Livin' on the Edge - Part II
The designation "Edge" is assigned to off the ball pass rushers at defensive end or outside linebacker. Just took a look at OLB and crowned a Football Film Fight Champion for 2020 for that position. Let's wrap it up the Edge position and look at the Defensive End position!
As always, we start with Mel Kiper's post season Top 10 position list (published January 24, 2020 - we will compare his first list with his final list in another post) and pit the players against each other head to head. I view 3 games for each (preferably, one from 2018 and two from the 2019 season) starting with #9 and #10. Winner moves on to face the next challenger and so on until we get a champion.
- DNS = Density (Body Mass); highlighted are within 1 standard deviation of the mean for Edge rushers per Mockdraftable.
- Dns/Avg= % Density above or below the mean.
- Expl = Explosiveness per Pat Kirwan's model with desired score 70 or above.
- n/a = player has not performed the tests required for Expl score calculation.
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Sack Concentration = the % of total sacks in one game with opponent noted.
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Round 1: #10 Taylor vs. #9 Robinson
Taylor Notes: Tennessee Team MVP - 2018. Consensus four star recruit and All State (VA) as a high school senior. Played in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl
Robinson Notes: All-ACC honors (2018 & 2019). HS All-State (TX) honors. Also played basketball and track.
Winner: Taylor
Taylor is a name I have seen around a lot and I see why.
Taylor is a name I have seen around a lot and I see why.
Round 2: Taylor vs. #8 Strowbridge
Strowbridge Notes: All-ACC honors (2018 & 2019). Four star HS prospect per ESPN.
Viewed - Duke 2018, South Carolina 2019 and Temple 2019 - Nice motor throughout the game. Eyes in the backfield led to hands up and PBU. He was a 1T in 4 man fronts and lined up as a 3T on 3 man fronts. Didn't see him line up as a true DE. Likely projects as a DE due to size but while he has a nice motor, his explosiveness will need to improve.
Winner: Taylor
Strowbridge will need work to convert to a true end as he is a bit of a tweeter. Taylor has the experience advantage.
Strowbridge will need work to convert to a true end as he is a bit of a tweeter. Taylor has the experience advantage.
Round 3: Taylor vs. #7 Greenard
Greenard Notes: Grad transfer from Louisville, earned All-SEC honors in his only season as a Gator. HS All State (GA) and member of the basketball squad.Viewed - Miami 2019, Virginia 2019 and FSU 2019- Quick and relies on quickness. Most effective when untouched but has challenges with contact.
Winner: Taylor
Greenard shows leadership and speed but has to show he can drive through contact.
Greenard shows leadership and speed but has to show he can drive through contact.
Round 4: Taylor vs. #6 Kareem
Kareem Notes: All State (MI); MVP of the Semper Fidelis All-American BowlViewed - Michigan 2018, Georgia 2019 and Iowa State 2019 - Looks big and strong, needs to elevate game and take over. Did not see him dominate the individual matchups like you would want your top DEs. Could not see if there is any mean streak in him. Eyes in the backfield and will attempt to pursue the ball carrier.
Winner: Taylor
Just didn't see Kareem take over a game like Taylor had on his tape.
Round 5: Taylor vs. #5 Anae
Anae Notes: All-American season 2019 at Utah and 2X All-Pac-12. Morris Trophy winner (2019). School all-time sack leader (30). High school - All-State (HI), competed in basketball and high jump. Father was 2X All-American in football (BYU) and played in the USFL.
Viewed - Washington 2018, Texas 2019 and Oregon 2019 - Big energy. Gets off the ball fast but a bit too fast sometimes (penalties). Relies on speed more than power. Eyes in the backfield. Despite the motor can get into the bodies of OL and absorbed which negates any power he can muster.
Winner: Taylor
Anae is a fast riser but his size may inhibit efficacy at the next level.
Anae is a fast riser but his size may inhibit efficacy at the next level.
Round 6: Taylor vs. #4 Davidson
Viewed - Georgia 2017, LSU 2019 and Minnesota 2019 - Power, power, power but does not command double teams. Not sure if he has any moves. Aggressive. Moved all over the line. Appropriate pursuit angles.
Winner: Taylor
Davidson needs speed or moves to supplement when power doesn't work. Aggressive at kickoff, opponents seemed to adapt successfully to his game.
Davidson needs speed or moves to supplement when power doesn't work. Aggressive at kickoff, opponents seemed to adapt successfully to his game.
Round 7: vs. #3 Gross-Matos
Gross-Matos Notes: All-Big Ten (2018 & 2019); various All-American honors. All State (VA) in high school.
Viewed - Purdue 2019, Michigan 2019 and Ohio State 2019 - Wins with power, speed and moves. Will throw the kitchen sink at you. Great eyes to pick up the ball carrier and switch pursuit target on play action. Uses arms and hands well to keep blockers away. Didn't see him drop into coverage much. He drives through contact on tackles instead of letting his lower body go limp...love that!
Winner: Gross-Matos
This is as very complete a DE as I've seen for this FFF.
This is as very complete a DE as I've seen for this FFF.
Round 8: vs. #2 Epenesa
Epenesa Notes: All-American honors (2019), All Big Ten (2017 [Freshman team], 2018 & 2019). Three time high school All-American; three time first team All-State (IL). Scored 1,000+ points in basketball and state discus record holder (track and field All-American).
Viewed - Mississippi State 2018, Minnesota 2019 and USC 2019 - Can fire off the ball. Could use his arms to create more space. A big DE but doesn't command double teams. Didn't see the production I expected from a big draft name - thought he would be able to create more pressure by collapsing pockets than I saw.
Winner - Gross-Matos
Big name and a big man, would like to see AJ dominate more at his size.
Big name and a big man, would like to see AJ dominate more at his size.
Round 9: vs. #1 Young
Young Notes: All-American honors (2019), All-Big Ten honors (2018 & 2019), winner of the Nagurski and Bednarik awards (2019) and 4 other individual awards. High school consensus five star athlete and #1 recruit in the state of Maryland.
Viewed - Penn State 2018, Michigan State 2019 and Clemson 2019 - Fast and strong, he can beat you many ways. He must have the Force or something vs PSU 2018 because they just fall away when he approaches. It's crazy. Fast hands. Good motor. Will drop into coverage. Hands up for PBUs. Here's his secret...some of his successful rushes seem to start with him breaking away from the QB, drawing out the OL or freezing him since he is trained not to chase out and once Young has the OL in an awkward position he just cuts straight at the QB. It's a nice technique because he is agile enough.
2020 Outside Linebacker Football Film Fight Champion...
Chase Young
#2 Yetur Gross-Matos
This guy has been downplayed much of the draft process but he has a skillset that you can't find anywhere else in this draft.
#3 Darrell Taylor
Looking at the 2018 tape, this guy has always had incredible instincts and talent but was likely slowed by 2019 nagging injuries. Huge upside on draft day. Check out this interview, not a puff piece, but a good insight into his personality.
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