5 Edge Rushers the Steelers Must Consider

[hawaiiansteel]

2015 NFL Draft: Rank the pass rushing prospects likely to be available at or around the Steelers' 22nd pick

By Scott Pavelle on Feb 13, 2015

The order you see below is alphabetical so don't read anything into it.

Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB, Kentucky - 6'4", 267 lbs. A former Tight End that Kentucky moved to defense, where he's played as both a 3-4 OLB and a 4-3 DE. In 2014 he had a mixed season. The athleticism and size are easily top-20 caliber but he hasn't dominated in the way you'd like to see from a college player with those natural assets. OTOH, if you rank "ongoing disruptive annoyance" up there with actual sacks then Bud Dupree will return to the top of the heap. If you want to know why people are so high on Dupree, read this long and extremely complimentary scouting report from our sister site for the Giants (by an author who is usually less enthusiastic). The scouting report from NFL.com makes very interesting reading too, because if you read between the lines you can see a kid who has every athletic plus in the world but may take a few years before he figures out how to use them against NFL-caliber opponents. I can easily see him being the sort of 1st Round pick who goes (in the fans' eyes) from savior to disappointment to goat to hero in the course of his first three years.

Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson - 6'3", 235 lbs. Every report you look up will compare Beasley to Bruce Irvin. He really is that explosive, and the 4-3 Leo pass rusher is pretty much what he played at Clemson. The issues all center on Beasley's lack of size (again like Irvin). There's room on his frame to get bigger, but enough to set the edge against NFL tackles with 34" arms? It comes to this: Vic Beasley has top-10 talent as a pure pass rusher but also has serious questions about his ability to mature into a 3-down OLB. Neal Coolong did this January BTSC scouting report, which (with comments such as this detailed addition) is where I recommend you start. This is another decent scouting report that considers the problems raised by being "a horrible run defender" while also noting that he projects to be an able player in coverage. This scouting report makes a similar set of points, while this scouting report offers a more positive outlook by responding that high character and a great motor are usually more important for a prospect than nit-picking about the holes in his college game or physique. The bottom line is that Beasley is (for now) a one trick pony. It's a hell of a good trick - a freakish, all-pro first step that makes him extremely hard to block - but where does that put him in the rankings from your point of view?

Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia - 6'4", 230(?) lbs. Eli Harold one of those players whose potential you will absolutely love, but who comes with serous questions about his ability to get big and strong enough to be a 3-down player in the Steelers system. The school listed him at 250 pounds but that was the worst kind of false advertising. According to this truly excellent scouting report from a Seahawks site, an absolute must-read IMHO, the 6'4" Harold has such a slim build that his natural walking-around weight would probably be in the 210's and he's had trouble keeping his weight higher than 225. But just like Beasley, if you ignore the size issues than Eli Harold flashes all the speed, explosion, balance, and other athletic talents you could ask for, and has even a track record of increasing success over his college career. So that's the bottom line: Eli Harold has an off the charts ceiling, but it's paired with a pass-rush-specialist floor if he can't get strong enough to handle the heavy lifting part of the job. This nice little scouting report has similar things to say: ideal natural talents, a number of coachable issues (hand fighting skills and leverage), and serious concerns about his size. This 2012 article from the Washington Post covers Harold's inspiring background.

Owamagbe Odighizuwa, OLB, UCLA - 6'3-1/2", 266 lbs. Nice, long 33-1/8" arms. I've heard him described as a bigger, just as strong, but not quite as bendy James Harrison, which also sounds a lot like Lamarr Woodley if you think about it. The place to start your research is Steel34D's BTSC Scouting Report. That report lauds Odighizuwa's strength, relentless motor, and ability to dominate the line in the running game, and notes that he's also played some 3-4 OLB in UCLA's hybrid system. He is another player who rates much lower in sack count than he does on the scale of "dominant and annoying disruption to the offense." The issues that drop Double-O downward are (1) medical questions dating back to two hip surgeries in 2013, (2) some lingering concerns about his ability to play in space, and (3) the need to develop additional pass rushing moves. The OLB drills at the Combine will be key in our final evaluation but for now you'll have to do without. The CBS summary scouting report questions whether Odighizuwa would fit better as a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB. This typically excellent scouting report from Football Insiders presents the same issue - he's a great prospect, but is he an OLB? This scouting report sees him as a 3- or 5-technique lineman and doesn't even consider standing him up as a linebacker. The NFL.com scouting report (like the BTSC version) emphasizes that Owam... err ... Odigh... the fine young man with the hard-to-pronounce name should excel at run stopping from opening day. Note that O.O. had an exceptional week at the Senior Bowl practices, which answered many questions while raising new ones about whether he could possibly fall at the way to 2:24 if the Steelers go elsewhere in the 1st - and even whether he might rise to be a legitimate, non-reaching option at 1:22.

