NFL Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 32 prospects in 2021
By Adam Patrick
NFL Draft 2021 Pro Comparisons: Gregory Rousseau → Danielle Hunter
At 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, Gregory Rousseau has the necessary size that NFL teams typically look for in their edge rushers these days. With some help when it comes to his own pass-rushing moves, Rousseau has the potential to be a very dangerous defender at the pro level.
After decided to opt-out of the 2020 season due to concerns related to COVID-19, the former Miami pass rusher missed out on the opportunity to prove that his impressive production in 2019 wasn’t a fluke.
In 13 games for Miami back in the 2019 season, Rousseau finished with 54 tackles (19.5 for a loss), 15.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Are these the type of numbers he will be able to put up with in his first few years in the NFL?
Why he compares to Danielle Hunter:
Coming out of LSU in 2015, Danielle Hunter was very raw when it came to his pass-rushing abilities. Hunter only had 4.5 sacks during his entire college career and some wondered if he was worth the third-round selection the Minnesota Vikings used on him during the 2015 draft.
Fast forward to now, and Hunter is regarded as one of the top edge defenders in the NFL. He missed the 2020 campaign due to a neck injury, but in 2018 and 2019, he racked up a total of 29 sacks. Quite the improvement from his time at LSU.
Like Hunter, Rousseau is coming into the league with a limited set of pass rush moves. But he has tremendous potential if he is able to land with an NFL coaching staff capable of pointing him in the right direction.