In the latest mock draft courtesy of Draft Wire, the New York Giants select Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau.
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The New York Giants have a quality defense that appears set up for years to come, but there are a few missing pieces that would put them over-the-top.
One of those pieces would be a cornerback to pair with Pro Bowler James Bradberry, while the other would be an elite edge rusher to give the Giants that added advantage.
Our friends over at Draft Wire recognize that need and in their latest 2021 mock draft, have the Giants selecting Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau at No. 10 overall.
10. New York Giants Gregory Rousseau | EDGE | Miami (FL)
Rousseau, who opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, is expected to be a top 5 or top 10 pick come April and would be a steal for the Giants at the back-end of that projection. He recorded 15.5 sacks in 2019 and many expected him to take an even bigger leap in 2020.
“I put in so much work before last season. I was going to improve in 2020 as well. I was ready to go to war with my brothers. That part of opting out really sucked. I really wanted to play football this season. I did what I had to do. I went with my heart. I’m just going forward,” Rousseau told Draft Wire.
Rousseau would start immediately on Patrick Graham’s defense and make an already talented front 7 that much more dangerous.
The Chargers could take an edge defender early on in the draft.
Looking ahead to the 2021 NFL draft, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine laid out the top prospects who he believes each team should target.
For the Chargers, Ballentine pegged Miami edge defender Gregory Rousseau as the player that the team should be honing in on with their likely early selection.
Here’s the reasoning why he thinks that Los Angeles should go that route:
Adding another dominant young talent up front would give the Chargers one of the best young pass rushes in the league. That’s not a bad thing to have when competing in the same division as Patrick Mahomes.
Gregory Rousseau is as good as it gets when it comes to edge-rushing prospects in this class. The 6’7″, 265-pound defensive end still has plenty of room to grow in his game. He opted out of the 2020 season, so he only played his redshirt freshman season at Miami. He tallied 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2019 while basically just using his athletic tools.
That’s a player who can be molded into a generational pass-rusher with more coaching. Now imagine teams having to decide whether to slide the protection to Bosa or Rousseau coming off the edge, and it’s easy to see why this makes a lot of sense for the Chargers.
Edge defender sits near the top of positions that L.A. will need to address this upcoming offseason.
Melvin Ingram is set to be a free agent and while Uchenna Nwosu is seen as his replacement, he hasn’t had many opportunities to show his worth with extended snaps. Plus, this is a league where you can’t have too many pass rushers.
Rousseau, who opted out to prepare for the draft, helped his stock after leading the ACC with 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. The 6-foot-4 and 260 pounder is an extremely athletic defender who boasts great size and exceptional movement skills, but is still raw.
In my most recent mock draft, I have the Chargers addressing the position, but it’s not until the second round with Penn State’s Jayson Oweh.
The Chargers are in a position where they could still land offensive tackle Penei Sewell, but if they’re unable to snag him, the team may see this as an opportunity to trade back, acquire more picks and address the position of need then, rather than going the luxury route.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Miami edge defender prospect Gregory Rousseau
Every NFL team wants that athletic, explosive edge rusher who can wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks every time they drop back to pass.
In the 2021 NFL Draft class, there’s none better than Miami’s Gregory Rousseau.
The prototypical edge defender for today’s NFL, Rousseau recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season, how he’s working to improve his pass rush moves, and what lies ahead for the nation’s top EDGE prospect.
JM: What can you tell me about your decision to opt out of the 2020 college football season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft?
GR: It was a decision that I made with the help of my family. It came down to my mom. She was a nurse that was constantly working around COVID-19. Opting out gave me the opportunity to help her retire. We didn’t want her around all that. I had to take the opportunity in front of me.
JM: She was constantly working around COVID-19?
GR: Yeah, she was basically a COVID nurse. She was taking care of COVID patients when the pandemic started.
JM: What was her experience like?
GR: It was tough for her. It’s really scary out there. She’s been around it, she’s seen it. She watched people her age pass away. They couldn’t fight it off. She was on the frontlines, and it’s definitely a scary situation. I had to help her retire early.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
JM: What’s the biggest challenge you expect to encounter with having so much time to prepare for the draft? Under normal circumstances, you’d still be playing competitive football right now.
GR: I wouldn’t say that it’s a challenge. I’m incredibly motivated right now. I’ve been working on my ability as a pass rusher. I’m working hard. I’m focused right now. I’m looking ahead. I’m gonna control the things that I can control. That’s all there is to it.
JM: What were some areas of your game that you were looking forward to showcasing this season?
