STRENGTHS
Jaelan has the size and length teams look for in a defensive end or pass rusher. He shows good foot speed and explosion off the line of scrimmage. He has, solid change of direction talent and that helps him when rushing the passer. Jaelan gives excellent effort on every play. He has those long arms that will help him keep those big linemen off his body and those long legs and quickness that allows him to get into the backfield quickly with the advantage of keeping his opponent off balance. Jaelan has potential for the next level to impact like Vikings Danielle Hunter and like Danielle in the 2015 draft, Jaelan would be considered as a developmental project with the potential to impact in this draft.
CONCERNS
Jaelen right now is a developmental Edge Rusher. In the past, he had extensive medical injuries (off the field and on the field) that some teams are going to be very concerned about. In his defense, he has come back from all of those issues to play this year. He has to get a lot stronger in his upper and lower body. He struggles to get off blocks and can be easily re-routed on his pass rush by tight ends who will not play at the next level. His football IQ is lacking because of a lack of game repetitions. He struggles to understand what his opponent’s offense is likely to do on any down and distance, struggling to identify where the ball is in the backfield and exploding off the line-wide, on third and short taking himself out of plays in stopping the run. He has to learn much better techniques against the run and when rushing the passer but, the talent is there for sure.
BOTTOM LINE 3.89
Jaelan is far behind in his development as a Defensive Lineman because of all his injuries. There are no questions about his effort on every play or his work ethic off the field to learn, but there are a lot of concerns about his football IQ along with his lack of techniques and overall strength for the next level and of course, the seriousness of his past injuries. All of that being said, Jaelen looks to me like a player in the future who can impact and be a leader given the time and good coaching with a patient team, the same way Danielle Hunter has blossomed into the dominating and impact player for the Vikings.
