RD 1, Pick 30: Greg Rousseau, Edge (Miami) Public Poll Added

[mjt328]

6 hours ago, ColeB said:

My thoughts exactly.  JOK was being mocked in late teens to early 20s and he drops in your lap at 30 and you don’t take him?!  He is the perfect athlete to add to deal with the Chiefs speed.  Kiper and the ESPN panel were critical that Roussea’s 15 sacks in 2019 mainly were coverage sacks and QBs running into him.  Most were from him playing the nose, not on the edge.  I liked Tryon better.  I would’ve also been happier with A. Samuel Jr.

 

My first reaction grade: C

 

I mentioned in another thread, the issue with Koramoah is usage.

The talent is off the charts.  But he's not just a typical position player.  He's a hybrid chess-piece.  The defensive coaching staff needs to have a plan for how to use him, or he's just going to sit the bench and waste space.  He was my first choice as well.  But that's without knowing the discussions happening inside One Bills Drive.  

 

 

[jdonley1180]

The way the depth chart looks we could field an interesting “NASCAR” package for the Dline in obvious passing situations

[FLFan]

8 hours ago, 5ths the charm said:

Hey it's what I see. Not high on this guy.  Oh wait we are supposed to be mindless, that's right. Then yay go team go!

Yes, everyone who disagrees with you is mindless.  You have offered an opinion, without any real analysis.  This does not make you special or even worth listening to, in my mindless opinion.  

 

[SoCal Deek]

All you have to do is read his bio or listen to his post selection interview and you’ll know why the Bills picked him. This kid is a solid citizen with a great work ethic. He fits perfectly into the locker room that McD is assembling. 

[CountDorkula]

I wanted Ojulari or Samuel JR.

 

This pick is very meh to me, I expect very little this year if anything.

One year D-line wonders always scare me (Cant help but think of Maybin)

 

Id like to see the Bills trade up in Rd 2 to get one of the guys above. 

[Rochesterfan]

41 minutes ago, Hebert19 said:

Think beating mahomes.   This is a move tk help that.   Mahomes beat us twice by doing the opposite.  He held the ball and ran around and we couldn't get to him and coverage broke down.   This is a guy who can chase him.  

 

Exactly - and much like TB - this is a guy that can help keep Mahomes centered - the TB guys that created the issues were Vea and Suh - allowing the outside guys then to clean up.

 

If we stick Oliver and Butler in the 2 “A” gaps and let them just shoot through and look for the QB - that should allow guys like Rousseau and Obada to use their length and arms to get some clean up sacks.

 

I don’t know if he will work, but I like what he brings.

[Trogdor]

19 minutes ago, racketmaster said:

Beane and Co. got a steal in drafting a 21 year old edge rusher like GR. First year playing DE as a 19 year old and he records 15.5 sacks. By all accounts, not only is he a freakish talent but has excellent character and intangibles. Bills really needed a young talent at this position and without drafting in the top 15 it is very difficult to find such players. Beane took advantage of the opt out as GR was a consensus top 10 pick going into last season before opting out. So the Bills get a top 10 talent at a premium position. Guys with his height, length, speed, ability to bend, play inside and out, with work ethic and character are steals at pick 30. Sure there is some risk but he is a superior talent to the other edge rushers we had to choose from and I think he is well worth the risk from only being a 1 year player. 

I don't think he is, but this sounds an awful lot like Maybin. It just wasn't all that strong of a class for defensive line, so it is what it is. Hopefully he develops fast to help now instead of years down the line. 

[Kmart128]

Hopefully this selection turns out like Tre White. Late round 1st round pick who everyone thinks will be a solid starter and nothing more but turns out to be an all pro

[ROCBillsBeliever]

8 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

 

 

A positive squeak from Sully the grumpy mouse? Has Sully finally turned over a new leaf? 

[stevewin]

6 hours ago, sven233 said:

He's a guy that won't blow people off the edge, but he wins in different ways. 

That's one thing that stands out from the highlights.  He seems to have a laser focus on where the QB is and never loses sight of him - and there are plays where off the line he is setting the edge and initially guaging where the QB is, then pouncing to make a play as soon as the QB comes off his mark (instinct was one of the things Beane mentioned).   He is chasing down QBs from all angles and covering all kinds of ground - and using his length to catch or trip up QBs who are moving all around. 

