KEI's of Potential 3-4 OLBs

[JJ77]

Player Name 40 Short Shuttle 3-cone Vertical Broad Bench KEI
Cornelius Washington 4.53 NA NA 39.00 10.67 36.00 85.67
Margus Hunt 4.53 4.51 7.07 34.50 10.08 38.00 82.58
Trevardo Williams 4.57 NA NA 38.00 10.33 30.00 78.33
Jamie Collins 4.59 4.32 7.10 41.50 11.58 19.00 72.08
Corey Lemonier 4.56 4.40 7.14 33.00 9.92 27.00 69.92
Datone Jones 4.75 4.32 7.32 31.50 9.33 29.00 69.83
Stansly Maponga 4.83 4.37 7.37 29.50 9.50 30.00 69.00
Joe Kruger 4.81 4.46 7.17 34.00 9.75 24.00 67.75
Malliciah Goodman 4.78 NA NA 31.50 9.50 26.00 67.00
Ezekial Ansah 4.56 4.26 7.11 34.50 9.83 21.00 65.33
Bjoern Werner 4.81 4.40 7.30 31.00 9.25 25.00 65.25
Michael Buchanan 4.71 4.44 6.91 33.00 9.42 22.00 64.42
Alex Okafor 4.91 4.43 7.26 31.00 9.33 21.00 61.33
William Gholston 4.93 4.59 7.20 28.50 9.17 23.00 60.67
Jarvis Jones 4.88 4.71 7.46 30.50 9.25 20.00 59.75
David Bass 4.74 4.33 7.07 30.50 9.25 20.00 59.75
Devin Taylor 4.65 4.30 6.89 35.00 10.67 14.00 59.67
Chase Thomas 4.87 4.31 7.17 32.00 9.42 18.00 59.42
Damontre Moore 4.84 NA NA 35.50 10.17 12.00 57.67
Barkevious Mingo 4.53 4.39 6.84 37.00 10.67 NA 47.67
Lavar Edwards 4.75 4.51 7.03 34.50 9.92 NA 44.42
John Simon 4.62 4.42 7.10 34.00 10.08 NA 44.08
Sam Montegomery 4.78 4.51 7.18 34.50 9.50 NA 44.00
Dion Jordan 4.54 4.35 7.02 32.50 10.17 NA 42.67
Cornellius Carradine 4.75 NA NA NA NA 28.00 28.00
Brandon Jenkins 5.07 4.48 7.40 NA NA 19.00 19.00
Average 4.73 4.42 7.15 33.60 9.86 23.90 59.43


Please say no to Jarvis Jones. Has there ever been a great OLB with sucjh low KEI numbers ?

[TMC]

Please say no to Jarvis Jones. Has there ever been a great OLB with sucjh low KEI numbers ?

Do not know about OLB, but as for a pass rusher, Jared Allen's KEI was horrible. It was a 56. Terrell Suggs numbers are hard to find because he only worked at his pro day, but his VJ was 33, bench was 19, and broad jump was 8'11". That is 61. Not too hot. He seems okay.

But, those are guys that buck the trend.

[JJ77]

TMC, what are your thoughts on Jarvis Jones?

[TMC]

I should also mention that a couple guys near the bottom of that list did things at their pro day to bounce up. Moore is like a 66. He threw the bar up 19 times at his pro day. And, according to Pat Kirwan, the writer, you do not work in fractions. If they jump 36.5", you round up. Same with the broad jump. Montgomery benched 22 times, so he is a 67. Jordan never benched, shoulder injury. Mingo never benched, sore vagina.

To me, a bigger issue, is the lack of speed and change of direction in this OLB group. They do not show great explosion, good, not great, but they lack the speed to help in coverage. Shitty year to need an OLB pass rusher. The more work I do, the more I like Lemonier and Collins in the middle rounds. I would also be fine with a sliding Montgomery or Moore if they got out of the first round. Shorts are one thing, but both played against the top competition and got it done. Moore faced Joekel and Matthews every day in practice. I am a firm believer that facing better talent in practice makes you a better player.

[tapeANaspirin2it]

The more i'm getting into the draft, the less i think the steelers take OLB in the 1st. I have a feeling they like guys like Okafor and Lemonier better than the big names being tossed around.

I think the 1st pick is Vacarro or Keenan Allen.

[TMC]

TMC, what are your thoughts on Jarvis Jones?

