Tag: Gregory Rousseau

The riskiest boom-or-bust prospects in the 2021 NFL draft class

Which 2021 NFL draft prospects are the riskiest “boom-or-bust” players?

Every year, in every NFL draft, there are those players who present tantalizing athletic potential just as much as they put stuff on tape that make your eyes bleed. It happens at every position. There’s that quarterback who can make every throw — the good ones, and the bad ones. The running back who can blast through gaps at the line of scrimmage, but can’t get things going in the open field. The receiver who runs routes well, but doesn’t have the short-area quickness to gain separation. The cornerback or safety who allows as many big plays as he prevents. And on and on.

Last season, I had five such players on my list — the boom-or-bust guys who could alternately make their NFL teams shine with their greatness, and reduce the whole thing to rubble with the missing parts. And as it turns out, I have to take a MASSIVE “L” on Justin Herbert, who became a completely different quarterback with the Chargers once he got away from Oregon’s reduced passing game. And while I was concerned about the tackling abilities of former LSU and current Browns safety Grant Delpit, we never got to see how Delpit would develop in the NFL — he unfortunately missed his entire rookie season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Jordan Love got exactly zero passing attempts in his rookie campaign behind Aaron Rodgers, which leaves Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette, selected 19th overall by the Raiders, allowed one touchdown, had no interceptions, and gave up an opponent passer rating of 129.2 in nine games. Arnette had three games in which he allowed a passer rating of 39.6 or 0.0, and in his first NFL game, he gave up a perfect passer rating of 158.3. That’s about as boom-or-bust as you can get. And LSU edge-rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, selected one pick after Arnette by the Jaguars, had just one sack and 29 total pressures in 336 pass-rushing snaps.

So, the boom-or-bust picks from last season were pretty much… well, boom-or-bust. That’s the nature of the business when evaluating these types of players, and here are the riskiest such players in the 2021 class.

Bills Wire 2021 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: 5 different takes all go defense early

Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft mock draft series involves Jayson Oweh, Gregory Rousseau.

The 2021 NFL Draft is almost here. We’re a week away from the first round kicking off.

With the days and hours ticking away, here’s Bills Wire’s third and latest mock draft ahead of this year’s event. This time the group’s three-round guesses made using using The Draft Network’s draft simulator includes mocks from managing editor Nick Wojton, contributors Justin DiLoro and David De Cristofaro, podcast host Matt Johnson and guest insider Kyle Silagyi.

Here’s every pick made from the group for the Bills:

Daniel Jeremiah on the Eagles potentially drafting an edge rusher if they trade down from No. 12

Daniel Jeremiah on the Eagles potentially drafting an edge rusher if they trade down from No. 12

The Philadelphia Eagles have needs in the NFL draft and they could potentially trade down again from No. 12 overall to add more assets.

During his final predraft press conference, NFL Network draft guru and personnel expert, Daniel Jeremiah was asked about Philadelphia trading back from No. 12.

Jeremiah wouldn’t rule out the Eagles trading back and he wouldn’t rule out an edge rusher or defensive lineman based on needs and an aging roster.

Brandon Graham is almost done, while Josh Sweat and Derek Barnett are both set to become unrestricted free agents.

[listicle id=648600]

[lawrence-related id=648628,648624,648608,648594,648550]

 

Drew Rosenhaus weighs in on Gregory Rousseau’s NFL draft projections

Agent Drew Rosenhaus weighs in on where he expects Miami edge defender Gregory Rousseau to land in the 2021 NFL draft

Projections for where Miami edge defender Gregory Rousseau will land in the 2021 NFL draft have been all over the place in recent weeks, but his agent took to social media Wednesday morning to give his take.

Drew Rosenhaus says that multiple NFL teams have told him Rousseau will be their first-round pick if he’s on the board when they go on the clock.

Widely regarded as a potential top-10 pick and the top prospect at his position heading into last season, Rousseau opted out of the 2020 college football campaign, which may have impacted his draft stock.

We’ll see where he lands next weekend, but for now, his agent still sounds confident that his name will be called on the first night.