Nate Orchard, OLB, Utah - 6'3-1/2", 251 lbs. 33" arms. As always, it's best to start with this BTSC scouting report by Neal Coolong. Orchard had a breakout 2014 that will make him a serious candidate for someone's 1st- or 2nd-round pick, and it might just be the Steelers if they believe he can carry his pass rush on to the next level while learning to drop back in coverage. Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network did this excellent and well-balanced scouting report after Orchard's fine Bowl game against top tackle prospect Ty Sambrailo. This scouting report boasts some gifs in support of its conclusion that Orchard shouldn't be picked until Day 3. This equally thorough scouting report from the normally reliable seahawksdraftblog.com also comes with a mid-round grade, albeit one based on the Seahawks' strong preference for particular athletic traits in their pass rushers. This brief scouting report is less useful for analysis, but makes the point that Orchard has been capable of taking over games on his own. This article provides good background going back to High School, as does this pre-season 2014 scouting report and interview from CBS. This brief and admiring scouting report from our sister site for the Giants compares Orchard to Justin Houston, while this more thorough scouting report from Walter Football chooses Connor Barwin as the comp. Orchard looked very good at the Senior Bowl practices, with numerous observers commenting on his ability to convert speed into power, excellent hand fighting technique, and ability to dip around the corner.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2015-nfl-mock-drafts-profiles-video-clips-highlights-steelers/2015/2/13/8026111/top-prospects-steelers-outside-linebacker[/URL]

[NorthCoast]

For what it's worth, he is how I see the top 10 going down at this point (with three 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB pass rushers coming off the board very early):

1. TB needs a QB. Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota

2. TEN also needs a QB. Whichever one of Winston or Mariota TB doesn't take.

3. JAX has drafted offensive heavy of late (Blake Bortles, Marquis Lee, Allen Robinson, Luke Joeckel, etc.), so defensive-oriented coach goes with the best defensive player on the board. Leonard Williams.

4. OAK signed a bunch of old guys to play defense last offseason. An elite young pass rusher to team up with Khalil Mack? Yes, please. Randy Gregory or Shane Ray.

5. WAS still has Ryan Kerrigan, but will likely allow the injury prone Brian Orakpo to leave via free agency. Whichever one of Gregory or Ray OAK doesn't take.

6. NYJ needs a legit #1 WR because Eric Decker is a solid #2 but not a #1. Amari Cooper.

7. CHI is transitioning to a 3-4 D. An elite level NT is very hard to find, but one happens to be here. Danny Shelton.

8. ATL just hired a defensive minded head coach because their defense was flat out awful. It all starts with a pass rush. Dante Fowler.

9. NYG could use an upgrade a tackle over Will Beatty. Imagine if Eli has time to throw deep balls to Odell Beckham and Victor Cruz. Andrus Peat or Brandon Scherff.

10. STL just drafted Greg Robinson last year, but there are still questions about their other tackle spot since Jake Long is older and seemingly always hurt, Rodger Saffold was moved inside to guard, and Joseph Barksdale is a free agent. Whichever one of Peat or Scherff NYG doesn't take.

A dumb question, but why does it seem it's always the same teams drafting at the top? A few newcomers I suppose in ATl and CHI, but for the most part same teams year after year. If all these first round picks are so great, why don't we see these teams improve and move out of the top 10?

[Slapstick]

It could be several reasons: front office/coaching turnover (Browns are the poster children) or just plain bad drafting...drafting for news instead of drafting for value, which I have seen several of those habitually top drafting teams do over the last few years...

[Iron City Inc.]

