FanPost

Meet UCLA DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa (He is a Beast)

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooodighizuwa is my name." - Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

(Oh-DIGGY-zoo-wuh)

He is one of the most underrated pass rushers in this entire draft.

Standing in at 6'3", 267 lbs, running a 4.62 40 time with 11' hands, this man is a freak. He is the prototype 3-4 OLB/DE in a Bill Belichick defense. Think Willie McGinest, Tamba Hali or Brian Orakpo. This man is made in their mold. Now some people look at his low sack numbers (9.5 in 2 seasons) and make the foolish mistake of thinking he struggles to get after the passer. First off, that is FAAAR from the truth. Sacks are overrated and consistent pressure and disruption can be tons more valuable than just pure sacks, and that is something Odighizuwa has in spades. Second, his low sack numbers are a product of what he was asked to do at UCLA's as a 3-4 END. He is strong enough to hold up in the run game, he can play 3-4 as a OLB or 4-3 as end. You can even kick him inside as a interior rusher a la Michael Bennet. He is a smart, well rounded, scheme versatile, physically gifted disruptor. His only knocks are his injury concerns and his lack of hip flexibilty b/c of those injuries. But enough blabbing, what's the scout's take?

Positives:

Powerful player with long arms and lengthy overall frame. Strong at the point of attack. Plays with desired anchor and good lower body. Run defender who can close down creases. Gets off ball with good pad level and a quick first step and has potential to convert speed to power. Has non-stop motor and is ver disruptive in the run and pass game. Hands are violent and active. Sets the edge very well. Relentless and competitive. Has good combination of size, power, and speed, Never gives up on a pass rush. Expected to be a core special-teams talent. Can play 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker.

Negatives:

Won't win around the edge often and must prove he can counter back inside. Has dealt with two surgeries on his hip and missed all of 2013 because of it. Lateral agility is limited. Range in pursuit in question. Does not have varied pass rush arsenal. Lacks explosive burst off the edge you'd expect in first round picks. Could be mismatched if forced to cover in space. Lacks good instincts. Does not jump off the stat sheet. More unit fit than talented player.

NFL Comparsion: Sam Acho

Game Tape:

Virginia 14'

Texas & Arizona State 14'

Notable Plays:

OOBullRush.0.gif

OOQuickness.0.gifq-LNfs.0.gif

Like most of the other prospects I dedicate entire fanposts to, he's under valued. If it wasn't for the injuries and the position he played in college this guy would be gone by the 20s if not earlier. Right now he's a late first early second round guy, but is rising quickly thanks to his impressive combine and Senior Bowl. With pass rush at a premium it isn't often you can get a guy of Odighizuwa's caliber this late in the draft, and given the Patriots needs on defense, Odighizuwa would be a great fit for this team. He could come in day one and challenge Ninko for the starting spot, and offer some leverage when the teams tries to resign Chandler Jones. If I'm New England and I find myself at 32 with Cameron Erving already off the board, drafting Odighizuwa would be a very shrewd pick-up.

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