Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 1
By Peter Smith
Round 3 (via NE): Oshane Ximines, DE, Old Dominion – 6-4, 255 lbs. (Listed)
- 27 solo tackles (5.7 percent), 14.5 tackles for loss (30.5 percent) 8.5 sacks (60.7 percent), 3 pass deflections and 4 forced fumbles.
In a class with a good number of twitchy edge rushers, a smaller school player like Oshane Ximines might hang around long enough for a team like the Browns to get an incredible value. Ximines is an impressive, yolked up athlete that can fly off the edge and rush the passer on a team that needs to keep adding defensive line depth and utilize it more.
Ximines stands out physically against the competition in Conference USA. Not only does he look the part in terms of size and strength, but his speed is and ability to bend are impressive. But Ximines is a pass rusher not just looking to kill the quarterback, but much like evolving pass rushers in the NFL, he is targeting the football.
With the NFL trying to save bad offensive line play by being overprotective of quarterbacks, the natural evolution to avoid penalties and go to more of a turnover causing style of defense, which is where the NFL is going, specifically attacking the football is smart.
He also has experience rushing from both sides of the defensive line as well as standing up, which is useful for the Browns, particularly as it relates to depth. He’s got strong hands and isn’t afraid to get involved defending the run.
Ximines shows off a number of different pass rush moves. He’ll bull rush, try to convert speed to power, swim, try to speed rush outside and then false step outside before slanting inside and he’s not afraid to mix them up and try to keep opponents off balance. The thing is he’s not particularly polished at any of them. The tools are there, but he looks like a guy who knows how to do any number of moves, but doesn’t have one truly mastered. There’s no obvious go-to move in a big spot. If he can really nail down a couple of them, he can be extremely dangerous at the next level.
His motor is pretty good, but he will take some plays off as the game rolls along as he appears never to come off the field. That’s not something anyone wants to see, but if he’s being drafted to be a developmental pass rusher that starts out as depth, he’s just got to go full on for the plays he’d be on the field in that role and hopefully improve his overall stamina.
His first step explosion can be incredible and he changes direction quite well. When he creates momentum, his power can be devastating for opponents. There’s a ton to like about Ximines, but he is still learning how to be a good pass rusher and the uptick in competition will likely require some adjustment. Nevertheless, for what the Browns need, they have patience to develop him, can have him just attack the quarterback and try to add in responsibility the further he progresses.