2023 DE/Edge Prospect "Splash" Play Leaders

[CalPolyTechnique]

I put out the same table last year of the 2022 DE/EDGE prospects. It was interesting to see that Travon Walker's lack of splash plays in college carried into the NFL.

The "splash play" metric helps to understand a DE/EDGE player's larger impact on the game and recognizes that QB sack totals aren't the only measure.

Here's how the 2023 prospects faired (Will Anderson is off the charts):

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

For quick reference, here's how the 2022 DE/EDGE prospects faired last year:

 

[cowboyec]

2 favorite de's...
felix the wildcat-kstate
isaiah foskey,notre dame

 

[stilltheguru]

Will Anderson has a crazy superpower

 

[Rockport]

For quick reference, here's how the 2022 DE/EDGE prospects faired last year:

Wow, 42 games in a season.

 

[Beast_from_East]

Dam, Will Anderson is LEGIT

 

[Outlaw Heroes]

Typically TFLs include sacks, so your per game numbers are probably inflated (because they double-count the sacks). Still a really useful comparison, since the rank ordering wouldn't change even if you backed out sacks to avoid double counting.

 

[cnuball21]

I put out the same table last year of the 2022 DE/EDGE prospects. It was interesting to see that Travon Walker's lack of splash plays in college carried into the NFL.

The "splash play" metric helps to understand a DE/EDGE player's larger impact on the game and recognizes that QB sack totals aren't the only measure.

Here's how the 2023 prospects faired (Will Anderson is off the charts):

I’m a fan of all of those dudes for the most part.

This class is loaded at DE IMO. Good year
to add another young pass rusher.

I’m a big fan of Herbig. How does he stack up?

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Typically TFLs include sacks, so your per game numbers are probably inflated (because they double-count the sacks). Still a really useful comparison, since the rank ordering wouldn't change even if you backed out sacks to avoid double counting.

Yeah, typically true.

I know for NFL stats you can find the TFL numbers separated from sacks. I couldn’t find that for the college stats.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I’m a fan of all of those dudes for the most part.

This class is loaded at DE IMO. Good year
to add another young pass rusher.

I’m a big fan of Herbig. How does he stack up?

An impressive 2.19

 

[cnuball21]

An impressive 2.19

Yea, he’s one of my favorites. He’s kind of a tweezer so likely a DPR year 1 but dude is explosive.

Reminds me of Reddick as a prospect.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Updated to include Luke Van Ness and Tui Tuipulotu. I don't know how I forgot to list Tuipulotu the first time around. He's one of my favorite pressure players coming out this draft.

​

 

[Cowboyny]

For quick reference, here's how the 2022 DE/EDGE prospects faired last year:

I don't think anybody on last year's list made a huge impact as a rookie, it just tell us there is a steep developmental curve from the college level to the pros as players cannot just rely on their elite, athletic talent. Doesn't mean you avoid drafting an Edge player, but rather it's more of an long-term investment.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I don't think anybody on last year's list made a huge impact as a rookie, it just tell us there is a steep developmental curve from the college level to the pros as players cannot just rely on their elite, athletic talent. Doesn't mean you avoid drafting an Edge player, but rather it's more of an long-term investment.

You don't think Aiden Hutchinson made a huge impact?

I'd also say Sam Williams was an impact player given his number of splash plays on limited snaps.

But generally speaking, yeah, guys take time to develop.

 

[cnuball21]

You don't think Aiden Hutchinson made a huge impact?

I'd also say Sam Williams was an impact player given his number of splash plays on limited snaps.

Also my guy Karlaftis balled out. Dude had 49 pressures and didn’t even start most of the year.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Also my guy Karlaftis balled out. Dude had 49 pressures and didn’t even start most of the year.

He was a splash guy in college too!

 

[Cowboyny]

You don't think Aiden Hutchinson made a huge impact?

I'd also say Sam Williams was an impact player given his number of splash plays on limited snaps.

But generally speaking, yeah, guys take time to develop.

Aiden was a top 5 selection, he was suppose to make am immediate impact, but yes, not great rookie production from the class, but I do expect we will see big jumps in yr 2 for several of these players.

 

[Plankton]

Tuipulotu is an interesting player. Will be a bit of a projection going from a 5T/7T style DE to a 3T in the NFL, but his quickness off the ball is real impressive. He's definitely a guy to watch.

 

[Sydla]

Also my guy Karlaftis balled out. Dude had 49 pressures and didn’t even start most of the year.

I'll take my lumps on this one. When people linked him to Dallas, I was not a fan. I worried that he was one of those kids that was just tapped out in college.

I was way wrong on him. He looks like a real nice player.

 

[Sydla]

Having watched Foskey, he's toolsy and splashy but there were times you kind of saw him just disappear. I would not use a first round pick on him but if he somehow fell to us in the 2nd, I'd have no problem grabbing him there.