Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 3
By Peter Smith
Round 3 (via NE): Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech – 6-5, 262 lbs. (Listed)
- 37 solo tackles (7.5 percent), 26 tackles for loss (25.7), 17.5 sacks (38.8 percent), 2 forced fumbles and 3 pass deflections in 2018.
Jaylon Ferguson looks like the prototypical defensive end, who has racked up a ton of production over the past two seasons. He could’ve come out after last year, but opted to return and had a monster senior year at a school in Louisiana Tech that has been producing a ton of quality NFL prospects recently including but not limited to Xavier Woods and Taywan Taylor.
Part of what makes Ferguson such a dangerous player is his ability to keep linemen out of his body. He’s got long arms and shows the ability to hand fight pretty well, making it difficult for blockers to get into him. He is able to keep too much of his momentum and dictate the action.
Ferguson’s got pretty good speed off the edge, may be deceptively athletic the way Jordan Willis was coming out of Kansas State a few years ago. Ferguson can catch opponents by surprise when he rushes inside. He has decent change of direction ability, can stop and redirect well. He’s got pretty solid power and displays good closing speed.
Ferguson is not someone who is going to bend around the edge. His hips are going to be square to the opponent, but he can bull rush, work either direction and shows the ability to counter after an initial stoppage. It’s not a fully developed counter move that will hit the ground running in the NFL, but its enough to beat most every college lineman he sees.
Ferguson will have some detractors based on the level of competition, but he has played and shown well against SEC opponents like Mississippi State and LSU. He’s also slated to participate in the Senior Bowl, which will be another opportunity to answer that particular question.
For the Browns, he just represents more talent to put on the edge and give them more players that can get after the quarterback. Ferguson is someone that can be a credible run defender, has the length to avoid getting reached and can be stout enough to hold his ground. It just gives the Browns more options along the defensive line to keep guys fresh, put more talent out there.