STRENGTHS
Josh reminds me a lot of former Dolphins DE Jason Taylor. He has the same athletic talent to play more than one position in your defensive front seven as Jason had. Josh can be used to rush the passer or drop off the line in coverage because of his length. He has an excellent burst off the line and those long legs that allow him to turn the corner and sack the quarterback. Josh has an excellent burst and can change direction in coverage just enough to cover tight ends off the line. He has the potential to be as good as the Vikings Anthony Barr and in the future could become a special defensive player, the kind who can impact and you can build you defense around. He’s a defensive playmaker.
CONCERNS
Josh is a much more aggressive attacking the line of scrimmage than he is dropping off the line of scrimmage. He struggles tackling consistently in the open field and this will be magnified at the next level. When he drops off into zone coverage he seems to be lost at times and struggles to be consistent in his drops. Josh struggles tackling consistently in the open field and at times uses poor form and also will hesitate, allowing others to make the tackle. This doesn’t happen when he is used to attack the line of scrimmage.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.61
There is too much talent and potential to pass up Josh in the 1st round but the truth is right now he is better in a three-point stance bursting off the line into the back field than he is standing up, off the line of scrimmage. He is going to need some hard coaching and a mature attitude to reach his full potential as an OLB/DE in a 3/4 Defense. I’m not saying he can’t do it…all I’m saying is, put on the film and watch him in a three-point stance coming off the line and then tell me that you think he should be standing up off the line struggling to carry out his assignment, until you can get him up to speed. Jason Taylor made his name and career as a DE in a 4/3 defense. It wasn’t until later in his career that he was switched over and played in a 3/4 and believe me he wasn’t as impacting. He was good but not as disruptive or as impacting. Josh comes off the line and into the backfield like a greyhound coming out of the starting gate when he’s in a three-point stance. He has those long strides that puts the offense lineman off balance trying to match up with him. His pad level, speed and quickness are what gives him the advantage and once he learns better hand usage and how to set up his opponent he just might become a bigger version of Broncos Von Miller. Of course, if you want to turn him into the next Anthony Barr that can happen also but that, might take a little more time and some hard coaching.