 

Looking at it in the context of Mahomes - you can just picture Mahomes side-stepping a one-dimensional straight-line speed guy and still making a play, but you can also picture Rousseau making Mahomes life a living hell chasing him around and down as Mahomes runs around like a crazy chicken in the backfield (hopefully for a few patented 20+ yd sacks)

[Rochesterfan]

24 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I think the poor pro day was mostly around the vertical and bench and 3 cone but someone said he slipped in the 3 cone and no way is he going to bench a lot with those crazy long arms. His speed was very impressive for his size.

 

The 3 cone is interesting because they said he knocked down a cone twice - so he had to run it 3 times in total (winded) and was being extra careful - which slows you down.

 

A bit disappointed it took 3 times, but at some point of course that is going to have an impact on your final time.  We see it at the combine with guys that false start on the 40 multiple times - when it finally counts they are so cognizant of not false starting that they add .1 to .15 to their time compared to pro days.

 

In his highlights - he showed good bend and lateral movements- so to me the 3 cone was more of a fluke and the dinging of a guy with those arms for Bench is just stupid.

[FLFan]

41 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

Play 3. He is in coverage. Tell me some more about the poor athletic profile. 
 

https://youtu.be/K7tLBK7akVY

I know it’s a highlight tape, but pretty impressive none the less.  He seems very athletic.  I wonder if in trying to add weight during his off time this past year he did not negatively impact his athleticism leading to his pro day results?  Crossed up by the wrong regimen/training?  If so, this is easily fixed by the Bills training staff in time. 

[BuffaloRebound]

Rousseau is a pretty unique player.  Whereas most edge rushers win with their get/off and explosiveness, he wins with length and slippery-ness.  He doesn’t stay blocked.  He’s the opposite of a guy like Oweh who is all twitch and never gets home.  

[blacklabel]

I'm good with it. They definitely needed to get a little younger on the DL. He's a bit of a project, sure, but they won't ask him to play like, 65% of the snaps this season. They'll work him in slowly. 

 

Eager to see if Beane moves around in the 2nd or 3rd rounds tonight. I wonder if RB is still on their radar...maybe they go with one of the North Carolina backs. 

[YoloinOhio]

8 hours ago, stevestojan said:

he looks fast. He looks strong.  Thanks for the video. I didn’t love when he waved goodbye to the other team after a tackle, but mcD will fix that. 
 

I was hoping for JOK, but that’s the reason I’m not an NFL GM. 

McD might love that (secretly). He likes the competitive juice. The Bill have ties to get every piece of info on Miami guys. McD has a connection with Manny Diaz and Dan Morgan can 100% get whatever info he wants. So I’m comfortable he’s been vetted every which way. 

[Coach Tuesday]

19 minutes ago, CountDorkula said:

19 minutes ago, CountDorkula said:

I wanted Ojulari or Samuel JR.

 

This pick is very meh to me, I expect very little this year if anything.

One year D-line wonders always scare me (Cant help but think of Maybin)

 

Id like to see the Bills trade up in Rd 2 to get one of the guys above. 

Ojulari is a worse athlete if you watch the tape - he has zero bend - he gets around the edge fast but then starts flailing - literally swimming in the air - when he tries to change direction toward the QB.  

Edited April 30, 2021 by Coach Tuesday

[YoloinOhio]

This is his nickname?

 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

3 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

This is his nickname?

 

 

Oh man I hope so. The MCU merch mash-up possibilities are endless.

 

Edit: "Around the Miami campus, Rousseau has gained plenty of nicknames. Groot, inspector Gadget, and Elastic Man all can fairly describe the 6-6 phenom." (https://lastwordonsports.com/collegefootball/2019/11/05/greg-rousseau-miamis-next-superstar/)

Edited April 30, 2021 by JohnBonhamRocks

[HappyDays]

The more I read about him the more I like the pick. Rousseau wasn't someone I really considered as an option for us. For some reason I had it in my head that he had motivation issues, but now everything I'm reading says he has great football character and a relentless motor on the field. He has natural instincts to find the ball and elite length. Just needs to add some pass rush moves. It's going to take at least a year of development but you can easily see his path to success if he's coached well.

 

As far as his pro day, the last guy to plummet on draft boards because of a bad workout just got traded to the Chiefs for a 1st round pick. Always trust the tape first.

