2017 NFL Draft: Three Overrated Pass Rushers

With the 2017 NFL Draft quickly approaching, here are three overrated pass rushers the Oakland Raiders should avoid drafting.

In less than a week, the 2017 NFL Draft will officially get underway. The Oakland Raiders were dead last in the NFL in sacks, with Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin being responsible for the vast majority of those sacks.

JBB’s own Seth Murphy put together an extensive project specifically designed to predict the future success of pass rushers, which he is dubbing SURGE. Check that out for an in-depth look at his process.

With Aldon Smith’s status up in the air, it wouldn’t hurt for Reggie McKenzie to add a pass rusher via the draft. Depending on when he looks for one, here are three he would be wise to avoid.

Takkarist McKinley – UCLA

On film, there is plenty to like. He’s absolutely a high-motor player, and he posted impressive production (mostly in his senior season) while holding his own as a run defender. But college success does not automatically translate to NFL success.

People are looking at McKinley’s 4.59 second 40-yard dash and projecting him even as high as a top 15 pick as a result, but those same people are missing the more important metrics — Takk tested poorly in the more important agility drills.

Among all DEs since 1999, McKinley’s 3-cone drill tested in the 14th percentile, and his 20-yard shuttle was in the 11th percentile. Combine that poor agility with height and weight both at the 10th percentile or lower (6’2″ 250 pounds) it’s hard to see where he’ll have success in the NFL.

What made Takk successful in college was largely his motor. To his credit, his tenacity is fun to watch and it’s certainly admirable. But he needs much more than to continue that success as a pro. There’s also his pending shoulder surgery to consider.

McKinley seems poised to be a first-round pick, but if he isn’t agile enough to win with finesse and if he’s not big/strong enough to win with power, he could be a pick a team regrets before his rookie contract is over.

Charles Harris – Missouri

Harris is one of the more productive pass rusher in this draft — 34.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks over three seasons at Missouri. Great snap anticiatpion and a fantastic spin move led to a good chunk of that production, but for a variety of reasons, it’s difficult to see Harris having anything close to that level of success in the NFL.

Simply put, he’s undersized and he’s a bad athlete. Not exactly a recipe for a high-end NFL pass rusher — particularly one who is projected to be a first-round pick.

At 6’3″ and 253 pounds, Harris’ height is in the 30th percentile among DEs since 1999, but his weight is only in the 17th percentile. He has a long way to go in terms of strength to get to a point to where he can be effective with a bull rush.

At the Combine, Harris tested poorly across the board. He somehow managed to have one of the most 60-yard shuttle ever recorded, and he was in the bottom 20 percent for both the 3-cone drill and the broad jump.

Now, athleticism isn’t everything. But for pass rushers, it’s a pretty big deal. Harris has impressive technique and an array of moves, so that will help with his transition, but his upside is quite limited.

Tanoh Kpassagnon – Villanova

Just take a look at Tanoh Kpassagnon and it’s easy to see why the hype around him grew. I mean…

That’s what 6’7″ 289 with very little body fat looks like, as well as an 84 1/2″ wingspan. So yeah, Tanoh looks the part. But here’s the truth about Tanoh — he’s massive, obviously, and he jumped really far in the broad jump at the Combine. And that’s about it.

Kpassagnon has been pegged as a freak athlete, but he lacks explosiveness and lateral agility, and on film, it’s apparent how raw of a prospect he is. He has power and functional strength on his side, no doubt about that, he really struggles with leverage. Capable offensive lineman will get under his pads, and it’ll be a wrap for him.

Next: Tidbits and Factoids of the Raiders 2017 Schedule

Those who are a fan of his liken him to Calais Campbell, but he’s closer to Shawn Oakman than he is to Calais. Not saying he’s Oakman, who hasn’t found NFL employment, but he’s closer to that than he is to Calais.