I was running a mock draft on PFF who have us picking at 13 and all the favourites were off the board (Parker, Faulk, Bain, Downs, Woods, Fano, Tyson) so I started thinking about who the next man up is as far as pass rushers go and who could ascend to the middle of the first round by the time the draft rolls around.
I'm not going to include LT Overton who, at 283lbs, is more of a tweener and I don't necessarily think fits the Patriots profile.
Not in order of preference.
David Bailey, Texas Tech, 6-3,250
Virtually unstoppable as a pass rusher. he had a 46.5% pass rush win rate on true pass sets last year for Stanford. Elite first step explosion and great bend. However, he is not a run defender at all to the point where Stanford took him off the field for run downs. Still, I can see a scenario where he puts up Mike Green/James Pearce Jr numbers and gets boosted into the first round.
R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma, 6-2,240
An early favourite for a Manxman binky. I just love his ability to close to the QB, the like of which I've rarely seen. However, his profile is very much that of David Bailey as a designated pass rusher rather than an every down player. And at only 6-2, 240lbs, I think it less likely he gets a first round boost. Ashton Gillette, Princely Umanmielen and Josaiah Stewart all fell to the third round last year so perhaps that's where he ends up.
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, 6-4,245
One of my favourite options to be "prospect who rises up to first rounder at draft time". Howell was arguably A&M's best pass rusher last year ahead of Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton. He's going to have to prove he's worthy as an every down player this year. He could do with adding 5-10lbs though.
Joshua Josephs, Tennessee, 6-3, 245lbs
Length for days with his 34.5" arms and 82" wingspan which might explain why he's more of an edge setter and run defender than pass rusher at this point but he has the length and athleticism to change that. He led all college pass rushers last year with a 91.4 run defense grade. With a productive pass rushing season, he has first rounder written all over him.
Anto Saka, Northwestern, 6-4, 255
Ideal size and length for the Vrabel DE/OLB role and I have to say, in limited watching, one of my favourites as an ideal Vrabel type. Excellent power and ability to run stunts although I'm not sure he has the athletic traits to jump to the first round. also, only 400 total career snaps is something that needs to be examined. Early favourite for a round two pick for me right now if we go to another position in round one. Thanks to
@Clonamery and
@mayoclinic for the heads up on him.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State, 6-5, 272lbs
A little bigger than the possible Vrabel archetype, but it's hard to ignore the latest offering from Pass Rush U. Especially when, in the first game of this season, he racks up 5 tackles, 3 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, a sack and a pass defended in one game. I don't know if you've seen Bull Durham where'Meat' tells Kevin Costner he wants "to announce my presence with authority" A stat line like that does exactly that. Don't bet against a Penn State edge rusher.
Patrick Payton, LSU, 6-5, 250
Another I'll be following closely this year now that he's moved to LSU following a down year at Florida State (but didn't everyone at that program have a down year?). LSU are possibly the best defense in CFB this year. Will we go to that well again?
There are others I'll get too in time like Tyreak Sapp and Matayo Uiagalelei who I think are less ideal Vrabel fits but these are the EDGE guys I think
could jump into first round consideration.
