Fifth round: Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
Willekes is the ultimate function-over-form pass rusher. His unusual form helps, too. Willekes is at his best lining up in the Wide-9 (remember Jim Schwartz’s defense) in an almost impossibly low 3-point stance. He explodes out low and fast with better balance than seems possible.
Michigan State’s Kenny Willekes is flexing his muscles in Senior Bowl one-on-one’s pic.twitter.com/fiC7tn5Ndk
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 22, 2020
After that dynamic first step, Willekes is more about power and effort than speed. He’s got a decent combination of countermoves and never loses sight of the point of attack. Willekes continues to show the hunger and passion of a former walk-on.
The effort helps compensate for average athletic traits and a lack of creativity. He struggled against technically sound blockers and doesn’t have the power to consistently win inside. Willekes can infuse energy and some pass rush punch as a 20-snap sub each week in the way Anthony Zettel has carved an NFL career.