Washington Redskins 2017 Draft Profiles: Josh Augusta, DL

Josh Augusta, DL
School: Missouri | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 365 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Late Rounds
NFL Comparison: Daniel McCullers

College Statistics

Player Overview

Josh Augusta reportedly played this season with a weight as high as 370. The senior’s weight will be of great importance during his journey to the draft these next couple of months as he plays much differently when he’s in the 330-340 range as opposed to the 360-370 range. At his lesser weight, Augusta is an imposing presence in the middle of the Missouri’s defensive line. His strength and burst show up and he is disputing the backfield. He is willing to pursue the ball and won’t stop working on plays. At his heavier weight, his conditioning doesn't hold up. He looks gassed on plays and doesn't actively fight to get off blocks. Augusta could be a quality rotational defensive lineman and has a great worker bee attitude it’s just that 20 lbs or so will determine the kind of player you get.

Strengths

• Brings size and presence to the defensive line can often occupy more than one blocker when he’s fresh.
• Surprising burst and good strength for a man his size. Can cause real disruptions in the backfield and help collapse the pocket.
• Willing to pursue down the field and doesn't quite on plays for lack of effort.

Weaknesses

• His aforementioned weight will be watched heavily by scouts. He is a much less effective player over 350lbs.
• Likely a 2 down rotational DT at the next level.
• Plays with inconsistent pad level, if he comes off the snap too high his power is neutralized.
• Hands not active enough he needs to continue to learn how to fight through blocks and develop and an array of moves to get off them.

Let’s see his work:

20. DL Josh Augusta, Missouri - I spoke with a scout who works in Augusta’s area. He said two years ago, Augusta looked like he was on track to be a top three round pick, but never improved. He weighed in at a ridiculous 365 pounds, but the scout said he watched Augusta chase down screens and move incredibly for a man that size. I was told he will be drafted, if the other parts of the process check out. - Rotoworld

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Augusta would be a fine pick as a rotational DL and a part time contributor at NT for the Redskins if things check out with his weight. The young man has a long way to go though to see more than 15 snaps a game much less to develop into starter material. On a late round flyer, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing what coach Tomsula could get out of him. Augusta is a natural fit to clog the middle and has good enough strength to create disruptions. Plus if the Redskins get really desperate in the running game they could use him as a fullback or a running back in goal line situations.