2016 Draft Pass Rusher Options

[Bodha]

First things first, know Von Miller won’t be available at #29. In fact, between this draft class, and FA class, I think we are still another year from the pass rush we need. The talent just isn’t available.
Here are the best options, IMO, at pass rush (I include OLB/DE/DT). Pass rush is pass rush, regardless of position:

1st round:

Leonard Floyd – OLB. Extremely fast and explosive. Long and difficult to get a hold of with his reach and leverage. The downside being this guy is very thin. Much like Randy Gregory in build (nothing like him personality). Struggles in run defense off the edge. Needs to add a solid 25 pounds.

Jonathan Bullard- DE. Classic Justin Smith type power rusher. Monstrous run defender off the edge. At best he’s a ~8 sack guy, but everything else he brings is invaluable from vicious demeanor to tempo setter. Much like Justin Smith, he opens doors for others around him to create pass rush.

Shaq Lawson- DE. Stretch if he’ll make it to us, however if he does, he’s an easy pick. Powerful. Shows up in the biggest games. When he gets momentum vs a blocker, the games over. Hes one of those guys that’ll abuse a dude all day if he gets a mismatch. Ideal measurables across the board.

Shilique Calhoun – DE/OLB. Very interesting pick. Guy has good size, excellent speed and bend. Smart. Instinctive. But he underproduced in college based on his talent, however the talent is there. IMO, if I had to put money on the 1 guy most likely to be our pick, itll be Calhoun.

Kevin Dodd- DE. 1 year wonder? More like 1 game wonder. But when that game is the National Championship game, and you get 4 sacks vs the best Oline in College football, then you better believe you’ll get the hype train treatment. Bottom line is Dodd has elite tools and a great personality. Much like Rodney Gunter, tools are what you look for. Then you hone them.

2nd/3rd round +:

Emmanuel Ogbah – DE/OLB. Flashes elite talent. But they are only flashes, and you’d like more consistency. Strong in pass rush and Run D equally. Raised his game in big games vs top competition, which is a sign of a contender.

Noah Spence – DE/OLB. Famously kicked off Ohio State team. I directly asked a scout I follow about him, and he said his issues are manageable, and that he’s not a bad kid. Similar to Tyrann. Talent wise – Spence is a 1st rounder. Solid vs the run and has real wiggle in pass rush. Kind of a big Deone.

Adolphus Washington – DE. Suspended for solicitation, which is a non-news IMO. But a very, very good player. Play itself is very Dockett-ish. Tons of backfield disruption.

Jordan Jenkins – OLB. Consistently ‘good’. His measurables are outstanding, but on-field is what matters. And his college career was average. If nothing else, his physical tools make him a nice project for a coach who can put those abilities to use. Turn him from good to great.

Sheldon Day – DT. Poor man’s Aaron Donald, which is saying a lot. Undersized inside penetrator. Far too fast for Gs/Cs and is under and past them right off the snap.

Scooby Wright – ILB. Hes a Tyrann Mathieu of ILBs. Meaning he’s undersized with injury issues, but when he does play, he changes the game. From a pass rush perspective, he’s the best rushing ILB in this draft. Remember how DWash used to rush A gap all the time? Scooby can do that better than anyone.

Eric Striker – OLB. Everyone’s favorite 6’ 220 pound converted QB turned OLB. With Deone already on the line, I worry about having 2 guys that small out there. Size-wise, Striker is pretty much tapped out. Maybe 5-10 more pounds, but anything more and it’ll hurt his speed. Striker is a great leader and game disrupter. No doubt hed be a really good pick regardless.

Yannick Ngakoue – OLB. Excellent production in college. Had a couple of ‘Wow’ games. But he’s also another guy who disappears occasionally. But we are desperate, so he’s as good an option as any.

Robert Nkemdiche – OLB/DE. Here is the “Major headcase, but how badly do you wanna win a Superbowl?” pick. At one time, he was the #1 HS recruit in America. His tools and talent are the best in the draft. The reason he’s not a lock top 10 pick is because he lost his mind on synthetic marijuana and jumped out a 3rd story window. You know, that old gag. If theres 1 team, and 1 coach who can control him, itll be BA.

