Breakdowns
10/22/20
3 min min read
2020 Preseason Scouting Report: 5 EDGE Prospects to Keep an Eye On
Not All EDGE Prospects are cut from the same cloth. The position has been evolving in the NFL over the last 20 years and prospects have been evolving with it. For the most part when scouting you will find three different EDGE players. The 3-4 Defensive End who can line up inside or head up on the Offensive Tackle (known as a 4), the 4-3 Defensive End who can line up just outside of the Offensive Tackle (known as a 5), or the 3-4 Outside Linebacker who lines up on or outside the Tight End (known as a 6). The further outside the offensive line these players are expected to be, the lighter and more agile they become. Their value is often prioritized by how effective they are in the pass rush as opposed to how effective they can do their job.
Quincy Roche, Miami, 6-3, 245
Roche is a 6'3 245lb EDGE player who projects as a 3-4 OLB. He plays mostly on the line moving forward and doesn't have incredible versatility to drop back. Is one of the most explosive edge players in the draft and uses rips and swipes in hand fighting to either go outside or inside the blocker well. Once past the blocker he closes in on the ball carrier very fast and shows impressive change of direction when needed. Roche has first round talent and plays surprisingly physical with big blockers for only being 245 lbs.
Carlos Basham, Wake Forest, 6-5, 285
Basham at 6'5" 285 is the most pro-ready 3 down player on the edge in this draft. His mix of power and athleticism is very impressive for his size as well. He plays the pass and the run well and has refined hand fighting and pass rush moves that he'll be able to use day one on a roster. At his size he can play a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 DE. He will be an "on the line" EDGE who is not asked to drop back into coverage. Basham's only knock is his pad level can get high and can run out of steam on longer drives, but his explosive plays and athleticism/speed for his size/strength is something that every team needs.
Gregory Rousseau, Miami, 6-7, 265
Rousseau is an edge player with elite size and length (6'7" 265 lbs). He is an above average athlete with deceptive power who uses his length to separate from blockers and has the speed to quickly close on ball carriers. Played inside the line while at Miami but was often disguising stunts from the initial position. Fits best as a 4-3 DE who is rarely asked to cover. Similar play style to Chandler Jones but Rousseau might get knocked for his agility as his change of direction was something that jumped off the screen. He is opting out of this season to train for the combine, expect scouts to all have eyes on his agility drills.
Chris Rumph II, Duke, 6-4, 236
Rumph is a 6'4 236 lb Edge player with top end speed, explosiveness and athleticism. Very explosive out of the stance and uses quick hands when initiating contact with the blocker. Uses an array of pass rush moves (One of the best swim moves I've seen. Can swipe hands, swim, rip to disengage). Projects as a 3-4 OLB similar to Josh Uche from 2020. Personally one of my favorite edge players in this class I'm very excited to see what he does at the next level.
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, 6-6, 269
Hutchinson is an edge player with great size and length (6'6" 269 lbs). He plays a physical style. He explodes out of his stance with adequate athleticism and uses heavy hands/strength to push around blockers. A strong player in the run game he can shed blocks with mostly rips or strength to get past blockers. His athleticism is limited if trying to track down top tier athletes but has a high motor when in pursuit. Projects as a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 DE. Aidan's only limiting factors are his short area quickness and speed when trying to sack the QB or track down misdirection in the run game.
For deeper analysis and full scouting reports please follow the links to each individual player.
