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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Ian Seau, EDGE

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins.

By Gabe Ward
Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Seau, EDGE
School: Nevada | Conference: Mountain West
College Experience: Senior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 259 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 5th or 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Hau'oli Kikaha

College Statistics

Player Overview

Ian Seau is the nephew of late HOF player and NFL legend Junior Seau. Ian Seau is not Junior Seau. Now that that's out of the way Ian Seau is a pretty good pass rusher and isn't getting the buzz I think he deserves. Ian has a track record of ascending production during his career at Nevada which is what you always want to see. He played both DE and OLB during his college career and has had success rushing the passer at both positions. He's also played strong and weakside outside linebacker and has had success. Ian has good initial quickness often speeding past tackles and collapsing the pocket. If he isn't getting a sack he's disrupting the play creating pressure and disrupting the throw. He has a relentless motor which helps make up for his lack of elite athletic traits and size and that has helped him produced on the football field.

He is also a very smart player and knows there is more than one way to skin a cat. He varies his pass rushing moves to get home and incorporates a bull rush, spin, rip, and swim move. Playing with good instincts he can also peek into the backfield and disrupt runs and read option plays. 

Ian has a hall of fame name but should be allowed to carve out his own path free of comparison during his NFL career. He played in a more obscure FBS conference but dominated. His frame is pretty filled out already and he needs to improve playing the run, getting free when playing in the trash, and prove he can play against higher level competition. He is viewed as a 3-4 OLB / pass rushing specialist at the next level.

Strengths

  • Has the play speed, athleticism, and flexibility to turn the edge and collapse the pocket both standing up and with his hand in the dirt.
  • Plays with active hands and good technique – deploys multiple pass rushing moves to beat offensive tackles and get home.
  • When he gets home he finishes with toughness and attitude.
  • Plays with excellent effort and without abandon or hesitation he will launch himself into the chest or back of a QB to get him down.

Weaknesses

  • Gets lost in the scrum when playing the run sometimes.
  • His frame is close to maxed out and he is limited to player OLB in the NFL.
  • This is nitpicking but Seau could improve functional strength a bit. Ideally, you'd like him to win with both his strength and quickness and even occasionally put an OT on their butt.
  • Wasn't asked to drop back in coverage much further limiting him to a situational pass rushing role.


Let's see his work:


How He Would Fit on the Redskins

The Redskins are set with their starters and heavy rotational players at OLB with Ryan Kerrigan, Junior Gallete, Preston Smith, and Trent Murphy. I do believe if drafted by the Redskins, Ian Seau could come in and compete for a roster spot against guys like Houston Bates and Jackson Jeffcoat. Seau is a better pass rusher than Bates and probably better than Jeffcoat. He also offers versatility being able to play the Sam or Jack OLB positions. On paper it might seem like Seau is undersized especially when we just drafted the 271 lb Preston Smith. However, just for comparison's sake, Junior Gallete is 258 lbs and excels rushing the passer, Houston Bates is 250 lbs, and Jackson Jeffcoat is listed at 245 lbs. Ian Seau's size is not an issue for his pass rushing role on a 3-4 team. 

If the Redskins drafted Seau he would beat out guys like Bates and Jeffcoat and offer good depth behind our stars at the OLB position. NFL brass always say you can't have too many pass rushers and that's exactly what Seau offers. He could use some more development in becoming a more well-rounded outside linebacker but his foundation consists of the tough, relentless, productive players we are looking to add to this team.

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