GR: I really just wanted to show people that I got bigger and stronger in the offseason. That’s where my head was at. I was working on all areas of my game. You can’t get satisfied. I’ll continue to work. I was excited to showcase how much stronger I got over the offseason.
JM: That would have been a scary sight, because 2019 was obviously your best season. You recorded 15.5 sacks. Did you expect to improve in the manner that you did?
GR: Yeah, I did. I put the work in for that improvement. I put in so much work before last season. I was going to improve in 2020 as well. I was ready to go to war with my brothers. That part of opting out really sucked. I really wanted to play football this season. I did what I had to do. I went with my heart. I’m just going forward.
JM: What’s your favorite part of playing the EDGE position?
GR: We can make game-changing plays at any given moment. We can make big plays that change the whole trajectory of a game. That’s the most fun part. You can win a game with a strip-sack. You could end a drive with a sack. You could force an interception by getting a pressure on the quarterback. We have the ability to help our team out in a major way.
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JM: What can you tell me about your pass rush arsenal?
GR: I’ve been working on my scissors, which I used last year. It’s like my two-hand swipe. I learned the cross-chop from coach Chuck Smith in Atlanta. I’ve also been working on my long-arm move. I’m also trying to add the speed-chop to my repertoire.
JM: You mentioned a variety of excellent moves there. Do you have one or two that you consider a go-to? Also, how do you counter?
GR: I really like the scissors. I like that move a lot. I’m learning more moves, though. I have really long arms, so the long-arm move is a good one for me, as well. I try to use that to my advantage.
If the scissors move doesn’t work for me, I’ll probably put my hand in his chest. I might try to knock his hands off me and go back inside.
JM: What are three traits a successful edge rusher must possess?
GR: A good get-off comes first and foremost. That’s for sure. You need to have good hands, as well. Lastly, you need to be savvy. You need to have some football I.Q. about you. You have to understand the characteristics of the quarterback. What are his tendencies? Having that information goes a long way. You need to have a feel for things. You need to stay grounded. Never bite too hard.
JM: What’s the biggest lesson you learned throughout your time at Miami?
GR: They taught me to keep my head down and keep working. I started off last season on the bench. I wasn’t an immediate starter. They taught me to embrace competition. I worked hard to earn that starting spot.
It took me about 4-5 weeks to earn it, though. That experience taught me to always welcome competition. You can’t shy away from it. You can’t just sit there and sulk. Just put your head down and keep working. They definitely taught me that.
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JM: How would you describe the culture in that locker room?
GR: It’s great. It’s filled with a bunch of hard-working, blue-collar guys. They have so many good people at heart. It’s a fun team to be around. They’re goofy just like me (laughs). I’m a goofy person. We made a lot of jokes. We had fun, but we worked hard. I’m really gonna miss those guys. They’re really a great group of guys.
JM: Who would you say are the best offensive linemen you’ve ever gone up against?
GR: The tackle from Louisville, Mekhi Becton, was really good. The center at Pittsburgh [Jimmy Morrissey] was really tough, as well. I believe he’s still at Pittsburgh.
JM: The next big event in your football career will be the NFL Scouting Combine. Are there any drills that you’re looking forward to the most?
GR: I’d probably have to go with the 40-yard dash. I grew up watching my idols run the 40-yard dash on television. It looks like a lot of fun. I’m training for that one. I’m excited about it. I’m really excited.
JM: What number are you hitting on the 40 right now?
GR: I haven’t really been testing it yet. I’m trying to run it in the 4.6’s. That’s a realistic target for me. By the time I run it, I should definitely be hitting it in the 4.60’s.
JM: Are there any pass rushers that you enjoy watching tape on?
GR: I like Calais Campbell a lot. He’s so versatile. I really enjoy watching him. He has the ability to play the three-tech, the nose and pretty much everywhere on the D-line. I feel like I can do some similar things when it comes to playing multiple positions.
I also like to watch Brian Burns. He’s a local guy. He’s from Fort Lauderdale, not too far from me actually. He plays with such twitch. He has a great variety of moves. I also like to watch Nick Bosa.
JM: What’s next for Gregory Rousseau?
GR: I’m just gonna keep working and pushing towards my goals. With COVID-19 still going on, I’m blessed to be in the situation that I’m in. I have to thank the man above for giving me this opportunity. I’m ready to keep working hard. I can’t wait for the combine. I’m excited to go out there and see how I do. I can’t wait to find out which team drafts me. I can’t wait.