[H2o]

Ok, so I am man enough to admit my initial reaction was due to the fact I was pissed we didn't take JOK. I think he is exactly what this defense needs to help us with our putrid defense against the upper-tier TE's in this league. I also believe JOK would make Klein basically obsolete. He can do everything that Klein can, but is better in coverage, obviously way more athletic, and more instinctive vs the run. Still a bit disappointed. 

 

Now, onto Rousseau. Like I said in an earlier post, I see all of the comps to Jevon Kearse and JPP. I don't see Rousseau having the same dip and bend as either of those guys, at least not right now. His athletic traits are nice to have though. His size, length, and burst are 2nd to none in this draft at the DE position. That 1.57 10yd split is the same as Von Miller who was 20lbs lighter than Rousseau at the time of his testing. His 21 reps on the bench for a guy with 35" arms is also REALLY solid. Watching his highlights he got half of his sacks when he was kicked inside on passing downs. That is where his first step and initially quickness stand out the most. When he is strictly coming off of the edge he looks to get a bit upright which allows him to walled off by the OT. He does seem to set the edge well in the run game which is a plus. The versatility to kick inside on passing downs to get after the QB is also a plus. Like I said also, I understand the pick and the reasoning behind it so I'm not mad really.  If they can coach him to play with better leverage, and on his hand usage when coming off of the edge facing OT's, then we could have ourselves a steal at #30.

[YoloinOhio]

8 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

He is not a fast twitch guy. But great length, good hands, wins with leverage and productive in college. 

 

I like the pick although I do have a couple if niggling doubts 1. Having sat out the year turning up at his pro day not in top shape was a bad look. 2. I just worry with he and Epenesa we have two guys who would look great opposite that quick twitch guy who can fly off the edge and that is after spending two premium picks at the spot.

He ran fast at his pro day, that is one good thing. Do you think Obada is quick twitch?

[JMF2006]

Bills got an "A"

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/2021-nfl-draft-day-1-quick-snap-grades-for-all-32-teams

[OZBILLS]

No idea. Everyone I have loved has let me down so I have nothing to lose

[JMF2006]

Looks like everyone got an A or B except the Texans with no pick and a D and NO with a C

Edited April 30, 2021 by JMF2006

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, YoloinOhio said:

He ran fast at his pro day, that is one good thing. Do you think Obada is quick twitch?

 

Pretty average in that regard. We do have a clear sense of what they like at edge by now though. They love length and they value that more than that explosive first step, although as Brandon referenced Rousseau's first 10 split in the 40 was pretty good. I don't think Rousseau has a bad get off, just that it isn't the thing that stands out to you on his tape. It is length, understanding of leverage and his hands. 

[Nester]

Young kids who have not played in a year seem like a huge risk. 

[Chandler#81]

8 hours ago, Boxcar said:

I believe that Brandon Beane and the rest of the FO are better at football stuff than everyone who posts here combined

You don’t know anything ! 🤣

8 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Why is that?

Because he’s an idiot?😳🤷‍♂️

8 hours ago, klos63 said:

Except that every sack ESPN just showed of him were not coverage sacks at all. 

Did you research that yourself or just taking Mel Kiper's word for it?

Took Kiper’s word, Duh.. Everyone knows @BillsMafi$ can’t read!

[Rocket94]

I like the pick! A great injection of youth and fresh eyes! 

[YoloinOhio]

3 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Pretty average in that regard. We do have a clear sense of what they like at edge by now though. They love length and they value that more than that explosive first step, although as Brandon referenced Rousseau's first 10 split in the 40 was pretty good. I don't think Rousseau has a bad get off, just that it isn't the thing that stands out to you on his tape. It is length, understanding of leverage and his hands. 

Yes they certainly have a “type”. I feel like a lot of what I read about Rousseau pre-draft is that he’s really a DT/Edge. I expect they want to use him rushing inside as well 

Edited April 30, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[JMF2006]

5 minutes ago, OZBILLS said:

No idea. Everyone I have loved has let me down so I have nothing to lose

 

Shouldn't you be sleeping?

 

Its already Saturday there

[stevewin]

There's been a number of comments related to playing weight - in the PC Beane was asked that specifically and he said - with the caveat they obviously would have to get him in and do an actual detailed assessment to make the final determination - that he saw him playing "in the 60's", which is where he is at now.  Also some of that weight obviously may be re-distributed under NFL strength and conditioning

[jimmy10]

We didn’t give up anything to get him, and it’s not like anyone there at 30 is a sure thing. Low, calculated risk with great potential upside. Plus he seems like a great kid. 
 

