Tag: Gregory Rousseau

An edge rush prospect for Cowboys to consider drafting for all 7 rounds

Tim Lettiero reviews seven defensive ends that can fit into Dan Quinn’s new system in each round in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

The Dallas Cowboys defensive line is going to look different under new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Of this fans should have no doubt. Quinn likes to employ two counter-acting defensive ends. On the left is a 4-technique who plays directly over the tackle, or a 5-technique who plays on the outside shoulder of the tackle. This role is typically referred to as a 4-3 base end. On the right he favors a position known as the LEO.

This position has a bit versatility as to how it lines up, however the main goal is to capitalize on the player’s athleticism. They can line up with their hand in the dirt in a Wide-9 position (outside shoulder of the tight end) or standing up. Current starters Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory fit both of these roles well, however the depth behind them is questionable. The recently signed Tarell Basham joins the likes of Ron’Dell Carter, Bradlee Anae and Dorance Armstrong as relatively safe back ups and rotational pieces, but this position could still use addressing.

Here are options in each round of the upcoming 2021 NFL draft for Cowboys Nation to become familiar with.

Colts take DE Gregory Rousseau in latest Todd McShay mock draft

Colts go EDGE in Todd McShay’s latest mock.

In Todd McShay’s latest mock draft on ESPN, he has the Indianapolis Colts selecting former Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

Here’s what McShay and Colts beat writer Mike Wells said about the pick and the fit in the mock:

21. Indianapolis Colts
Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

Christian Darrisaw might be an option if still available, filling in Anthony Castonzo’s spot at left tackle, or the Colts might take a long look at Trevon Moehrig (TCU) at safety. But it’s hard to ignore the need for pass-rush depth, especially as Indy deals with free-agency concerns on the edge. Rousseau hasn’t played since 2019, but he had 15.5 sacks in that season and can overwhelm blockers with his power. He’d help keep an elite defense at the top of its game.

Mike Wells on his fit with the Colts: Pass-rusher is the Colts’ most important area to address this offseason, especially with veteran Justin Houston being a free agent and the team looking to get younger there. Sliding in alongside DeForest Buckner, Rousseau would have an opportunity to be a day one starter if Indy doesn’t re-sign Houston, especially if Kemoko Turay’s struggles continue.

Rousseau is a wild card of sorts in this draft class. He opted out of the 2020 season after posting 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during the 2019 campaign but there are questions as to how many of those sacks were due to strong coverage in the secondary.

There is no denying the Colts have to address the edge in both free agency and the draft. They are likely to double-dip given how big of a need it is and if Rousseau is on the board at No. 21, there’s at least a chance Indy considers the Miami product.

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Falcons 2021 potential draft pick profile: EDGE Gregory Rousseau

The Atlanta Falcons have a lot of options for the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, but Gregory Rousseau shouldn’t be one of them.

The Atlanta Falcons have plenty of options in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft, but Gregory Rousseau shouldn’t be one of them. His fit in the scheme doesn’t bode well for success in Atlanta, however, he is a fine prospect in his own right. The Falcons are likely to run a multiple defense that would really only use him in four-man fronts.

EDGE Gregory Rousseau, University of Miami, Florida

6-foot-7, 265 pounds

Stats and Awards

2020: Sat out the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic

2019: 13 Games Played, 54 Tackles, 19.5 Tackles for Loss, 15.5 Sacks, 7 QB Hurries, 2 Fumbles Forced, 1 Pass Deflection, ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, First Team All-ACC, Second Team All-American, Freshman All-American

2018: 2 Games Played, 5 Tackles, Redshirted due to an injury to close out the year

Highlights: Vs. Virginia Tech – 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xfsfetZAJg

Strengths

Gregory Rousseau has all the talent in the world as a defensive end. His frame, length, strength and agility make him a great prospect for teams seeking an end for a 4-3 scheme. His history as a wide receiver and safety in high school give him a unique view of his role on defense and allows him to see the game differently than most defensive ends.

