Name: Jadeveon Clowney

Position: Defensive End

College: South Carolina

How Jadeveon Clowney Meets Team Needs

With J.J. Watt on the roster the Texans would set at the pass rush position.  However,  with the emergence of the Seattle Seahawks and their philosophies on defense,  other teams may be looking to load up at the position – after all,  this is a copy cat league.

Impact As A Rookie

If he puts his mind to it Clowney has the ability to take the league by storm as a rookie.  Aldon Smith amassed 14 sacks as a rookie and,  if Clowney can land in a favourable situation like the Texans,  there is no reason he cannot do the same.  In 2011 Smith was used primarily in obvious passing situations but there is more to Clowney’s game than rushing the passer.

What Clowney Does Well

Clowney is a once-in-a-decade player and will be a Pro-Bowler for years to come if he wants to be.  The former Gamecock boasts a full repertoire of pass-rush moves with his inside moves particularly stunning – remember his hit against the poor Michigan running back in the Outback Bowl?  Clowney also displays incredibly agility for a man who stands 6’5” tall and weighs 266lbs.  This prospect has the ability to flip the outcome of a game and regularly dominates games by the series.

What Clowney Struggles With

The two main gripes people have with Clowney’s game are the leverage he plays with and work ethic.  First of all,  because of his height and athletic dominance he can forget the fundamentals of pass rushing and play very high,  trying to always go over tackles.  Secondly,  due to having a very good understanding of the game and situation,  he tends to take plays off when the heat is not on.  Obviously you would rather he did it this way than when his team are under pressure but everybody knows anything can happen in the NFL and games are not over until the clock reads zeroes.

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