Former Texas edge rusher Joseph Ossai’s draft stock has steadily risen over the last few months.
Ossai hasn’t had the privilege to partake in the typical pre-draft process due to COVID-19 implications, but he’ll have his lone chance to impress NFL scouts and executives during his pro day on campus in Austin.
Texas’ standout versatile defender played three years on the Forty Acres and appeared in 36 games with 24 starts. He compiled 165 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Over the last month, numerous well-respected NFL draft analysts have projected Ossai to be taken off of the board between the tail end of the first round or early second round of the 2021 NFL draft.
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks recently pegged Ossai in the first round at No. 32 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Shaquil Barrett due to become a free agent this offseason, the Buccaneers could snag Ossai to replace his production off the edge.
It all depends how the draft plays out in front of him, but Ossai’s talents are clearly worthy of being selected on day one. NFL draft scout Matt Miller recently confirmed this notion by stating that Ossai belongs in the first round, but he can’t quite find the right landing spot for him.
Players I like in Round 1 range that I always have a hard time fitting into a Round 1 mock pre-free agency:
Christian Barmore
Joseph Ossai
Trevon Moehrig
Jevon Holland
Pat Freiermuth
Travis Etienne— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) January 31, 2021
Ossai earned All-America honors from CBS Sports/247Sports, ESPN, and was a second-team selection by USA Today after an impressive junior campaign. He concluded the 2020 season with 55 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass breakups and recovered one fumble.