Prospects the Arizona Cardinals should watch from the BIG10

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Parris Campbell Jr. #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Parris Campbell Jr. #21 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats in the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Nick Bosa, EDGE

Last but not least let’s talk about the elephant in the room — Nick Bosa. One of the best pass-rushers entering in the NFL in recent memory, the Arizona Cardinals have the opportunity to take their defense to the next level by taking him with the top pick. His tape and stats agree with the notion of him being worthy.

Nick Bosa’s Pro Football Focus rating is an incredible 93.1. In just 1,039 snaps at Ohio State, per PFF, he racked up 18.0 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, 77 hurries, and 55 run-stops. But those are just the stats.

Bosa, unlike his older brother Joey, won’t have an issue setting the edge against the run and will surely be a menace against the pass. He has a huge repertoire of pass-rushing moves and counters and has the athleticism and bend to be effective if he goes against a refined offensive tackle. His solid 6-4, 266-pound frame should also do him well.

Here is what RaisingZona site expert Avery Duncan had to say about him in a mock-draft;

"While watching his tape, it’s hard not to see a player very similar (if not better) to his older brother Joey Bosa — who has excelled in the NFL and was the first non-quarterback selected in the 2016 draft. He’s a smart player with a polished set of pass-rushing moves and has the explosiveness to put offensive linemen on their feet. Bosa has the ceiling of a J.J. Watt-like player, and the floor of a high-end pass-rusher. Simply put, he can completely turn around the Cardinals defense."

Final Verdict

Bosa is the best player in this draft and has instant DPOY abilities. Although his ab injury may be scary and his combine testing proved he wasn’t a freak, if the Cardinals pull the trigger with the first overall pick on Bosa, it will be a great decision.

The only thing that will need to be developed is his pass coverage. Coming into a 3-4 defense he will be asked to drop back at times other than that Bosa will be the best player in this draft.

Next. Arizona Cardinals go back to work. dark

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe
to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.