Welcome to the 2015 NFL Edition of SportsTalk With AJROK
Here’s a brief look at the New York Giants’ and New York Jets’ third round picks.
New York football Giants draft UCLA defender Owa Odighizuwa in the 3rd round the No. 74 Pick.
Odighizuwa who has an NFL-caliber frame and muscular build that show up with good strength and speed on the field. Playing as a down defender and stand-up pass-rusher, Odighizuwa shows quickness and balance in space, nonstop feet and a willingness to fight through blockers. He holds his ground against the run and works down the line of scrimmage well. He plays big too and combines that with first-step speed to eat up space when freed to rush off the edge.
WEAKNESSES
Usually playing in a three-man front, Odighizuwa wasn’t unleashed to rush the passer often, so there aren’t as many plays on film of him wreaking havoc on the backfield. That doesn’t mean he can’t do it, but his film is more limited there. He can be slow off the ball at times, but this is mental and not physical timing. Finding a true position in the NFL and not being asked to two-gap as a 5-technique will be a big boost for him. Also, he missed the 2013 season with hip surgery, so teams must look into his health.
2014 STATISTICS
Tackles Sacks Tackles for Loss
59 6.0 11.5
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions
Odighizuwa is very raw as a pass-rusher, but he has all the physical tools to become a star at the position. A lot like Ezekiel Ansah when he was leaving BYU, Odighizuwa is a bit of a projection, but his ceiling is super high.
FINAL GRADE: 6.49/9.0 (Rookie starter)
The New York Jets draft Louisville edge-rusher Lorenzo Mauldin with the No. 82 Pick.
Mauldin passes the eyeball test on and off the field. He’s a high-motor, long defender with the first-step quickness and burst to make plays in the backfield. His straight-line speed is impressive in a short area, and he combines that with a high football IQ to make plays in the run and pass game. He’s shown enough agility to bail into the flats in coverage and can run with backs and tight ends. Mauldin uses his length well in both the run and pass games and has been a productive player on all three downs.
WEAKNESSES
Mauldin looks like an athlete, but he doesn’t wow on film and in testing appeared average. His average frame and questionable athleticism make him a question mark in space, but at 259 pounds, he’s small to place in a defensive end role. He won’t show you flexibility and agility in space and doesn’t work his shoulders and hips together to slip past blockers. And he has one more—upfield burst. Mauldin‘s lack of size and strength makes him a liability against the run.
2014 STATISTICS
Tackles Sacks Tackles for Loss
51 6.5 13.0
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Barkevious Mingo, Cleveland Browns
Mauldin isn’t as naturally athletic as Mingo is, but he is another undersized defender with the potential to develop into an outside edge-rusher.