Latest 2021 mock draft lands Dolphins a duo of high impact players
The Miami Dolphins’ 2020 NFL draft class is looking like it will provide the team with its fair share of early contributors to the cause. With the Dolphins having three first round picks and six in the top-75 overall selections, Miami gathered plenty of talent that, according to the law of averages, should provide Miami with plenty of firepower to help overhaul their roster.
But perhaps the most exciting part for Miami?
The team will do it all again next spring with multiple picks scheduled in both the 1st- and 2nd-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. With so many picks early on yet again, Miami can feather another layer of potential impact players into the foundation that has been set by the team already. We’re not here to rush the 2020 season, as there will be exciting progress to be had. But the latest 2021 mock draft is attention worthy. It comes from Drae Harris of The Draft Network and offers unique insight given Harris’ background. Harris, who served as a pro scout for the Kansas City Chiefs for over half a decade, has ample experience and exposure to the decision making process for NFL teams.
His choices for Miami? The draft order for the mock was set based on the current Super Bowl odds, so the Dolphins were well positioned with two top-10 overall picks. Here’s what Harris did with them.
No. 7 – Gregory Rousseau EDGE, Miami
“Rousseau is a local product that will likely have the type of pride in the city the team needs. He’s still a little raw as a pass-rusher, which is scary. When he gets stronger, fills out his frame, and develops under pro coaching, Rousseau will be a disruptive force for many years to come.” – Drae Harris, TDN
No. 9 – DeVonta Smith WR, Alabama
“Miami selects Smith, who reunites with his former quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Smith is an excellent route-runner who has very good hands. His ability to separate against man coverage will be a welcome addition to DeVante Parker and that wide receiver room. Smith will likely be counting on his previous chemistry with Tagovailoa easing the transition to the pro game.” – Drae Harris, TDN
The New York Giants select edge rusher Gregory Rousseau in Pro Football Focus’ latest 2021 NFL mock draft.
The 2021 NFL mock drafts continue to roll in despite the fact that the 2020 college football season may not happen. Several major conferences have already canceled play this fall including the the Big Ten and Pac-12.
The NFL season is sure to have its issues as well. They have chosen not to play in ‘bubbles,’ which thus far has been successful for the NBA and NHL. Major League Baseball is soldiering on but only after several teams had to suspend blocks of games due to virus outbreaks.
That aside, NFL pundits are acting under the assumption that the league will complete their season. Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus, in his latest mock draft, takes into account the college conferences that will not play who are still scheduled to play games.
Renner has the New York Giants selecting seventh, meaning they will win approximately six games this season, and choosing a pass rusher with that pick.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS — EDGE GREGORY ROUSSEAU, MIAMI (FL)
Rousseau is still more projection than performance after earning an 80.7 pass-rushing grade last season, but boy is his high-end special. At 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Rousseau has the frame and athleticism to play any position from standup outside linebacker to 3-technique. Actually, his best reps came on the interior, where he earned an 88.3 pass-rushing grade on 79 such snaps.
Rousseau is a highly regarded prospect who has Michael Strahan-like dimensions — length with power and speed — and is versatile enough to play multiple positions. But he is a young man who scouts see as needing a 2020 season where he continues to grow as a player.
Rousseau may not have enough games this year for scouts to make that determination.
Miami pass rusher Gregory Rousseau is the latest top prospect to opt out of the 2020 college football season
Another top prospect won’t be playing college football this season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Miami (FL) edge defender Gregory Rousseau is joining an ever-growing list of players who are opting out of the 2020 college football season, per multiple reports:
Miami DE Greg Rousseau, who recorded 15.5 sacks (second most in the country) last season, has opted out of the college football seaaon. He’s arguably the top draft eligible pass rusher in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
Listed at 6-7, 265 pounds, Rousseau is widely regarded as the top prospect at his position in the 2021 NFL Draft class, and could easily end up being a top-five pick in next year’s draft.
He joins other big names like Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman and Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley as potential first-round prospects who are opting out of the upcoming season.
The Cincinnati Bengals get a big defensive star in a new 2021 NFL mock draft.
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The Cincinnati Bengals are a team thinking about a potential transitional year as they break in a new rookie passer and revamped roster after an uncharacteristically active trip to free agency.
But outside observers are free to ponder so much more.
Mock drafts are a prime example. While they’re way too early, it’s fun to think about the long-term rebuilding process around Joe Burrow.
Over at Draft Wire, Luke Easterling slotted the Bengals as picking fifth (based on current Super Bowl odds) and taking Miami Hurricanes star pass-rusher Gregory Rousseau.