 

[az jam]

Thanks, good stuff.

 

[sundevil04]

A lot of talent on that list. I trust Keim to fill that passrushing need

 

[Ohcrap75]

Nice write up Bodha. I agree with most of your scouting reports. I am a huge fan of Bullard. He can consistently get in the backfield to disrupt plays using either speed or strength. BA will also love that he played through injuries last year and has a great motor.

 

[Bodha]

A lot of talent on that list. I trust Keim to fill that passrushing need

I disagree. Altho that list is pretty good, there aren't any franchise pass rushers that I can see. Lots of 'good' pass rushers, no greats.

I think Keim does his best he can, but pass rusher will still be the #1 need in 2017 too

Nice write up Bodha. I agree with most of your scouting reports. I am a huge fan of Bullard. He can consistently get in the backfield to disrupt plays using either speed or strength. BA will also love that he played through injuries last year and has a great motor.

Bullard is really growing on me. If you cnt get an elite pass rusher, you might as well get an elite something. Bullard is an elite rush stuffer.

With Rawls in Seattle, Hyde in SF. And Gurley in LA, I think an edge run stuffer is important in this division.

 

[oaken1]

Von Miller is available as a FA this season isn't he?? IIRC Denver has several higher profile players they have to re-sign...somebody will probably have to walk....... Miller would be an awesome addition to our defense....probably very expensive...but I hear the salary cap is supposed to jump pretty dramatically this off season.

 

[DVontel]

Von Miller is available as a FA this season isn't he?? IIRC Denver has several higher profile players they have to re-sign...somebody will probably have to walk....... Miller would be an awesome addition to our defense....probably very expensive...but I hear the salary cap is supposed to jump pretty dramatically this off season.

He's not walking, just forget about it.

He is their FRANCHISE player.

 

[iRobot]

He's not walking, just forget about it.

He is their FRANCHISE player.

Nope, no way no how.

$11M in cash RIGHT NOW for 2016 and .. at least $19M coming OFF the books once they retire/get rid of Manning after this year.

 

[oaken1]

okay then....forget Miller.....sign Osweiller away from them instead

 

[Bodha]

Another name I forgot his Miss ST DT Chris Jones. He reminds me of what Corey Peters would've been for us had he not gotten inured.


Someone will surely mention UCLA DT Ryan Clark, an outstanding player, but one unlikely to make it to #29.

 

[Ohcrap75]

Penn St DE Carl Nassib is another player that could improve our pass rush from the DE position. He is 6-5 and had 15 sacks this season. He only had one year of production so will likely be available at our second round pick. He's raw but has a very high ceiling.

 

[Mitch]

Victor Ochi, OLB/DE, Stony Brook. Watched him blaze the edge at the East West Shrine game Saturday. Excelled all week and in the game. Here's an article with a video clip of one of his sacks in the game:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...lights-top-performers-who-boosted-draft-stock

 

[WildBB]

Give Spence a shot if he's sticking around late in the 1st. I'd like them to sign a younger vet ILB or WOLB in FA also. Someone who can get home and is multi dimentional.

 

[Bodha]

Victor Ochi, OLB/DE, Stony Brook. Watched him blaze the edge at the East West Shrine game Saturday. Excelled all week and in the game. Here's an article with a video clip of one of his sacks in the game:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...lights-top-performers-who-boosted-draft-stock

Theres usually a handful at every Shrine game/Senior Bowl who get themselves super hyped with a good showing. Apparently Ochi is this years guy.

Very impressive burst. On being 6'1 he has the benefit of get under Ts.

However, Id strongly suspect he gets mauled in the run game.

At this point we're so desperate for pass rushers, il take anyone. If Ochi is there in the 4th, he can be our Rodney Gunter pick.

 

[BillsCarnage]

A lot of talent on that list. I trust Keim to fill that passrushing need

They pick at what 28 or 29, right? Why not take the Patriots route and trade back to get additional picks?

 

[WildBB]

They pick at what 28 or 29, right? Why not take the Patriots route and trade back to get additional picks?

