STRENGTHS
Chase is an impact defensive player who can change the outcome of a game with a strip-sack, an interception on a swing pass, a tackle for a loss on a third down play or just a scowl from the bench to an opposing quarterback. He is the triggerman for a dominating college defense. He has the size, athletic talent, and high football IQ to play more than one position in your defensive front and in multiple defensive systems but attacking the line of scrimmage is where he can truly show his dominating skills. Chase has Kahlil Mack type pass-rushing talent and Lawrence Taylor type dominating linebacker talent. He has quick feet, strong hands and the flexibility to turn the corner on sacks with the body strength and leverage that is more than any offensive tackle can handle one on one. Chase is a Franchise Defensive player. You select him and build your defensive around him and never look back. He will be your team’s triggerman to your new dominating defense for sure.
CONCERNS
The biggest concern you will have is how to replace his talent and impact on your defense if and when he gets injured. Of course, that’s no reason not to draft him.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 1.34
If your team needs a franchise quarterback and instead selects Chase I would have to say don’t worry about it because you don’t need a franchise quarterback if this kid is on your defense. All you need is a solid quarterback and some good play calling to score points and let Chase (the triggerman) do the rest. Chase is not just a pass rusher; he plays the run with the strength and leverage of any good defensive lineman. His pass-rushing skills are what we see but his overall game and his ability to work with his teammates in the front seven are what impresses me. He does not run around just making flashy plays he works within the context of the defensive game plan and picks his spots to impact very much like former Buffalo Bills great Bruce Smith. I expect Chase will impact his team’s defense at the next level the same way Bruce Smith impacted his team’s defense. It’s very rare that in a draft I would select a potential defensive lineman over a potential franchise quarterback if I had the need at both positions but there are exceptions to every rule and there are potential franchise quarterbacks in just about every draft but Chase is that rare exception to my rule of never passing on a franchise quarterback if you need one. Unless Chase has some off-field issues that would make me downgrade him over a quarterback I would say the rule be dammed. Select Chase and don’t look back. Isn’t it obvious!