Rousseau indeed figures to be one of the very top names off the board in 2021 after putting up 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last season alone.
On paper, the Bengals hope to be free enough to take a luxury pick like a pass-rusher next year because Jonah Williams’ debut could fix the offensive line. A name like Rousseau not only provides a massive boost to the pass rush, he provides some insurance against Carlos Dunlap’s age and the chance Carl Lawson leaves via free agency.
Again, it’s very early to be talking about mocks — but draft season is a 24/7, 365 thing these days and mapping out a blueprint for a Bengals team clearly on an upswing energizes the slow summer days before camp.
In Bleacher Report’s way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft, the New York Giants select Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseaum in Round 1.
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Publishing a 2021 NFL mock draft has become more and more difficult due to the changing landscape being carved out by the coronavirus pandemic. Several college conferences have already announced they will play shortened seasons, cancelling out-of-conference games and stick to playing teams in their own conference.
That means college scouts will have less film and less opportunity to evaluate the upcoming draft class. The other variable is the NFL season. With the virus still having its way with 75 percent of the country and camps due to open in two weeks, all plans are tentative. Less games could be played and many key players could contract the virus and be sidelined. That could lead to a bizarre season where your normal contenders drop in the standing and some have-nots creep into the playoff picture.
That will naturally effect the draft order, but mock draftniks are not taking any of that into account as they don’t know how things will shake out. Brett Sobleski of Bleacher Report released his latest 2021 mock draft this week based on a normal season and schedule.
The New York Giants aren’t expected to ‘surprise’ according to Sobleski, earning the fifth overall selection and using it to take Miami’s freakish edge rusher Gregory Rousseau.
The New York Giants have used three straight top-10 picks on offensive prospects. It’s time to spend a high-end asset on the other side of the ball. In this scenario, the organization is positioned to take the first defensive player off the board.
As a redshirt freshman, Miami’s Gregory Rousseau finished second at the FBS level with 15.5 sacks (one behind Chase Young) and tied for seventh with 19.5 tackles for loss.
The 6-foot-7, 253-pound Rousseau is raw, having just one college season under his belt, albeit a very productive one. With the college football season expected to be a truncated one, Rousseau won’t get a lot of reps in 2020 to hone his skills.
If the Giants make this pick, they could be flying blind. That’s not ideal when selecting fifth overall. The pick is at a need position right now but, again, things can change. Who knows, the Giants’ pass rush could be resurrected this season and they could go with a more stable pick in the the first round next year.
Here’s an early look at a 2021 Cincinnati Bengals mock draft.
In the blink of an eye, the 2020 NFL Draft has officially closed and the Cincinnati Bengals have their quarterback of the future in Joe Burrow. So what better way to end the 2020 draft cycle than by jumping right into the 2021 cycle?
Pro Football Network has already unleashed their Mock Draft Simulator for next year’s draft in Cleveland. Now don’t freak out, but the simulator currently has the Bengals selecting at No. 2 overall. That’s because the draft order is based on the latest Super Bowl odds from Las Vegas. The Bengals are mixed in with the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 1) and the Washington Redskins (No. 3).
The good news about this is we can have our pick of the litter from a bevy of excellent prospects since the Bengals only have one team picking in front of them and we can already pencil in Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence as the selection, in this case to the Jaguars. Also keep in the mind the draft order here will change as the odds change. The Bengals may have a lower pick by next week. So let’s just have fun with this, shall we?
So what could an extremely early 2021 draft look like for the Bengals? Let’s jump in.
No. 2 – Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami (FL)
Oct 26, 2019; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is chased by Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau (15) during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Chase Young was the prized edge defender in the 2020 class. The early thoughts for 2021 is that honor currently resides at The U. Rousseau is a converted wide receiver/safety. He was rated the 15th-best athlete by Rivals coming out of high school. Since then, he’s bulked up and produced an absolutely phenomenal season in 2019 for the Hurricanes with an incredible 19.5 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks in 13 games, his first full season with Miami after redshirting in 2018 after an ankle injury ended his season after just two games.
The Bengals added some edge help in the 2020 draft with Khalid Kareem. But the thought of Rousseau with Carlos Dunlap and Sam Hubbard is downright scary. Which of course means it probably won’t happen, partly because the Bengals may not be picking this high come next April. But that’s the beauty of a mock draft literally almost 365 days before it happens.
Other names to watch this high would be LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase, Oregon OT Penei Sewell, Alabama CB Patrick Surtain, Ohio State CB Shaun Wade and Penn State LB Micah Parsons, just to name a few.
