STRENGTHS
Charles is a Defensive End, in a defensive ends body, playing linebacker because of his overall athletic talent. He is listed at 6’ 7”, 240 lbs and because of his long, Condor like wingspan, he can set the edge against the run better than any other defensive player in this draft. Charles can cover downfield because of his long strides and is outstanding at covering those big Tight Ends and can even be used on the outside in the red zone to cover. His long arms, allow him to knock down those fade passes in the end zone and make the windows even tighter when he plays zone coverage in the end zone. Charles has the athleticism and long strides to hunt down those athletic quarterbacks when they move the pocket trying to extend plays or take off and try to run for third downs. Charles’s impact position at the next level should be as a Defensive End but make no mistake about it, his impact as a linebacker may not show up much to the average fan but it sure will, to that quarterback who has to look at him down the field all game long. Charles’s athletic talent, size, speed, and condor, hunting like presence, is demoralizing and disturbing for those quarterbacks to deal with all game long. That’s why I call him…you guessed it, Charles (The Condor) Snowden. Mmmmm, I wonder if condor’s like the snow?
CONCERNS
Charles had a season-ending injury (Broken Ankle) that will affect his ability to work out. If that injury is healing, it will not affect him as far as playing on the field but because there is no combine (ETC) it will affect his draft status. That means a top ten talent could go in any round in this draft. His pass-rushing skills are also rudimentary because of his athletic talents and that means, he still has enormous upside in leaning to rush the passer.
BOTTOM LINE 1.27
In my opinion, if you are a playoff team, and allow this kid, because of injury, out of the 1st round… it will haunt you as you watch him game after game, like a bird of prey, eat your quarterback up alive. At least that’s how I see it. Without the injury, he is a top ten player but the injury and this strange year, in general, will allow him to drop unless he can put on a show before the draft. You’re talking about a kid who is 6’ 7” who can play ANY position in your front seven and impact. You’re talking about a kid who can cover, down the field as well as any linebacker in this draft. You’re talking about a defensive end, at 240 lbs who can set the edge and fight through a double team (against the run) and make tackles behind or at the line of scrimmage. You’re talking about a kid who could be the new Marvel comic superhero…The Condor. Seriously, you’re going to pass on all of that because of a little broken ankle? As Julia Roberts said in “Pretty Woman” …Big mistake, big, huge…