Only so many roster spots for a team who wants tocontend still. It's really difficult to get a legit pass rush threat well into the 2nd Rd. You have to be very lucky. Who was the kid we took from W. Va. Last yr, Riddick?

 

[Bodha]

Noah Spence is tearing up the Senior Bowl practices


hes not my 1st choice, but hes certainly an option at the end of round 1 when pickings are slim.

 

[Reddog]

Theres usually a handful at every Shrine game/Senior Bowl who get themselves super hyped with a good showing. Apparently Ochi is this years guy.

Very impressive burst. On being 6'1 he has the benefit of get under Ts.

However, Id strongly suspect he gets mauled in the run game.

At this point we're so desperate for pass rushers, il take anyone. If Ochi is there in the 4th, he can be our Rodney Gunter pick.

I read 6' 2" 258 lbs. 4.7 40. Freeney 6' 1" 268 clocked 4.48 when he came out.

 

[juza76]

I read 6' 2" 258 lbs. 4.7 40. Freeney 6' 1" 268 clocked 4.48 when he came out.

Recently at west east shrine game official measurement for Ochi
6'1 1/8 244 , 20 lb less then freeney
But he has well built upper body,probably 8%of fate
Should run a great 40 at combine

 

[conraddobler]

We might have to trade up to get what we want.

If we go FA pass rush we'll have to pay through the nose to get it they cost big $

If we draft one you have to get higher than we are to get a good one. Getting from where we are to where we might need to be costs a lot in terms of picks.

Bosa would be the best option but giving up our entire draft wouldn't get us there in pick values.

Bosa is the only sure thing, getting Noah Spence or Carl Lawson I think you need to get up to 18 or so if they are still there you need to decided if you are going to pull that trigger and try to trade our 2nd rounder to get up there.

To me it's worth that so I'd look hard at those two players, decide if I want one of them then go get one of them if I do and if I think I can.

A 2nd rounder hurts but would be worth it for the right guy IMO.

 

[conraddobler]

Noah Spence is tearing up the Senior Bowl practices


hes not my 1st choice, but hes certainly an option at the end of round 1 when pickings are slim.

He's probably a top 20 pick it'd be great if he fell but they almost never do.

Once you do your homework hoping a guy like that will fall to you is usually a strategy that results in missing out on the guy. We need to figure out who we want and go get them.

If they aren't there they aren't there but I laid out that I think either he or Lawson probably is worth the risk.

 

[juza76]

We need to sign vernon.
He is on the top 3 about qb pressure(81)
Had like 19 sacks last 2 season and he does the spin move))

 

[conraddobler]

I read 6' 2" 258 lbs. 4.7 40. Freeney 6' 1" 268 clocked 4.48 when he came out.

Got to be careful with things like this. I am more impressed by guys who do it on game day, getting enamored with their stats makes you forget that it's a game of want to most of all.

I would want both to be honest with you a guy that passes the measurables AND demonstrates on the field against elite competition that he can do the job you want done.

We're talking first round here, you want it all.

 

[conraddobler]

We need to sign vernon.
He is on the top 3 about qb pressure(88)
Had like 19 sacks last 2 season and he does the spin move))

That would work and if we have the dollars we should consider it however you're sinking a HUGE portion of the cap for someone like that.

They are worth it but if they get hurt you're screwed.

 

[Bodha]

He's probably a top 20 pick it'd be great if he fell but they almost never do.

Once you do your homework hoping a guy like that will fall to you is usually a strategy that results in missing out on the guy. We need to figure out who we want and go get them.

If they aren't there they aren't there but I laid out that I think either he or Lawson probably is worth the risk.

I think we have an very good chance at him, I wouldn't at all say hes even a round 1 lock. Id say somewhere in the top 40.

And even if someone does take him before us, that just pushes someone else down the line. Shilique Calhoun is definitely growing on me.

I think my main guy this week has been Bullard. I fluxuate a lot. Itll be someone else next week. But right now, I really really like Bullard. I think he not only has a top level skill set, being a destructive force on the line. But also his demeanor. Mean and vicious. We need that tempo setter.