A quick look at the top five Edge rushers
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:07 pm
My wife likes period films. I'm not sure if that means movies that take place during a certain period in history or films that are only tolerable if one is on their period, but I digress.
She's watching a movie, I'm watching tape.
1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
This is what Joe Tryon Shoyinka would look like if he became what he was trying to be. This cat gets to the ball. If this were Licht's guy, I'm totally good with it. Watch his tape vs USC. (The real one, not the chickens) Relentless pursuit to the ball. I don't know if he recorded a sack in the game or not, but goddam, this cat is running through half the o-line every down fighting every single second of the play and he's still making plays halfway through. Williams juked the shit out of him in the third quarter for a run gain, but guess who recovered and made the tackle?. Do not let this man get to a division rival. Turn Carlton Davis and the first rounder into this guy? Not the worst idea. Latu and Diaby would be the future.
2.Jared Verse, FSU
This cat just checks all the boxes you want. Big and strong, long and lean, like everything you want in a lover EDGE RUSHER. I hate player evals that read like bad smut. Somebody is gonna love him, But that Duke tape scares me. There's a real gulf between Latu and the other guys. You could argue these dudes are a matter of taste.
3.Dallas Turner, Bama
Not your prototypical Bama guy. I'm not going to go out on a limb and say he'll be the first Alabama player to score in a Super Bowl...so I won't. Jokes aside, He really doesn't look like he's the product of Saban's coaching is what I mean. He's a dog. I'd like it if he fell to us because he's gonna make some plays. This is a guy any team would like to have at worst. Someone like Bowles would get the most out of him. He'd be squandered by a rookie DC.
4. Bralen Trice, Washington
I don't have a hard-on here but give this guy to Bowles and he'll be the new gadget edge in this defense. You can stunt him, put him on a tight end, or pin his ears back. I'm telling you he's versatile. JTS has that job now and I'm looking for better.
5.Chop Robinson, Penn St
Fun tape to watch. Guy has a great motor and just keeps moving at the quarterback. Eats passing lanes when dropped in coverage. Abuses Right tackles and gets in the backfield quick. I see why Bucs fans like him. I could see Licht moving up a couple spots to get him if he thinks he has to being controversial. The difference between Chop and Latu is bigger than anyone would like to admit, but we don't need a savior and ol' Chop will most likely be there given the dropoff in this Edge class. If Licht lets the draft come to him, Chop will be there.
Honestly, this is just a first glance but I see one elite guy and four guys who could all range from solid guy to boom pick based on where they land. I think Bowles could have his choice here if he doesn't want to defer to his new offensive coordinator's wish list. All of these could be good if not great here.
She's watching a movie, I'm watching tape.
1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
This is what Joe Tryon Shoyinka would look like if he became what he was trying to be. This cat gets to the ball. If this were Licht's guy, I'm totally good with it. Watch his tape vs USC. (The real one, not the chickens) Relentless pursuit to the ball. I don't know if he recorded a sack in the game or not, but goddam, this cat is running through half the o-line every down fighting every single second of the play and he's still making plays halfway through. Williams juked the shit out of him in the third quarter for a run gain, but guess who recovered and made the tackle?. Do not let this man get to a division rival. Turn Carlton Davis and the first rounder into this guy? Not the worst idea. Latu and Diaby would be the future.
2.Jared Verse, FSU
This cat just checks all the boxes you want. Big and strong, long and lean, like everything you want in a lover EDGE RUSHER. I hate player evals that read like bad smut. Somebody is gonna love him, But that Duke tape scares me. There's a real gulf between Latu and the other guys. You could argue these dudes are a matter of taste.
3.Dallas Turner, Bama
Not your prototypical Bama guy. I'm not going to go out on a limb and say he'll be the first Alabama player to score in a Super Bowl...so I won't. Jokes aside, He really doesn't look like he's the product of Saban's coaching is what I mean. He's a dog. I'd like it if he fell to us because he's gonna make some plays. This is a guy any team would like to have at worst. Someone like Bowles would get the most out of him. He'd be squandered by a rookie DC.
4. Bralen Trice, Washington
I don't have a hard-on here but give this guy to Bowles and he'll be the new gadget edge in this defense. You can stunt him, put him on a tight end, or pin his ears back. I'm telling you he's versatile. JTS has that job now and I'm looking for better.
5.Chop Robinson, Penn St
Fun tape to watch. Guy has a great motor and just keeps moving at the quarterback. Eats passing lanes when dropped in coverage. Abuses Right tackles and gets in the backfield quick. I see why Bucs fans like him. I could see Licht moving up a couple spots to get him if he thinks he has to being controversial. The difference between Chop and Latu is bigger than anyone would like to admit, but we don't need a savior and ol' Chop will most likely be there given the dropoff in this Edge class. If Licht lets the draft come to him, Chop will be there.
Honestly, this is just a first glance but I see one elite guy and four guys who could all range from solid guy to boom pick based on where they land. I think Bowles could have his choice here if he doesn't want to defer to his new offensive coordinator's wish list. All of these could be good if not great here.