STRENGTHS
Josh is a quick twitch athletic player with the clone like speed, size, and football IQ that gives him the potential to be as good or better, than Jadeveon Clowney. Josh is 6’ 5” 251 lbs with a Combine Performance Metric (CPM) score of 95.14 and in case you are wondering the average CPM for Edge Rushes is 87.6. He has the length teams are looking for in an Edge Rusher for a 3/4 defense and like I stated before, the quick twitch athletic talent also. Josh’s effort on every play is outstanding. He has an excellent burst off the line and looks on film to have an excellent work ethic. He has the talent to learn the techniques of every pass rush move and is stout against run using his long arms to keep those big bodies off of him to shed blocks. He was used inside at times and although his production took a hit, his effort and talent to impact did not. Josh plays angry and with a chip on his shoulders that will do him well at the next level. He is excellent at stacking the double team, holding those big bodies on the line of scrimmage because of his unusual and natural strength. Josh is a bit raw but he is one player in this draft that I think is worth developing and selecting him early in this draft.

CONCERNS
Right now, Josh is a project because his pass rush talents are rudimentary compared to the level he should be at. But all of the talent and work ethic and football IQ is there to work with. Josh has past medial injuries that will scare some teams off and rate him low but his workouts prove that he is all the way back. He now has to prove he can handle a 16-game schedule (injury free) and that will be the big question mark until he does it.

BOTTOM LINE
Like I said on the field, you’re looking at a clone of Jadeveon Clowney except with a better work ethic and more of a chip on his shoulders. He is behind in his pass rushing techniques but once he is brought up to speed, Josh should become an impact defensive player who can play multiple positions in your defensive front seven. His impact position should be as an Edge Rusher for a 3/4 defense because of his body type and quick twitch athletic talent but he will be able to play multiple positions. Give him some time to develop and prove he can play a 16-game schedule injury free and Josh will be one of the best players to come out in this draft. What round he gets selected in is anyone’s guess but his talent is 1st round talent. His college team used Josh mostly as a DE in a 4/3 defense and moved him in side at times but Josh will impact more out in space then he will with his hand down. So when teams select Josh with that thought in mind and they will see for themselves his potential and his 1st round talent for sure.

Drew Boylhart   MAR.2018