NFL Combine Quick Read: Evaluating EDGE Athleticism from a Lions Perspective
I want to start by saying that I got all the testing information and stats from ras.football. RAS was the brain child of Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb on X). I have used RAS information for as long as ot has been compiled to help influence my perspective. If you have not checked out RAS it is a comprehensive athletic rating system. Dig in, you won’t be sorry.
Additional information pulled from nfl.com
Watching the Defensive Ends yesterday, I was struck by how athletic they were testing. I do this every year to be fair. I turn on NFL Network and am wowed by the athletic prowess shown. That said, I wanted to dig in on what makes a good edge athletically for their specific position, and what players have put those numbers on paper this year.
I started by exploring 3 elite edge rushers in the NFL, and grabbed what I consider to be the most important measurements of an edge, 10 yard split, 3-Cone Drill, and Broad Jump. These measurements have a lot to do with Agility, Explosiveness, and Pursuit. Here is what I found:
Micah Parsons: 10 yard split: 1.59, 3-Cone 6.96, Broad Jump: 10’6”
TJ Watt: 10 yard split: 1.59, 3-Cone 6.79, Broad Jump: 10’8”
Maxx Crosby: 10 yard split: 3-Cone: 6.89, Broad Jump: 10’2”
Let me be very clear, these values are firmly within the RAS system’s “elite” ranking, and given these players, I think you would likely agree with me that these are elite edge rushers. So let’s take a peek at a few prospects the Lions could look at that fall within these approximate ranges.
Dani Dennis-Sutton - Penn State - 6’5” 256lbs: 10 yard split: 1.64, 3-Cone 6.90, Broad Jump: 10’11”.
Dennis-Sutton has put on a show at the combine as the number show. He is currently projected to go in the 3rd round. While he is a bit on the slighter side than the Lions tend to want across from Hutch, he has the athleticism where it counts.
Malachi Lawrence - Central Florida - 6’4” 253lbs: 10 yard split 1.58, 3-Cone: DNP, Broad Jump: 10’10”.
Stop me if you have heard this before, Lawrence is a bit more slight of build that the Lions like across from hutch. He also did not participate in the 3-Cone Drill which concerns me a little, even with the fact that he blew the doors off the house elsewhere. He is also projected to go in the 3rd round.
Mason Reiger - Wisconsin - 6’5” 251lbs: 10 yard split, 1.61, 3-Cone: DNP, Broad Jump: 10’05”.
Once again, slighter build than the Lions like, elite numbers, no 3-Cone drill. Projected in the 7th round.
So, I want to be very clear, I am not stating that each of these young men is going to be an elite edge. Athleticism is only one piece of the puzzle. Technique, discipline, vision, and many more traits make up elite players. Would I take any of these guys for the Lions? From an athletic perspective yes. However, there is a lot more to the puzzle to be had.
Final note: Some players are likely waiting to test these athletic numbers at their Pro Days. Some consider operating from “home turf” an advantage, so while these may be some of the top end players right now, there are plenty more to come.