The 2019 NFL draft is just a week away and analysts are starting to finalize their big boards. This class is all about the defense, and one of the strongest positions is the crop of edge rushers.
The draft could have six or more edge rushers go in the first round, and everyone knows the Raiders need edge rushers. The Raiders could draft two of them, having the No. 4, No. 24 and No. 27 picks, or could take a pass rusher with all three.
With this excellent group, let’s look at the top five edge rushers of the 2019 draft:
5. Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Strengths
- Excellent play strength and is able to convert speed to power
- Dominating bull rush overpowering through offensive lineman
- Good upfield burst, able to read keys, and use his speed to beat lineman around the edge
Weaknesses
- Struggles with hand placement, which prevents him from gaining leverage and using his strength against NFL-caliber offensive linemen
- Displays stiffness on tape and depends on power to rush the QB, which causes him to become predictable
- Can be washed out of the run game by losing leverage at the point of attack because his late hands free his chest for the blocker to take control
Sweat made noise at the combine with his 4.42 40-yard dash at 260 pounds, and he has been rising up draft boards ever since. While his combine was impressive, his tape still screams that he is a late day one or early day two player. Sweat has to improve his overall technique to make an impact at the next level.
4. Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Strengths
- Pro-ready when it comes to technique, mixing great use of hands and a good understanding of leverage
- High-motor player who never gives up on a play, helping him earn clean up sacks when others create pressure
- Advanced pass rush plan, knows when to bull rush and is able to set up tackles for counters later on in the game
Weaknesses
- Lacks the athletic profile to become premier edge rusher in the league, coming in the lower percentile for 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone
- Struggles with speed rush and can be too reliant on technique.
- Played with an awesome supporting cast
Ferrell can ultimately be described as a high-floor, low-ceiling player. He was a productive edge rusher at Clemson, racking up 27 sacks during his career, but was surrounded by two potential Day 1 draft picks.
If the Raiders take Ferrell at No. 24 or No. 27, he could be an excellent fit for Paul Guenther’s defense.
3. Brian Burns, Florida State
Strengths
- An athletic freak, finishing in the 80th percentile in the 40-yard dash, broad jump, 3-cone, and vertical leap
- Dominating speed rush, displaying great upfield burst, with excellent bend to corner to the quarterback
- Pass rush plan is pro-ready, setting up offensive lineman with the speed rush and using a tremendous spin move to create pressure on the QB
Weaknesses
- Low-motor player who gives up on plays too easily when he loses initially during pass rush snaps.
- Lackadaisical against the run, not showing much effort to make plays, and finished 105th in run stop percentage, according to Pro Football Focus
- Struggles with play strength, not displaying any push in the run game, and doesn’t convert speed to power when rushing the passer
Burns has the highest ceiling of any edge player in this draft when it comes to rushing the passer. His tape is full highlights with him embarrassing ACC offensive tackles left and right.
Burns did struggle against NFL caliber tackles, and his low motor is a cause for concern when deciding if his skills translate to the next level. Burns is the definition of boom or bust.
2. Josh Allen, Kentucky
Strengths
- Excellent burst off the line, able to use his speed rush with great bend to corner to the quarterback
- A versatile player who could play off linebacker in an Anthony Barr role with his ability to play coverage and cover tight ends
- High level of mental processing, one of the smartest players on the field, and it shows when he makes plays in the run game
Weaknesses
- Pass rush plan is limited and depends solely on the speed rush to win consistently, becoming predictable against NFL caliber tackles.
- Play strength comes into question when he is moved easily by tight ends in the run game
Allen is probably the best pure football player of the bunch with his versatility and motor. The SEC defensive player of the year tallied up 17 sacks his senior season without any type of pass rush plan.
If Allen can add strength and is coached up on pass rushing techniques, the sky is the limit. At his worst, he’s Anthony Barr playing off-ball linebacker for the next 10 years.
1. Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Strengths
- Relentless pass rusher who can use a plethora of pass rush moves including bull rush, speed rush to the outside, or win the hand fight to rip inside
- Excellent use of hands with great placement, always inside the chest plate which allows him control over offensive lineman to shed and make the play
- Good bend and athleticism with combine results in the 20-yard shuttle, broad jump, 3-cone, and 40-yard dash finishing in the higher percentiles
Weaknesses
- Durability is in question after missing games during his freshman year and missing 10 games in 2018
- Can be overly aggressive, leading to him being kicked out on down blocks when playing against the run
Bosa is one of the cleanest prospects we have seen at edge rusher in the past couple of years. He was projected to be the No. 1 player in the draft at the beginning of the college season and his injuries have not stopped that movement.
Bosa should be off the board before he gets to the Raiders, but if he isn’t, Jon Gruden and Mayock will be jumping for joy.
