Owa Odighizuwa NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Giants' 3rd-Round Pick

STRENGTHS

UCLA defender Owa Odighizuwa has an NFL-caliber frame and muscular build that show up with good strength and speed on the field. Playing as a down defender and stand-up pass-rusher, Odighizuwa shows quickness and balance in space, nonstop feet and a willingness to fight through blockers. He holds his ground against the run and works down the line of scrimmage well. He plays big too and combines that with first-step speed to eat up space when freed to rush off the edge.

WEAKNESSES

Usually playing in a three-man front, Odighizuwa wasn't unleashed to rush the passer often, so there aren't as many plays on film of him wreaking havoc on the backfield. That doesn't mean he can't do it, but his film is more limited there. He can be slow off the ball at times, but this is mental and not physical timing. Finding a true position in the NFL and not being asked to two-gap as a 5-technique will be a big boost for him. Also, he missed the 2013 season with hip surgery, so teams must look into his health.

2014 STATISTICS

Tackles   Sacks   Tackles for Loss
  59           6.0           11.5

PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions

Odighizuwa is very raw as a pass-rusher, but he has all the physical tools to become a star at the position. A lot like Ezekiel Ansah when he was leaving BYU, Odighizuwa is a bit of a projection, but his ceiling is super high.

FINAL GRADE: 6.49/9.0 (Rookie starter)