The raw talent he possesses is immeasurable. His ceiling is that of someone who can be a regular 12-15 sack player in a 4-3 defense. He ideally would match up against right tackles and overpower them with speed-to-power moves or bend the edge against them. Rousseau’s exceptionally high ceiling gives him a shot at being the top pass rusher in this draft class.

Weaknesses

Part of his issue with playing defensive end is his lack of experience in the role. This shows up in how he defends the run and the lack of angles he takes. When he’s rushing the passer, his hands aren’t as heavy as you’d like or used with as much technique as they should be. This hurts his projection at the next level as an instant impact player.

His first step also leaves one wanting. Though, this looks more like a technique issue than a true athleticism issue. The burst is there at times and shows up when he uses proper technique. The issue of versatility within the scheme comes from his questionable scheme fit for a 3-4 team. He’s not really ideal for linebacker coverage but is a good fit for a hand down lineman.

Leadership

Rousseau has a perfectly fine motor on the field, but off the field, he’s not exactly a vocal leader. He’s more of a follower type who will put in the effort in the gym and the work in the film room. That’s all well and good for a unit led by Grady Jarrett.

Overview

NFL Stylistic Comparison/Best Case Scenario: Myles Garrett

Keep in mind, this is a best case scenario. Rousseau is an amazing talent when at his peak. He has the potential to be a game-changing pass rusher in the NFL. Adding around 10-15 pounds of muscle to his frame could help him be the run defender that Garrett is as well. But with a full season removed and his tape picked apart, teams will only have a late-first to mid-second grade on him.

How Rousseau fits into the Falcons’ plans

If the Falcons were to draft Rousseau, it would likely be at the top of the second round as a value pick. As a 6-foot-7 defensive end, Rousseau would likely have to bulk up to around 280-285 pounds to play in Atlanta’s defense. He’d play either a strong-side five-technique role on the ground in three-man fronts or would align as a pure defensive end in four-man fronts.

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Colts select DE Gregory Rousseau in Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft

Indy grabs a high-upside DE in Mel Kiper’s latest mock.

After 38 years in the business, Mel Kiper Jr. finally put a trade in his latest mock draft for the first time. Even though the Indianapolis Colts stayed put at their spot, this is a big deal!

Joking aside, it’s nice to see ESPN getting with the times on this subject. The explanation for why Kiper doesn’t mock trades is because it’s “impossible to know how teams will maneuver — and what offers they could get,” but most teams don’t even know who they are going to draft leading up to their pick. So why not have fun with it?

Regardless, the Colts stayed put at No. 21 in this mock draft to take edge rusher Gregory Rousseau out of Miami, who is one of the prospects with the highest upside at the position in this class.

The Colts would probably love to get a tackle to replace the retired Anthony Costanzo, but I don’t see a great fit based on my rankings. (They could solve the issue by kicking All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson outside.) Instead they can address their pass rush and get younger with Justin Houston likely leaving in free agency. Rousseau, who opted out of the 2020 season, had 15.5 sacks in 2019, though he’s still raw. I’m interested in seeing his testing numbers at his pro day next month. Indianapolis should have a few options to take its preferred edge rusher here because the class lacks elite prospects.

We didn’t get the benefit of watching Rousseau build on that strong 2019 season because he opted-out out of the 2020 season. But getting a bendy, long edge rusher who still has untapped potential could be what the Colts look for in 2021.

They need to add to the position in free agency—and they will have their options—but it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibilities for them to double-dip in free agency and the draft.

Rousseau might be more of a wild-card given how raw his game is, but the potential is worth it in the lat first round.

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Giants go all defense in three-round Draft Wire mock

In the latest three-round mock from Draft Wire, the New York Giants completely ignore offense and land three defensive players.

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The 2021 NFL draft is a little over two months away which means the mock drafts are flying at us at warp speed. In the latest attempt by Luke Easterling of Draft Wire, the offensive-starved New York Giants take three defensive players with their first three selections.

Round 1, Pick 11: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami

There are some reservations that come with this pick. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season after a 15.5-sack season in 2019 due to COVID-19 concerns. He hasn’t played a ton of football, but you can’t teach size and ability and the 6-foot-7, 265-pound Rousseau has plenty of both.

