Personally, I feel as if Kwity Paye and Gregory Rousseau are more suited for a traditional 4-3 DE role. I know Paye in particular is quite athletic with the potential to fit in any type of scheme, but I think it's notable that his interior pass rush is considered better than his outside pass rush. Rousseau is a guy that I just don't think has the agility to play in space. Jayson Oweh is a freak athlete but is super raw and hard to compare.
So because of that, I feel like Ojulari and Phillips are the top prospects in terms of filling the traditional 3-4 OLB outside pass rusher role. I know Judge wants the defense to be multiple and is from the Patriots' school of defense where a stud Edge pass rusher isn't a necessity, but there are a lot of signs suggesting the Giants want to add a guy who fits that type of skillset to their defense.
We've all heard the Leonard Floyd rumor, a pure speed player off the edge who doesn't fit the classic Pats' profile. Some here used the Floyd rumor to connect the dots and assume that Azeez Ojulari would interest the Giants due to the similar background, which was confirmed by the heavy Giants presence at the Georgia Pro Day. There was also a heavy Giants presence at the Miami Pro Day, where Phillips outclassed Rousseau and put on a show by all accounts.
Pro Day Results
Jaelan Phillips --- 6'5" -- 260 lbs -- 4.56 40yd -- 21 Bench -- 36" Vert -- 10'5" Broad -- 33.25" Arms -- 4.13 SS -- 7.01 3-Cone
Azeez Ojulari ---- 6'2" -- 249 lbs -- 4.60 40yd -- 26 Bench -- 30" Vert -- 10'7" Broad -- 34.38" Arms -- 7.27 3-Cone
2020 Season Stats
Jaelan Phillips --- 10 G -- 45 Tackles -- 8.0 Sacks -- 15.5 TFL -- 1 INT -- 3 PD
Azeez Ojulari ---- 10 G -- 31 Tackles -- 9.5 Sacks -- 12.5 TFL -- 4 FF --- 2 PD
Phillips has the superior size/speed combination and seems to have better bend when coming around the edge. Ojulari has a very impressive length/1st step combination, and seems to do a better job of utilizing that length. Both guys seem to have a good repertoire of moves and both guys also seem to have the quickness to play in space.
Our own Sy'56 gave them the same grade (84), although he gave the slight edge to Ojulari due to less questions about his medical history/personality(?). But it does seem like he believes Phillips has a higher ceiling.
So my question is simply, out of these 2 players, which one would you rather draft?
Good production in the SEC
High Football Character
Explosive Athlete
Good Measurables (especially arm length)
No significant injury history
He almost quit the game bc of it. That's his right, of course, but that's a huge red flag to me.
Ojulari is a lot cleaner. One injury in high school (knee ACL), but healthy ever since. Team captain (since freshman year). Very productive. I think people didn’t love his vertical and 3-cone and that took the luster off. However, he is one of the youngest players in the draft and produced in the SEC.
My preference is neither at 11. Receiver if available (waddle or smith). Someone like Joseph Ossai in the 2nd who also has a ton of intangibles, produced (1st team all American), had a freaky Pro day (1.58 10 yard split, 41 inch vertical) and is still young and learning the edge position. Or Payton Turner, although he may go higher now.
1 Kwity Paye 6'3" 260 Michigan Michigan didn't use him in a way that optimized his draft rankings, but make no mistake, this a versatile, "high floor" player who will play in several Pro Bowls. Player Comp: Justin Tuck
2 Azeez Ojulari 6’2-249 Georgia Quick twitched athlete. Great "get off". Probably needs to get stronger to hold the point of attack, but is a good pass rushing prospect Day 1. Like Paye, he's a top notch kid character wise. Player Comp: Umenyiora
3 Joseph Ossai 6’3-242 Texas While he is more of an outside guy than Darius Leonard (and bigger), he has that kind of elite motor. He's also high end athletically. If he somehow slips into RD2, he's a major steal. Player Comp: Shaq Barrett
4 Joe Tryon 6’6-262 U of Wash Somewhat raw but terrific athlete who plays 100 MPH. Opted out in 2020. Motor and measurables are top notch. Fairly productive too. Player Comp: Montez Sweat
5 Elerson Smith 6’7-255 Northern Iowa Flying under the radar. Really good athlete. Productive in his college career and looked the part at Senior Bowl week. RD2 is not too high for him. Player Comp: Maxx Crosby
6 Carlos Basham 6’3-285 Wake Forest Versatile lineman who seems to prefer the inside rather than edge. But he can do both. Dependable guy who almost certainly will be productive but never elite. Player Comp: Carlos Dunlap
7 Gregory Rousseau 6’7-265 Miami The dictionary definition of a futures bet. His length is elite. Coordinated athlete. I worry about how raw he is and how high he plays. Player Comp: Mattias Kiwinuka
8 Jaelen Phillips 6’6-260 Miami Another high risk, high reward bet from the U. Phillips is the best pure talent of anyone on this list. He could be a Pro Bowler early in his career. He also could retire early (extensive injury history). I wouldn't touch him. Let someone else take the risk. Player Comp: Olivier Vernon
9 Jayson Oweh 6’5-265 Penn State Pound for pound, might be the best athlete in the draft. Plays hard enough. But plays high, so his speed to power conversion is subpar. Desperately needs good coaching. Still, I think he'll always be a tease of a player. Player Comp: Clowney
10 Rashad Weaver 6’6-255 Pitt Low ceiling, high floor. Does everything right. Assignment diligent. Very skilled in technique. Just not a ton of juice athletically. Player Comp: Romeo Okwara
He almost quit the game bc of it. That's his right, of course, but that's a huge red flag to me.
The medical question with Phillips is a big one if you place more value on less talented players.