I do not like him in the first round. On film, I just do not see it. The KEI measures explosion and it tells his tale. He lacks it. Does not change direction well. I think he will get his ass wore out in coverage. He is an effort guy. He will work a block until he just comes free. He gets a lot of ticks from guys flushed his way. Late sacks. Free runs. But, he really does not beat anyone. No great pass rush moves. I would not draft him in the first round and like Dobre and I were talking one day, he will probably go in the first, so by stating you do not take him there, it almost means he is a DND (do not draft). I do not see the great upside that comes with all the great risk. His injury scares me. He bucks the trends on athletic attributes translating to getting to the QB. This is pushing all your chips in the middle (1st round pick) and you are drawing an inside straight. Long odds, chances are you lose.

I guess I look at it like this, there are Jones, Moore, Montgomery, and Mingo that were all considered top 20 guys. All have issues. Moore did not run well. Montgomery talked too much at the combine and turned people off. Mingo has yet to bench and he is not injured. Jones has medical and piss poor workouts (film too). I think they all slide. Some will slide out of the first. If I am going to gamble, I gamble with the sad sack that falls to my 2nd round pick, maybe even pick up scraps in the 3rd. Right now, there are players to be had later with lesser ceilings but higher floors. Give me one of them.

I just do not like to gamble unless the ceiling for a guy is monstrous. I liked Poe last season. I liked him a ton. I thought the ceiling for Poe was unreal. Could be a game changer. But, never got the shot because KC took him much higher. He started 16 games, roughly 40 tackles. Played well for a rookie. But, I really do not advocate drafting raw guys like that much. I cannot get on board with Jones at the moment. He just does not have that edge rusher feel.

[JJ77]

Thanks for the insight. i saw Jones play a lot and he was just another guy for the dawgs, do not want any part of him at #17.

[steelpastor]

.

I like Collins because I believe he shows ability to play inside of needed... more flexibility IMO. I believe Lemonier could be a stud. He is very strong against the run... a MUST from a ROLB in our Division.

Whoever takes Washington is going to be sorry.
.

[steelpastor]

.

I like Collins because I believe he shows ability to play inside of needed... more flexibility IMO. I believe Lemonier could be a stud. He is very strong against the run... a MUST from a ROLB in our Division.

Whoever takes Washington is going to be sorry.
.

[tapeANaspirin2it]

i kept trying to talk myself into guys like Mingo and Jones because one of them should be available, but i don't see them in the steelers scheme. There's a bunch of athletic speed guys but i think they are all too weak to play the 3-4, or at least the steeler version.

It's so tempting to want to pull the trigger on one of these speed guys but the fact is Chris Carter may be closer to contributing to the steelers than a guy like Mingo.

What about a guy like Bjorn Werner? I tried to like him but i don't see him playing OLB and how can the steelers spend another top pick on a 3-4 DE?

[TMC]

Werner is a bit of a different animal. Not quite sure about him. I like some things he does. He can play very well with his hands. He can stack and shed. Relentless at times. He has some burst, but he curls up, 4-point stance, sprinterish, and blows off the ball. In a regular stance, not so quick or explosive. I think he fits on the left side of a 3-4 better. Not really that blindside guy. Something there, not sure how to use it all the time or what scheme to cram him in. Maybe better in a 4-3.

Carter, athletically, has the speed and power. Just has to translate it to this level. Again, no guy that really gets me going in this draft. Jordan is very good in coverage. He can rush the passer. He is not a guy that bends the corner well, but he can get there. Not so great against the run. Ansah can play the run. Explosive. Okay in coverage, still learning, has the physical traits. Can rush the passer. Can stop the run. Raw. Raw. raw. Similar to Poe last season. I just do not know if I see that great ceiling yet. Dunno. One year wonder right now. At least with Poe, he had 3 years of production. Again, this is a bad draft to need a pass rusher.

[LT Dan]

I do not like him in the first round. On film, I just do not see it. The KEI measures explosion and it tells his tale. He lacks it. Does not change direction well. I think he will get his ass wore out in coverage. He is an effort guy. He will work a block until he just comes free. He gets a lot of ticks from guys flushed his way. Late sacks. Free runs. But, he really does not beat anyone. No great pass rush moves. I would not draft him in the first round and like Dobre and I were talking one day, he will probably go in the first, so by stating you do not take him there, it almost means he is a DND (do not draft). I do not see the great upside that comes with all the great risk. His injury scares me. He bucks the trends on athletic attributes translating to getting to the QB. This is pushing all your chips in the middle (1st round pick) and you are drawing an inside straight. Long odds, chances are you lose.

