Scouts via McGinn on the edges, excerpts
4. MYKEL WILLIAMS, Georgia (6-5, 267, 4.77, 1): Suffered an ankle injury in the opener, missed time and played 12 games. At the combine, he said he was “less than 60%” for the balance of the season. “He’s been beat-up,” one scout said. “He just doesn’t have the production you would expect out of his traits. I interviewed him. He got really fired up when I started asking him about teams banging on him on production. He said, ‘I can’t wait for this. I played what the coaches told me to play. I two-gapped a lot and they put me inside a lot of times. I’m an edge rusher, and I can have 10 sacks on the edge.’
5. JAMES PEARCE, Tennessee (6-5, 248, 4.48, 1): Third-year junior, one-year starter. “He’s talented — really talented,” one scout said. “Built like an NFL player. He’s got twitch, can get off the ball, got production. Some scouts are worried about the guy. I was at a game and the guy was just a complete Lone Ranger. ...By himself on the sideline, standing 20 yards from anybody on his team. Didn’t look like he cared at all. Claims he was a captain and a leader and all that stuff, but it’s just one of those things that he might just have been anointed that versus earning it. Traits-wise, he’s for sure first round.” ... You ask somebody there: ‘Hey, if you had a chance to come to the league, would you bring this guy?’ They’re, like, ‘Absolutely not.’ On his own program. The whole team’s working out and he’s in his apartment. They didn’t know where he was.”
6. MIKE GREEN, Marshall (6-3, 248, no 40, 1-2): His 17 sacks in 2024 led FBS. “He’s my No. 2 edge,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t want him as a D-end but he could be a difference-maker as a 3-4 linebacker. Hell of a player. He’s probably got the best pass-rush arsenal of all these guys. He’s a menace. Former high-school wrestler, and you see that the way he can use his hands and get off things.... “He’s got the character issue,” said a third scout. “Nothing ever came of it legally but there’s a lot of smoke. He’s got some problems.
7. JT TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State (6-4, 264, no 40, 1): “He’s tough as hell. He’s rugged. Got great technique and instinct. He’s got jolt at the point of attack. Got decent enough range. More of a power rusher but he’s got a little bend and a little slip-and-dip. He’s nonstop. Always factors, always shows up. Has the type of game that will transfer well to the NFL.
8. LANDON JACKSON, Arkansas (6-6, 266, 4.68, 2): “Tough guy, brings energy,” one scout said. “Not that athletic for an edge. Little bit upright and rigid. At the point of attack he’s too high. Doesn’t have that leverage, but he fights. If he can get his long arms on you he has a chance. Angle blocks get him just because of the body frame. As a rusher, he uses his hands really well but just isn’t explosive getting around the edges. Big, tough, smart. There’s a role for him. He’ll never be a star or a top talent, but the type guy that will make other people around him look better.” ... Uses his hands and length really well. Stiff in change of direction... Just more of an effort guy as a pass rusher. Better against the run.
9. NIC SCOURTON, Texas A&M (6-2 ½, 257, no 40, 2): “He’s combative,” one scout aid. “Can hold the point of attack. More power as a pass rusher but doesn’t have many moves. He’s got to be a 3-4 D-end. You’re hoping he develops into one. Five-technique. He might get taken in the first.” Declined to run a 40 at the combine and pro day. “More disruptive than productive,” said a second scout. “Tough and physical. Plays hard. Inconsistent breaking down on the quarterback when he gets there. On the ground a lot... . He’s a rotational guy. Fourth or fifth round.” Arms were 33, hands were 10. Won’t be 21 until August.
10. DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, Boston College (6-2 ½, 248, no 40, 2-3): “Exceptionally good with his hands,” said one scout. “Really bendy. He’s a riser. It’s all on the come. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger. But you see the frame, you see the technique and hand use. All positives on the character. Just where he is in the run game and he’s not the elite athlete that Pearce is but he just makes you feel a little more comfortable. Highly productive and a great kid. Sometimes that weighs in more than you think. You see that all the time.”
11. JOSAIAH STEWART, Michigan (6-1, 245, no 40, 2-3): “I hate small guys but, man, he’s fast … he’s special … he’s strong,” said one scout. “His burst and his getoff are as good as it gets. He’s going to be an undersized edge. The question is whether he’s going to be an every-down guy. For certain defenses he might not fit. He’s gonna get out-bigged and overwhelmed setting an edge. He’s a potential starter initially but he must be a total fit for a team.” Arms were just 31 7/8, hands were 9 ½. “He’s actually one of the better players,” a second scout said. “He’s a better player than (Jalon) Walker is. Just a tough little guy. Strong as hell.
12. JACK SAWYER, Ohio State (6-4, 260, no 40, 2-3): He’s so technically sound in what he does. All it takes is one bad set, one bad footwork and he will beat you because his level of consistency will be better than a lot of these tackles. Kind of that second-tier, three-down defensive end.” Shortest arms of the top 20 edges at 31 3/4. “Not great, not ideal, but they’re not all perfect,” a second scout said in reference to the arm length. “Outside as a rusher he didn’t show a lot during the season but in the playoffs he had a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Tough, rugged run defender. Separates from blocks.
Femi Oladejo, UCLA (6-3, 261, no 40)
Said one scout: “He played stack linebacker for three seasons (two at Cal) and edge for one. More of a run defender than a pass rusher relying on his power and length (33 3/8 arms). Just the lack of awareness and instincts kind of limits his production. When he gets to the NFL he’s going to have to choose between football and this faith-based group that has been banned from college campuses across the country. It is probably not ideal for him.”
Which prospect with red flags is worth the gamble? Tennessee's James Pearce & Marshall's Mike Green are igniting lively debate in draft meetings. Scouts tell all to our Bob McGinn.
www.golongtd.com
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch...31-f916-47a6-8b8f-62d56b4967f4_5388x3592.jpeg
 }})
The Rook
