Just Blog Baby
FanSided

Oakland Raiders: Edge Rusher Options Outside of Round 1

By Austin Gayle

Oct. 30, 2015 - Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.com.
Oct. 30, 2015 - Source: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images North America via Zimbio.com. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8) dives to tackle Arizona Wildcats running back Terris Jones-Grigsby (24) in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Wildcats 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos defensive lineman Kamalei Correa (8) dives to tackle Arizona Wildcats running back Terris Jones-Grigsby (24) in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl at Phoenix Stadium. The Broncos defeated the Wildcats 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Kamalei Correa, OLB Boise State

Kamalei Correa, a two-year starter at Boise State, possesses a lot of the ideal traits a scout looks for in a talented edge-rusher, as he pairs elite athleticism with great speed and quickness when attacking the quarterback along the edge. At 6’3”, 243 pounds, Correa could afford to pack on some more weight if he is to become a three-down player in the NFL, but when he does beat his man to the edge or is given a free rush to the quarterback, he gets the job done.

Also, Correa will struggle to bully his way to the quarterback because of his lack of overall play strength and mass, but he will sometimes carry enough momentum into opposing offensive linemen to knock them back into the quarterback.

Though he will predominantly bend around the edge without using his hands when attacking the quarterback, Correa can be successful when using his hands to quickly maneuver past both tackles and interior offensive linemen.

Here is an example of Correa taking it to BYU guard Ului Lapuaho in 2015.

Correa accumulated 19 sacks and 30 tackles for loss in his final two years with the Broncos, per CFBStats.com.

Similarly to a lot of other speed rushers in this class, Correa struggles to effectively play the run. Against bigger offensive linemen, Correa will often be pushed far off the line of scrimmage, and he will rarely shed blocks in time to make a play on the ball carrier.

According to PFF.com, Correa’s run stop percentage was just 4.5, which ranked 144th among his class.

In Oakland, Correa would have to rotate in as a standup outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end on passing downs until he can prove that he isn’t a liability against the run.

Though Oakland would like to bring in a balanced prospect that can effectively defend the run and attack the passer, Correa’s upside as a pass rusher could be too much to overlook come draft day. Even if he doesn’t develop into a starting caliber run defender, Correa could be a lethal weapon opposite of Mack early in his career.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders News