2018 NFL Draft: Edge Defenders
This looks like an above average edge player class, if only because Chubb is a blue chip prospect. A few of these guys will take a minute to transition to the league, in the same way Vic Beasley had to figure it out.
Bradley Chubb-Edge-N.C. State-6’4”-269-Top 10-99
He’s a remarkable prospect. Not quite as explosive as Myles Garrett last year but he is as solid as they come. Reminds me of Daquon Bowers with pass rush skills and a thin medical file. Great size, nice 34” arms and he plays strong. Tends to extend arms then rag doll tackles. He ran a 4.65 40, same as Khalil Mack, and added 24 reps of 225 lbs and a 36” vertical. And on top of all that he plays with fiery competitiveness snap after snap which means he has endurance too. You have to love him. Chubb racked up 48 tackles for a loss and 19.5 sacks combined the last two years. He has the highest floor of any edge player I’ve seen. Everyone’s had questions: Myles Garrett’s work ethic, Von Miller’s size, Clowney’s health, Beasley’s run defense, Joey Bosa’s speed. It’s surreal, but Bradley Chubb doesn’t have a downside. The only question is does he have the dominant trait to get him more than 14 sacks in a season? That means speed, quicks, length, strength, or saavy. No one doubts he’s a 10 sack per year guy, but is he a 14 sack guy? The funny part is he might develop to be dominant in any of those 5 traits. Play him either side in any system. I’m gushing, he’s a great prospect. If the Browns didn’t take a DE 1st overall last year, I couldn’t blame them for taking Chubb number one.
Harold Landry-Edge-Boston College-6’3”-252-1st-95
Elite ability to bend around the edge and get to the quarterback. At this point he doesn’t really have an inside counter move or a consistent bull rush to pair with it. But if he develops a spin move, inside Eurostep thing that Von Miller uses, or just a good ole fashioned swim move he’s going to be a headache in the pass rush. Landry had a big junior season for the Eagles racking up 16.5 sacks. For some reason he decided to go back to school for his senior year which disappointed with only 5 sacks in 9 games though people believe he was hampered with an ankle for much of the season. He is not quite ideal size for an edge player, though not undersized and his above average 33” arms help. Landry had a nice showing at the combine getting 24 reps after running a 4.64 second 40, leaping 36 inches, and most importantly clocking a 6.88 second three cone displaying his best asset, lateral agility. So the measurables check out as a first round talent. When you watch him play he just seems to have a knack to get where he wants to go by using his athleticism and underrated hand fighting ability. Landry doesn’t have Vic Beasley burst, but he bends like a shorter pass rusher in the Dumervil mold. Tack on to that the length Harold brings and the production on a defense otherwise devoid of talent and I think you have a top half of the first round prospect. He’s not getting a lot of publicity but I think he’s a real player that fits in any system. Reminds me of a more gifted Cliff Avril.
Marcus Davenport-Edge-Texas San Antonio-6’6”-264-1st-93
He’s a height/weight/speed dream prospect. That size with 33.5” arms running a 4.58 second 40 and 33.5” vertical. Davenport plays with burst on the field too. He is the all-time school leader in sacks and tackles for a loss tallying 21.5 sacks over 4 years. Now that doesn’t seem like great production, especially at UTSA’s level of competition, but he was a dominant force out there. Literally man amongst boys. Marcus has packed on 30 lbs since his sophomore season and some think he has more to add. It depends what system he winds up in, given that he was a stand-up player in college. Davenport doesn’t quite have the length of Chandler Jones or athleticism of Leonard Floyd. He is a ball of clay that can be molded into a pro bowler, but he has a lower floor than some prospects. On the field Aldon Smith is a solid comparison.