2023 Senior Bowl Scouting Post-Event Re-grade: The Edge/Pass Rushers (EDGE)
Leading up to Senior Bowl week, I do 15-30 minutes of scouting preview work on each prospect set to attend -- watching a couple game tapes and looking over some performance data, etc., and then I give each prospect a pre-event scouting grade for the NFL based on that brief look.
After we scout their performance at the Senior Bowl week of practices, drills, etc., we update the grades and comments and re-rank. We continue to go through the same process for the NFL Combine, as we build a study for 2023 draft prospects until we ultimately choose to do an even deeper study of certain prospects and publish a full scouting report and run our computer scouting models for numerical grades on over 600+ prospects for the NFL Draft.
After watching the Senior Bowl practices live and on tape, I’ve re-graded the group and added new commentary where needed. This is a very brief look for me, as a scout, to start to build my data and scouting notes for the weeks and months ahead, and to be ready to focus in on certain prospects in Mobile that are jumping at me from the early preview.
This is a second look (for me) at these prospects from a Senior Bowl perspective. We’ll be looking at them again for the NFL Combine coming up…as we build our scouting profile and metrics on these prospects. My impressions/grading can and will change as we go through the year-long process.
Post-Senior Bowl week, here are my impressions, re-grades, and re-ranking of each position (except O-Line, we’ll look at OLs after the Combine).
The Edge/Pass Rushers…
EDGE Derick Hall, Auburn (Post-SB Grade: B+/B, Pre-SB Grade: B+)
2022: 41 solo/19 asst tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 2 FF
6’3”/252
Projected 40-time: XXX
Projected 3-Cone: XXX
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 50
Post-SB comments:
Totally chiseled body. Very nice movement skills, but he wasn’t dominating the 1-on-1s and 11-on-11s as much as I hoped. But athletically, the ‘look’…is there. I think he left Mobile early/didn’t stay for the game. A sign of a guy who thinks he did enough or didn’t need to prove anything else.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Could be an ‘A’ grade after we get his Combine data, and with more study. Great get-off on the snap. Excellent acceleration when he gets a sliver of a path to get to the QB. Changes directions deftly for a man his size. He really looks good as a 4-3 DE prospect…possible is fine as a 3-4 OLB as well.
NFL Comp? = Harold Landry
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/cA2Durc4Fl8
EDGE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame (Post-SB Grade: B, Pre-SB Grade: B)
2022: 23 solo, 21 asst tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 1 FF
6’5”/262
Projected 40-time: 4.6+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 30
Post-SB comments:
Everybody knew his name. Everyone pre-loved him going in. I just never saw any greatness on display. He’s good. He’s built right. He’s an NFL player for sure, but I didn’t see any ‘wow’ here.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Foskey is good…I didn’t see great. He has good acceleration, really good long speed -- he can chase things down really well. He is a solid pass rusher, but he plays the rest of the game (the run, covering) well too. He’s promising in all phases, and that’s what makes him solid prospect.
NFL Comp? = Sam Hubbard
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/90tglksH9kE
EDGE Keion White, Georgia Tech (Post-SB Grade: B-, Pre-SB Grade: C)
2022: 29 solo/25 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks
6’5”/280
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
Post-SB comments:
Weighed in 13 pounds thicker and an inch taller than list…he was the buzzworthy edge before they even hit the field on his weigh in. Everyone watched White intently, in drills, and he did OK…but no domination detected.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
An NFL build and nice NFL-level movement skills. He’s a former TE who still looks like he’s learning his craft -- he has little moves/techniques but uses strength/size/power to get to the backfield. He’s a draft and hope-to-develop type prospect…at a size, athleticism that likely winds him up as a day two pick.
NFL Comp? = Quincy Roche
EDGE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech (Post-SB Grade: B-/C+, Pre-SB Grade: B-/C+)
2022: 36 solo/25 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks (10g)
6’6”/275
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 10
Post-SB comments:
Did not attend. He’s flying up draft boards so much that he didn’t need to attend to disrupt that momentum or get exposed.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
I was excited for this preview. Wilson being a consensus top 10 prospect and some saying he could be a sleeper top 1-2-3. So, I watched, ready to love…and then at a certain point I wondered if I had the right tape. This guy is a top 10 prospect?
