The NFL draft process can make or break a prospect’s chances of maximizing their draft slot, but Penn State edge rusher [autotag]Adisa Isaac[/autotag] has seemingly done all the right things up to this point. He had a strong Senior Bowl where he measured in bigger than expected, and his gifts as an athlete shined in one-on-ones.
As teams digest his tape, they will naturally be looking for a current NFL player to compare him to as a way to determine his fit. One player I expect them to see a lot of in his game is New York Jets edge rusher Bryce Huff. Huff is an undersized but very explosive pass rusher that has made his mark in the NFL as a “designated pass rusher”, meaning he primarily plays on expected pass downs.
By limiting his snaps and allowing him to pin his ears back and get after the quarterback, they mitigated his weakness as a run defender. Isaac could benefit from a similar role. His skills as a pure rusher are very clear, but his ability to hold up in run defense is a question mark. Even though being labeled as “just” a pass rusher could be considered a negative for his draft stock, the NFL is increasingly a passing league. Every team will tell you that they could use more guys who can quickly and efficiently pressure the quarterback.
Huff himself wasn’t even drafted because of his measurables, but he made the Jets as a UDFA and has broken out with 10 sacks this past season. Isaac could provide a similar impact for a team, and that ability will likely make him a top-60 pick. Isaac even has a bigger frame and longer arms, so he could be an even better version of what Huff has become.
Isaac could still show improvement as a run defender as he develops at the next level, but even without adding that to his game, he can have an impact on any NFL team.