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Even with the NFL draft months away, it is never to early to start looking at some of the many prospects that will be future NFL players. There will be more comprehensive profiles completed, and Big Boards assembled as the draft draws closer, especially after the offseason All Star events and NFL Combine are completed, and more tape is studied. However, this preview series will give a brief view at this point to some of the popular players we will hear about as potential first or second round picks in April, and if they could be a fit for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Nic Scourton carries an interesting profile. Unlike some other prospects where they have some versatility to play edge/OLB or Edge/DT, Scourton is strictly a three-point stance DE. His size typically would transition him to the interior, but his explosiveness and power are in play from the 5-tech position. Because of his limited positional flexibility, he is not the perfect fit for any scheme, but he has the talent to become an immediate contributor to a defense.
In order to be effective on the Edge at 285 pounds without elite burst or end, Scourton has combined elite quickness, advanced hand usage and power to find success. In this class, he might have the most refined rush arsenal where he features club overs, club-swims, double hand swipes, cross chops and a developing push-pull along with a great spin counter. He also has a very high football IQ, where he uses his quickness off the snap to set up his opponents by taking an immediate stab to the outside shoulder and then, once the tackle oversets to compensate, he can cross up to the inside shooting the gap into the backfield. Naturally, with his size comes power, and he is exceptional at converting quickness to power and demonstrates good punch and play strength at the POA. However, Scourton is not all bulk and size. He has a good motor, decent feet and is a plus athlete at the position which allows him to be able to play laterally and chase plays down across the line.
The biggest weakness to Scourton’s game is his limited positional flexibility which limits his scheme fit at the next level. He lacks the elite bend to flatten the edge to get to the QB, and he is not athletic or fast enough to play in space as a stand-up Edge. With this being the case, he is really pigeonholed to be a standard 5 tech who plays from a three-point stance. He is a throwback DE in the Reggie White or Bruce Smith mold where he lines up exclusively over a tackle and uses a blend of quickness, power, motor and technique to win on the edge. He will also need to improve his leverage to take on double teams and chips to consistently set the edge of the defense. I also think he has a stamina issue which needs improvement. Not that he doesn’t play with max effort, but when he gets tired, he can rely on bull rushes repeatedly. It seems to be a way that he can take a breather without extending extra effort with counters or outside rushes.
Even though Scourton’s fit and play style is scheme specific, he can still rush the passer, and that skill set will always be in demand. With a bunch of good Edge players in this class that are more complete than him gives him a wide range of draft outcomes. He has top 40 potential, but based on team needs, player availability and scheme he could fall farther than that, or he could be taken somewhere in the top 25. His draft position is truly an “eye of the beholder” situation. If I were to guess, I would say he is taken somewhere between pick 20 and 45. The fact that he will not be 21 until August also helps his cause to be taken within this range.
While there are other Edge players in this class that I prefer, if Scourton was the pick for the LAC, I think he could be a good fit in Minter’s scheme as he can assume the Bosa role immediately as a hand in the dirt DE. In reality, Bosa has been used almost exclusively in this role in Minter’s defense. The moronic days of him dropping into coverage or rushing from a stand up, wide alignment are thankfully behind us. Scourton will never be a Khalil Mack or Von Miller type of rusher that can win from a multitude of alignments, but his ability to win as he is, cannot be understated. I would have full confidence that Minter could incorporate and design rush packages for him to be a successful edge rusher with the ability to develop into a more complete edge defender.
I like Scourton's game quite a bit. Do I like him at 1.22? I'd say no if Bosa stays, more if he's gone. For me, everything regarding where we draft an edge relies on the outcomes on Bosa and Mack. If they stay, I'm leaning more IDL or TE. If one (or both!! please no) are gone then edge is absolutely a priority and Scourton is in play.
I think he does have a bit of position flexibility in that, with his size/power, he can slide inside on occasion. There he reminds me some of Tuli. He could be another lunch pail guy, especially if he got to spend a season or so under Mack's tutelage.
Anyone think there's a chance we trade down a few spots depending on the board?
@buck-melanoma Buck, I think Edge is the priority no matter who comes back. At this point of his career, Bosa will be year to year with his body and could hang them up anytime and Mack is 33. I know he has been great, but you never know when Father Time rings the bell. The IDL class is deeper than Edge, and if we expect to be drafting in this range regularly, there's no guarantee that future classes will be as deep.
I do not think there is as much chance for a trade down as much as a trade up. With a weaker class than normal and so many picks, this might be the time to go get a guy rather than sliding back for more picks.
@evolz3737 I appreciate your perspective. I really want to give Herbie a stud TE as another weapon but can also see what you're saying about the future at edge.
There are a few different directions they could take. With that in mind, this may truly be a year where pure BPA really does become reality.
@buck-melanoma Not sure if a TE will even be an option at 1.22 unless Loveland or Warren drop into the mid teens and we make a move up to get one of them. In reality, I only see 5 positions as an option in Rd1: TE, IDL, IOL, Edge, CB. I guess I could see WR if McMillan fell or they like Egbuka. I would not be interested in RB, LB, S and obviously QB.
Of course, everything could change once FA starts, but assuming no trades and the top 2 TE are gone my order as of now is Edge, IOL, IDL, CB, WR. I really need to get to Booker and Zabel, but I am trying to get through a few more Edge player profiles before I move on to IOL. But I have to admit, after watching some Senior Bowl clips and the game, I think I could be sold on Zabel at 1.22, especially with his C flex.
@evolz3737 I'm leaning in that direction on Zabel too. Now that he's getting exposure outside of that "small school" label, people are seeing his potential and realizing his success wasn't just due to being at the FCS level.
Our position priorities are pretty much in synch. It largely depends on how the board falls. I'm also excluding the positions you listed for 1.22. And, like you, I won't be surprised if the top 2 TE's are gone by 1.22. At that point my next choice would be Arroyo. He's just too intriguing to not consider.
@buck-melanoma If the top 2 TE are gone and Arroyo was still around in Rd3 or 4, then he's worth a shot. I'm not taking him any earlier than that.
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