2015 NFL Draft Edge Rusher Class Has Something For Everyone
The last couple of weeks, I’ve been waist deep studying the ‘edge rusher’ class of players for the 2015 NFL Draft. Instead of calling everyone by their true positions (some might be 4-3 ends, 3-4 OLBs, 4-3 SLBs, etc.) we now apparently just call them edge rushers, and perhaps this year is the most fitting for that description to take over.
As I’ve been studying these players, I’ve noticed that there’s really a little bit of something for everyone, and by that I mean any team, looking for a pass rusher.
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At the top of my list are Dante Fowler Jr., Randy Gregory, Shane Ray, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, and of course Vic Beasley. No matter what scheme you run, no matter what personnel groupings you like, and no matter what players you already have on your roster, this year’s class of rushers offers a little bit of something for everyone. Let’s go shopping.
Athletic Freaks
There are no shortage of these in this year’s class. From top to bottom, the guys that are going to be the next wave of pass rushers in the league are built like defensive ends and run like wide receivers. Just look at a guy like Vic Beasley, who is running a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash and throwing up 35 bench press reps of 225 pounds.
If that doesn’t do it for you, then Dante Fowler Jr. of Florida and his 4.60 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 261 pounds with near 34-inch arms.
If you’re looking for a group of big dudes that can run, that are explosive and that can absolutely kill you with athleticism, this class offers it.
Production
Not every one of the players in this edge class was as productive this past year as you might like to see from a star pass rusher, meaning 20 plus TFL and double digit sacks, but SEC defensive player of the year Shane Ray put up huge numbers in his final year at Missouri and there are sack artists in this draft whose production was felt in terms of QB hurries, forced fumbles, blocked kicks, and just a generally high number of plays affected by their pass rush.
Versatility
The great thing about the ‘edge rusher’ term is the fact that these guys are no longer boxed into being one position or another. Of course, every player has an ideal fit in a defense. For example, you’re not going to put Owamagbe Odighizuwa as a permanent OLB in a 3-4 defense when he showed at UCLA that he can play on the DL and inside at tackle, but you’re also not going to keep him away from the edge spot in a 3-4 because the dude knows how to get pressure on the QB.
On the other hand, I don’t think you can box Vic Beasley into being strictly a WLB in a 4-3 like Bruce Irvin because he’s got a lot of similar skill set to that of Von Miller and can be used as a SLB or possibly even a RDE in a 4-3 look.
Every single player in this class feels like they’ve got the ability to play multiple positions, and that’s part of the great upside and intrigue.
Varying Levels of ‘Readiness’
Another beautiful thing about this edge class is the fact that they are going to have varying levels of ‘readiness’ as they transition to the NFL. Guys like Dante Fowler Jr. might not have the elite production at the college level that you’d like to see on paper, but he is arguably the most NFL ready from a skill standpoint and the ability to contribute in a variety of schemes.
On the other hand, guys like Eli Harold and Max Valles of Virginia are both relatively raw players, but very talented. These guys have tons of athletic ability and potential, but they’ve only scratched the surface. The coaching at the NFL level is going to be critical for players like them moving forward.
Diamonds in the Rough
In addition to the star players at the top of the draft and the depth in the middle are guys like Kyle Emmanuel of North Dakota State and Zach Hodges of Harvard — small school players that are getting set to let the whole NFL world know exactly what they’re made of and how far they can take their game to the next level.
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This year’s edge class is such an exciting group of players, and every single one of these guys has immense potential. The running back position has — deservedly — gotten a ton of credit for its depth this offseason, but the edge class might even be better.