I have nothing against Eli Harold. In fact I like him and he will likely go in the 2nd or 3rd round. He wasn't doubled much because of the other olb on that team named Max Valles. Now Valles did get doubled a lot and when he did he got stoned. However he was still disruptive ( 4 batted passes in the Louisville game) for example. Now he wont be at the combine. He declared late and only played 2 years at Virginia. I think he has a higher ceiling then Harold. He played stand up DE and he stays on his feet and can rush the passer and find the ball. Now can he play backing up? Not sure about that but as a mid rounder he has excellent potential. He is on the lean side at 6 5 240 but he looks like he can change direction well enough...hell our olb's do not cover a lot so stacking and sealing the edge is something he fits the mold with. Has some length and can turn the corner. Had 9 sacks in 14.
He likely would have done himself better staying in school an extra year however getting a player in the 4th or 5th round who would likely have gotten drafted much higher in 16 may be worth the investment.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I have nothing against Eli Harold. In fact I like him and he will likely go in the 2nd or 3rd round. He wasn't doubled much because of the other olb on that team named Max Valles. Now Valles did get doubled a lot and when he did he got stoned. However he was still disruptive ( 4 batted passes in the Louisville game) for example. Now he wont be at the combine. He declared late and only played 2 years at Virginia. I think he has a higher ceiling then Harold. He played stand up DE and he stays on his feet and can rush the passer and find the ball. Now can he play backing up? Not sure about that but as a mid rounder he has excellent potential. He is on the lean side at 6 5 240 but he looks like he can change direction well enough...hell our olb's do not cover a lot so stacking and sealing the edge is something he fits the mold with. Has some length and can turn the corner. Had 9 sacks in 14.
He likely would have done himself better staying in school an extra year however getting a player in the 4th or 5th round who would likely have gotten drafted much higher in 16 may be worth the investment.

NFLDraftScout has him listed as a 5th or 6th round prospect. Could a solid day 3 value if we use our early picks on a couple of DB's, a young TE to be Heath's heir apparent, and a solid backup RB prospect to fill in for Bell while he is suspended.

[hawaiiansteel]

Projecting OLBs a tough task for GMs

by Ray Fittipaldo

In the early days of the Bill Cowher era the Steelers were able to wait until the later rounds of the draft to select outside linebackers. The Steelers were one of only a few teams in the NFL to employ the 3-4 defense, and as a result, 3-4 outside linebackers were not in high demand.

The Steelers drafted Jason Gildon, Joey Porter and Mike Vrabel in the third round. When they made a mistake on an outside linebacker, such as selecting Steven Conley in the third round in 1996, it didn’t sting as much because they had higher picks to address other needs.

As more teams began using the 3-4 defense the Steelers were forced to use higher picks on outside linebackers. In 2003, the Steelers missed when they drafted Alonzo Jackson in the second round with the No. 59 overall pick, but that didn’t wreck their draft because they hit big-time in the first round on Troy Polamalu.

In 2007 and 2010 they selected LaMarr Woodley and Jason Worilds in the second round. Woodley was very good for a few years and helped the Steelers win a Super Bowl. Worilds has come into his own the past two seasons after a slow start to his career.

In those years the Steelers took future Pro Bowlers Lawrence Timmons and Maurkice Pouncey in the first round.

Now, with more than half the league running a 3-4, teams, including the Steelers, are drafting outside linebackers in the first round. That puts a lot more pressure on scouts and general managers to get their evaluations right.

Teams no longer can afford to make a bad evaluation on an outside linebacker. If they do, it has the potential to adversely affect their team for years to come.

In 2013, the Steelers selected outside linebacker Jarvis Jones in the first round. In his first two NFL seasons Jones has three sacks.

Jones was handed a starting job as a rookie, but had to be replaced early in the season because he was ineffective. He was named a starter again last season, but a wrist injury forced him to miss nine games in the middle of the season. He never regained his starting job.

The jury remains out on Jones, but he is trending more toward bust than good pick at this point.

The Steelers are not the only team in recent years to invest first-round picks on edge rushers and come away disappointed. The No. 3 overall pick in 2013 was Dion Jordan, who also has just three sacks in his first two seasons. Barkevious Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick of the Browns, had just two sacks in 11 starts last season and just seven overall in his first two seasons. Bjoern Werner, the No. 24 overall pick, has 6 ½ sacks in his first two seasons and was inactive for the AFC championship game against the Patriots because he fell out of favor with the coaching staff by the end of the season.

The only edge rusher from the first round in 2013 who can be considered a good pick at this point is Ziggy Ansah of the Lions. Ansah, who was No. 5 overall, has 15 ½ sacks.

The 2012 edge rushers selected in the first round did not fare much better. That group includes Bruce Irvin, Quinton Coples, Melvin Ingram, Shea McClellin, Chandler Jones and Whitney Mercilus. Irvin, Coples and Mercilus have been good but not great. The best of that group so far is Jones, who has 23 ½ sacks for the Patriots in three seasons.