Good size, obviously. Great reach. No real explosion off the snap or giving better blockers much trouble. For college he is big and strong, a giant mass pushing blockers and a guy who can reach long…but I didn’t see any world domination or guy who might take the NFL by storm. I’ll see how he does in Mobile, but not that impressed at first glance. Has a body to work with for the pros, but he cannot be a top guy that I see. Not enough juice in his movement.
NFL Comp? = Jonah Williams
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/ui3p6TBo3aM
EDGE Andre Carter, Army (Post-SB Grade: C+, Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 23 solo, 18 asst tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks
6’6”/252
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.4+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 100
Post-SB comments:
I saw some moments from Carter that really won me over…and others that scared me. Sometimes he is this 6’6” tower that’s a fleet-of-foot, hard to keep up with edge rusher…other times he seems like a tall/lanky/thinner-framed, too easy to block edge rusher. There are definitely skills to work with here.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
A tall but lanky edge prospect…possibly a little too lanky/thin. Needs some body work. He has pretty fast feet for his tall/lanky body type. Can make moves on the pass rush but also drops back in coverage and is pretty good at it. There’s definitely something intriguing here, but we need more data.
NFL Comp? = A quick, thinner version of Tanoh Kpassagnon?
EDGE Byron Young, Tennessee (Post-SB Grade: C+, Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 22 solo, 15 asst tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks (13g)
6’2”/248
Projected 40-time: 4.6+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
Post-SB comments:
Boy, he is so quick, so speedy off the snap…is like a Tasmanian Devil off the snap. He wasn’t always winning, but his speedy get-off was putting blockers on the defensive right away a lot of the time.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Really muscular, thick framed edge rusher with a great-looking, NFL desired lower body design. He’s quick and powerful off the edge. Not filled with technique yet, more just a power rusher…but he can learn moves. A very solid prospect with upside here.
NFL Comp? = Samson Ekubam
EDGE Isaiah McGuire, Missouri (Post-SB Grade: C+, Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 25 solo/15 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 2 FF (12g)
6’4”/271
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
Post-SB comments:
A good NFL body…a thick base. Good drive/leg power against his blockers. There’s real NFL hope here.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
A great power rushing prospect. Nothing fancy on his college tape…just a ‘too strong’ pass rusher pushing his blocker backwards and trying to slide off that to get to the QB. He has a pretty solid get-off on the snap too. Might be a ‘B’ prospect…we’ll see how he does at the Senior Bowl week.
NFL Comp? = Has some Trey Hendrickson like hope.
EDGE K.J. Henry, Clemson (Post-SB Grade: C+, Pre-SB Grade: C+/C)
2022: 26 solo/25 asst tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 6 PDs
6’4”/247
Projected 40-time: 4.75+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.35+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 125
Post-SB comments:
Good movement skills. Good body. Didn’t do anything to set the world on fire but didn’t hurt himself either.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
NFL body. Nice motor. Well-built. Has good quickness. Everything looks solid but a lack of high production in a Clemson D-Line is concerning. He may shine at Mobile…if he doesn’t, he’s gonna fall to the 5th+ round on consistency concerns.
NFL Comp? = Terrell Lewis
EDGE Eku Leota, Auburn (Post-SB Grade: C, Pre-SB Grade: B-/C+)
2022: 14 solo, 4 asst tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks (5g) *Cut short with Pec injury
6’3”/255
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
Post-SB comments:
He still looks like a potential interior linebacker to me. Didn’t do anything too attention getting as a pass rusher here.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
A really smooth (in movement) 4-3 DE/EDGE rusher for Auburn but I could see some possibility of him transitioning to a middle linebacker position. Intriguing.
NFL Comp? = Jordan Willis...Zaven Collins?
