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The Curious Case Of Mr. Anthony Nelson - Edge Rusher: IOWA


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I know PFF is a polarizing topic around here but I do like this analysis when they measure edge rushers or pass rushers as a whole.  I have to admit, Nelson in the 4th is looking nice to me

 

The fact of the matter is, we at PFF track how often defensive linemen beat the offensive lineman in front of them. Whether that ends up in a sack, hit, hurry or nothing else, is more a factor of the offensive play call than anything the defender can control. Last season, Bosa won 28.0 percent of his pass-rushes. The next best number among all returning Power 5 defensive linemen was Anthony Nelson of Iowa at 22.9 percent.

The win rates of other notable defensive linemen across college football are below.”

 

 

Nick-Bosa-pass-rushes-won2.jpg

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33 minutes ago, William Spires said:

Anthony Nelson DE Iowa & Daylon Mack DT Texas A&M as 4a & 4b would be very nice additions to the DL rotation... especially if we could get both in the 4th

I agree. Add Jimmy Moreland in the 5tg, Prescod in 6th and our back half of the draft could be special

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Always useful to know who he's having those wins against (what OT's) but as a late round traits player it makes sense.  Long arms, very long in general, pretty athletic for his size.

You'd hope that's a guy you can coach up and teach him how to use his long arms to engage, throw aside, and cause damage.  At this point in the draft, that's what I'm looking for...guys who have something to hang their hat on and you can add to it.

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As an Iowa alum I've watched all of Nelson's games.  Big fan of his, he may not be the most flashy player, but he is a high work, high character player and as you eluded to was consistent in generating pressure.  Well coached and I think he has potential upside to continue to improve as well.  Looks like a solid value player if he could be had in the 4th.  Wish AJ Epenesa was eligible to come out this year, he looks like a beast.

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3 minutes ago, takeitdown said:

Always useful to know who he's having those wins against (what OT's) but as a late round traits player it makes sense.  Long arms, very long in general, pretty athletic for his size.

You'd hope that's a guy you can coach up and teach him how to use his long arms to engage, throw aside, and cause damage.  At this point in the draft, that's what I'm looking for...guys who have something to hang their hat on and you can add to it.

He is a Zack Allen lite.  Strong as an ox, sets the edge and dominant vs the run.

Lacks athleticism and bend on the edge.  But in the 4th round he won’t be w finished product.  

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3 minutes ago, Falconsin2012 said:

He is a Zack Allen lite.  Strong as an ox, sets the edge and dominant vs the run.

Lacks athleticism and bend on the edge.  But in the 4th round he won’t be w finished product.  

I know comparisons are tough, but I always look at players like this and wonder if they can be similar to Michael Bennett.  This guy is taller and leaner.  But Bennett seems to win with long arms and power...he doesn't have as much height, but he's put long arms to good effect.  Bennett also has a ton of dog to him though.

If you can get some of the same moves to work for a similar type of power rusher...that can be very effective.  Just always a little hard to translate to what will happen.  You can see what could happen, what you'd try to do with him, but you never know it it'll take.

But long arms, some athleticism, high motor is usually a good combination.

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10 minutes ago, takeitdown said:

I know comparisons are tough, but I always look at players like this and wonder if they can be similar to Michael Bennett.  This guy is taller and leaner.  But Bennett seems to win with long arms and power...he doesn't have as much height, but he's put long arms to good effect.  Bennett also has a ton of dog to him though.

If you can get some of the same moves to work for a similar type of power rusher...that can be very effective.  Just always a little hard to translate to what will happen.  You can see what could happen, what you'd try to do with him, but you never know it it'll take.

But long arms, some athleticism, high motor is usually a good combination.

Bennett would be a better athlete but Nelson is longer, stronger.  35 inch arms and 4.8 40 at 280 lbs is a solid specimen.  

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3 minutes ago, Falconsin2012 said:

Bennett would be a better athlete but Nelson is longer, stronger 

He may be.  He's always sort of an interesting case though, because his testing was bad.

5.1 40.....31 inch vertical...110 inch broad jump

I'd imagine his 3 cone wasn't as good a Nelson's.

So Bennett is more athletic than he tested, but I think it's his long arms and relentlessness that have really made it for him.

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15 minutes ago, IA Falcon07 said:

As an Iowa alum I've watched all of Nelson's games.  Big fan of his, he may not be the most flashy player, but he is a high work, high character player and as you eluded to was consistent in generating pressure.  Well coached and I think he has potential upside to continue to improve as well.  Looks like a solid value player if he could be had in the 4th.  Wish AJ Epenesa was eligible to come out this year, he looks like a beast.

Thanks for the insid info.  I see him as a base in either scheme but sliding inside on passing downs.  What do you think his best role would be?

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6 minutes ago, takeitdown said:

He may be.  He's always sort of an interesting case though, because his testing was bad.

5.1 40.....31 inch vertical...110 inch broad jump

I'd imagine his 3 cone wasn't as good a Nelson's.

So Bennett is more athletic than he tested, but I think it's his long arms and relentlessness that have really made it for him.

Looks like @Francis York Morgan was correct.  Good call

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We just haven't seen the Falcons go after DEs that don't have a blazing get-off and who aren't considered fast.

Personally, I believe sometimes that causes us to miss good players as there are some really good passrushers in the league that maybe aren't the fastest guys out there.

While there is a first time for everything, we haven't seen DQ go after a guy on defense yet w/o quickness.  "Play Fast".

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1 hour ago, Falconsin2012 said:

I know PFF is a polarizing topic around here but I do like this analysis when they measure edge rushers or pass rushers as a whole.  I have to admit, Nelson in the 4th is looking nice to me

 

The fact of the matter is, we at PFF track how often defensive linemen beat the offensive lineman in front of them. Whether that ends up in a sack, hit, hurry or nothing else, is more a factor of the offensive play call than anything the defender can control. Last season, Bosa won 28.0 percent of his pass-rushes. The next best number among all returning Power 5 defensive linemen was Anthony Nelson of Iowa at 22.9 percent.

The win rates of other notable defensive linemen across college football are below.”

 

 

Nick-Bosa-pass-rushes-won2.jpg

this chart is kind of dayuming to the BIG 10 offensive tackles blocking these guys -  4-of-top-5 guys are all in the BIG 10.

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3 minutes ago, g-dawg said:

We just haven't seen the Falcons go after DEs that don't have a blazing get-off and who aren't considered fast.

Personally, I believe sometimes that causes us to miss good players as there are some really good passrushers in the league that maybe aren't the fastest guys out there.

While there is a first time for everything, we haven't seen DQ go after a guy on defense yet w/o quickness.  "Play Fast".

It’s true.  But I like the Pateiots approach.  Mid round picks look for just a specific skill set and use it accordingly.  Nelson is in no way perfect. Not as strong as his size hints.  But his hands are elite and technique is solid.  He would improve our DL which, I guess, is the objective

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