Playing in the same division of the same conference, Mafe had the same number of TFLs as Karlaftis and 3 more sacks last year. It's weird how Mafe is billed as this raw edge guy when he's already been productive.
Karlaftis is also billed as this big, rugged power guy while Mafe is a small Freeney-esque speed rusher, but they're actually almost identical in size. Both are exactly 6'3" 3/4", both have exactly 32 5/8" arms, and Karlaftis is only 5 lbs heavier.
Where they differ is that Mafe has absolute face-ripping speed... Karlaftis isn't even close. I see a similar floor with Karlaftis and Mafe, but the latter has a far, far higher ceiling.
Good points.
In game footage, Mafe is not one of those speed rushers that is easily pushed wide of the QB when the OT just barely touches them.
- He has that ability to plant his feet while turning the corner.
- He's not an elite 'bend' guy but many quality pass rushers can turn the corner without DWare type bend.
The Problem:
Mafe played in 13 games in 2021 but only started 9 of them. It was his 4th season. We was only an occasional starter in any of the previous 3 seasons.
His game footage looks good and he has good measurables but something seems off with his college career.
He is one of those prospects where the interview and checking with college coaches is very important.
It turned out that Jaylon's biggest problem wasn't even the injury. It was that he is dumb as a stump. Morris Claiborne type dumb.
- The Cowboys were too focused on his injury to notice that he didn't have the mental ability to play LB in the NFL.
- Parsons knew the defense better than Jaylon did on day one of training camp despite Parsons being a rookie.
It's not always raw intelligence. Randy Gregory had a very high (pardon the pun) SAT score but is emotionally the equivalent of a 13 girl obsessed with boy bands.
With some players it is more than obvious that no interview is even necessary. Zack Martin. Sean Lee. Witten.
The entire draft media seemed to overlook that Micah Parsons has Sean Lee type on-field instincts but in the body of Schwarzenegger's Terminator character.
- Actually, even with movie effects, the Terminator couldn't move like Parsons...
Karlaftis seems safe in that regard unless he has anger issues.
- I get a strong sense of "All-In" on football from him.
Unfortunately the mental side of draft prospects is where we as fans have the least information.