Video highlights: https://youtu.be/pQ-00iUSR-s
EDGE Will McDonald, Iowa State (Post-SB Grade: C, Pre-SB Grade: C)
2022: 23 solo, 13 asst tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 5.0 sacks, 4 PDs
6’3”/241
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 100
Post-SB comments:
Showed his good movement skills but in 1-on-1 combat, he didn’t really stand out or burn his blockers.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Good size, nice acceleration. He looks like an NFL EDGE prospect, but I wasn’t as excited about his 2022 work as I was his 2021. He’s solid/useful, not sure he’s a star potential.
NFL Comp? = DeAngelo Malone
EDGE Tavius Robinson, Ole Miss (Post-SB Grade: C-, Pre-SB Grade: C)
2022: 16 solo/27 asst tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks (13g)
6’6”/257
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 250
Post-SB comments:
Has the size. OK enough movement skills. Just didn’t shine/standout during Senior Bowl week.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Played as a 3-4 DE on the tape I watched…which does not help EDGE production numbers, so his 6.0 sacks aren’t too bad coming as a 3-4 DE. He has nice length, decent movement skills…he’s an interesting prospect I wanna see as a 4-3 DE at the Senior Bowl, to see if he shines there. He might.
NFL Comp? = A skinnier Greg Rousseau possibly.
EDGE Yaya Diaby, Louisville (Post-SB Grade: C-, Pre-SB Grade: C-/D+)
2022: 22 solo/15 asst tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 9.0 sacks
6’3”/264
Projected 40-time: 4.75+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 200
Post-SB comments:
Showed some nice moves and techniques and overall puss rush ability. He might rise up more after the Combine.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
A downhill pass rusher…he’s constant energy trying to get to the backfield. He’s not overpowering or filled with great technique…he just ‘keeps coming’ and is a little slippery and persistent, and just finds his way to the backfield pretty well. May be better for college play and gets lost in the mix in the pros. There’s enough here on the preview to see how he translates at the Senior Bowl.
NFL Comp? = Mike Danna
EDGE Nick Hampton, Appalachian St (Post-SB Grade: C-/D+, Pre-SB Grade: D)
2022: 19 solo, 20 asst tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7.0 sacks, 3 FF
6’2”/236
Projected 40-time: 4.65+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
Post-SB comments:
Had, arguably, the fastest feet among the EDGE rushers in Mobile. I’m impressed. There’s hope. Size is tweener-ish.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
A kinda quick OLB/EDGE. Not overly fast or quick or big or powerful…just solid, in my first glance. Didn’t command my attention in the tape I watched.
NFL Comp? = Pick your undersized edge, who can’t really translate to pure linebacker.
EDGE Dylan Horton, TCU (Post-SB Grade: D+, Pre-SB Grade: D)
2022: 32 solo/19 asst tackles, 15.0 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, 4 PDs
6’4”/265
Projected 40-time: 4.8+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.6+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
Post-SB comments:
Wasn’t bad at all here. Showed some real spark/get-off in the drills…beating some blockers 1-on-1 with pure speed to the outside. The Combine might really help him. He looked quick and that’s with coming in 21 pounds over pre-list. He looked promising.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Maybe I had bad tape, but I saw nothing here. I was watching him against Michigan in the CFB playoffs and just shut off the tape halfway in because it was so dull. Then I look and see he had 4.0 sacks in the Michigan game. So, I went and finished the tape in case I missed something…but I didn’t finish it, because I shut it off again after a while. The sacks I saw were circumstantial and that this guy is every generic good DE who is too slow to be a real impact DE in the NFL. Maybe I’ll see something different at the Senior Bowl.
NFL Comp? = A guy we’ll never pay attention to nor will make it in the league, first impression.
EDGE Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern (Post-SB Grade: D+, Pre-SB Grade: C+)
2022: 27 solo/11 asst tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks
6’2”/284
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 100
Post-SB comments:
Still looks to me like a project or average pass rusher more than an exciting upside guy. We’ll see if the Combine reveals something more. He came in +19 pounds…he may be more of a 3-4 DE or moving to speedy/smaller 4-3 DT.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Solid build/frame for the NFL. Quick feet and good power pushing blockers backwards off the snap. Good tools to work with. But, if he’s so good…why such low output numbers? He tries to out-athlete his blockers and gets through some…but he didn’t show me high-end pass rush technique/ability -- but he can learn that.
