2019 NFL Draft: Chase Winovich is a model of Kevin Greene

Chase Winovich isn’t what they call a perfect prospect for the 2019 NFL draft, but there’s something about him. What exactly is it?

Position: DE

School: Michigan

Year: Junior

Height: 6’2

Weight: 255 lbs

STRENGTHS:

• Aggressive getting up the field and has good quickness and bend, enabling him to get leverage on blockers and into the backfield before the QB can react.
• Snap anticipation is strong. Usually one of the first out of his stance and getting up the field which will be important given his other physical limitations.
• One thing teams love about a good pass rusher is the motor. Does he take plays off? Does he give up after the initial rush? This kid keeps churning and fighting to the whistle. No slacking.
• Does a good job of using his hands to keep blockers off his body, especially as he tries to get around the edge to the quarterback.

Winovich recognizes immediately that the tackle is spaced too far from the guard at the snap. He shows zero hesitation, knifing his way through the gap and going right at the quarterback. However, instead of simply delivering a hit he makes sure to put his helmet on the ball, knocking it loose and gaining his team a defensive touchdown. That’s great awareness from beginning to end of the play.

• Shows good awareness for where the football is going. Maintains discipline on run-pass option plays, not losing containment or over-pursuing.
• If he gets a bead on you, he can arrive with some serious authority. Not afraid to deliver a big hit and is quite good about going for the ball.
• Though he’s not a powerhouse, he delivers a strong initial punch to a blocker that allows him to create just enough space to choose a direction and go.

WEAKNESSES:

• One instantly worries about his size. He’s not big by defensive end standards and his length probably won’t be ideal either. 
• Doesn’t seem to have a power element to his game. Bigger tackles can easily stonewall him in a straight rush and his limited size makes him a liability when setting the edge.
• Athleticism is a bit of a question mark. It’s uncertain if he has the required fluidity and range to play upright as a linebacker in a 3-4 if needed.
• The explosion is rather average. He doesn’t really pop off the screen when rushing. This could become an issue against better tackles in the league.
• Teams must be wary of keeping him at defensive end. He simply doesn’t seem to have the mass or power to match up against NFL-sized tackles.

Pro Comparison: Kevin Greene

A lot of people didn’t think much of Greene when he arrived in the NFL. They knew he was aggressive, a bit of a wild man and found his way to the quarterback more than normal. Before they knew it he had 160 sacks and was in the Hall of Fame. Everything from the body type to the flowing hair and attitude seems to match for Winovich. The question is can he make the switch to outside linebacker as Greene did?

Projection:  4th round pick

Greene was a 5th round pick. People forget that. He was far from a sure thing because of his limited size and pure athleticism. What he had was energy, effort, intelligence and a large toolbag of moves to win his blocks. When he was allowed to get up the field after the quarterback, he was lethal. This is the sort of player Winovich can be. He won’t fit every defense though. It will be important he lands in the right system.