Let’s start with the mockdraftable.com spider graph first this time:
Why start with the spider graph first? Because you should know that we’ve seen this caliber athlete before in Philadelphia. Did you check out the comparisons? Daniel Te’o-Nesheim: former Eagles third round draft pick (2010) & prohibitive bust in Philly & the NFL. Chris Gocong: third round Eagles draft pick (2006) spent just three seasons in Philly (16 games, 129 total tackles, four sacks)…ok but not great. Jason Babin: in three broken seasons with the Eagles he had just one flash-in-the-pan run of success we don’t need to rehash here. The point is this: even if Kelly likes Owa enough to grab him in the first couple rounds, Eagles fans may not like the pick.
Here is a look at the NFL.com analysis:
Strengths: Absolute Greek God with the pads off. Shredded physique with very little body fat. Strong at the point of attack. Plays with desired anchor and strong lower body. Run defender who can close down creases. Gets off ball with good pad level and has potential to convert speed to power. Hands are violent and active. Relentless and competitive. 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.
Weaknesses: Not skilled as a pass rusher. 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. Could be mismatched if forced to cover in space. More unit fit than talented player.
Draft Projection: Round 2
Sources Tell Us: "He's not Courtney Upshaw, but he could be used kind of like that. I can see him playing in both 4-3 or 3-4, but he can't be counted on as a pass rusher and you have to know that he will be limited to just being a run stopper." — AFC national scout
NFL Comparison: Sam Acho
Bottom Line: Odighizuwa has some scheme versatility, but he's not necessarily a versatile player. Some scouts believe that he could open some eyes with his straight-line speed in his workout, but his marginal pass-rush skills and average athleticism could stunt his draft stock.
“Has some scheme versatility, but he’s not necessarily a versatile player”…I’m not entirely sure what that even means. Last season he managed 11.5 tackles for loss & six sacks for the Bruins and was named to the All-PAC-12 Second-Team. Prior to last year, he played in 38 career games (starting just 8) and spent 2013 inactive while recovering from hip surgery.
Here’s the real bottom line: if you can’t set the edge or cover in space or rush the passer, then you won’t find your way onto Chip Kelly’s draft board & especially not as a second round draft pick. He could be a “core special-teams talent”—which we know Kelly values—but more from veterans who can be had on the cheap. Don’t look for Owa to land in Philly this high.
Michael Coggin is a writer for Eagledelphia and can be followed on Twitter @mqcoggin