NFL Comp? = Hopeful upside to be a Kwity Paye-like pass rusher.
EDGE Zach Harrison, Ohio State (Post-SB Grade: D+, Pre-SB Grade: D+)
2022: 20 solo/14 asst tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 4 PDs, 3 FF
6’5”/268
Projected 40-time: 4.8+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.4+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 75
Post-SB comments:
Did not attend. He has a ‘big school bump’ in his draft rankings, so he smartly stayed away from ruining it. Next stop, the Combine.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Has ‘height’ (6’6”) and ‘Ohio State’ in his favor…other than that, I don’t see anything too exciting here. He’s got an NFL body/reach, but more of a backup, developmental, situational edge player…doesn’t look like a ‘take the league by storm’ DE.
NFL Comp? = Slow Dion Jordan…memba him?
EDGE Thomas Incoom, C. Michigan (Post-SB Grade: D+, Pre-SB Grade: C-/D+)
2022: 31 solo/26 asst tackles, 19.0 sacks, 11.5 TFLs, 1 FF
6’2”/265
Projected 40-time: 4.75+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 275
Post-SB comments:
Showed some good get-off the snap but not much else after that. He got blocked pretty easily in most 1-on-1s. There’s still some hope, a spark here. Came in 2” shorter than list…doesn’t help.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Good size, long arms…shows some flashes of solid edge rush prospect but he had big moments in the MAC…we’ll see how he does against the SEC/power division blockers in Mobile.
NFL Comp? = Upside hope to be a Trevis Gipson
EDGE Ali Gaye, LSU (Post-SB Grade: D+, Pre-SB Grade: D+)
2022: 17 solo/19 asst tackles, 6.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF
6’5”/263
Projected 40-time: 4.8+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.2+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 150
Post-SB comments:
Has the look and a long, lean body that can add a bit more bulk…but nothing special occurred with him in Mobile. More of a ‘projection’ prospect.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Has the absolute size and look of a top NFL edge rusher, but rarely gets to the QB. Looks a little lost. Is too easily gobbled up by his opposing blocker. He’s a projection/hope-and-prayer prospect. Mobile could do wonders for him.
NFL Comp? = Kemoko Turay
EDGE D.J. Johnson, Oregon (Post-SB Grade: D+, Pre-SB Grade: C-/D+)
2022: 15 solo, 24 asst tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.0 sacks (11g)
6’4”/260
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.25+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 175
Post-SB comments:
Didn’t hardly remember any of his work. Watching some back on tape…’meh’.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
An athlete learning to be an edge rusher or OLB. He began his Oregon career at DE…then moved to TE for two seasons then to EDGE/OL as a senior/2022. He has some athleticism with NFL size…it’s raw and needs to be refined.
Mobile is an opportunity to shine…or he gets exposed as too raw or too miscast as a defender. He’s a projection prospect for the NFL.
NFL Comp? = With a lot of work maybe he can be a Joseph Ossai type of athlete EDGE/OLB?
EDGE Isaiah Land, Florida A&M (Post-SB Grade: D-, Pre-SB Grade: D+)
2022: 20 solo/asst tackles, 12 TFLs, 8.0 sacks, 2 PD, 1 FF (8g)
6’3”/226
Projected 40-time: 4.7+
Projected 3-Cone: 7.3+
Consensus mainstream NFL Draft ranking overall: top 275
Post-SB comments:
Too small for the edge in the NFL. Gonna need to go to linebacker. He got blocked around with ease in drills.
---------------------------
Pre-SB Comments:
Hard to fully project playing HBCU competition. Looks good for his level, did have 25.5 TFLs/19.0 sacks in 2021. The tape I saw was OK. Not a big monster sized EDGE…just pretty quick for HBCU. He’ll get a better shot to impress in Mobile.
NFL Comp? = Jabril Cox
