STRENGTHS
YaYa reminds me a lot of former Bengals Defensive lineman Carlos Dunlap. He is a naturally powerful edge rusher with the ability to ruin a quarterback’s life all game long because of the effort he gives on every play. If YaYa doesn’t get a sack, he gets the pressure. When he is double-teamed he fights like a raccoon protecting its Den. YaYa doesn’t have very many pass rush moves and he still got 9 sacks this year. He is stout against the run and fast enough and quick enough to react to anything in the open field to his side and shut it down behind the line of scrimmage. YaYa has the potential to become the sleeper impact edge rusher from this class of talented pass rushers and has a long career.
CONCERNS
He has to be more consistent in using his natural strength and length. He has to come off at a better pad level, engage his opponent and then make his moves. He also struggles to get off blocks consistently. He has so much talent and potential it makes you wonder if he struggles to bring what he learns in practice onto the field in-game time.
BOTTOM LINE: 2.31
YaYa had 22 solo tackles, and 9 sacks this year and was moved all over the defensive front and the truth is he hasn’t got a clue what the hell he is doing. They brought him into the Senior Bowl and my guess was to see about his ability to be coached. There is no doubt about the talent to be an impact defensive end in a 4/3 or 3/4. When he is lined up inside against a guard he has to be double team or he will make a play in the backfield. When lined up outside he still does an excellent job getting into the backfield getting pressures and sacks but the truth is he is doing it all on athletic talent and not using techniques. His talent screams, Coach me, coach me. But his play during a game says “I don’t need no stinking techniques”. My guess is it’s all because he was moved around the defensive front, teams will have to decide if he will be better adding some weight and lining him up inside or leaving him as is, adding some pass rush moves, and keeping him on the outside. Either way, it will take a little time for YaYa to reach his potential impact and that impact could be something special
