xwalker
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It seems that many fans and media are making the same mistake they made with Travis Frederick. Originally most rankings had Frederick as a 1st or early 2nd round pick but after the combine the media dropped him in their rankings because he didn’t run a fast forty. After the draft many fans exclaimed that Frederick was a terrible pick.
Now fans/media are doing the same thing with Taco. He was rated by some media before the combine as a top half of the 1st round type player. Then after the combine the media dropped him in their rankings.
Post draft, many fans/media seems to think that all top outside pass rushers are pure speed players; however, that it just not true. Many of the top NFL outside pass rushers are not pure speed types (Forty/Ten):
Taco - 4.86/1.63
Post Draft Fan Favorite: Derek Barnett - 4.88/1.69
4-3 DEs
Jason Pierre Paul - 4.78/1.68
Michael Bennett - 4.86/1.62
Greg Hardy - 4.79/1.67
Cameron Jordon - 4.76/1.71
Adrian Clayborne - 4.85/1.67
3-4 OLBs
Terrell Suggs - 4.84
Melvin Ingram - 4.79/1.62
Elvis Dumervil - 4.78/1.65
3-4 DEs
Chandler Jones - 4.87/1.69
JJ Watt - 4.91/1.71
There are very few 4.5 forty type DE(s):
Khalil Mack
Jadeveon Clowney (3-4 DE but could be 4-3 DE)
Demarus Ware (retired)
Von Miller is a 3-4 OLB and was a LB in when he played in a 4-3. Vic Beasley is a 4-3 LB.
If pure speed was the only requirement for a DE, then Bruce Irvin would play DE full time because his speed around the edge is as good as anyone.
Taco Analysis:
I just re-watched all of his snaps from 5 college games. He looked great. He has good quickness off the line when he is in a pure pass rush more. They often had him in a read-and-react mode with responsibility for outside contain on the RB or on running QBs. On those snaps his initial quickness does not show up as well for obvious reasons.
For a player that is 6-6, he has really good “bend” around the corner. He has nice fluid movements and very good change of direction. He has this really nice jump-step move where he starts to the outside and jump-steps back inside of the OT. He also has a spin move that was often successful.
He showed good hand fighting skills and used his long arms to his advantage. He showed decent power and was good against the run.
His balance is terrific. He was rarely on the ground or blown out due to being off-balance. Contrast his balance to a “measurable(s)” DE like Jordon Wills and you’ll see a big difference with Willis often on the ground.
Now fans/media are doing the same thing with Taco. He was rated by some media before the combine as a top half of the 1st round type player. Then after the combine the media dropped him in their rankings.
Post draft, many fans/media seems to think that all top outside pass rushers are pure speed players; however, that it just not true. Many of the top NFL outside pass rushers are not pure speed types (Forty/Ten):
Taco - 4.86/1.63
Post Draft Fan Favorite: Derek Barnett - 4.88/1.69
4-3 DEs
Jason Pierre Paul - 4.78/1.68
Michael Bennett - 4.86/1.62
Greg Hardy - 4.79/1.67
Cameron Jordon - 4.76/1.71
Adrian Clayborne - 4.85/1.67
3-4 OLBs
Terrell Suggs - 4.84
Melvin Ingram - 4.79/1.62
Elvis Dumervil - 4.78/1.65
3-4 DEs
Chandler Jones - 4.87/1.69
JJ Watt - 4.91/1.71
There are very few 4.5 forty type DE(s):
Khalil Mack
Jadeveon Clowney (3-4 DE but could be 4-3 DE)
Demarus Ware (retired)
Von Miller is a 3-4 OLB and was a LB in when he played in a 4-3. Vic Beasley is a 4-3 LB.
If pure speed was the only requirement for a DE, then Bruce Irvin would play DE full time because his speed around the edge is as good as anyone.
Taco Analysis:
I just re-watched all of his snaps from 5 college games. He looked great. He has good quickness off the line when he is in a pure pass rush more. They often had him in a read-and-react mode with responsibility for outside contain on the RB or on running QBs. On those snaps his initial quickness does not show up as well for obvious reasons.
For a player that is 6-6, he has really good “bend” around the corner. He has nice fluid movements and very good change of direction. He has this really nice jump-step move where he starts to the outside and jump-steps back inside of the OT. He also has a spin move that was often successful.
He showed good hand fighting skills and used his long arms to his advantage. He showed decent power and was good against the run.
His balance is terrific. He was rarely on the ground or blown out due to being off-balance. Contrast his balance to a “measurable(s)” DE like Jordon Wills and you’ll see a big difference with Willis often on the ground.