Of the rookie edge rushers from last season only Khalil Mack had a really good year. The jury remains out on No. 1 overall pick Jadaveon Clowney, Dee Ford, Demarcus Lawrence and other first-rounders.

The Steelers once again are in the market for an outside linebacker. Jarvis Jones is the only outside linebacker under contract for next season. Even if the Steelers re-sign Worilds they need to rebuild depth at the position.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock addressed the issues teams have evaluating edge rushers and pointed out some problems with the top prospects in this year’s draft as they transition to the NFL.

The top edge rusher prospects are Randy Gregory of Nebraska, Shane Ray of Missouri, Dante Fowler Jr. of Florida and Vic Beasley of Clemson.

“It's a hard evaluation,” Mayock said. “First and foremost, you have to be a great pass rusher or have the ability to become a great pass rusher. I think when you look at Fowler, Gregory and Ray, all three of them can. The second thing is you've got to be tough enough and big enough to set a physical edge. That's why I get nervous a little bit about Gregory, Ray, Vic Beasley. Let's see what they weigh [at the combine] and what their body types look like. Because in the NFL, you've got to be able to play the run game and go up against those big tackles and guards and hold your own. You get a little nervous.

“So a guy like Vic Beasley, who is a gifted, gifted pass-rusher, if he's only 230, and doesn't have the explosion to get under people and play with leverage and power, it's hard to say that he's going to translate to the NFL. I think guys have to bring power and strength into the equation, and sometimes that gets overlooked.”

The Steelers know that all too well. The main criticism of Jones through two seasons is his physical stature and his inability to get off blocks in the run game and to generate second moves on the pass rush after his initial rush is thwarted.

Jones can still become an effective player for the Steelers, but his early struggles illustrate the problems with selecting edge rushers in the first round. It’s a hard evaluation and it’s much more difficult for teams to overcome mistakes in the first round than the second or third round.

[URL]http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/steelers-steelers-blog/2015/02/17/Projecting-OLBs-a-tough-task-for-GMs/stories/201502170004[/URL]

[Iron City Inc.]

NFLDraftScout has him listed as a 5th or 6th round prospect. Could a solid day 3 value if we use our early picks on a couple of DB's, a young TE to be Heath's heir apparent, and a solid backup RB prospect to fill in for Bell while he is suspended.

He likely will test well and could move up a round or so. But this is what I like about this draft we do NOT have to reach for a pass rusher in the first there are a few hybrids out there who could be had later and that just may allow us to fix the secondary with the early picks as you indicated.
However we have no clue how Colbert or Tomlin see this draft and as I've said before it never goes the way we think it should.

[Oviedo]

Projecting OLBs a tough task for GMs

by Ray Fittipaldo



The jury remains out on Jones, but he is trending more toward bust than good pick at this point.


[URL]http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/steelers-steelers-blog/2015/02/17/Projecting-OLBs-a-tough-task-for-GMs/stories/201502170004[/URL]

Fittipaldo must just be another "hater." Doesn't he know that poor Jarvis is just a victim of circumstances. Unfortunately for the team circumstances doesn't get sacks.

[Slapstick]

Fittipaldo must just be another "hater." Doesn't he know that poor Jarvis is just a victim of circumstances. Unfortunately for the team circumstances doesn't get sacks.

Jones can still become an effective player for the Steelers...

I'd say that Ray is 100% correct!

[hawaiiansteel]

Beasley's size comes into question this weekend

BY BRAD SENKIW
Anderson Independent Mail, S.C.February 17, 2015

College football's top defense of 2014 will also be the most represented at this week's NFL combine.

Clemson will have six former defenders (the most from any team) and one punter participating in the critical pre-draft athletic showcase this weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana. No Tiger is being more scrutinized by NFL draft pundits, scouts and team executives than Vic Beasley, the talented pass rusher who profiles as an outside linebacker at the next level and is trying to solidify a first-round selection.

"The concern around the league is whether or not he's underpowered," NFL Network's Mike Mayock said Monday. "So it will be interesting to see what he weighs. Is he 240 pounds or is he 230 pounds? And I think that's a difference. How strong is he in the weight room?

"I know one thing, he's got an ability, a natural quickness and innate ability to rush the quarterback. However, he's got to show more consistent power, especially against the run game."

Where Beasley, a four-year end at Clemson who owns the school record of 33 career sacks, could end up playing on Sundays is all over the place. All four NFL.com analysts have Beasley, an All-American, going in the first round of their mock drafts. Two have him as high as No. 8 to the Atlanta Falcons. The other two analysts see Beasley going later in the first to either Pittsburgh (No. 22) or Indianapolis (29). Bleacher Report's NFL draft writer Matt Miller said the only way Beasley reaches his top 10 after the combine is if he runs weighs in at 245 pounds and runs a sub-4.5 40-yard dash. Mayock thinks if Beasley comes in "undersized" this week it could hurt his stock because teams get nervous about players who aren't big enough to fight off blockers.

"So a guy like Vic Beasley, who is a gifted, gifted pass-rusher, if he's only 230, and doesn't have the explosion to get under people and play with leverage and power, it's hard to say that he's going to translate to the NFL," said Mayock, who has Beasley ranked fourth among edge rushers. "I think guys have to bring power and strength into the equation, and sometimes that gets overlooked."

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., who has Beasley going 21st overall to Cincinnati, doesn't see that as an issue.

"Bottom line with Vic Beasley is he has strength," Kiper said. "He plays a lot bigger than he shows in terms of his on-the-paper measurables. He is strong. He is chiseled and he's a guy that's going to surprise offensive tackles with his explosiveness and with his power. You know he has speed and quickness off the edge. He's a natural pass rusher."

That's one of the most coveted traits in the NFL. In a game where passing dominates the league, being able to get to the quarterback is why several analysts have compared Beasley to Denver LB Von Miller, who's recorded 49 sacks in his first four seasons.

The rest of Clemson's combine attendees are performing for draft positioning this week. Linebacker Stephone Anthony is projected to go anywhere from the second to fourth round while and DT Grady Jarrett could go as high as the third.

[URL]http://www.thestate.com/2015/02/17/3993892_beasleys-size-comes-into-question.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

James C Wexell @jimwexell -

“@sch_1989: @jimwexell Beasley weighing in at he did at 246 lbs makes you like him more at 22, right?” Yes, but still a blindside rusher. Jarvis Jones.

[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

DJackson @action4life -

#Steelers Met With #Arkansas DE/OLB Trey Flowers At Combine

[URL]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/02/steelers-met-with-arkansas-deolb-trey-flowers-at-combine/[/URL] …"

[SteelBuckeye]

James C Wexell @jimwexell -

“@sch_1989: @jimwexell Beasley weighing in at he did at 246 lbs makes you like him more at 22, right?” Yes, but still a blindside rusher. Jarvis Jones.

[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell[/URL]

That's the problem. They've gotten away from the idea of bringing in guys to make the incumbent "compete" for a job. If Beasley is the BPA at 22, you take him. He and Jones can battle it out to see who gets the spot. The competition can only make them both better and in the event that the starter goes down, you have a competent backup and aren't calling James Harrison out of retirement to save your bacon.

[Shoe]

That's the problem. They've gotten away from the idea of bringing in guys to make the incumbent "compete" for a job. If Beasley is the BPA at 22, you take him. He and Jones can battle it out to see who gets the spot. The competition can only make them both better and in the event that the starter goes down, you have a competent backup and aren't calling James Harrison out of retirement to save your bacon.

No, it's just hard to justify having two #1s go at it. Especially when the two aren't Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas. Whoever would win this competition, it wouldn't be like we have an impact guy at that position. While I don't consider Jarvis a bust, I think we have a good idea of his ceiling... I don't see him becoming James Harrison-level impact, nor Greg Lloyd or even Peezy-level. I can see him becoming a Jason Gildon-level guy (which of course is fine), or slightly below Peezy.

As for OLB, I'd be fine with Jarvis on the right... and going into camp with:
-a veteran like Moats
-the CFL guy we just got
-Howard Jones, the guy who was making waves last preseason
-Zumwalt
-and keeping Harrison's phone number on speed dial

[hawaiiansteel]

2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: DE Eli Harold

Even in this exciting class of edge rushers, Eli Harold's elite athleticism, relentless motor, and quickly-developing pass rush skills make him one of the most tantalizing prospects in the 2015 draft.



