Sean Payton came out and said one of the biggest priorities for the team this offseason was pass rush. And that was before the Saints went out and signed three linebackers. I truly believe that Sean Payton and the Saints have been quietly attempting to fill enough of the holes on the roster, and to build enough depth, that they can choose whoever they want with the 12th pick. Now of course some Saints fans are convinced that this means they are taking Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, but I think it means just the opposite. If the Saints didn’t shore up their linebacking core and bring in some depth it was likely they would have been forced to take the safest player at one of two positions: defensive tackle or defensive end.
Over and over we have seen pundits mock Alabama defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson to the Saints, and it is my opinion that this is due to them viewing him as a ‘safe’ pick at a position of clear need. However, the greatest weakness in his game is the same element Payton has repeatedly talked about, Pass Rush. The fact is that while Cam Jordan is a decent pass rusher, and a great all-around player, he isn’t a difference maker there. This is what the Saints need, a pure pass rusher who can be competent against the run…but one who is able to negatively affect plays for the offense single-handedly.
A name near the top of that list is:
Emmanuel Ogbah: Defensive End, OKST
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 273 lbs
Ogbah is a player who has gotten a lot of mixed reviews. Some say he has a great motor, others say it’s questionable. Some say he’s not very athletic, yet he was the top performer in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and broad jump at the combine. Some say he’s a one trick pony, but he’s shown versatility in his film and consistent production. So which is it? Is he the next ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ (he was born there), or is he just a nightmare from Nigeria whose destined to be a draft bust.
Weaknesses:
Ogbah might be the one player I plan on covering who I’m really not sure on. There are elements to his game that are worrying. He’s upright, he doesn’t have that ‘natural bend’ you hear about so much this time of year (and never after), and he’s still a very raw player. Ogbah was very productive in college, but a lot of that could be tied to the fact that he was simply a man amongst boys out there. It’s not an illegitimate question to wonder if Ogbah is ready to play in a league where he’s just another monstrous man among many.
His burst off the line of scrimmage isn’t elite, and while his measurables say that he is both quick and fast, his film doesn’t always reflect that. Ogbah as he currently stands is very much a ‘beat em up’ type player who relies on his incredible strength to bully his way to the Quarterback. Ogbah needs to refine his technique and learn at least a few countermoves to deal with the higher level of competition he will face on the next level.
Despite his strength he also can struggle against the run sometimes as he doesn’t set the edge as dominantly as he is capable of. The reality of Ogbah is that if you are the nitpicking type there are an endless number of small flaws to his game that you can choose from, and they add up to show a player who simply will not be likely to dominate from day one.
Strengths:
With all of that said, Ogbah isn’t just a man amongst boys, he’s a MONSTER. Ogbah has the power of a defensive tackle in his frame, and while his initial burst isn’t where it should/could be his ability to blow through offensive lineman is simply impressive. What he lacks in a variety of moves he makes up for with a devastating rip and a legit bull rush that will be hard to stop even at the NFL level. He was able to amass 28 sacks in 3 years, was in double digits the last two, and was an all-around dominating force at the college level in his final year at Oklahoma State.
What is most impressive about Ogbah isn’t just his production in college though, it’s his potential. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen scouts, or draft nicks, narrow in on one attribute of a player and decide it’s their kryptonite and they won’t be any good. In the case of Ogbah it seems to be his less than ideal fluidity, however the reality is that he simply isn’t a finesse pass rusher, and that is ok. Do I think Ogbah is going to go out and get a dozen sacks as a rookie? Probably not, but he could get 8. The thing with Emmanual Ogbah as a prospect is that while I fully acknowledge his weak points, you also have to consider the player he could someday become. IF he can learn to use a little more variety with his moves, and IF he can learn to time snaps better, Ogbah COULD be the best pass rusher in this draft.
The verdict:
I don’t think that Ogbah is the best pass rusher in this draft, and I’m not advocating the Saints taking him at 12 (although if they trade down I might), but if Shaq Lawson is gone I wouldn’t be surprised if the Saints decide to take the next best thing. Ogbah isn’t the sure thing that I believe Lawson to be (we’ll look at him soon), but I seriously do believe that even if he never fully lives up to his potential he could be a very good player for the Saints. Even if he’s streaky with his production the reality is that the Saints desperately need a competent pass rusher opposite Jordan, and they can fill their need at Defensive Tackle later in the draft.
He’s not the best option, but that doesn’t make him a poor one either.
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