The Giants need a dominant edge rusher badly and this could be a gamble that pays off nicely. Easterling has the Giants taking Rousseau over Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye and Devonta Smith, the productive Heisman Trophy-winning wideout from Alabama.

Moving onto Round 2…

Round 2, Pick 42: Levi Onwuzurike, defensive line, Washington

This pick only makes sense if the Giants lose Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency.

Onwuzurike would be a nice replacement for Tomlinson. He is a penetrating lineman who can get to the passer and make those valuable tackles for a loss. But he also opted out last year and there’s no recent tape on him, so any team that takes him is flying a bit blind.

Many would like to see the Giants take an offensive playmaker here such as LSU wide receiver Terace Marshall Jr. or Miami tight end Brevin Jordan.

And now, Round 3…

Round 3, Pick 76: Israel Mukuamu, cornerback, South Carolina

The Giants are in the market for an outside corner and this pick might be a bit of reach here in Day 2. Mukuamu is a tall (6-foot-3) corner who plays a physical style and we’ll need to see his 40 times to determine if he’s worth a third round pick.

All in all, this draft fills some needs but it doesn’t help the offense, which was ranked 31st in the NFL last year. The Giants need not only an offensive playmaker, they need a tackle and some running back depth as well.

Giants Twitterverse would go wild if general manager Dave Gettleman made these picks.

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Giants pass on playmakers, select edge rusher in latest Daniel Jeremiah mock

In the latest mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, the New York Giants pass on several playmakers in order to snag an edge rusher.

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Imagine a scenario where the New York Giants came to the podium on draft night and had their pick of Alabama wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith.

Both Waddle and Smith would fit the bill of “playmaker,” which is precisely what general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge said the team would be seeking this offseason.

That scenario played itself out in the latest mock draft courtesy of NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. Only… the Giants passed on both.

Rather than adding a playmaker or trading down, the Giants instead select Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau, who hasn’t played in more than a calendar year after skipping the 2020 season due to COVID-19.

I know GM Dave Gettleman has let it be known that he wants to add playmakers on offense. At the end of the day, though, he’s not able to pass up the big, athletic edge rusher.

While the Giants could use a game-changing edge rusher, Rousseau has been sliding more and more in mock drafts of late. He’s even been leaped by other prospects such as Michigan’s Kwity Paye, who has also been a popular mock to the Giants.

Wherever you line up on the edge rushers, it remains clear that the Giants’ more dire need comes on the offensive side of the ball. They are desperate for playmakers to help boost their 31st-ranked offense, which is what really held the team back in 2020.

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New Todd McShay mock draft has Cardinals taking pass rusher in 1st round

They land Gregory Rousseau with the 16th pick in the draft. He had 15.5 sacks in 2019.

With the Super Bowl complete, everyone is in full draft season. That means mock drafts from all over the Internet from many analysts. ESPN’s Todd McShay has a new mock draft.

For the Arizona Cardinals, who have the 16th overall pick in the first round, he has them landing a pass rusher.

His pick for Arizona is Miami pass rusher Gregory Rousseau.

Finally, an edge rusher. The last time it took this long to see one drafted was 2004, when Will Smith went to the Saints at No. 18. But you won’t hear any complaints from the Cardinals, who can jump on an opportunity to slide in a difference-maker opposite Chandler Jones (who is a free agent after next season). The Cardinals were tied for fourth in sacks this season (48), but 12.5 of those came from Haason Reddick, who is hitting the open market this spring. Rousseau opted out in 2020 but trailed only Chase Young in sacks in the FBS the season prior with 15.5.

Rousseau has length. He is 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds. The production in 2019 is undeniable. However, it is his only season of production, Having opted out of the 2020 season, 2019 is the only games the Cardinals have to go on, as he played in only one game in 2018.

Assuming he can be productive in the pros, the timing is good. He would get a season with Jones and could become the stud pass rusher as Jones gets older and less productive.

It is a premium position with a premium pick and a player who had elite production for one season.