[vertical-gallery id=626760]

6 draft prospects for the Lions who opted out of playing in 2020

Here are six draft candidates for the Lions who opted out of playing in 2020

With a new front office regime in Detroit, it’s hard to know how GM Brad Holmes and the new-look Lions feel about 2021 NFL draft prospects who opted out of playing entirely in the 2020 college season. Several of those opt-outs, which were permitted due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, present draft dilemmas for Detroit and other NFL teams.

How much weight should be factored in for prospects who haven’t even practiced football in at least 15 months? Is the body of work on film from 2019 enough to prove worthy of the appropriate draft slot? Did the players do enough in interviews and workouts to ease any concerns over the opt-out?

Those are questions Holmes and the Lions must answer on several prominent prospects. Here are six draft candidates for the Lions who opted out of playing in 2020.

Updated ideal draft prospects for the Vikings after free agency moves

What do you want the Minnesota Vikings to do in the 2021 NFL draft? The Vikings could take Gregory Rousseau or Rashawn Slater at No. 14.

Minnesota is coming off a season where it had plenty of weaknesses exposed. The Vikings struggled to protect the quarterback and stop opposing offenses as Minnesota slipped to 7-9.

Now that the team has signed several big-name players this offseason, the Vikings don’t have as many holes to fill through the NFL draft.

There are still some weak spots on the team, though: like at offensive line, defensive end, wide receiver three and linebacker depth. Those spots will likely be filled by draftees.

So here is a list of some ideal draft prospects for the Vikings at No. 14 in the draft:

Adam Rank ponders with Chargers taking pass rusher in Round 1 in latest mock draft

Don’t count out the Los Angeles Chargers addressing the defensive line early on.

Just a month ago, there was a consistent trend of who the Chargers might select in this year’s draft, headlined by offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Rashawn Slater.

However, the narrative has taken a turn as mock drafts are now starting to shift to players like Jaycee Horn, Penei Sewell and most recently, Gregory Rousseau.

In NFL Media’s Adam Rank’s latest mock draft, he sees Los Angeles selecting Rousseau, the enticing edge defender out of Miami with their first-round pick.

Here’s what Rank wrote about the pairing:

There are a lot of different ways you could go here. I don’t mind taking a look at corner and offensive line. But you did a nice job on the line in free agency and should be set (or at least able to wait until the next couple of rounds to address the need). I really love Rousseau as a developing pass rusher. He is obviously a little bit green, but learning on the job across from Joey Bosa should speed up the process. And it’d give this L.A. team its own version of Aaron Donald/Leonard Floyd.

I sound like a broken record saying this, but I’m a firm believer that the Bolts need to get their franchise left tackle with the No. 13 overall selection. The ones projected to make it to Day 2 aren’t starter-worthy in their first seasons as pros. Good tackles will go early and often, and L.A. shouldn’t wait.

As for Rank’s pick, I get why head coach Brandon Staley would be enticed by the idea. While the defensive line has some talented pieces in place, Staley would love to get his hands on his own guy that can help in that department, and Rousseau fits the bill.

The 6-foot-4 and 265-pound Rousseau is an extremely athletic defender who boasts great size and length, speed & agility and the versatility to win inside and outside. While his game is still raw, Staley – the defensive guru – would bank on maximizing his skillset.

Rousseau ended the 2019 season with the second-most sacks in the nation behind Ohio State’s Chase Young (15.5). He secured ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, first-team All-ACC, and was named a Freshman All-American before opting out of his redshirt sophomore season.

Mock draft watch: McShay mixes it up for the Browns in his latest 2-round projection

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay mixes it up for the Browns in his latest 2-round projection

The latest two-round mock draft from ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay came out on April 1. And while the day is typically full of foolish frivolity, this projection lands substantive defensive help to the Cleveland Browns.