Let’s Geau Buffaleau!

[BarleyNY]

8 hours ago, CorkScrewHill said:

Calais Campbell is a fan

"Ian Rapoport

@RapSheet

Apr 20

#Miami DE Greg Rousseau is one of the Draft's most challenging evals. One scout called him a “skinny little guy” on tape, but he showed up at his Pro Day 25 pounds heavier. Some wondered about the athleticism, but he’s much bigger now. Plus, he was an opt-out. Lots of questions.

 

Calais Campbell

@CalaisCampbell

Replying to

@RapSheet

I wonder what the scouts were saying when I was coming out? Not athletic enough? Not strong enough? I am not a scout and I know they have a tough job. But I hope they don’t overthink this one.

@Greg_R5 can play football. He is a playmaker! Shows up in both the run and pass game"

 

https://caneswarning.com/2021/04/28/why-is-miami-hurricanes-de-greg-rousseau-plummeting-on-nfl-draft-big-boards/

Notably Calais Campbell also played for Da U.  He’s got the back of another U player.  Nothing wrong with it, but don’t read too much into it. 

[nucci]

9 minutes ago, Nester said:

Young kids who have not played in a year seem like a huge risk. 

huge....I don't think it's a huge risk.

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, stevewin said:

There's been a number of comments related to playing weight - in the PC Beane was asked that specifically and he said - with the caveat they obviously would have to get him in and do an actual detailed assessment to make the final determination - that he saw him playing "in the 60's", which is where he is at now.  Also some of that weight obviously may be re-distributed under NFL strength and conditioning

 

Exactly it is more than the pure number. It is making sure all that extra weight is functional. I don't think it is a hard thing to fix.

[nucci]

8 hours ago, 5ths the charm said:

We will see

time will tell.......you never know....it is what it is....

[John from Riverside]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

I think the poor pro day was mostly around the vertical and bench and 3 cone but someone said he slipped in the 3 cone and no way is he going to bench a lot with those crazy long arms. His speed was very impressive for his size.

He put up 22 reps on the benchHe put up 22 reps on the bench

[BarleyNY]

9 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Pretty average in that regard. We do have a clear sense of what they like at edge by now though. They love length and they value that more than that explosive first step, although as Brandon referenced Rousseau's first 10 split in the 40 was pretty good. I don't think Rousseau has a bad get off, just that it isn't the thing that stands out to you on his tape. It is length, understanding of leverage and his hands. 

Not a huge fan of the pick, but his length is really impressive.  If he is successful in the NFL that’s going to be a huge factor.  Not only is it useful keeping blockers off of him, it makes his tackle radius huge.  I can see a role for him here if his head is on right.  I was just hoping for better at 30.  I’m really trying to warm up to it.  Wait and see I guess. 

[HappyDays]

57 minutes ago, mjt328 said:

In terms of Rousseau himself, he's very similar to Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds

 

I don't think Edmunds is the right comparison. Edmunds was a pure athletic freak with no instincts. That lack of instincts has held him back so far in his career. Rousseau is the opposite. He isn't the most athletic edge rusher but he has natural instincts and a nose for the ball. I think in his first season, at the very least he will be great at setting the edge for us and helping our run defense. By year 2 ideally he'll have developed some pass rush moves and he'll start to reach his ceiling. If he ever becomes consistent at getting into the back field, look out. Because once he's there he has a knack for finding the QB and taking him to the ground.

[Sundancer]

4 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

Not a huge fan of the pick, but his length is really impressive.  If he is successful in the NFL that’s going to be a huge factor.  Not only is it useful keeping blockers off of him, it makes his tackle radius huge.  I can see a role for him here if his head is on right.  I was just hoping for better at 30.  I’m really trying to warm up to it.  Wait and see I guess. 

 

His highlight reel shows him keeping lineman at bay and leaving them to tackle RBs. This is something we desperately need. The QB pressures are a bonus. 

 

15.5 sacks at The U...if he had that last year, he's gone before pick 10. Only thing that got him to 30 was taking a year off to skip Covid play. 

 

Someone said he's a "one year wonder." Sure, but that's a hell of a one year and at Miami no less. He's no Zach Wilson. 

 

He's not a Day One starter but I'd be coaching him up to be a big time year 2 contributor and a solid situational contributor in year 1. 

Edited April 30, 2021 by Sundancer