Joe Matthis <\/strong>from Washington is a 6\u20192, 266-pound defensive end\/outside linebacker who is a well-rounded edge player. He shows good leverage in the running game and an ability to get to the passer despite not being a \u201cquick twitch\u201d athlete. He\u2019s a guy that is versatile and can play with his hand in the dirt or stand up as an outside linebacker. That is always a plus in the Bill Belichick book with the Patriots.<\/p>\nHe has good, heavy hands and uses them well to shed blockers at the line of scrimmage. Matthis is a very physical player who goes non-stop and all out on every down. He\u2019s a sleeper because he was injured after just six games in 2016 and there was very limited tape on him.<\/p>\n
At the time of his injury, he led the team with five sacks thru six games. A look at how their defense faded after his injury may provide a good look at how valuable he was to the team.<\/p>\n
Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n– Good frame and strength on the edge<\/p>\n
– Excellent, heavy hands with a violent punch<\/p>\n
–\u00a0Good football I.Q., very good against the run<\/p>\n
– Shows good bend around the edge, non-stop motor<\/p>\n
Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n– Only average athletically<\/p>\n
– Needs to refine pass rush moves<\/p>\n
– Injury history, limited body of production on tape<\/p>\n
What his Role Will Be:<\/strong>
\nMatthis\u2019 role would be to initially be a part of the rotation outside as an outside linebacker and drop into coverage for the Patriots. He can also move on to the defensive line and play with his hand in the dirt as a defensive end and rush the passer.<\/p>\nWill his Role Change from Year 1-2?
\n<\/strong>Yes, with some added lower body strength and more work on his pass rush moves, he could easily develop into a full-time very productive player<\/p>\nHow Many Downs Can He Play?
\n<\/strong>Three<\/p>\nWhat Current Player on the Roster Will He Replace?
\n<\/strong>Grissom, Matthis will be a guy that they\u2019ll feel that they plug on the edge and get to play special teams.<\/p>\nWhat is his ST Value?
\n<\/strong>Good<\/p>\nConclusion:
\n<\/strong>Matthis is a guy who will be intriguing to see where he ends up in the draft. The Washington coaches moved him around and after a productive start of 2016, he suffered an injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year.<\/p>\nHe has very good, heavy hands and has a violent punch that will keep defenders off of him and allow him to get some separation. He has a good bull rush with good bend coming around the edge. He\u2019s very good at setting the edge in the running game, a must in the Patriots system.<\/p>\n
Matthis is a Patriots kind of player. He\u2019s versatile, can play standing up as an outside linebacker or with his hand in the dirt, has good instincts and a high football I.Q. He plays with a violent streak, never stops working and will make plays all over the field with a non-stop motor.<\/p>\n
Matthis is a guy who won\u2019t be in high demand because of his injury, his lack of taped production and the fact that he\u2019s isn\u2019t an athlete that will blow people away with his measurables. But if he\u2019s on the board in the fourth round, the Patriots could land one of the sleepers of this draft.<\/p>\n
Matthis\u2019 highlight tape can be seen here: