A class of starters if not star players
UM’s Phillips the most diverse, well-rounded
Miami Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly continues our 10-part series looking at the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft (April 29-May 1) with the edge rushers. While this year’s class of defensive ends doesn’t have a clear-cut stud like Chase Young, there are a handful of pass rushers who could become immediate starters, if not stars.
History shows there will always be a run on this position because the supply doesn’t match the NFL’s demand, especially for teams that run hybrid schemes, like the Dolphins, that require the most versatile edge players.
Miami’s Jaelan Phillips: Phillips is the most diverse, well-rounded edge player in the 2021 draft. He has an arsenal of pass-rushing moves, and sets the edge effectively, which indicates that he could be a Day 1 starter.
Problem is he has a history of injuries, which include concussions that nearly ended his collegiate career. Teams will likely drop his draft stock because of the medical risk associated with selecting him early.
Michigan’s Kwity Paye: Paye is a stout, powerful athlete who beats blockers and can consistently set the edge of a defense. His power can wreck an opponent’s run game. But he is a very limited pass rusher (11.5 sacks in 37 games). His pass-rushing repertoire is thin, but it is possible that aspect of his game can be coached up. If it can’t, he’s a two-down defensive lineman.
Washington’s Joe Tryon: Tryon is one of this draft’s better athletes, and has the ability to play with his hand in the dirt, or on his feet. He’s a multi-directional athlete who is scheme diverse, and there’s a possibility he could be a Jack of All Trades linebacker in the right scheme, filling a Kyle Van Noy-like role for a team that runs a hybrid system. The biggest concern is the rust associated with him missing the 2020 season.
Miami’s Gregory Rousseau: Rousseau’s length and power indicates that he can be a Calais Campbell-like defensive lineman in the right scheme. He has the ability to bully offensive linemen, and has quick hands and closing speed.
The problem is, he sat out all of 2020 as a COVID-opt out, so teams never saw development after his one impressive season (15 sacks in 2019). He also looked slow and unathletic at his Pro Day, which could lead to him sliding out of the first round.
Houston’s Patrick Turner: Turner is a big, long, lean 4-3 defense end with natural movement. He plays with strength, and possesses good body control.
He has the power to push the pocket, which means he might be able to set the edge immediately in the NFL. There are some medical concerns that will likely make him a Day 2 pick.
Best of the Rest: While the cream of the crop features players with some warts, the second batch of edge players all have developmental upside. Northern Iowa’s Elerson Smith had an impressive Senior Bowl week, and reminds evaluators of a young Jason Taylor. The biggest concern is the level of competition he faced. Wake Forest’s Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr., Penn State’s Jayson Oweh, Vanderbilt’s Dayo Odeyingbo, Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins and Pittsburgh’s Rashad Weaver and Patrick Jones II all have the talent to become NFL starters in time. Expect teams to snatch most of the mentioned edge players up on Day 2 of the draft. And what’s leftover will go early in Day 3.
Class Grade: C+: This year’s class lacks stud pass rushers like Young and the Bosa brothers (Nick and Joey), but that doesn’t mean teams won’t find quality starters for their scheme. There’s plenty of clay to be molded with edge players who either missed the 2020 season because of COVID19 opt outs, haven’t developed a counter move, or need to learn how to set the edge.
Teams that have scheme-specific needs will select their targets earlier than their productivity and talent merits to avoid leaving the draft empty handed.
Teams in Need: Who doesn’t need an edge player, a defensive end who can hunt down quarterbacks? Because of the demand, limited supply, and how expensive that position can get expect the good edge rushers to be gone early. Buffalo, Miami, Baltimore, Cleveland, Houston, Tennessee, Denver, Kansas City, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Seattle and the Los Angeles Chargers are all expected to select one early.
Dolphins’ focus: The Dolphins generated 41 sacks in 2020, but the bulk of those came from blitzing linebackers in Miami’s hybrid 3-4 scheme, with Emmanuel Ogbah being the lone exception. Ogbah had a breakout season last year, producing 42 tackles and nine sacks. But he was unblocked for more than half of his sacks. Miami needs to find a reliable edge setter, and a forceful pass rusher to put on the other side of Ogbah because of the release of Kyle Van Noy, and the trade that sent Shaq Lawson to the Texans for inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney.
The continued development of Andrew Van Ginkel, who contributed 42 tackles and 5.5 sacks, should help ease some of this unit’s burden. And so will re-signing Vince Biegel, who had a breakout season in 2019 before suffering an Achilles tendon injury during the 2020 training camp. But the Dolphins need more depth on the edge to keep this defense among the NFL’s top-five units.
Previously addressed
Safeties Cornerbacks Linebackers Receivers Offensive line Tight ends Tailbacks Quarterbacks