| Dante84 |
03-15-2021 08:57 AM |
Here's Nick Jacobs on possible FA DE/EDGE targets:
Quote:
Romeo Okwara, Lions
Height: 6'4", Weight: 263, Age: 25
Okwara is built a lot like Taco Charlton but he packs a punch as a pass rusher. He is very athletic around the edge and has one of the best bends coming onto the market. He is a solid bull rusher but his deep and rip can be downright lethal. He is a high-energy edge rusher and is relentless in chasing down the ball carrier. Okwara is capable of rushing from both sides but going against the right tackle looks more natural for him. He has a minor hitch in his hips when he changes direction and accelerates, but once he gets turned he gets to the target quickly.
Trey Hendrickson, Saints
Height: 6'4", Weight: 270 , Age: 26
Hendrickson is a high energy football player. He has sneaky acceleration that offensive linemen don't realize at times until it is too late. He has a good dip and rip. Hendrickson is able to convert speed into power with his bull rushes. He can twist, loop and run games with the best of them. He does a good job of reading the fake before crashing down the line of scrimmage. A solid change of direction and a good feel for how to defeat the tackle. The downside of Hendrickson is that he rushed from the left tackle side and would likely need to play more of a leo role, which is currently occupied by Frank Clark. Hendrickson shines when he is allowed to show off his high energy and acceleration as an edge rusher. He will likely get a double-digit offer on the market with what he put on tape.
Jadeveon Clowney, Titans
Height: 6'5", Weight: 255, Age: 28
Clowney is another player coming off of injury. He had surgery on his left meniscus in early December. The Titans had him reading and reacting too much in their scheme while being a standup edge rusher. Clowney is at his best when he is allowed to use his speed and strength to attack upfield. He still had elite acceleration and closing speed before the knee injury. Clowney can still shoot a gap with the best of them and cause massive disruption in the backfield. The medicals will be crucial to get him a number he is likely looking for on the open market.
Matt Judon, Ravens
Height: 6'3", Weight: 260, Age: 28
Judon appears to be more comfortable rushing against the right tackle. He has solid acceleration and a good dip, rip and bend to go with it. He could hold the edge on both sides. Judon has to strength to overpower a tight end and hold his own against a tackle. He shoots the gap well on plays. Judon seems to be a little hesitant when diagnosing the run in the backfield. He doesn't give on plays though and is willing to chase down the ball carrier even if it is 20 yards downfield. He will likely get good money on the market and might be out of the price range of the role he would command in Kansas City.
Aldon Smith, Cowboys
Height: 6'5", Weight: 255, Age: 31
Smith isn't the same rusher he was in his prime. He still has good athletic ability and can maintain from the edge to the sideline but the overwhelming athletic ability didn't flash on tape. He still has a solid bull rush along with a good dip and rip. He is capable of rushing from multiple sides on the line. Smith still has good strength to keep offensive linemen at arm's length, disengage and make the tackle at the line. He could be a good rotational rusher but likely isn't a full-time starter.
Von Miller, Broncos
Height: 6'3", Weight: 250, Age: 31
The Broncos will likely have make a decision on Miller before the new league year begins. He is currently not a free agent, but the team can decline his option making him one. The evaluation is based on before his injury last season. Miller is capable of rushing from both sides on the line. His production is similar regardless of the side. Miller understands every rush move in the book and how to properly hand fight as well as use his leverage. He still has enough athletic ability in the tank to give tackles problems. He reads the backfield well and disengages from blocks to try and make a play. He isn't the elite rusher he once was but he still is better than what the Chiefs had opposite of Frank Clark last season when Taco Charlton wasn't in.
Bud Dupree, Steelers
Height: 6'4", Weight: 269, Age 28
Dupree is coming off an ACL injury at a less than ideal time. Teams will likely wonder how the injury has impacted his acceleration and ability to change directions. Those are massive parts of his game in both the run and pass. Dupree is stronger than expected with long arms. He is quick around the corner and has a good dip to go with it. He comes crashing hard down the line of scrimmage to blow up the ball carrier and can come a little bit uncontrolled around the edge at times. It will be interesting to see what price he gets on the open market. He primarily rushed against left tackles last season.
Solomon Thomas, 49ers
Height: 6'2", Weight: 280, Age: 25
Thomas is coming off a torn ACL sustained in September of last year. He is a solid run defender that has good strength. He has solid athletic ability running down the line of scrimmage for his size. He can hold the line of scrimmage and could likely hold the edge in the run game against a right tackle. Thomas was able to loop, twist and pull before the injury with effectiveness. He shouldn't break the bank but could provide the Chiefs a good run defender that could move around the line similar to Emmanuel Ogbah.
Olivier Vernon, Browns
Height: 6'2", Weight: 262, Age: 30
Vernon is coming off a ruptured Achilles in week 17. He had lost a step athletically but was able to make up for it with his strength and overall size. He looked comfortable rushing the right tackle. He is able to utilize more of a bull-rushing power style and maintain the edge before his injury. The medical will be important for when he could get back on the field and regain the ability he had before.
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Veach's '21 Offseason Plan to Keep Us Thriving: Let's speculate
(https://chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=336980)