Will Giants find the right edge rusher for them? Travon Walker, Kayvon Thibodeaux possibilities – New York Giants Blog

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EAST RUTHERFORD (N.J.) — The edge rushers at top of the 2022 NFL draftThey come in many shapes and sizes, with a wide variety of skills. The New York GiantsHold the No. 5, and No. 7 overall picks, and will consider many potential matches.

Michigan is home to the Michigan State University Aidan HutchinsonAccording to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., and other draft analysts, he projects. the No. 1 overall pick. Hutchinson is almost 6’7″ tall, weighs 260 lbs and has the best technique.

Georgia’s Travon Walker(6-5-272), is making his way up draft boards because of his power and size. His 4.51 second time in 40-yard dash was the fastest for a 270-pound player since at least 2006. Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson IISenior showed speed and agility and produced 11.5 sacks. Oregon’s Kayvon ThibodeauxAlthough it isn’t particularly large for the position (6-4-254), the first step tempts the upside crowd.

The beauty of this position is its diversity of edge rushers, and this draft is no exception. Some are better than others. Von Miller (Buffalo Bills) or Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), the pass-rushing prototypes who most anyone could scout and predict their greatness. This position is where even the most flawed prospects, such as the 2021 NFL defensive player-of-the-year, can shine. T.J. WattThe Pittsburgh SteelersHe was a known effort hurler and was selected 30th overall in 2017. His performance continues to prove that the evaluations are wrong.

Is this where it gets bad? What are the most important things to consider when scouting edge rushers?

“If you stop focusing on the measurables when you are trying to create something, it is possible to get into trouble.” Atlanta FalconsTerry Fontenot was the general manager at the NFL scouting Combine. “I always say the important part is: Does he win those 1-on-1 matchups?”

This is what Joe Schoen and the Giants must work out. Which edge rusher won at the college level? How will this translate to the NFL? They are worth the No. Are they worth the No. 5 or No.

The Giants, who have not addressed the position within the top 10 since 1996’s selection of Cedric James, are only one of many teams looking to draft an edge rusher. The four top picks — these are the teams. Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Houston TexansAnd New York Jets• Have needs for the job.

Sources claim that Walker, Johnson Johnson, Thibodeaux and Hutchinson all visited the Giants, or will visit them before the draft. They must address this issue even after they are selected. Azeez OjulariIn the second round of last year’s NFL Draft, he was selected out of Georgia. As a rookie, he had 8.8 sacks.

Schoen recently stated that there are enough players available to fill the needs of the roster. “That’s the way we’re going set our priorities.” [the draft board]. We’re going set it best football players 1-7.”

Schoen was part the front office that drafted edge-rushers Greg RousseauAnd AJ EpenesaThe following are Buffalo’s top picks for each of the past two years. Both were not a gym rat, but they both had long and productive college careers.

Giants defensive coordinator Don Wink Martindale has suggested that length is a desired attribute. Baltimore RavensHe will be bringing his 3-4) defensive system that favors long outside linesbackers. Johnson (34 inches) and Walker (35.5 inch arms) both have that working in favor of them.

Johnson (14.0 sacks), and Hutchinson (14.0 bags) have the production. This is still the No. One non-negotiable item on many evaluators’ wish lists.

Marc Ross, former Giants draft boss and current NFL Network analyst spoke about what he values in edge rushers. “Not through scheme. Not through cleaning up. Sacks. He is not throwing garbage sacks at him, but this guy is genuinely affecting the quarterback based on his performance and his talent.

Ross brought up George Selvie who played with Ross. Jason Pierre-PaulSouth Florida. Selvie had 14.5 sacks in his sophomore year, while Pierre-Paul had only 6.5 during his one season at USF. The film revealed that Selvie’s sacks had been hollow. Pierre-Paul was, however, constantly affecting the quarterback despite his small sack count.

Ross and the Giants drafted Pierre-Paul in the 15th round of the 2010 draft. Pierre-Paul was drafted by the Giants and Ross in the first round of that 2010 draft. He went on to be an All Pro, helping New York win a Super Bowl. Selvie, who was done with the Giants in the seventh round, had 14 sacks over six NFL seasons.

Perhaps pressures are more important than collegiate bags. Recent years have shown a correlation in edge pressure between college and the professional ranks. Thibodeaux’s pressure rate (15%) is the highest among the four pass-rushers that Kiper projected to be the best. Walker, Johnson, and Hutchinson followed him in pressure rate.

Analytics alone cannot show edge rushers the whole picture. There are many other boxes to be checked.

“My one thing is pretty” [firm]One NFC executive stated that if there is no element of power within the National Football League, people will be able set you up soft.” “And you must be a It is reallyIf you lack power, you can still be a good athlete.”

The executive raised the issue. Carolina Panthersedge rusher Brian BurnsHe is an example of an occasional outlier. He believes he is one of the rare players who can live without real power because of his quick thinking.

Burns ran a 4.53 in 40-yard dash with a 10-foot 9-inch wide jump and had a 10 foot, 9-inch long jump. He has 25.5 sacks during his three first NFL seasons. His athletic abilities were evident in the testing.

Thibodeaux’s evaluator agrees. He was injured this season, but still produced. Despite only playing 10 games and suffering from an ankle injury, he had 7.0 sacks as well as a 17.8% pressure percentage.

Thibodeaux’s case is an example of athletic testing matching the on-field product. It is not always easy. It’s more than a matter of size, speed, and weight. Multiple evaluators agreed that edge rushers are not going to be eliminated based on a 40-yard run. The position requires too many factors: Hand usage. Power. Moves. Countermoves Get-off. Leverage. Technique. Technique.

“You want” [confirmation in athletic testing]Ross agreed. “What are your film images showing? It was the Terrell Suggs lesson. He was an honest man that pursued his goals non-stop. He looked as explosive on film as possible. Then he runs a 5.0 flat. [in the 40-yard dash]. He can’t even play anymore. What!?”

This year’s top crop does not fall into this category. Hutchinson managed a time of 1.62 seconds for the 10-yard dash. The 40-yard dash was completed in 4.58 seconds by the three other runners.

This is what makes them a strong team of edge rushers at top of draft. It gives Schoen and Giants quality options to fill the long-standing void.


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