I guess I look at it like this, there are Jones, Moore, Montgomery, and Mingo that were all considered top 20 guys. All have issues. Moore did not run well. Montgomery talked too much at the combine and turned people off. Mingo has yet to bench and he is not injured. Jones has medical and piss poor workouts (film too). I think they all slide. Some will slide out of the first. If I am going to gamble, I gamble with the sad sack that falls to my 2nd round pick, maybe even pick up scraps in the 3rd. Right now, there are players to be had later with lesser ceilings but higher floors. Give me one of them.

I just do not like to gamble unless the ceiling for a guy is monstrous. I liked Poe last season. I liked him a ton. I thought the ceiling for Poe was unreal. Could be a game changer. But, never got the shot because KC took him much higher. He started 16 games, roughly 40 tackles. Played well for a rookie. But, I really do not advocate drafting raw guys like that much. I cannot get on board with Jones at the moment. He just does not have that edge rusher feel.

I generally agree with your posts. Not this time. Jarvis Jones is an absolute wrecker. In big games (Florida ,Bama) he's the exact type of player this team needs to run the 3-4 effectively and get pressure on the outside.

[steelpastor]

i kept trying to talk myself into guys like Mingo and Jones because one of them should be available, but i don't see them in the steelers scheme. There's a bunch of athletic speed guys but i think they are all too weak to play the 3-4, or at least the steeler version.

It's so tempting to want to pull the trigger on one of these speed guys but the fact is Chris Carter may be closer to contributing to the steelers than a guy like Mingo.


Tape,

I agree. I see Jones and Mingo getting blown up in our Division. The Browns and especially the Ravens (with their affection for the unbalanced line) will run right at them all day long. It will be ugly! The Bengals will find a power back in this draft as well... they must, they play in the AFCN. JUST SAY NO!

.

[obx steeler]

Given our problems and personnel I think we have far bigger needs than OLB in this draft. I don't see anyone who could start and contribute more than Worlids or even Carter. The big issue might be getting a real performance out of Woodley. If you want a future sleeper maybe Williams of Uconn is a good be in 3/4.

[TMC]

I generally agree with your posts. Not this time. Jarvis Jones is an absolute wrecker. In big games (Florida ,Bama) he's the exact type of player this team needs to run the 3-4 effectively and get pressure on the outside.

Florida is usually the game everyone points towards because he had 12 tackles and 3 sacks. Here is the thing, you have to look at how the plays happened. The first sack, Jones presses the outside edge as a ROLB around Nixon. Nixon actually does a good job of riding him around the QB. Jordan Jenkins, a freshman LB, had already hit Murray but missed because Murray bent and let him slide off. Murray scrambles towards the side where Jenkins came from and Jones was right there after that long loop around the horn. I just do not see that as a great play. If Jenkins gets blocked, the QB can stand tall and make the throw. No sack, no pressure, easy completion. Since Jenkins pushes him out, Jones gets a sack/forced fumble/turnover. The second sack, they pair Jenkins and Jones together as down linemen on the right side. They work a game and use a blitzer to the outside (Shawn Williams maybe). The OT goes outside and the LG goes towards Jenkins before he sees the inside loop. The center went right before he realized, opened two nice lanes for both Jones and Jenkins. Jones got there first. To me, anyone can make a sack like that. It is scheme, not player. The third sack, Ogletree blitzes up the middle. Jones actually is on the right side, presses up the field, stops and starts back, Nixon lacks the feet to keep up. But, Ogletree pushes Murray to him. Jones also was involved in two fumbles on shaky handoffs where the QB failed to deliver the ball on the read option. He was unblocked and both dove for the football. One he got, one he did not. Of his 12 tackles, that is 5 of them. Jones feeds off his teammates.

Against Alabama, he had two sacks, 3 total tackles, 3 assists. On the first sack, he busted up the field and had Fluker beaten, but Alabama had Lacy giving outside help. Lacy gives a poor effort by bumping him with his shoulder. McCarron pumps and pulls it down. Jones comes in and makes the play. That may be one of his better sacks. His speed beat Fluker to the edge, he took on the RB, and still came free. If all QBs hold the ball and pump like Ben does, we are in business. His second sack came from the LOLB spot. Alabama blocked him with a TE. He pressed up the field, McCarron starts moving to run, he peels back underneath and gets him. McCarron really ran himself into trouble. The Bama line had actually pushed the backside pressure past him. McCarron bailed a little early.

In both games, he really does not beat anyone in 4 of the 5 sacks. The QB either gets pushed to him or he gets a free run. And, when they played Alabama, he was moved to LOLB a lot so they could get him on Fluker over Kouandjio. When he faced Kouandjio, Kou mauled him like a bulldog on a teddy bear. It got ugly on some plays where Kou threw him to the ground and piled on top of him. They flipped him over to take advantage of Fluker's lack of foot speed.

And, here is the thing, those were his two impressive games. What were the others like? Two years after drafting him, there will be a Jonedong report.

[deljzc]

From the very beginning, I liked Werner. Just liked the way he plays and think he has all the tools in the toolbox (and to me he's still learning). But I don't think he's a 3-4 OLB.

Ansah and Jordan are talents that have physical gifts you don't see often. Not at that length.

I hate Mingo. Have no idea how anyone can watch his tape and see a 1st rounder. He is so bad in the run game that I don't really care how athletic he looks (or is). I also don't think he is a game changing pass rusher (like Bruce Irvin was evaluated as last year by some). His length makes him interesting as a drop back pass defender and he's decent in space but my lord is he bad in traffic. And he just doesn't play with any toughness at all. The NFL game is going to eat him up and spit him out.

[slashsteel]

From the very beginning, I liked Werner. Just liked the way he plays and think he has all the tools in the toolbox (and to me he's still learning). But I don't think he's a 3-4 OLB.

Ansah and Jordan are talents that have physical gifts you don't see often. Not at that length.

I hate Mingo. Have no idea how anyone can watch his tape and see a 1st rounder. He is so bad in the run game that I don't really care how athletic he looks (or is). I also don't think he is a game changing pass rusher (like Bruce Irvin was evaluated as last year by some). His length makes him interesting as a drop back pass defender and he's decent in space but my lord is he bad in traffic. And he just doesn't play with any toughness at all. The NFL game is going to eat him up and spit him out.

thats the thing. I want a pass rusher but one that won't be a liability against the run in the process.

If yinz get time list a few you think has a good combination between pass rush potentiial PLUS run stopping ability.

[deljzc]

You want someone to look at that just peaked my interest....

It's Ty Powell from Harding College. I was watching and reading up on him and I think he's an ideal inside linebacker for us. Big, strong, versatile, nasty. Played DE and safety in college before settling in a linebacker. A long 6'-2", 250 lbs. Runs a 4.60 and a 3-cone of less than 7 seconds. 75 KEI.

Every pick from round 4 on, he might be on my radar for us.

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

You want someone to look at that just peaked my interest....

It's Ty Powell from Harding College. I was watching and reading up on him and I think he's an ideal inside linebacker for us. Big, strong, versatile, nasty. Played DE and safety in college before settling in a linebacker. A long 6'-2", 250 lbs. Runs a 4.60 and a 3-cone of less than 7 seconds. 75 KEI.

Every pick from round 4 on, he might be on my radar for us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmzKXntDOd4

[antdrewjosh]

You want someone to look at that just peaked my interest....

It's Ty Powell from Harding College. I was watching and reading up on him and I think he's an ideal inside linebacker for us. Big, strong, versatile, nasty. Played DE and safety in college before settling in a linebacker. A long 6'-2", 250 lbs. Runs a 4.60 and a 3-cone of less than 7 seconds. 75 KEI.

Every pick from round 4 on, he might be on my radar for us.

I felt pass rusher was our biggest need heading into the draft process and I bugged TMC about all the top guys Ansah and Jordan and the others. Of course Jordan and Ansah have risen out of our range and others have dropped due to medical or poor combines and Pro Days. So I've started looking at lower round guys especially since we've seemed to have more sucess with the lower round guys at OLB anyway. Some guys I like:

Jamie Collins has a safety background
Trevardo Williams
Sio Moore not sure if he is an OLB or ILB for us but still interesting
David Bass
Ty Powell
Tourek Williams
Larry Webster
Quanterous Smith
Armonty Bryant
Walter Stewart if we are going to a chance on someone with a medical(Jones) this guy maybe a better choice less risk since he may not be drafted at all. Could use a 7 on him

[TMC]

Powell has the size and athleticism. He will run and hit. Did not see him as a linebacker in college. I know he played safety at De Anza. He was a cornerback and QB in high school. If I am not mistaken, he was a right defensive end at Harding. His film at DeAnza looked good, but he played against a much lower level of competition. Did not really dominate at Harding as a DE.

