2022 NFL Scouting Combine: Edge Rusher Notes
The 2022 NFL Scouting Combine is on the home stretch. It looked for a minute that we were in danger of even getting a combine this year. That was before the NFL decided to cancel on their stupid bubble idea.
The third day of the combine includes the defensive line, edge rushers, and linebackers. The post gets too long if we don’t do a separate one for the edge rushers, so here we are. Let’s go over those edge notes!
* I also admittedly missed some of the edge rusher linebacker drills in coverage. This shit is way too long to do all these notes by myself with no help while I have no ability to pause the telecast.
Jesse Luketa got hurt on the 40. Shame because he had a monster Senior Bowl.
Fast
Anybody know where this Amaré Barno came from. Quite literally every single Virginia Tech guy here so far has been ass. Then this dude is over here running 4.36. Thought the on field was average. Really fast. But faster than quick.
Freaks
Travon Walker was the winner of the day. Dude is looooong. 35 inch arms. Can sink the hips. So smooth. Good change of direction. Very Nimble. Not super tight around the corner. 4.51 is a freakish time at 270. Think I wrote smooth 12 times. Even really good in coverage. 35 inch vert. Wow.
I don’t exactly know why Kayvon Thibodeaux didn’t work out but I’m not going to hold that against him. His 40 time was on point. He also had a 1.59 ten yard time so does it really matter that he didn’t work out? I know the guy is a freak show. There’s two guys I can remember ever that had a 1.5something time. Nick Bosa and Trey Hendrickson. I want in.
Good
Aiden Hutchinson belongs here… maybe. Sometimes I see TJ Watt. Sometimes I see Paul Kruger. Look, I think he’s good. He’s not a combine warrior. Not twitchy. Good athlete. Jump numbers were good (36 vert). Hand work way more impressive. Quick hands and tight around the bend. Better than expected during coverage. Good not great hips. Do want to reiterate I like him. He’s also on the TB12 sooo.
Bad To Meh
Maybe not so bad but Gunter from Coastal but bad rip move. Decent change of direction. Just no wow.
I don’t know with David Ojabo. Fast and can move. Not polished at all. Sticks out like a sore thmb. Really high but flexible. I don’t think his knee bend is bad. I just think there’s going to be some patience needed here.
Paschal from Kentucky. Tripping over bags but good in power. Did okay in coverage.
Dominique Robinson slow start stop. Not a chain reaction. Moves good but not perfect.
This Tyreke Smith was fine. Actually ok in the coverage drills. Average get off. Power hands. Bad stop starts. Can attempt to bend his knees. Better in space.
Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa looks like a try hard rotational guy at the next level. Fast but not in control. Good hips. Not perfect. Hand technique far from ideal.
No Thanks
Kingsley Enagbare is worthless. I don’t think I would even draft him. Slow both short and long speed. Not twitchy. Bad in the drills. Too tight. Can’t open up at all. Not strong enough. No thanks.
228 is too thin. Sorry but I can’t have an edge rusher that thin. Didn’t look great in the drills. I know he can bullrush but this wasn’t great. You’re not overpowering NFL tackles. Bad stop starts. Ankle flection just ok. Eyes down in the drills.
Don’t love this Williams from Arkansas. Lot of guessing in the drills. Slow to react. Balance was off. Falling over. His feet stink. Really hesitant. Clumsy. Bad, bad, bad.
Other
Thomas Booker looks like an interior guy. Not sure why he was in this group. Did like his low center of gravity during the drills.
No 40 times from DeAngelo Malone (not sure why cause he looks fast). Couple stumbles in the drills but really good mover and looks bendy.
No 40 time from Arnold Ebiketie either. Thought he wowed too. Wasn’t so impressed during the Senior Bowl. Hell of a workout 38 on the vert. 10’8″ on the broad. Hell of an athlete. Good hips. Able to really sink and get out. Motor is there. Choppy feet. Good in the linebacker drills. Really light on the feet. Bit high. Crazy day.
No 40 from George Karlaftis. Didn’t love the workout. Wild hands. I think I wrote that down about five times. Looks long but serious back bender. Far from polished. Seems like a huge risk I’m not willing to take.
No 40 from Thomas. Hurt on the very first drill. Didn’t look good doing it either. Sad.
Vendetta’s Top 5 Edge Rushers:
1. Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
2. Travon Walker (Georgia)
3. Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
4. Jermaine Johnson (Florida State) *his notes will be in the linebacker section.
5. DeAngelo Malone (Western Kentucky)
