While his leaping ability could bridge some of that gap, wideouts on the perimeter typically need both height and a good vertical to be able to high-point balls and contribute in the red zone. Also, his short-area quickness would make him difficult to cover, and his 40.5-inch vertical could help make up for his lack of height (5'8.625").īiggest Hurdle: Playing on the outside as an 'X' or 'Z' receiver is pretty much out of the question for the vertically-challenged Ekeler. Going back a little bit further, his 2,765 receiving yards since 2019 are the most at the position by more than 500 yards.Įkeler clearly has the hands to line up as a slot receiver and can move the ball down the field after the catch. Those figures were also the most of any running back league-wide by 19 and 22, respectively, according to Stat Muse. Last season, Ekeler led the Los Angeles Chargers regardless of position with 127 targets and 107 receptions. Amidst the running back controversy, many people have already suggested Austin Ekeler make the switch to wide receiver because he's become the best pass-catching running back in the league over the last few years. Reasons for success: Admittedly, this one is taking the low-hanging fruit. So, the Titans' rusher would get a big raise if he could switch sides of the ball and play in the trenches. Meanwhile, Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack are tied for the fourth-biggest contract among edges on a dollar-per-season basis at $23.5 million. That could impact his bend as a pass rusher and thus, lead to fewer sacks which is how edge defenders get paid in today's league.Ĭontract comparison: In 2020, Henry signed a four-year, $50 million contract ($12.5 million per year). Typically, defensive ends in that system hover around the 270-pound mark, so he'd likely be pigeon-holed as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts.Īlso, Henry isn't very agile with a short-shuttle time of 4.38 seconds and a 7.2-second three-cone. Tractorcito's arm length would help him create separation from offensive tackles as a pass rusher, and he's strong enough to set the edge against the run.īiggest Hurdle: While Henry is a large human being, he'd be a little light to play as a defensive end in even fronts or a 4-3-heavy defensive scheme. The running back also has 33-inch arms and hit 22 reps on the bench press, half an inch shorter and one more than Miller. At 6'2.5" and 247 pounds, he's basically the same size as future Hall of Famer Von Miller (6'2.625" and 246 pounds). The reason why Henry is such a physically imposing rusher is he's essentially built like a modern-day edge defender. Just ask Josh Norman what it's like taking Henry's palm to the facemask. He runs over defender after defender and his stiff arms have gone viral on social media several times. Reasons for success: Derrick Henry has become one of, if not the most physically imposing running backs in the NFL over the last few years. Derrick Henry Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images
0 kommentar(er)