His ticker will keep on ticking for atleast 4-5 more years. After that, the money will keep him warm at night, as it does will all football players.
Good production in the SEC
High Football Character
Explosive Athlete
Good Measurables (especially arm length)
No significant injury history
I agree. Especially if he can actually cover a little bit like has been suggested.
Sounds a little like a Bulldog already on the team.
Link - ( New Window )
I don't like Ojulari, he doesn't pop on film to me and disappears for stretches. UGA LBs in general haven't impressed me besides Roquan. I suspect his game won't translate to a really good NFL OLB, we can do better. I'd prefer Phillips (if he's medically sound) or pick Paye and take my chances with his potential and work ethic.
He almost quit the game bc of it. That's his right, of course, but that's a huge red flag to me.
It's hard to blast the guy. He was in a very significant accident and had a long road to recovery. I can't imagine what his headspace was like, especially playing a sport as brutal as football.
I don't like Ojulari, he doesn't pop on film to me and disappears for stretches. UGA LBs in general haven't impressed me besides Roquan. I suspect his game won't translate to a really good NFL OLB, we can do better. I'd prefer Phillips (if he's medically sound) or pick Paye and take my chances with his potential and work ethic.
i agree with this. i think Ojulari is similar to Carter
I don't like Ojulari, he doesn't pop on film to me and disappears for stretches. UGA LBs in general haven't impressed me besides Roquan. I suspect his game won't translate to a really good NFL OLB, we can do better. I'd prefer Phillips (if he's medically sound) or pick Paye and take my chances with his potential and work ethic.
Everything Ive heard is that Paye has incredible athleticism, is his work ethic a positive? Because if so, I think you can get the most out of a player like that.
How so?
Well, that's not so much of a concern because it sounds like one more hit to the helmet and he will have a different one.
Daniel Kelly says Payenot even a 1st round talent? - ( New Window )
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If they're confident in Phillips' concussion history not being a red flag, he's easily the pick. You can build around his skill set and deploy him from both fronts as the rusher.
I don't like Ojulari, he doesn't pop on film to me and disappears for stretches. UGA LBs in general haven't impressed me besides Roquan. I suspect his game won't translate to a really good NFL OLB, we can do better. I'd prefer Phillips (if he's medically sound) or pick Paye and take my chances with his potential and work ethic.
Everything Ive heard is that Paye has incredible athleticism, is his work ethic a positive? Because if so, I think you can get the most out of a player like that.
Reports are top notch work ethic, very coachable, strong character.
The concept of being multiple seems to get lost sometimes. Someone like Paye can handle some short-area LB in an odd front, and play DE in both odd and even fronts, along with some 3T in an even front - that makes him multiple. Coupled with his insane 3-cone number, he's a very intriguing fit for Graham's defense.
Ojulari is actually less versatile than Paye, in my opinion. He's a legit edge guy, but where do you play him when we line up in an even front? Is he putting his hand in the ground or standing up? I'd assume he's more likely to do the former than the latter in that scenario, but I think he loses some value if asked to do so.
Phillips, I think, can provide a lot of the same versatility that Paye can, along with some added explosiveness, but comes with his own flags that may or may not be insurmountable.
[bThe concept of being multiple seems to get lost sometimes. Someone like Paye can handle some short-area LB in an odd front, and play DE in both odd and even fronts, along with some 3T in an even front - that makes him multiple. Coupled with his insane 3-cone number, he's a very intriguing fit for Graham's defense.[/b]
Ojulari is actually less versatile than Paye, in my opinion. He's a legit edge guy, but where do you play him when we line up in an even front? Is he putting his hand in the ground or standing up? I'd assume he's more likely to do the former than the latter in that scenario, but I think he loses some value if asked to do so.
Phillips, I think, can provide a lot of the same versatility that Paye can, along with some added explosiveness, but comes with his own flags that may or may not be insurmountable.
This is what intrigues me about the guy. He has so much athleticism and ability to play multiple positions that it could really extend what we do along the D line. Think of a 3rd down alignment of him and LW at the ends and DL in the middle. Thats a group that could collapse a pocket using only 3. Also like that he is quick enough to cover a patch of grass if need be.
Ojulari only appeals to me if he can play OLB had an effective level. If he is very below avg in coverage, Paye is the more attractive prospect playing next to our other guys
Good production in the SEC
High Football Character
Explosive Athlete
Good Measurables (especially arm length)
No significant injury history
30” vertical is pretty terrible and not indicative of a exclusive athlete
Strahan and Osi were 2nd round picks. Tuck was a 3rd.
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Ojulari
Good production in the SEC
High Football Character
Explosive Athlete
Good Measurables (especially arm length)
No significant injury history
30” vertical is pretty terrible and not indicative of a exclusive athlete
Noticed that too. Im not crazy about Ojulari. I would love him if he could cover, but I have only heard it hinted "he can cover a bit." Fuck that show me! Theres really no tape of him covering an area effectively.
Paye has pretty elite athleticism and if he is a worker, there is certainly technique he can learn to become a finisher. Incredible strength, speed, quickness, explosion out of his stance, there is a lot to work with there. It sounds to me theonly knock on him is he isnt very bendy. If he is getting into the backfield, that is already a good sign
Not according to JuanCito
Yea I am liking more and more of what I see from him. Pass rush CAN be taught when you have measurables and work ethic. Day one he is an absolute savage in stopping the run. I also have to believe that his ability to read the read options that have become so prevalent in QBs. We have gotten killed there over the years. This guy just looks like he could me coached into a monster.
Mentions coachability and if he runs sub 7 3 cone
Mentions coachability and if he runs sub 7 3 cone
Wasn't his 3-cone sub 6.5?