He is athletic. Something there. Just do not know where he fits. Linebacker is probably the best fit because he can run and tackle. He can take on blocks. Not afraid to get dirty. But, big projection here. I think if I were to draft him, it would be later and I would expect him to be a project.

[far56]

Collins
Lemonier
T.Williams
Moore
Montgomery
Simon

this is the crop I am picking my ROLB from, I know Worlids can rush I just don't have confidence in him vs the run and I think Collins would be a complete ROLB for us and allow Worlids to play in all blitz packages lining up on eithier side.

[LT Dan]

Florida is usually the game everyone points towards because he had 12 tackles and 3 sacks. Here is the thing, you have to look at how the plays happened. The first sack, Jones presses the outside edge as a ROLB around Nixon. Nixon actually does a good job of riding him around the QB. Jordan Jenkins, a freshman LB, had already hit Murray but missed because Murray bent and let him slide off. Murray scrambles towards the side where Jenkins came from and Jones was right there after that long loop around the horn. I just do not see that as a great play. If Jenkins gets blocked, the QB can stand tall and make the throw. No sack, no pressure, easy completion. Since Jenkins pushes him out, Jones gets a sack/forced fumble/turnover. The second sack, they pair Jenkins and Jones together as down linemen on the right side. They work a game and use a blitzer to the outside (Shawn Williams maybe). The OT goes outside and the LG goes towards Jenkins before he sees the inside loop. The center went right before he realized, opened two nice lanes for both Jones and Jenkins. Jones got there first. To me, anyone can make a sack like that. It is scheme, not player. The third sack, Ogletree blitzes up the middle. Jones actually is on the right side, presses up the field, stops and starts back, Nixon lacks the feet to keep up. But, Ogletree pushes Murray to him. Jones also was involved in two fumbles on shaky handoffs where the QB failed to deliver the ball on the read option. He was unblocked and both dove for the football. One he got, one he did not. Of his 12 tackles, that is 5 of them. Jones feeds off his teammates.

Against Alabama, he had two sacks, 3 total tackles, 3 assists. On the first sack, he busted up the field and had Fluker beaten, but Alabama had Lacy giving outside help. Lacy gives a poor effort by bumping him with his shoulder. McCarron pumps and pulls it down. Jones comes in and makes the play. That may be one of his better sacks. His speed beat Fluker to the edge, he took on the RB, and still came free. If all QBs hold the ball and pump like Ben does, we are in business. His second sack came from the LOLB spot. Alabama blocked him with a TE. He pressed up the field, McCarron starts moving to run, he peels back underneath and gets him. McCarron really ran himself into trouble. The Bama line had actually pushed the backside pressure past him. McCarron bailed a little early.

In both games, he really does not beat anyone in 4 of the 5 sacks. The QB either gets pushed to him or he gets a free run. And, when they played Alabama, he was moved to LOLB a lot so they could get him on Fluker over Kouandjio. When he faced Kouandjio, Kou mauled him like a bulldog on a teddy bear. It got ugly on some plays where Kou threw him to the ground and piled on top of him. They flipped him over to take advantage of Fluker's lack of foot speed.

And, here is the thing, those were his two impressive games. What were the others like? Two years after drafting him, there will be a Jonedong report.

Thanks for the feedback TMC. Driskell looked like a first year starter in that game. We will see about Jarvis busting at the pro level.

[NC STEEL]

Whats the deal with Washington from Georgia ? He seems to have the best measurables out of the three GA backers. Yet, Jones, and Ogletree get all the mock draft love. Is this a case of great work out, lousy tape?

[fogdoctor]

There are 4-6 OLBs I would take before Jones.

[dobre shunka]

Whats the deal with Washington from Georgia ? He seems to have the best measurables out of the three GA backers. Yet, Jones, and Ogletree get all the mock draft love. Is this a case of great work out, lousy tape?

No. Tho he remains a mystery for me. I don't get at all how Georgia used him. He woulda been perfect in the Jones role. Great frame, freak athleticism/speed. Instead, they had him play down mostly from a 34DE. Undersized for that role, and didn't get much opportunity to shine or play in space where he could use all that to his advantage. Instead, everything seemed tailored towards Jones and Ogletree Thurman Jr. I dunno. It worked for them, I guess. But it still doesn't make sense. Been meaning to go back to the Senior Bowl and isolate on him there. Fact remains, he didn't produce. Physically he has everything you want to dominate. So why didn't he? Was it entirely scheme based, poor fit, miscast? Or was he just not that good? I don't know the answer to that. There are guys who had all the traits, who were odd college fits, and produced in the NFL. There are guys who had all the traits, didn't produce in college and turned out to be turds. I'm not sure at what point in the draft I'm willing to find out which one Washington is. Maybe R4. But then again, if I'm rolling the dice I'd rather roll them on Quanterus Smith in R6. A guy who looked better against the same competition as Jones did. Has the frame, taking a chance he has the measurables to go with it.