It’s an interesting choice for McShay to project Miami DE Gregory Rousseau to the Browns at No. 26 overall. Rousseau did not test well athletically at Miami’s recent pro day and sat out the 2020 campaign as a COVID-19 opt-out. McShay leans on his impressive tape and results with the Hurricanes in 2019,

Takkarist McKinley isn’t the Browns’ badly coveted impact pass-rusher opposite Myles Garrett — he has totaled just 4.5 sacks in 18 games over the past two years. Rousseau opted out in 2020 but posted 15.5 sacks in 2019 with the Hurricanes — second in the nation to Chase Young. He needs some polish to his game, but he has a quick first step and the versatility to kick inside at times. He fits a need and comes with good value here at No. 26.

Moving to the second round, McShay offers up speedy Georgia CB Tyson Campbell at the No. 59 pick. That’s higher than typical projections for Campbell, who tested very well but had an uneven career for the Bulldogs.

Worth noting: One pick before Campbell, McShay slots Penn State DE Jayson Oweh. He’s normally a contender for the Browns in the first round.

Cardinals GM Steve Keim visits Miami pro day in person

He gets an in-person look at pass-rushing prospects Gregory Rousseau and Jaelan Phillips and tight end Brevin Jordan.

The Arizona Cardinals continue to prepare for the NFL draft at the end of April and that means watching pro days. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim was at present himself for a recent pro day, presumably to get an in-person look at a couple of potential first-round pass rushers.

According to NFL Network’s Andrew Groover, Keim was one of a few general managers and head coaches who were expected to be at the pro day for the Miami Hurricanes.

Miami has two notable pass rushers in Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau who could both be selected in the first round of the draft.

Both players have been mocked to the Cardinals with the 16th overall picks at some point.

Rousseau did not play in 2020 but had 15.5 sacks in 2019. Phillips played one season for Miami after transferring from UCLA. He had eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in eight games last season.

Another notable player for Miami who could draw interest from the Cardinals is tight end Brevin Jordan. Jordan’s production as a pass catcher increased every season. He had 38 receptions for 576 yards and seven touchdowns in eight games.

Keim does not attend all pro days, but Miami’s was big enough for him to o see in person. With that in mind, Phillips and Rousseau are names to know when it comes to the Cardinals’ first-round pick.

[vertical-gallery id=450401]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Colts select EDGE Gregory Rousseau in latest TD Wire mock

Colts add to the edge in Touchdown Wire’s latest mock draft.

In the latest mock draft from Touchdown Wire, the Indianapolis Colts adding an intriguing prospect in the form of edge rusher Gregory Rousseau out of Miami with the No. 21 overall pick.

Here’s what Doug Farrar had to say about the pick:

The Colts lost Denico Autry to the Titans in free agency, which leaves them a bit short when it comes to edge guys who can kick inside when necessary. DeForest Buckner is the epicenter of that defensive line, and justifiably so, and Justin Houston is coming off a couple of productive seasons, but general manager Chris Ballard might want to get younger and more dynamic on the edge, and Rousseau fits that ideal perfectly. It’ll take some time for Rousseau to get his pass-rush moves together, but his 15.5 sacks in 2019 (he opted out in 2020), along with six quarterback hits and 24 quarterback hurries, represent more than just noise.

Strong enough to kick inside (he had 92 snaps inside the tackles in 2019) and athletic enough to drop into coverage and cover the flat, Rousseau would be the perfect developmental pick for a defense on the rise.

Rousseau will be a wild-card pick in the draft. At one point early in the offseason, he was being viewed as a top-10 pick but that hype has cooled off. Now, he’s falling in the range where the Colts will be picking.

Rousseau is intriguing because of his size, length and flexibility while running the arc. He recorded 15.5 sacks in 2019 but opted out of the 2020 season so we didn’t get to see a follow-up season.

While Rousseau’s frame and athleticism have him touted as a first-round pick, some have questions about his pass-rushing ability, citing his production as more of a result from clean-up sacks.

The ceiling is certainly there, though, and the Colts have no issue waiting on the development of a pass rusher like Rousseau, who could wind up being a steal at No. 21 overall.

[lawrence-related id=56966,56956,56957]