Jadeveon Clowney Expected To Mirror This Former All-Pro

To date NFL fans, especially in Houston are still waiting to see what happens with outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney and all that limitless talent.

Going into the 2014 draft, several experts proclaimed without blinking that he was one of the most physically gifted athlete in terms of size, power and speed that they had seen come out of college in at least a decade. There was no doubt that if he could harness that ability, when paired with J.J. Watt that the Houston Texans could form perhaps the most devastating pass rush in pro football.

So far it hasn’t happened. Problems continue to dog Clowney that first manifested in college. Namely injuries. His rookie year he missed 12 games and added another three last season. He has never been completely healthy and the lack of production shows this. Some are beginning to wonder if his body will be able to hold up to the strain.

NFL.com seems to think so. Their columnist Gregg Rosenthal stated that he expects the former #1 pick to break through with a big year in 2016. Based on the impressions he got of the young pass rusher last year, it’s likely he’ll develop into a player that wins more with natural ability than overall skill. A comparison was soon offered to illustrate what his ceiling might be.

"“The explosive first step is there. The power is there. When Clowney rushes the passer, even veteran tackles often are jolted backward. That’s why Clowney recorded 22 hurries in only 300 pass-rush snaps, according to PFF. Clowney needs to fine-tune those pass-rush moves to disengage from blockers and finish plays, something that showed up while he totaled 4.5 sacks in a six-game span from late October to mid-December.He might never be Dwight Freeney or DeMarcus Ware, technicians with an array of ways to get to the quarterback. Instead, look for Clowney to develop into a Terrell Suggs-like Pro Bowl talent who overwhelms opponents with grown-man power and a high motor.”"

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Suggs hasn’t always been the greatest pass rusher. There have been years he’s had just four or five in a season. However, he’s mixed that in with some outstanding seasons where he produced double digits. There is no doubt the Baltimore Ravens missed him last year (he missed 15 games with an Achilles injury). As a team they had just 37 sacks and were 24^th in points allowed. The year before they had 49 sacks and ranked sixth in points allowed. That is how deep his impact went.

If that is who the Texans could be getting with Jadeveon Clowney, they’re going to be a happy franchise once the light goes on for him.

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