[deljzc]

I don't think I've ever watched a player with as good a measureables as Washington play as lousy on tape.

Here's his cutup vs. Missouri. Makes a good play on play #1, after that he's lost. Doesn't locate the ball well. On the ground. Gets turned around by O-linemen. Doesn't hustle after plays. Takes plays off if his initial rush move doesn't work.

He's an enigma. Does look like he can hit the edge as a standup OLB, but he just doesn't have a good feel for the game at all.

Just my opinion I guess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzdTUca8J-0

[fogdoctor]

I don't think I've ever watched a player with as good a measureables as Washington play as lousy on tape.



You forgot Vernon Gholston already? ;)

Different position but Gholston is the worst (of the best) I can remember. If I recall correctly he was>250lbs, 4.6/40 range, >35 bench press, >35 vert, >10' broad. Oh yea, there was Matt Jones too but I think he had some substance abuse issues that wrecked his career.

[deljzc]

At least Gholston got some sacks against Jake Long....

Speaking of Gholston, what do you guys think of his cousin, William out of Michigan State? I think we were pretty represented at MSU's pro day, so he might be on our radar... maybe as a mid-to-late round DE project? He is 6'-6" with 34" arms and not nearly as 'roided up as Vernon was. His explosion numbers are average.

TMC, any quib notes on Gholston you want to share?

[TMC]

At least Gholston got some sacks against Jake Long....

Speaking of Gholston, what do you guys think of his cousin, William out of Michigan State? I think we were pretty represented at MSU's pro day, so he might be on our radar... maybe as a mid-to-late round DE project? He is 6'-6" with 34" arms and not nearly as 'roided up as Vernon was. His explosion numbers are average.

TMC, any quib notes on Gholston you want to share?

Too lazy to hunt the notes.....so here is the whole write up.

Name: William Gholston
College: Michigan State
Height: 6062
Weight: 281
Arm Length: N/A
Hand Size: N/A
Position: Defensive End
Position Rank: 20

Workout numbers gathered from: Combine and Pro Day
40 Yard Dash: 4.93
Vertical Jump: 28.5"
20 Yard Split: 2.75
Broad Jump: 9'02"
10 Yard Split: 1.74
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.59
Bench Press Reps: 23
3-Cone Drill: 7.20


POSITION SPECIFICS
Stance: Gholston plays both defensive end positions in the 4-3 and plays and uses the 3-point.
Initial Quickness: He does not explode off the ball and does not have a great first step. He does not show much burst in his game. He is a solid athlete, but he is not elite.
Recognition: He can be slow to read the play in some instances, but he will get his head up and chase. He appears to be more read and react than a guy that just plows up the field.
Hold Point: He has enough strength to hold his block and shed the blocker, especially tight ends and backs. He keeps his feet moving and can be difficult to drive off the ball.
Disengage: He shows some strength and will throw blockers aside at times. He uses his long arms to keep distance and his strength to stay upright and make plays.
Versus Run: He does a good job holding the point, but does not make enough plays.
Pursuit: He will chase the ball to the opposite sideline. He does not have great closing speed, but he keeps coming.
Tackling: He is a solid wrap up tackler.
Pass Rush: He will press to the outside but he does not have great speed. He is better on the left side where the tackle does not have great feet and he can use his quickness to set him up and slip the block. He uses his hands well, but he lacks great pass rush skills.
Motor-Effort: He gives good effort and does not quit on plays.
Technique: He is a very raw player in some areas, specifically his pass rush moves. His strength is his ability to use his size and hold the point, shed blockers and stuff the run. He will also get some push as a pass rusher with his bull rush.
Conclusion: Gholston is a big defensive end that is ideally suited to play left defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. He could potentially continue to add strength and size to play in a 3-4 scheme as a defensive end. He does not have elite burst off the ball and does not offer much in terms of a speed rusher. He plays with good strength and shows some ability to hold the point of attack. He can be a factor in the run game. He will need to find a team that will utilize his skill set and not ask him to become something he is not.


If he can add 10-15 pounds, I can see him in a 3-4. Good run stopper, marginal pass rusher for a 4-3.