2020 NFL Draft: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson should be in top 10 conversation

K’Lavon Chaisson is an extremely talented edge defender who could easily end up being a top 10 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

One of the most explosive and exciting defensive players in the 2020 NFL draft class, former LSU edge defender K’Lavon Chaisson undoubtedly has massive upside at the next level. Aside from Chase Young, Chaisson is undoubtedly the edge rusher to want in this class.

Chaisson was never the most productive player at LSU, but his raw upside on the edge is obvious. Through three years in college, Chaisson only had 9.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss. In 2019 alone, Young had 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss for Ohio State. The lack of production is a concern with Chaisson.

That being said, it can at least be partially explained by his injury history. Chaisson suffered a torn ACL in the first game of the 2018 season that forced him to miss the rest of the year. He also missed two games for LSU in 2019 with an ankle injury.

Simply put, the lack of production and durability are a concern for Chaisson at the next level. That being said, when you throw on his tape, it is obvious that he has massive upside at the next level.

Chaisson is an extremely explosive edge rusher who also converts from speed to power at a high level. He is incredibly quick off of the ball and he shows impressive bend around the edge. Chaisson also changes directions quickly, maintains his balance extremely well and closes on the quarterback in an instant.

With his first-step quickness, power and obvious athleticism on the edge, Chaisson clearly has massive upside as a pass rusher at the next level. That being said, do not sleep on his ability to defend against the run. Chaisson may look like a pure speed rusher, but he is also tremendously powerful at the point of attack and understands how to fill gaps well. Chaisson does a great job of jamming the offensive lineman at the line of scrimmage and sets the edge at a high level.

Last, but not least, I want to mention Chaisson’s motor. This guy has all of the tools in the toolbox to be a consistent impact defender, but he does not take it for granted. Chaisson is an extremely high-motor player who never gives up on a play. He is an emotional player whose competitive toughness is clearly through the roof. This guy will give it his all on every single play.

The top 10 picks of the 2020 NFL Draft could get a little crowded. Joe Burrow and Chase Young are extremely likely to go with the first and second pick. Quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert will both likely go somewhere in the top 10, as will impact defenders like Jeffrey Okudah and Derrick Brown. There will also probably be at least two offensive tackles who end up in the first 10 picks. Simply put, it will not be easy for Chaisson to crack the top 10.

That being said, if he can stay healthy, Chaisson has a chance to be an absolute superstar defender at the next level. He will at least be in the conversation for teams picking in the top 10.