2017 NFL Draft: Edge Defenders

2017 NFL Draft Edge Defenders:

Myles Garrett-DE-Texas A&M-6’4”-269-Top 3-100

I’m going to spend the next 200 words attempting to find a weakness in Myles Garrett. Great length for an edge player featuring insane 35.25” arms. Garrett’s athleticism is off the charts posting a 4.64 40 including a 1.63 10 yard split and hopping a whopping 41 inches! This guy is a freak of the highest order. Add to that over 30 sacks in college despite battling a knee injury this past fall. And, by all accounts he’s a high character guy. The only weaknesses I’ve been able to drum up are: limited pass rushing moves (coachable, and he might not need them), slight injury history, questionable conditioning, and not the strongest edge setter in the running game. That last one is the most damning, but there is no reason other than lack of effort that Myles wouldn’t be able to do that. He never played more than 70% of snaps in a season at College Station and that’s my biggest concern, that he’ll get fatigued. That or he’ll get bored with football. I’ve only given out a 100 rating once before, to Andrew Luck. Myles Garrett is the best defensive prospect I’ve seen in 8 years of doing this. Luck was a better prospect just because he’s a QB, Garrett is the next best thing. Comparison is a smaller, more explosive Julius Peppers.

Soloman Thomas-DE-Stanford-6’3”-273-1st-97

I don’t even know where to begin, this dude is a certified stud. Played 3-4 DE in college and sometimes moved to DT in a 2 man line on passing downs. Only 2 years of experience as he enters the draft after his redshirt sophomore season in which he won Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Year. In years past people would look at Thomas and say ‘we project him to be an edge player and we’re not sure how he operates in space’. In today’s league he is not a projection in my book. Soloman’s gonna play the edge on early downs and at 273 lbs running a 4.69 he’ll be fine there. But his biggest impact should be sliding inside on 3rd down, utilizing his speed, explosiveness (35” vert), and relentless motor. If his arms were just a little longer that would be a slam dunk, but his 33” arms are not a liability. He’ll be a 21 year old rookie so it may take a year or two but he should fit right into that Michael Bennett role.

Taco Charlton-DE-Michigan-6’6”-277-Top 20-93

He’s one of the bigger defensive end prospects you’ll see. Long and strong frame with 34.25” arms. On the field he plays faster than his 4.92 second 40 yard dash and 1.73 split at 10 yards. After spending time at defensive tackle, Vidauntae (Taco) bumped outside to defensive end in 2016 and flourished, racking up 9.5 sacks en route to all conference honors. He has a limited pass rush game but has an effective spin move already. I don’t view him as an interior rusher on passing downs which devalues him. Also, his lateral mobility seems lacking and I’d like to see him play stronger. He’s a solid prospect with good size, length, and forward burst, but I see him as a complimentary piece which puts him in the 20’s for me. High ceiling high floor will push him up draft boards. Carlos Dunlap is the obvious comparison. 

T.J. Watt-OLB-Wisconsin-6’4”-252-1st/2nd-91

High quality bloodline. T.J. had a tough time getting on the field, only becoming a starter in 2016 but he capitalized going for 11.5 sacks for the Badgers. Watching him last fall I couldn’t help but notice the motor and passion he plays with. That’s what makes me believe he’ll continue to improve at the next level. His measurables are solid checking in with 33” arms and a 4.69 in the 40. He also posted a 37” vertical leap and an insane 6.79 second 3 cone drill. He’s a borderline first round prospect with lack of experience pushing him down and his high upside driving him up draft boards. I believe he will be an impact player at the next level. I hate to make this comparison, but Clay Matthews was a similar late blooming exceptional athlete with an NFL pedigree. Jump on T.J. folks.

Takkarist McKinley-DE-UCLA-6’2”-250-1st/2nd-89

What a fun prospect this kid is. Spent time at community college and as a pass rush specialist before bursting onto the national scene in 2016 earning 1st Team All Pac 12 notice with 10 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss. He’s a bit short for an edge player but makes up for it with 34.75” arms which are longer than Trey Flowers’. Tak is an explosive athlete running a 4.59 40 with a 1.61 second 10 yard split. Sooo he’s fast as fuck. He has tight hips and lacks lateral agility which is why he’s an upfield pass rusher not a sideline to sideline inside ‘backer. McKinley doesn’t know how to use his hands and arm length yet as a weapon, but if he can improve in that area he’s going to be a force. Tremendous backside pursuit. Has Cliff Avril upside.

Derek Barnett-DE-Tennessee-6’3”-259-1st/2nd-87

Unbelievably productive player in college racking up 10+ sacks in each of his 3 seasons in Knoxville. Massively disruptive player at the collegiate level, but he does not have the measurables to translate to the next level. Barnett has short 32” arms and a 4.88 second 40 yard dash with a miserable 1.70 second 10 yard split, though it’s worth noting he was ill at the combine and still participated. Usually I lean towards football players and away from measurables but I don’t see his game translating well. His biggest strength seems to be the dip and rip turning the corner to the QB, but I don’t see the burst to do it at the next level. All that being said, his measurables are 3rd round talent, combine that with huge production and his Charlie Hustle spirit and he’s a solid 2nd round pick. Just don’t expect 10+ sacks anymore. Reminds me of Brandon Graham of the Eagles.

Tim Williams-DE-Alabama-6’3”-244-1st/2nd-87

Top notch athlete on the edge. He was a pass rushing specialist in Tuscaloosa and I would expect him to retain that role at the next level. Has the ability to rush upfield at full speed then cut inside without losing steam, something Von Miller does to perfection. Williams relies on athleticism to get to the QB, and will struggle to get off blocks from better tackles. He’s a one trick pony, but so is Vic Beasley and he was a top 10 pick. Williams belongs in the late first round, but he reportedly failed multiple drug tests and we all know how that can go in the NFL, I’m looking at you Randy Gregory. Poor man’s Von Miller, as a pass rusher only, not against the run or in coverage.

Charles Harris-Edge-Missouri-6’3”-253-1st/2nd Round-83

Pretty good size for an edge player, a bit small for a hand in the ground player though. His 32.5” arms leave something to be desired, but it’s not a deal breaker. Harris is a good athlete but not exceptional by any measure. Get off burst and nimble feet are his best traits. He was a productive player at what is quickly becoming D-End U, racking up 16 sacks over the past two seasons. He only started playing football as a Junior in high school so I could see him improving at the next level. But the fact of the matter is he doesn’t have great size or athletic traits for the position and will have to improve his savvy to be a difference maker at the next level. Comparison would be an underdeveloped Ryan Kerrigan.