2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report - Nick Bosa

Despite questions about quitting on his team, Nick Bosa could still find himself as the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draftt

Nick Bosa, Jr., DE, Ohio State

6-foot-4, 263 pounds, #97

Nick Bosa was a five-star prospect coming out of high school, having been ranked in the top ten overall by nearly every major recruiting agency. Hailing from St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Bosa was a two time State Champion, a two time All-State selection, and an Under Armor All-American.

Bosa followed his older brother Joey (former All-American defensive end and the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2016) to Ohio State. Like his brother, both Bosa's father (John) and uncle (Erik Kumerow) were former NFL first round draft picks. 

While Bosa only started for one season with the Buckeyes, he played a significant role as a true freshman on what was a defensive line laden with NFL talent.

Bosa finished his Freshman season with 29 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, and 5 sacks. Those efforts earned him a spot on ESPN's Freshman All-American Team, and he was also an Ohio State Scholar Athlete.

Following a Sophomore season in which Bosa notched 34 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble., he was named First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and a First Team All-American. Bosa was also named Academic All-Big Ten and a Ohio State Scholar Athlete. 

Bosa started out strong during his Junior season with 14 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 touchdown in just three games before suffering a core muscle injury that required surgery.

Given a projected 12-week recovery period, it was speculated that Bosa could return in time for the Buckeye's game against rival Michigan, or with Ohio State being a legitimate National Championship contender, for the College Football Playoffs. However, Bosa raised eyebrows when he quit the team shortly after his surgery to focus on his rehabilitation and training for the NFL draft.

With ideal size and athleticism to play the edge in the NFL, Bosa should have no trouble playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme or weakside defensive end in a 4-3 system. Having been situationally moved along the line at Ohio State, Bosa also has the size and versatility to slide to the interior on passing downs if needed.

Bosa uses a combination of speed and power to get to the passer. While the speed rush is his primary move, he frequently attacks the outside shoulder of opposing linemen knowing that he has the extra gear and bend to beat his man and turn the corner.

As a counter move, Bosa is able to quickly change directions and attack inside with his fluid hips and a strong swim move in the event that opposing blockers cheat wide in order to try and negate his speed rush.

Bosa should be strong enough to set the edge at the NFL level. His quickness and strength make him a disruptive force when it comes to getting penetration against the run. His strong grip allows him to bring down ball carriers if he so much as gets a single hand on them. 

Bosa was not asked to drop into coverage much at Ohio State, but he has the athleticism to do so on occasion if needed. However, his elite pass rushing skills make him better suited to play on the weakside and attack the passer on a regular basis.

If there is one criticism about Bosa, it is the concept of whether he puts himself before his team.

While Bosa's family has stated that he likely would not have been fully healthy for the CFP's despite his initial 12-week projected absence (which very well may have been a correct statement), he had already left his team before he could legitimately know how quickly his rehab was progressing.

If the prospect of competing for a National Championship, or at least remaining with your teammates as they compete for a title, wasn't enough to keep Bosa from packing it in, you have to wonder how he'll handle playing on an expiring contract for a team that may not be a playoff contender.

Bosa very well may be able to address these concerns, but if I'm a general manager and my job is ultimately on the line, I'm going to thoroughly vet him on his decision making during the pre-draft interview process...Especially since Bosa's family was actively vocal about his brother's holdout prior to his rookie season.

NFL Comparison: Joey Bosa

NFL Draft Projection: First Round (top two pick)

2019 NFL Draft Scouting Report - Josh Allen

Josh Allen, Edge rusher of Kentucky, is a projected early first round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, and potentially one of the best pass rushers to enter the NFL in decades. 

Josh Allen, Sr., Edge, University of Kentucky
6-foot-5, 260 pounds, #41

Despite being a First Team All-State defensive end in New Jersey, Josh Allen was a lightly regarded, two star recruit coming out of high school. A one time Monmouth commit, Allen accepted a late offer to play in he SEC at the University of Kentucky.

After gaining close to 40 pounds, Allen developed into a three-year starter at defensive end for the Wildcats, starting with a breakout Sophomore season where he notched 62 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 7 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles.

Allen earned 2nd and 3rd team All SEC honors following his Junior season where he put up 66 tackles, 7 sacks, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception.

Bypassing the NFL Draft as a probable second day pick, Allen returned to Kentucky for his Senior year where he finished the season with 88 tackles, 17 sacks, 21.5 tackles for a loss, and 5 forced fumbles.

For those efforts, Allen earned First Team All SEC honors, SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, First Team All American honors, and National Defensive Player of the Year honors from multiple media sources.

A physical freak, Allen has ideal size and athleticism to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He is also heavy enough to play weakside defensive end in a 4-3 system.

Allen's lean, but muscular physique makes it unlikely that he'll put on much more weight at the NFL level without losing speed, but he'll probably add another 10 to 15 pounds as he naturally matures.

Allen is an extremely high motor edge rusher who simply blows opposing blockers away with his elite speed and burst, which allows him to get off the snap faster than just about any pass rusher I can remember. Opposing linemen are frequently forced to resort to reaching and grabbing, making him an offensive holding penalty in waiting.

On the rare occasion where his blocker is able to force him wide and/or deep in his pass rush, or in the event that the quarterback steps up in the pocket, Allen has the ability to quickly change directions and attack the passer from behind. This allows him to be an elite playmaker when it comes to forcing fumbles.

An instinctive player, Allen does well dropping into coverage. His motor also allows him to pursue opposing ball carriers from the backside of plays.

Although he's probably not yet stout enough to consistently set the edge against the run at the NFL level, Allen should grow into that role in time. For now, he's better utilized in pass rush and run pursuit given his athleticism and persistent drive towards the ball.

If there is one criticism about Allen's game, it's that he could use a secondary move to compliment his speed/power rush. It may be that he's just so dominant at the college level that he doesn't need to resort to secondary moves, but he's clearly athletic enough to add a spin or swim move to his repertoire (if he doesn't already have them) with proper tutelage at the NFL level.


NFL Comparison: Von Miller
NFL Draft Projection: First Round (top four)