Next up in the series of finding a draft prospect at a given position for the Detroit Lions in each round of the draft: pass rusher.
Rather than just limit it to one specific position, the focus here is on generating pressure on the opposing quarterback. It can come from a hand-in-dirt DE, a stand-up OLB or a hybrid of the two, more commonly known as the EDGE position.
First round: K’Lavon Chaisson, LSU
Chase Young from Ohio State is the obvious choice, and the best player in the 2020 NFL Draft would look fantastic in the Honolulu Blue and silver. Presuming he’s off the board before the Lions pick at No. 3 overall, the focus turns away from Young and onto another option.
Chaisson is almost universally regarded as the second-best EDGE in this draft, and it’s for good reason. Athletically, he’s a marvel at 6-3, 254 well-chiseled pounds and one of the fastest firsts steps in recent memory. He’s got great bend and ankle flexion to sharply turn the corner and attack the QB. Chaisson can win inside too.
There are some drawbacks. He missed all of 2018 with a torn ACL and was hobbled by a foot injury last fall. Chaisson is still learning how to play football; just 20 years old, he didn’t play organized football until high school. His lack of game experience shows at times.
If the Lions trade back from No. 3, Chaisson should definitely be in play with the team’s first pick. He won’t last out of the first 10 or so picks.
Second round: Zack Baun, Wisconsin
Baun is a player the Lions know well. They coached the 6-2, 240-pounder on the North squad at the Senior Bowl. He lit up the practice fields in Mobile like he did the Big 10 in 2019, simply unblockable in 1-on-1 situations.
Baun is a finisher with unusual power for his size, and his technique with his hands and shoulders is top-notch. He’s smart and crafty, quick with countermoves. Having been a quarterback in high school, he understands what the offense is trying to do and anticipates very well.
Baun isn’t necessarily an EDGE, however. His lack of size and his quick range in space might translate better as an off-ball LB who happens to also rush the passer very well. If that sounds like Kyle Van Noy with the Patriots or Harold Landry with the Titans, that’s the idea.
Some teams will view Baun more like one of his Wisconsin predecessors, Joe Schobert, and keep him more exclusively as an off-ball LB. In Detroit, Baun would be more likely to rush the passer as his primary duty, at least early in his career.
Third round: Josh Uche, Michigan
Uche was a revelation for the Lions staff during Senior Bowl week. He flashed much more polished pass-rushing and all-around skills than he ever did in his Michigan career. Both head coach Matt Patricia and defensive coordinator Cory Undlin singled out Uche in interviews as someone who really impressed them.
Uche is a natural fit in the JACK role previously held by Devon Kennard. In fact, Kennard is the player to whom Uche is frequently compared. They are of similar build, though Uche isn’t as stout at the point of attack as Kennard. He is more flexible around the edge and able to adjust his path at full speed better. Uche needs some development in using his hands and anticipating blocks, and his lack of length (he’s only 6-1) and power are limiting factors.
Fourth round: Bradlee Anae, Utah
Another player who shined for the Lions coaches during Senior Bowl week, Anae wins with power-to-speed rushes. He’s an attack dog, always playing offense as a defender.
As you might expect, that approach doesn’t always work. It does command blocking attention and makes the physical 257-pounder difficult to play against. So does Anae’s variety of pass rush moves and quickness at which he can string them together. He’s especially good at chucking tight ends trying to get out into routes, something the Lions coaching staff will appreciate.
Anae would be a round or two higher based on game tape, but he is a limited athlete. His combine performance was quietly quite poor, finishing below average in most metric testing:
In short, Anae is a solid football player but one with a limited ceiling due to his relative lack of athleticism.
Fifth round: Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
Willekes is the ultimate function-over-form pass rusher. His unusual form helps, too. Willekes is at his best lining up in the Wide-9 (remember Jim Schwartz’s defense) in an almost impossibly low 3-point stance. He explodes out low and fast with better balance than seems possible.
After that dynamic first step, Willekes is more about power and effort than speed. He’s got a decent combination of countermoves and never loses sight of the point of attack. Willekes continues to show the hunger and passion of a former walk-on.
The effort helps compensate for average athletic traits and a lack of creativity. He struggled against technically sound blockers and doesn’t have the power to consistently win inside. Willekes can infuse energy and some pass rush punch as a 20-snap sub each week in the way Anthony Zettel has carved an NFL career.
Sixth round: Bryce Huff, Memphis
Huff is a twitchy bundle of kinetic energy. Focusing the energy during a play more consistently will be the difference between Huff being a useful sub-package rusher for years or dropping off a practice squad as a rookie.
The potential is certainly there for Huff to make an impact at the NFL level. He’s very quick, light on his feet and plays every snap like it’s life or death. Huff’s under-and-up move and shoulder dip are lethal.
There is a definite all-or-nothing to Huff’s game tape. He will try to sprint or dance around blocks instead of holding his ground or his containment. Teams running right at him with a blocker in front found success. But as a stand-up, fast-twitch pass rush specialist, Huff merits strong consideration.
Seventh round: Tyshun Render, Middle Tennessee State
Most fans, if they’ve heard of Render at all, know him as the guy Patriots coach Bill Belichick made a point to check out in person on his way to the combine in February.
The rocked-up physique definitely grabs the attention. He had a solid performance at Michigan in the 2019 opener, using his quick first step and powerful shoulders to win against some blocks, forcing a fumble and drawing a penalty.
The only other time I saw Render was against Florida Atlantic and he was very effective at using his length to disrupt passing lanes. He didn’t show much against the run, but the athleticism and length are what gets guys drafted this late.