College: Virginia
Class: Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 245

College Stats

2014: 57 tackles, 7 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
2013: 51 tackles, 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
2012: 36 tackles, 7 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Strengths

Ideal frame/length for 3-4 OLB
Fantastic agility and feet to maneuver around blockers, A+ movements skills and COD ability
Tremendous all-around athlete
Excellent speed and quickness off the edge, first step is explosive
Top notch bend/flexibility around the edge, will shoulder dip with great timing and close quickly off the corner
Quick and powerful hands, increasingly violent and aggressive with hand usage as his career has gone on
Can run the arc to the quarterback and still show the strength, focus, and hand usage to swat aside the OT’s punch while bending the edge
Relentless motor and tremendous competitor
Will make plays in pursuit from the backside
Packs a punch when he hits
Uses length well to keep lineman’s hands off his frame
Effective blitzer off stunts and twists, great vision to find and attack quickest lane to the quarterback
Sets up his blockers, great footwork to feign an edge rush, then quickly counters back inside
Well-developed counter moves, has proven to be more than a one-trick pony off the edge
Has the movement skills to drop into coverage if needed
Mom died when he was 18, has driven him to succeed with an intense demeanor and work ethic

Weaknesses

Too aggressive as a tackler, over-pursues ball carriers due to out of control attempts, needs to learn to throttle down and make stops
Still learning to diagnose run plays/misdirections better, often too read to attack the first read he makes
Will lose outside containment by attacking offensive tackle’s inside shoulder recklessly
Struggles to shed blockers when they get their hands on his frame, (usually avoids them with quickness/hands)
Needs to add 10 pounds of muscle, especially in his lanky lower half
Simply eliminated in run defense too easily, needs to learn to play with leverage and better hands against the run
1st step is way too inconsistent, needs to improve get-off timing snap-to-snap
Lack of on-field discipline can be an issue in playing assignment-sound, and playing a little after the whistle (particularly QB late hits)
Doesn’t possess much of a bull rush, or have the ideal frame for it
Takes way too many false steps in run defense, will get caught out of position and exploited at times

Overview

Before folks get too up in arms about my praise of Harold’s overall game, it’s important to understand context when watching him on tape. A good portion of his struggles against the run came when he was lined up with his hand down as a five technique, a position he won’t be placed in at the NFL level. Harold projects much more favorably as a 3-4 OLB, where he can use his length, movement skills and ferocity to attack the edge against outside runs, while reading and reacting to attack gaps rather than eat up blockers.

Where he will need to improve still is in his discipline, both in his diagnosis of plays and in his tackling technique. Too often Harold overruns ball carriers or takes false steps without properly reading the action, eliminating himself from the play or leaving cutback lanes open for runners. His energy and motor are certainly positives in his game, but he must learn to consistently throttle down and get his body behind his tackles. When he does that, Harold can really pack a punch with his well-built, 6’4, 245-pound frame.

Of course, as a pass rusher is where Harold really shines, showing elite bend and flexibility around the edge when cutting the corner on offensive linemen. His agility and change-of-direction skills are fantastic for an edge player, as Harold consistently shows the ability to win around the edge or counter back inside while keeping his opponent off balance. Few edge players in the draft set up their pass rushes better than Harold, who has the quick feet to jab step as if faking an outside rush, but then cuts quickly back inside before his blocker can adjust. His fluidity as an athlete and his ability to maneuver around blockers to get consistent pressure really jumps out on tape.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about Harold is how much he is improving as a pass rusher. His hand usage is light years beyond where it was when he was a freshman, as he consistently and quickly swats linemen’s hands aside even while bending the edge to disrupt the pocket. While it’s not his forte, Harold has even shown flashes of the ability to be violent enough with his hands to disengage from a lineman’s punch if the Virginia edge rusher fails to utilize his length to keep the blocker’s hands off his frame (which he also typically does very well). His vastly developing counter moves and solid functional strength have made his pass rush game much more well-rounded than many of the talented edge players in this year’s draft.

Even as a pass rusher, Harold still has a few areas to grow. He could really benefit from an added 10-15 pounds of muscle, especially in his lower half, as he lacks the leg strength to really drive opposing linemen off the ball. Couple that added strength with learning how to play with leverage more consistently, and Harold could add a bull rush to his already fearsome repertoire of pass rush skills. You’d also like to see him finish the job a little more consistently, as his numerous pressures only resulted in good, but not great sack numbers in college. A little bit of added strength and better body control should do the trick.

The bonus to all this is that Harold just turned 21 years old about two weeks ago, so he is still very young and his upside is substantial. It may take him a year to add the lower body strength and gain the experience to be a starting outside linebacker, but his impact will be felt sooner rather than later. His well-developed pass rushing skills, elite athleticism, and relentless motor make him one of the top edge prospects in the draft.

Projection: 1st round

[URL]http://profootballspot.com/_/nfl-draft/scouting-reports/de/2015-nfl-draft-scouting-report-de-eli-harold-r5801[/URL]