2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft

The New York Giants, despite leading their division, aren’t quite a well-rounded football team. There are plenty of weak spots on this team that need to be addressed, but none more glaring than their lack of edge rushers. So here in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they snag one of the best.

Joseph Ossai is a raw but very promising outside linebacker prospect. He is incredibly athletic, displaying that athleticism every single play in some form or fashion. Whether it’s flying around the edge at the quarterback or dropping back in coverage and making a quick break on the ball, Ossai is always running around making plays.

Ossai uses his explosiveness to dash around slower offensive tackles on the edge on his way to the quarterback. He is still developing his pass-rushing arsenal, but he seems to find his way into the backfield very often.

Sometimes his aggressiveness can hurt him, often being too eager to get around the edge to the quarterback, losing his gap integrity, and allowing the offense to run right by him. He also isn’t quite powerful enough to hold a good edge in the run game, but he isn’t afraid to take on blockers and fight to the ball carrier.

At Texas, Ossai dropped back into coverage quite often, making him a well-rounded player for a 3-4 defense. If they want to vary the looks that they’re giving the quarterback, Ossai can rush and cover with the best of them.

Although he might be a bit of a project, Joseph Ossai is talented enough to warrant a selection at this point in the 2021 NFL Draft. His versatility will benefit him right away as he would probably be relied upon early in his career. Those snaps will be valuable to his growth and development, with the potential to become one of the best in the league.