Joey The Tooth's Early Prospect Analysis: Edge Rushers (Part 2)
Joey's back to give his thoughts on another four-pack of edge rushers.
Joey The Tooth is back for another round of prospect analysis for the 2022 NFL Draft, and this time, he’s diving back into the pool of talented edge rushers.
Be sure to buy a copy of the IDP Guys Rookie Draft Magazine (which covers offense and IDP), in which Joey will be doing a deeper dive on the players you see in these articles.
Also, be sure to follow Joey on Twitter to keep up with all his analysis.
Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State
Pros:
Great length on edge
Plays with great leverage, gets under pad level of lineman
Has a “bullying” bull rush
Long arms that serve well in initial contact with good chop and rip moves
Great bend with excellent snap anticipation
Quick twitch lateral agility
Strong tackler
Cons:
Needs to work on pass rush counters
Can play too upright at times
Does not change direction, picks a line to the backfield and sticks with it
Summary
I came away very impressed with Ebiketie. He has the size and all of the tools to be a successful edge rusher. He has great length and size with good athleticism.
He knows how to use his hands in initial contact and can explode inside as well. He is a strong tackler in run defense who doesn't give up extra yards. He just has a few things he needs to clean up, but overall, I really like him as a prospect.
Draft Grade: Mid/Late 2nd
David Ojabo, Michigan
Pros:
Athleticism is unreal
Elite burst off the edge
Very bendy frame
Excellent lateral agility setting up pass rush moves
Large bag of pass rush techniques with less than normal experience
Has an excellent motor
Good pursuit and can catch RBs on the back end
Cons:
Low on experience (and it shows at times)
Needs work in run defense setting the edge
Needs to use his hands more when fighting through linemen
Summary
Ojabo is a hell of a physical specimen. He is athletic beyond imagination. He has incredible burst, dip, and bend off the edge. Ojabo has a motor that never quits and imposes his will on linemen. He has great lateral agility which sets up his pass-rushing moves without wasted movement.
He needs to learn the nuances of the game, still, given his limited experience. And he needs to work on his run defense. With good coaching, he could become elite.
Draft Grade: Mid/Late 1st Round
George Karlaftis, Purdue
Pros:
Unbelievable size and athleticism combo
Incredibly powerful
Strong and quick hands utilized in grip and rip, chop, etc.
Nice inside spin move that covers a lot of ground
Body moving bull rush
Can play all across the D-line
Great at shooting gaps inside
Plays with good leverage and leg drive
A motor that never stops
Cons:
Can play a bit out of control
Plays too tall at times and wins with his strength as opposed to technique
Doesn't set a strong edge
Can get too deep, opening up holes in the run game
Summary
Karlaftis has an unbelievable blend of size, strength, and athleticism. He has a strong upper body which he uses to bully offensive linemen into the backfield with ease. He has a plethora of pass rush moves, never relying on one. He needs to set a better edge in run defense, but since it's technique-related and not a lack of ability, it's coachable. He is closer to Aidan Hutchinson and Kevon Thibodeaux than most believe.
Draft Grade: 1st Round
Jermaine Johnson II, Florida State
Pros:
Incredibly athletic
A motor for days
Has a plethora of pass rush moves
Used well on inside stunts
Physical player with a mean streak
as shown an understanding of dropping in zone coverage.
Bendy, loose frame
Cons:
Limited experience (just 1 year at DE)
His aggressive nature makes him over-pursue
Gets lost with misdirection
Plays too tall and upright for a man with his athleticism and bend
Summary
There is increasing hype surrounding Jermaine Johnson II, and rightfully so. He is a physical player and is vicious at the point of attack. For such little experience at DE, he’s already learned great hand technique and showcased a nice spin move.
He is full-go and never takes plays off. His aggressive nature can be a negative for him when it comes to run defense. He is a great interior rusher and too often counters inside when he should be setting the edge. He stands too tall and gets beaten by leverage too often. Johnson will need coaching due to his limited experience, but his “deficiencies” are mostly coachable. Johnson should become a solid player.
Draft Grade: Late 2nd/Early 3rd
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