Tis the Season
Christmas comes but once a year, but the NFL draft is a year round event. With just the collegiate all star games remaining, it's as good a time as any to kick of the player evaluation process with a side by side comparison of the top prospects based on review of game footage.
This is For My Homie
The Defensive End position has been abandoned by Draftniks. The untimely death was caused by the migration of the DE and OLB into something called the "EDGE" position; this is really messing with old dudes like me. Nonetheless, we will adapt and present the "EDGE" players with the assumption that, despite being a mish mosh of two positions, we will evaluate them for their overall prowess not necessarily evaluating based on any prototypical position expectations. For this piece we are looking at Defensive Ends.
Let the Football Film Fight begin!
The rules are simple: We line up the top prospects for a given position (with a possible wild card or two of my choice thrown into the mix) and randomly select a player. We watch and evaluate his game based on no more than 3 video viewings. We select another player at random and view 3 of his games. One has to go. The survivor takes on the next contestant in a head to head elimination round and so on until we end up with the Battle Royale winner!
Let's take the top 15 Drafttek Sports Information "EDGE" rushers (DE) and pit them head to head in reverse order to see who emerges victorious. FYI - There will be a FFF for Outside Linebackers at a later date, so don't miss those "EDGE" rushers.
Round One: #15 Christian Miller, Alabama vs. #14 Jalen Jelks, Oregon
Miller vs. Arkansas 2016, Ole Miss 2018 and Missouri 2018 - Marginal improvement over the viewing period although his ability to disengage blockers was better early. Will need to work on quickness at the next level. Able to drop into coverage.
Jelks vs. Arizona 2017, Washington State 2018 and Boise State 2018 - Eyes in the backfield at all times. Did not see the impact I thought I would. Will need to improve quickness for efficacy in the league.
Decision: Jelks - Did not see the traits I expected to see from Miller, being son of an NFL veteran (Corey Miller). Jelks showed more power and awareness.
Round Two #14 Jelks vs. #13 Ben Banogu, Texas Christian
Banogu vs. Baylor 2017, Texas 2018 and Oklahoma 2018 - Quickness is an issue he will need to address or his 3 cone showing could hurt his draft stock. Needs to hurdle cut blocks. Not a sideline to sideline guy.
Decision: Jelks - Double J won more individual battles and, although the production was about the same, he had more success controlling his man.
Round Three: #14 Jelks vs. #12 Chase Winovich, Michigan
Winovich vs. Ohio State 2017, SMU 2018 and Penn State 2018 - Doesn't quit. Nice punch off the line. Could add a move or two to his repertoire. Has to set the edge; can't get sucked inside. Sideline to sideline.
Decision: Winovich - Gives a lot of effort out there showing more quickness than the prior candidates.
Round Four: #12 Winovich vs. #11Wyatt Ray, Boston College
Ray vs. Notre Dame 2017, Virginia Tech 2017 and Wake Forest 2018 - Will need to work on explosiveness and decisiveness.
Decision: Winovich - Overall, Winovich excelled in every aspect of play. Ray is listed as earning all-state honors his senior year in high school in Florida so expectations were high.
Round Five: #12 Winovich vs. #10 D'Andre Walker, Georgia
Walker vs. Auburn 2017, Alabama 2018 and Kentucky 2018 - Quickest candidate so far. Eyes in the backfield. Fourth quarter fatigue or quit in the upset loss to Auburn? Can get enveloped by blockers.
Decision: Winovich - Despite being named the Bulldogs' Defensive MVP for this past season, Walker did not match the consistent level of intensity of Winovich.
Round Six: #12 Winovich vs. #9 Austin Bryant, Clemson
Bryant vs. NC State 2017, Duke 2018 and Boston College 2018 - Needs to shed blocks. Has nice quickness. Finally impacted the game late vs. BC.
Decision: Winovich - Did not see very much impact from Bryant in the games viewed much to my surprise.
Round Seven: #12 Winovich vs. #8 Shareef Miller, Penn State
Miller vs. Iowa 2018, Pittsburgh 2018 and Appalachian State 2018 Would like to see him use his arms more to shed blocks and reduce getting driven off the ball. Some quickness there. Takes appropriate pursuit angles.
Decision: Winovich - Did not see Miller take over a game like you need to see at this level.
Round Eight: #12 Winovich vs. #7 Joe Jackson, Miami
Jackson vs. Wisconsin 2017, LSU 2018 and Florida State 2018 - Gets off the ball. Effectively uses club and swim moves to gain position. Eyes always in the backfield. Can consistently shed blockers to make tackles. Fights through double teams. Legs drive through contact.
Decision: Jackson - Even if he doesn't win this Football Film Fight, you want him on your team.
Round Nine: #7 Jackson vs. #6 Anthony Nelson, Iowa
Nelson vs. Miami (OH) 2016, Iowa State 2018, Penn State 2018 - Gets off the ball without being quick. Strong - fought off a double team for a sack. Uses his arms well to shed blockers.
Decision: Jackson - Nelson has proven himself effective but Jackson is the clear choice between the two.
Round Ten: #7 Jackson vs. #5 Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Ferguson vs. WKU 2016, Mississippi State 2018 and Florida Atlantic 2018 - 2016, Locks up with blocker when he should use his long arms to keep distance. 2018 games show improvement over 2016 footage in terms of shedding, eyes in the backfield and pursuit off the play. Shows coachability as he has grown into a much more complete player.
Decision: Jackson - Ferguson has talent, but doesn't play with instinct yet. Jackson remains the most impactful player in the survey.
Round Eleven: #7 Jackson vs. #4 Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
Ximines vs. Liberty 2018, Marshall 2018 and East Carolina 2018 - Eyes in the backfield but sometimes I'm not sure what he sees. Wrestles instead of sheds a bit too much. Nice Deflection/INT vs. Marshall. A couple of moves in his toolbox. Nice leg drive...should test well at the Combine.
Decision: Jackson - Ximines has huge upside in the right system but Jackson is ready now.
Round Twelve: #7 Jackson vs. #3 Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
Sweat vs. Arkansas 2017, Alabama 2018 and Kansas State 2018 - Uses arms to keep blockers from getting into his body. Reaches for tackles. Quick off the ball. Can generate a lot of power.
Decision: Jackson - Closest match up yet; with increased intensity, Sweat will be a force in the league.
Round Thirteen: #7 Jackson vs. #2 Clelin Ferrell
Ferrell vs. NC State 2017, Texas A&M 2018 and Boston College 2018 - Uses long arms well in shedding blockers. Can lose track of the ball and follow the fake. He can drop into coverage. Plays with intensity.
Decision: Jackson - This was tough but in the end, defenses have to worry about the entire Clemson DL but can focus resources on Jackson and still, JJ is more impactful.
Round Fourteen: #7 Jackson vs. #1 Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Bosa vs. Wisconsin 2017, Texas Christian 2018 and Oregon State 2018 - Very quick. On the edge, if he gets a jump he's gone. Needs to keep spacing; if a blocker gets into his chest he's neutralized. Will need to find the ball in the backfield quicker at the next level.
Football Film Fight Defensive End Champion
Joe Jackson, The U
Going into this, I assumed it would be Bosa or Ferrell; both will be first round talents but I see Double J as a huge value given where I'm seeing him projected in mock drafts and Big Boards.
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It's That Time of Year!!!
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Just leave a comment or shoot me an email to boombearfootballmail@gmail.com for an email link to the online Excel worksheet form with dropdown lists for ease of use! Check out last year's 2nd Annual Top 100 list here!
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