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Bob Sturm’s NFL draft series: If Greg Hardy serves long-term suspension, this guy (OO) could help Cowboys
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: April 21, 2015 9:22 pm
This category is plenty strong with players who can get sacks, but we are discussing several different types of players —4-3 defensive ends, 3-4 pass rush linebackers, and even a few 3-4 defensive ends (or 5-techniques) — under the catch-all “edge rusher” heading. All have the mandate of getting to the quarterback to disrupt offenses.
Spotlight player
Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Odighizuwa is a player who should be available in the range where the Cowboys pick, and he fits their profile quite well. The 23-year-old raised in Nigeria is a prototype 4-3 strong-side defensive end who is stout against the run and can turn the corner and get to the quarterback. Odighizuwa missed 2013 with hip surgeries, but at the combine he scored high for athleticism — including a 39-inch vertical leap for a player who weighs almost 270 pounds. That is quite uncommon, and he has the speed to complement that with a 4.62-second 40-yard dash. What he doesn’t have is the flex and lean that would make him an elite pass rusher. Instead, he offers a balanced skill set that would make him a fine addition to a group of defensive linemen with above average talents against both the run and pass. What makes him a solid Rod Marinelli candidate is his ability to stay active until the play is dead. He can move inside on third downs and rush from tackle, so if his medical exams all checked out, this is a player to remember for the late first round. A pick like this would provide insurance if Greg Hardy is suspended long term or if he is only stopping in Dallas for 2015.
The best
Vic Beasley, Clemson
Out of his stance, Beasley explodes up field and either goes right around the edge with a blur or he sets that up to spin back inside. I once discounted a player because he seemed undersized for the edge rusher spotand I feared whether he would ever find a true position. Von Miller now has 49 sacks in 56 career games. I am not saying he is Miller, but Beasley has proven his worth with 25 sacks and an absurd 44.5 more tackles for loss in the last two seasons Beasley might turn out to be this draft’s best edge rusher.
Sleeper
Nate Orchard, Utah
If combine results push Beasley up into the first hour of the draft, then a player like Orchard has been pushed the other way with rather ordinary physical explosiveness. But, what those tests do not measure is the way he plays. His motor and resolve are off the charts. He is also a team captain and married with a daughter. And he tied for the sacks title in all of major college football in 2014 with 19.
Best of Texas
Cedric Reed, Texas
After a 10-sack season in 2013, Reed played 2014 with a torn meniscus. He is versatile and generally productive, although not necessarily an athlete with explosive traits. He appears to be the type of solid player who gets done what he can inside the scheme and contributes plenty with a balanced skill set.
Sturm’s Top 10
Rk., player College Ht. Noteworthy
1. Vic Beasley Clemson 6-3 246 A chance to be the elite rusher in this draft
2. Dante Fowler Florida 6-2 261 Young, with upside that makes many drool
3. Shane Ray Missouri 6-2 249 Stout and impressive around the corner
4. Alvin Dupree Kentucky 6-4 269 Squint and see DeMarcus Ware traits
5. Randy Gregory Nebraska 6-5 235 A bit of a tweener, but flashes well
6. Owa Odighizuwa UCLA 6-3 267 Solid and versatile 4-3 DE
7. Arik Armstead Oregon 6-7 292 A huge, 3-4 defensive end prototype
8. Eli Harold Virginia 6-3 247 Interesting and under the radar a bit
9. Preston Smith Miss. St. 6-5 271 Like Odighizuwa, Cowboys type DE
10. Nate Orchard Utah 6-3 250 High motor and very productive
Bob Sturm Follow @sportssturm Email sturm1310@me.com
Published: April 21, 2015 9:22 pm
This category is plenty strong with players who can get sacks, but we are discussing several different types of players —4-3 defensive ends, 3-4 pass rush linebackers, and even a few 3-4 defensive ends (or 5-techniques) — under the catch-all “edge rusher” heading. All have the mandate of getting to the quarterback to disrupt offenses.
Spotlight player
Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Odighizuwa is a player who should be available in the range where the Cowboys pick, and he fits their profile quite well. The 23-year-old raised in Nigeria is a prototype 4-3 strong-side defensive end who is stout against the run and can turn the corner and get to the quarterback. Odighizuwa missed 2013 with hip surgeries, but at the combine he scored high for athleticism — including a 39-inch vertical leap for a player who weighs almost 270 pounds. That is quite uncommon, and he has the speed to complement that with a 4.62-second 40-yard dash. What he doesn’t have is the flex and lean that would make him an elite pass rusher. Instead, he offers a balanced skill set that would make him a fine addition to a group of defensive linemen with above average talents against both the run and pass. What makes him a solid Rod Marinelli candidate is his ability to stay active until the play is dead. He can move inside on third downs and rush from tackle, so if his medical exams all checked out, this is a player to remember for the late first round. A pick like this would provide insurance if Greg Hardy is suspended long term or if he is only stopping in Dallas for 2015.
The best
Vic Beasley, Clemson
Out of his stance, Beasley explodes up field and either goes right around the edge with a blur or he sets that up to spin back inside. I once discounted a player because he seemed undersized for the edge rusher spotand I feared whether he would ever find a true position. Von Miller now has 49 sacks in 56 career games. I am not saying he is Miller, but Beasley has proven his worth with 25 sacks and an absurd 44.5 more tackles for loss in the last two seasons Beasley might turn out to be this draft’s best edge rusher.
Sleeper
Nate Orchard, Utah
If combine results push Beasley up into the first hour of the draft, then a player like Orchard has been pushed the other way with rather ordinary physical explosiveness. But, what those tests do not measure is the way he plays. His motor and resolve are off the charts. He is also a team captain and married with a daughter. And he tied for the sacks title in all of major college football in 2014 with 19.
Best of Texas
Cedric Reed, Texas
After a 10-sack season in 2013, Reed played 2014 with a torn meniscus. He is versatile and generally productive, although not necessarily an athlete with explosive traits. He appears to be the type of solid player who gets done what he can inside the scheme and contributes plenty with a balanced skill set.
Sturm’s Top 10
Rk., player College Ht. Noteworthy
1. Vic Beasley Clemson 6-3 246 A chance to be the elite rusher in this draft
2. Dante Fowler Florida 6-2 261 Young, with upside that makes many drool
3. Shane Ray Missouri 6-2 249 Stout and impressive around the corner
4. Alvin Dupree Kentucky 6-4 269 Squint and see DeMarcus Ware traits
5. Randy Gregory Nebraska 6-5 235 A bit of a tweener, but flashes well
6. Owa Odighizuwa UCLA 6-3 267 Solid and versatile 4-3 DE
7. Arik Armstead Oregon 6-7 292 A huge, 3-4 defensive end prototype
8. Eli Harold Virginia 6-3 247 Interesting and under the radar a bit
9. Preston Smith Miss. St. 6-5 271 Like Odighizuwa, Cowboys type DE
10. Nate Orchard Utah 6-3 250 High motor and very productive
