Will Anderson
Don't let the lack of stats or box score this year compared to last deter you away from Will Anderson. Offensive coordinators game planned around Anderson forcing him to navigate through double teams and chip blocks. Even at that he still found ways to pressure the quarterback. Anderson wins using his power to bulldoze offensive tackles. He uses the stab technique to get the tackle off balance and use their leverage against them. On read options he does a great job of staying disciplined and using the "surf" technique to prevent the rush lane outside the tackle. While on the subject of the run game Anderson can definitely set and maintain the edge. Very consistent at being the first to establish contact. Though he mainly utilizes the bull rush and rip move he's shown ability to use swim move and other finesse moves. Possesses good speed and get off. Though he lacks the ability to bend and dip that many seek in elite pass rushers he makes up for with ability to set up the tackle with stutter/ hesitation move and constant hand usage. Has the tools to become one of the top pass rushers in the league.
Best Fit: Cardinals, Seahawks, Falcons, Texans
Projection: 1-5
2. Nolan Smith
Smith is the most athletic pass rusher in this class and his relative athletic score became the talk of the combine after posting a 9.2 out of 10. Smith has great bend and ankle flexibility that NFL organizations long for in elite pass rushers. He uses his hands frequently to disengage from blocks in the run and passing game. He’s tremendous in run support by consistently setting the edge and will use his quickness to shoot the gap and make a tackle for loss. It’s more than fair enough to say that in an era of mobile quarterbacks, read options and athleticism at the qb position, Smith will have no problem defending the read option or become a liability against mobile qb’s. Injuries this past season limited his tape and he’ll take some time to develop at the next level. Will definitely have to add weight at the next level and has shown the ability to use the swim and rip move. Will blow up the run game if a guard is pulled his way and reset the line of scrimmage. Will have to lower pad level a small fraction but could very well be a team’s version of Micah Parsons or Haason Reddick with his rare athleticism.
Best fit: Eagles, Falcons, Chiefs, Seahawks
Projection: 1-15
3. Tyree Wilson
Regardless of position Tyree Wilson looks like one of the best athletes in this draft class. Listed at 6’6” and 271 lbs Wilson has potential to be one of the freakiest edge prospects since Myles Garrett. When you watch Wilsons’ tape his arm length jumps out. He is very consistent in his hand placement and ability to be the first to establish contact. Watching his tape the reoccurring themes or traits seem to be his hesi jab step and strength to bulldoze opposing o linemen. Versatility is his middle name as he lines up all over the formation. Although he is a phenomenal athlete and possesses a unique frame the downside to Wilsons’ craft is that he lacks a quick first step. In his get off he will use false steps or what some wide receiver coaches would call a “kick step” to generate power and momentum. Wilson also doesn’t appear to have elite bend and ankle flexibility restricting his ceiling. Wilson will need to work on his pass rush skill set but he is an intriguing prospect with a high ceiling.
Best Fit: Bears, Falcons, Lions, Panthers
Projection: 1-20
4. Adetomiwa Adebawore
Adebawore shined at the Senior Bowl and as the NFL Draft community researched his game further they found a 6’2” 282lbs defensive linemen who utilizes the swim, bull rush, rip move and twitch to get into the back field and wreak havoc. Then take into account his impressive showing at the combine and he’s put his name into the conversation of first round draft pick. He played great against high level competition especially against Ohio State where he fought off blocks and disrupted their wide zone scheme using the linemens’ leverage against them. Adebawores’ power comes from his good pad level and firm base which he uses to hold leverage in the run game. He has quick hands and great power in his punches which always land inside the linemens’ frame. Very crafty and subtle in the way he disengages from blocks. Hips, feet and shoulders are always square. Although he can go sideline to sideline on stretch runs he won’t chase down a quarterback form the backside. His height will limit his ceiling but his athleticism makes up for that.
Best Fit: Bears, Bills, Titans, Patriots
Projection: 15-25
5. Lukas Van Ness
Van Ness possesses the measurables, frame and athleticism that many look for in an edge rusher. His go to pass rush move is any power rush move. His hand placement can be out of sorts at times and struggles to anchor in the run game. Though that may be because he hardly extends his arms to create separation. A great example of this is his rep against Ohio State tackle Paris Johnson Jr. As Van Ness used his length and power to drive Johnson Jr back. Lack of bend and although he can rush from the outside he’s best suited inside. Not necessarily great speed or get off. Pretty solid run defender inside and eats up space well. Which would most likely be his roll at the next level. Occasionally uses rip and swim move but not up to the level it needs to be in the NFL. Really good pad level in run game and base is firm. Good prospect who will be best in 3 tech and run game early on with ability to develop pass rush.
Best Fit: Eagles, Bears, Bills, Patriots
Projection: 25-35
6. Bj Ojulari
Ojulari has rare bend and flexibility to wreak havoc in the backfield. His combination of burst, pass rush technique, bend and dip make him a nuisance for opposing offensive tackles. On film he uses the ghost hand technique very well and has great power along with decent hand placement. Crafty and creative pass rusher who often times sets up the tackle. Utilizes a side step and will combine it with a rip, dip, swim or hand swipe. Can counter if his initial move doesn’t work. Will need to add muscle but has good play strength and can drive tackles back. Good speed, get off and generates power with long arm technique. He will need to improve run game defense, more specifically setting the edge. Does a great job of chasing down runs from the backside. An elusive, evasive and crafty pass rusher with a high ceiling.
Best Fit: Giants, Saints, Bills, Ravens
Projection: 25-35
7. Will McDonald
McDonald displays excellent bend, dip and flexibility to win on the outside. He played in a 3-5-3 defense at college but is best suited to be an outside edge rusher. When turning around the corner he gets so low that at times he has to put his hand on the ground and it looks as if he is only a couple feet off the ground. With that being said he has great contact balance as at times when he was bending the corner the tackle was on top of him but he still maintained his balance. Will need to add more strength and weight especially for run defense. Inconsistent hand placement and lack of various pass rush moves. Uses the rip and spin move often. Gives away indication of spin move by raising pad level. Plays straight up and will have to lower pad level. Will have to work on setting the edge on run plays, utilize stab technique and anchor. Quick and explosive edge prospect who will make an organization happy.
Best Fit: Eagles, Bills, Cowboys, Saints
Projection: 26-36
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