with wooly mammoths trying to push him into the dirt. Fastest elite edge rushing prospect at 4.53 40 and he shows great burst off the snap. Incessant motor jumps off the screen. Not big enough to play DE except on passing downs, but will be a terror at OLB in 34 or 43 like Von Miller. I really like this kid. Last 2 years he’s racked up 12 and 13 sacks. Arm length (32.5”) is an issue but 34 reps is pretty good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zFMVMMNh9w

Dante Fowler Jr.*-DE-Florida-6’3”-261-Top 15-96

Young kid definitely not a sure thing. Very highly recruited and with good reason. He’s got good size (not super tall but 33.75” arms helps) and very good athleticism (4.6 40 including 1.56 split at 10 yards). He plays aggressively but has some difficulty getting off blocks. Can turn corner, but not convincingly. Played all over the field and people project his skills to improve once he gets settled into an edge rushing role. Might fit best at 3-4 OLB, but I could see weakside 4-3 DE working too. Reminds me of Everson Griffin, I think he’s a better prospect than Griffin or Shea McClellin.

Shane Ray*-DE-Missouri-6’3”-245-Top 20-94

Good explosive athlete with a serious mean streak. His burst off the snap appears to be inconsistent but that might be part of the scheme. He’s a bit light at 245 but he’s best suited for an on the line role preferably at 4-3 DE if possible. 33” arms are okay but he’s probably going to be a liability in the run game. Third in nation with 14.5 sacks last year in his first year of full time duty. Reminds me of Jason Babin or Connor Barwin. He’s really vicious check out what he did to Blake Sims. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPLnmAvvwQI

Bud Dupree-OLB-Kentucky-6’4”-269-1st/2nd-90

Captain in 2014, ridiculous 4.56 in the 40 and 42” vert. Not very long arms at 32.5”. Dupree had 7.5 sacks in 2014 totalling 23 for his career as a wildcat. He has good burst and experience in coverage, but I don’t see him play with a high motor. Probably an early second rounder because of the insane measurables. Size to set the edge and shows it on film, combine that with the speed to close on QBs and ball carriers and you’ve got a good prospect. Needs more refinement in pass rushing and I wanna see more effort which might happen because he’s supposedly a high character guy. Drawing comparisons to Jamie Collins.

Eli Harold*-DE-Virginia-6’3”-247-1st/2nd-87

Played 4-3 DE at Va Tech and projects to standing up or putting on some meat and keeping his hand in the ground but he runs the risk of losing speed when gaining size. Has solid measurables for an edge player :33” arms, 4.6 in the 40, 35” vert, 4.16 in 20, 24 reps. Good production with 7+ sacks 2 years in a row. Harold has decent length and the speed to consistently close on the ball. Comparable to Brooks Reed. Could stand up in a 4-3 scheme like Bruce Irvin spending him rookie year as purely an edge rush specialist.

Randy Gregory*-DE-Nebraska-6’5”-235-1st-83

I’ve been hearing this kid as a top 10 prospect. I’m not sure what film these guys are watching. We’re talking about a DE prospect that’s smaller than Calvin Johnson, runs a 4.64, and was consistently the last player off the line on film. Does anyone remember Dion Jordan? Gregory fits best as a 3-4 OLB, actually that’s the only place he fits. Didn’t show elite pass rushing ability in college and lacks the physical tools (strength, quickness, anticipation, leverage) to turn into one at the next level. I think his ceiling is probably a pursuit edge player that could perform well opposite an elite pass rusher. Think Manny Lawson. Similar prospect to Akeem Ayers.