How Ejiro Ederaine Can Make An Impact On The 2016 Redskins

Ejiro Ederaine, OLB

School: Fresno State | Conference: Mountain West

Years Pro: R | Age: 22

Height / Weight: 6-3 / 234 lbs

Projected Status on the Redskins: Cut before the final 53

College Statistics

Player Overview

Ejiro Ederaine put up the kind of stats that usually commands a late round draft pick. He curiously flew under the radar despite his knack for getting in the backfield. A couple reasons for that could be Ederiane doesn't possess great athletic ability, strength, or length like fellow Mountain West draft pick Kamalei Correa (2nd Round - Baltimore), Ian Seau (UDFA - Los Angeles), or Kyler Fackrell (3rd Round - Green Bay). One could argue he could improve at least a couple of those factors in the pro's if he can find a way to get into the backfield a few times and display his natural rushing ability during training camp and potentially the preseason he could earn himself a spot as one of the Redskins (most likely) 8 linebackers.

Ederaine will have to show pass rushing and coverage abilities to earn that 8th spot. It's a spot that will feature competition from players like Carlos Fields, Steven Daniels, Martrell Spaight, Willie Jefferson, Shiro Davis, Terence Garvin, Houston Bates, Perry Riley, Mike Wakefield, Lynden Trail and maybe Su'a Cravens?. In fact there are only 3 spots up for grabs at the linebacker position once you count the most likely locks (Will Compton, Preston Smith, Ryan Kerrigan, Junior Gallete, and Mason Foster)

Strengths

• No bells or whistles to his game but productive nonetheless
• Active in his pass rush attempts a good deal of production comes from extra effort
• Possibly versatile in he played inside and outside at Fresno State

Weaknesses

• No elite quality traits like strength, speed, or overall athletic ability
• Motion is stiff he must improve to beat NFL caliber tackles off the edge
• Has a history of minor shoulder injuries

Let's see his work:

How He Can Impact The Redskins

Despite the number of players competing at the linebacker position Ederaine has a chance to make the final 53 roster albeit slim. I assume a common guess for who could land those last 3 linebacker sports would be a combination of Perry Riley, Steven Daniels, and Martrell Spaight but all three of those players have some risk of being cut. Riley because of his contract and his current injury status, Daniels if he can't hold his own on special teams coverage and covering offensive players, and Spaight largely for the same reasons and if he can't remain healthy.

Ederaine can make the team by proving his pass rushing abilities are consistent and that his skill set can apply to special teams and in coverage. He has a tough hill to climb and may ultimately be a practice squad player.