2019 NFL Draft: Oshane Ximines won’t star but QBs will dislike him

The 2019 NFL draft class appears to be the year of the defensive linemen. Where does Oshane Ximines stand among such a rich group?

That’s difficult to say at this point because it’s uncertain if he’ll play defensive line in the NFL. Some teams will likely see him as a potential outside linebacker. His scouting report below will showcase why that is and what he can (or can’t) bring to a team once drafted.

Position: DE

School: Old Dominion

Year: Senior

Height: 6’3

Weight: 255 lbs

STRENGTHS:

• More athletic that one might suppose. Shows a knack for playing both upright and with his hand in the dirt, showcasing his scheme versatility.
• Makes great use of his hands. Constantly get them out and into the blocker to maintain space. Also gets them up in the passing lane to deflect passes.
• Shows good awareness and intelligence of the situation. Knows where the football is and doesn’t try to do too much. He executes the job tasked to him. Rarely caught off guard.
• Has enough strength to hold his ground against the run and also shed blockers when they manage to get their hands on him.

https://twitter.com/ODUFootball/status/1040350021676408833

This play is where Ximines showcases his best traits. He gets a good jump on the snap and extends his arms as he meets the tackle. He uses a quick punch to create some space and then sheds the block to get around the edge. Then he uses his quickness and decent acceleration to close for the sack. Not flashy but effective.

• Quickness is solid. Able to juke left or right to slip his way past blocks and into the backfield, again proving his underrated agility.
• A natural instinct as a pass rusher. Does a good job of varying his moves, keeping the tackles guessing. Should only get better as his arsenal improves.
• Offenses paid him a lot of attention in 2018, constantly devoting extra blockers his way and running plays away from his side of the field.
• Got consistently better with his production each year. Went from 5 sacks in 2015 to 7.5, to 8.5, to 11.5 his final year. That’s a clear cut indicator of improvement.

WEAKNESSES:

• Size will be considered average for a pass rusher. Not overly big or long. Okay in both areas. May struggle dealing with bigger offensive tackles.
• Burst and closing speed aren’t great. Mobile quarterbacks will be able to elude him without much issue. Not a guy who is good in chase mode.
• Balance can be a bit inconsistent. Seem him losing it at times whenever he gets first contact with blockers, leading to him losing that snap.
• The motor can run a bit hot and cold at times. His effort will run at peak for a string of snaps and then he appears to pump the brakes for a couple of plays.
• Doesn’t deliver a strong punch often enough on his rushes. He allows tackles to settle in and be ready for him, which kills a lot of his momentum.

Pro Comparison: Jordan Jenkins

Jenkins shows similar dimensions in terms of size to Ximines coming out of Georgia. He wasn’t an elite athlete but he had a decent mix of quickness and strength that allowed him to be a pest to blockers from time to time. He hasn’t been a dominant edge rusher for the New York Jets, but he had a career-high seven sacks last year, so he brings value to the position. He’ll never lead the formation, but he’s a good wingman.

Projection: 3rd round

Ximines is a good enough talent to go somewhere in the top 100. His versatility and proven pass rush credentials will be valued by teams. However, his limited upside won’t push him higher than the 3rd round. This is the sort of guy who will be a strong role player for several years. Somebody good for 6-8 sacks a season that can at least force offenses to account for them.