The pick makes sense.

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Vikings take Miami DE Gregory Rousseau in Draft Wire mock draft

Do you want the Minnesota Vikings to take Miami DE Gregory Rousseau in the 2021 NFL draft?

The Vikings had two elite pass rushers under contract heading into the 2020 season. By the end of the year, neither of those players were on the field for the team, and the pass rush struggled as a result.

Defensive end Danielle Hunter’s offseason injury turned out to be season-ending, while Yannick Ngakoue was traded to the Ravens after a 1-5 start.

Minnesota has to make sure its pass rush isn’t as bad as it was in 2020. An easy way to help with that would be to take a top defensive end prospect in the first round of the NFL draft.

At least, that’s what our friends at Draft Wire think the Vikings should do. Luke Easterling, who writes for Draft Wire, tabbed Minnesota to take Miami DE Gregory Rousseau in the 2021 draft.

Rousseau had 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2019. In 2020, he opted out, but the potential he showed in his collegiate career before that helped him remain a top prospect. If the Vikings take him and the defensive end pairing is Hunter and Rousseau, the pass rush most likely will have gotten a lot better.

Colts take DE Gregory Rousseau in latest Draft Wire mock draft

Colts go EDGE in Draft Wire’s latest mock.

As the Indianapolis Colts look to address their needs this offseason, they find themselves in a bit of a quandary in how they might go about the No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

They could try to trade up for a quarterback prospect, find the replacement for Anthony Castonzo at left tackle or address another major need at edge rusher.

In Draft Wire’s latest mock draft following the Senior Bowl, the Colts went with the latter of the three, selecting former LSU edge rusher Gregory Rousseau.

The Colts added a star to the interior of their defensive front when they traded for DeForest Buckner, but now they need a difference-maker on the edge. Rousseau was once projected as a potential top-five pick, and he’s still got the talent to prove worthy of that level after opting out of the 2020 college football season.

In this mock draft, five quarterbacks went within the top-12 picks. In addition, four offensive tackles went ahead of the Colts as well.

Rousseau may be a bit of a wild card in the draft. He’s talented and was viewed with top-five potential before the 2020 season but he opted out due to COVID-19.

In 13 games during the 2019 season, recorded 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.

The Colts absolutely need to add to the edge rush this offseason. The interior defensive line is stout but the production they got from the edge was far too inconsistent. To go along with that, Justin Houston, Denico Autry and Al-Quadin Muhammad are all pending free agents this offseason.

There will be chances to add to the room in free agency but don’t discount the Colts’ desire to add a potential cornerstone in the draft.

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Colts take DE Gregory Rousseau in latest Draft Wire mock draft

Colts go EDGE in Draft Wire’s latest mock.

As the Indianapolis Colts look to address their needs this offseason, they find themselves in a bit of a quandary in how they might go about the No. 21 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

They could try to trade up for a quarterback prospect, find the replacement for Anthony Castonzo at left tackle or address another major need at edge rusher.

In Draft Wire’s latest mock draft following the Senior Bowl, the Colts went with the latter of the three, selecting former LSU edge rusher Gregory Rousseau.

The Colts added a star to the interior of their defensive front when they traded for DeForest Buckner, but now they need a difference-maker on the edge. Rousseau was once projected as a potential top-five pick, and he’s still got the talent to prove worthy of that level after opting out of the 2020 college football season.

In this mock draft, five quarterbacks went within the top-12 picks. In addition, four offensive tackles went ahead of the Colts as well.

Rousseau may be a bit of a wild card in the draft. He’s talented and was viewed with top-five potential before the 2020 season but he opted out due to COVID-19.

In 13 games during the 2019 season, recorded 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss.

The Colts absolutely need to add to the edge rush this offseason. The interior defensive line is stout but the production they got from the edge was far too inconsistent. To go along with that, Justin Houston, Denico Autry and Al-Quadin Muhammad are all pending free agents this offseason.

There will be chances to add to the room in free agency but don’t discount the Colts’ desire to add a potential cornerstone in the draft.

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