The Cleveland Browns have the second overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Today we profile Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa.
The 2015 NFL season has finally ended for the Cleveland Browns, meaning it is time to turn our eyes to the off-season and the Browns proverbial “Super Bowl”: the NFL Draft.
The Browns finished the 2015 NFL season a miserable 3-13, and will be picking in the top five of the NFL draft for the seventh time since their resurrection in the 1999 season. And if that stats weren’t bad enough, this draft pick will be the 11th time since 1999 that the Browns have made a selection in the top 10.
Now keep in mind there are several key factors that the Browns will have to consider when preparing for the 2016 off-season. The biggest factor of course is the coaching staff and front office, but for right now let’s just assume that the holes on the roster will take priority over the scheme.
With the staff and philosophies presumably in place, the Browns will need to evaluate their free agents; currently the Browns have five players slated to be unrestricted free agents: Tashaun Gipson, Craig Robertson, Mitchell Schwartz, Johnson Bademosi, and Travis Benjamin). In addition, center Alex Mack has the ability to opt-out of his current deal.
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The Browns will likely try to keep at least three or four of their free agents, but if they swing and miss they will either need to address the roster needs through free agency or the draft. Last off-season we saw then-general manager Ray Farmer and company put a premium on adding veteran talent, and now that they have been replaced with a new football structure the Browns will likely look to the draft this year to replace the lack of playmakers currently on the roster.
By all accounts the Browns will look to upgrade and add depth at several positions on the field through the draft. Most notably the Browns have needs at several positions, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, five-technique defensive lineman, free safety and offensive line. Please keep in mind that things change and the Browns priorities will change as we get closer to free agency, the scouting combine and, ultimately, the NFL Draft.
In the months leading up to the draft we will evaluate players the Browns could or should have interest in. The profiles will try to include as much information as possible to prepare you for the NFL Draft, including videos and links to all appropriate football terminology.
With all of that said let’s dive in!
Next: Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa
Name
Position
Defensive Lineman
Height/Weight
6-foot-6, 275 lbs
School
Ohio State University
Stats (Link)
2015 – 35 Solo tackles, 51 total tackles, 5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
2014 – 39 Solo tackles, 55 total tackles, 13.5 sacks, 4 forced fumble
2013 – 27 Solo tackles, 42 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 0 forced fumble
2016 NFL Draft Range
Top 5 – 1st Round: Ohio State junior defensive end Joey Bosa is the 2015 Big Ten Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year and one of four finalists for the 46th Lombardi Award. This is the second consecutive year that Bosa has been named a finalist for the Lombardi award, and he joins a prestigious group of Buckeyes who have been named a finalist twice: linebacker Chris Spielman (1986-87), offensive tackle Orlando Pace (1995-96), linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer (1997-98) and linebacker James Laurinaitis (2007-08).
That’s not bad group of Buckeyes to have your name associated with; it should also be noted that all previously mentioned Buckeyes went on to be draft in the first two rounds of the NFL draft.
Bosa is an anchor of an Ohio State defense that ranked No. 2 nationally in scoring (14 points per game) and 10th in total defense (303.5 yards per game). This season he had 47 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, five quarterback sacks, four pass break-ups, 14 quarterback pressures, an interception and a forced fumble.
Next: System Fit with the Browns
Bosa would be an ideal fit in a 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense because of his ability to line up in several positions along the defensive line. Bosa is an ideal fit for the five technique in the NFL, and reminds me of a young Jared Allen.
In the base 4-3, Bosa can play as an interior defensive lineman and defensive end. Ohio State even played Bosa standing up in different techniques in the 3-4. The Browns defense desperately needs to find a player that can collapse the pocket from the outside edge and get to the quarterback. In 2015 the Browns defense generated 29 sacks and ranked 27th in league in total defense, allowing an average 128.4 rushing yards and 250.8 passing yards.
Run Stopping – It’s hard to get a true feel for Bosa’s run-stopping abilities because you can only find a handfull of video of teams actually running Bosa’s way.
In the few instances that teams did run his side, Bosa was able to overpower the tackle, and keep good vision on the ball carrier to press the gaps and make plays. Bosa has great length and anticipation skills, he often times the snap well and gets off the line quickly. He has excellent hand placement and strength to stack and shed offensive lineman. In several of the videos, when the offense would run toward Bosa’s direction they would typically pull the guard or tackle and put at-least two bodies on Bosa to eliminate his ability to get to the ball carrier.
"In the above video Bosa is lined up in the 5-technique, he gets off the line quick, initiating contact and stacks and sheds the tackle to get to the ball carrier."
"In the above video Bosa is lined up again in the 5-technique, he gets off the line quick, initiating contact with his hands well inside the tackle, and he is able to push off and get to the ball carrier."
Pass Rush – Bosa is considered by many to be the premier pass rusher in this upcoming draft class. He has the perfect combination of strength and explosiveness off the line, which allows him to outmatch most offensive tackles.
One of the most desirable aspects of Bosa’s game is his hand usage and placement. Bosa is able to use his strength and hand placement to easily control the opposing linemen and push them off-balance. Bosa has ideal lateral quickness, which allows him to get an early step and effectively use the swim move, the club-rip move, or the swat move to go both outside or inside.
"In the above video Bosa is lined up again in the 5-technique against Rutgers, he gets off the line quick, initiating contact with his hands (Club-Rip Move) to the outside of the tackle. Bosa is able to free himself up, keeping his pads low and turning the corner on his way to the quarterback."
"In the above video Bosa is lined up in the 5-technique against Penn State. He gets off the line quick, initiating contact in a full bull rush. Bosa is able to push the tackle effectively into the back field, forcing the quarterback to roll-out. Notice Bosa’s ability to quickly change directions and maintain balance."
"In the above video Bosa is lined up again in the 3-technique against Penn State. He gets off the line quick, initiating contact in a full bull rush. Bosa is able to push the guard and get him off balanced. Initially, Bosa looks like get is going through the B-gap, but effectively uses his hand to push back inside the A-gap for the sack."
What do you think about the Browns targeting Joey Bosa in the 2016 NFL Draft?
The video clips were provided courtesy of DraftBreakdown.com; Football terms are courtesy of the fine work of Insidethepylon.com