2021 NFL Draft: Miami edge Quincy Roche scouting report

Temple transfer Quincy Roche can become a household name in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Edge rushers have become the most valuable players on defense and have been high picks in the NFL Draft over the years. Miami has one of those freaks off the edge in Gregory Rousseau, but he has opted not to play this college football season to focus on the 2021 NFL Draft.

No worries, Miami fans, the Hurricanes made some moves in the transfer portal this offseason and picked up an edge rusher with a lot of potential in Quincy Roche.

Roche, a Temple Owl transfer, stands at 6’4″, weighing in around 235 pounds, and has the skills and abilities to potentially be a first-round edge rusher in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Last season at Temple, he recorded 13 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and 49 tackles. According to PFF, he recorded 68 quarterback pressures which were the second-most in the country.

Roche usually lines up as a weak-side edge, which is usually the rush end, and he proved he has the capability to get to the quarterback from the stats provided above. Roche also has very strong and active hands at the point of attack making it very hard for pass blockers to keep in front.

Watching the tape of Roche against Tulane, you can see him use his outside hand to deflect the tackle’s first response, then use his athleticism to swing under and gain outside pressure on the quarterback’s weak side on several occasions.

Roche has a great skillset of using power and speed in his approach to the quarterback. He shows great ankle flexibility to dip outside after creating separation just under the tackle to get pressure. He isn’t just a true speed rusher either. He shows the ability to use his hands with swim moves and power bullrushes to get inside pressure making the pocket collapse.

Roche is praised for his strong hands and great flexibility on the outside, but what is a very under-appreciated part of his game is his patience and ability to adjust on run plays. In Temple’s game against Maryland in 2019 you can see his efforts in the run game against the QB draw which Maryland likes to use often in their offense. Roche went for the rush outside then quickly stopped his body to close the gap at the line of scrimmage to help blow up the play.

One weakness of Roche’s game is his consistency, and at times feels like he is just trying for the big play and can take some snaps off. In the Maryland game, you can see him make some plays off if the offensive motions to the other side of the line. This is a common weakness for weak-side edge rushers.

With Rousseau not playing in the 2020-21 College Football season, a lot of the attention will fall on Roche at the edge position at Hard Rock Stadium this year. Roche has all the skills to be a first-round selection and would be a great complementary edge to a team’s number one guy.

Strength, speed, and those active hands will all be displayed in the ACC instead of the American conference this season where Roche will show all those assets.