Quincy Roche NFL Draft 2021: Scouting Report for Pittsburgh Steelers Edge

HEIGHT: 6'2⅝"

WEIGHT: 245

POSITIVES

—Has the first step of a quality pass-rusher.

—Understands how to play a half-man, refusing to meet blockers square, to go along with his signature long-arm move.

—Setting the edge and understanding contain assignments are not overlooked when playing as the end man on the line of scrimmage.

—Has the quickness to stunt from interior alignments.

—Body control is a premium trait, from his drip-and-rip moves to the leverage that allows him to play with his hands above his eyes.

—Limited, but quality, reps in coverage.

—Against tight ends, flashed the ability to read-and-react against base blocks.

NEGATIVES

—His weight has the potential to limit him on run downs early on.

—Tends to get washed down on stunts because of his size.

—Stance is inconsistent.

—Good, but not great, athleticism for a professional pass-rusher of his size.

—May be limited to a 3-4 outside linebacker role in the NFL.

2020 STATISTICS

45 TKL, 14.5 TFL, 4.5 SK, 2 FF, 3 FR, 1 PBU

NOTES

—AAC Defensive Player of the Year at Temple before his graduate transfer to Miami.

—Won two state championships as a basketball player as a Maryland prep.

OVERALL

Roche will intrigue teams as a pure pass-rusher, but his slight frame will mean that he will need a "good home" as a landing spot for him to meet his full potential, not unlike another former Temple pass-rusher in Haason Reddick. If given the opportunity to rush the quarterback from multiple angles and alignments rather than lining up on offensive tackles from down-to-down, he has the talent to develop into a starting outside linebacker.

After posting over 50 tackles for loss at two stops (Miami, Temple) in college, Roche will need to add value as a coverage player to stay on the field for three downs in the NFL.

GRADE: 7.22/10 (Round 4)

OVERALL RANK: 128/300

POSITION RANK: EDGE18

PRO COMPARISON: Haason Reddick

Written by B/R NFL Scout Justis Mosqueda