Josh Carraway, EDGE: A mid round pass rush specialist. Can he be more?

Josh Carraway, EDGE
School: TCU | Conference: BIG-12
College Experience: RS Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 242 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 4th or 5th Round
NFL Comparison: Eli Harold

College Statistics

Player Overview

On an unimpressive TCU team, Josh Carraway was one of the bright spots. The redshirt senior has put together two impressive seasons back to back and has 16 sacks in the last two years. Off the edge, he looks natural rushing the passer. He has the athleticism and length necessary to get to the QB on a consistent basis and can explode off the LOS. Carraway has prototypical size for a 3-4 OLB and has played the strong and weak side in college. The intrigue is there in regards to Carraway’s potential, especially at his current mid round projection. He'll have to show NFL teams not only that he is just as promising when playing the run and that he can improve his technique and ability to get off blocks in pursuit but that he is adequate in coverage as well.

Strengths

• Excellent prototypical size for a 3-4 OLB. Can play on either side.
• Has impressive burst and explosion off the edge. Can fly by tackles before they know it and has impressive closing speed to collapse the pocket and get to the QB.
• Has the athleticism to cover sideline to sideline and doesn't give up on plays until the whistle blows. Speed isn't elite but is more than adequate to stick with backs and tight ends.
• Length, length, length, can make plays in the backfield that others can't because of it.

Weaknesses

• Needs to remain active with his hands. Can get stagnant and rely too much on his strength and speed instead of proper rushing technique and hand placement.
• Questions on if he is a true full time 3-4OLB at the next level. He was basically never used in coverage at TCU. Is he a full-time OLB or a pass rush specialist? Does he need to be the former to be successful in the NFL?
• Is not effective against the run. Not to a credible level at least. Over pursues angles as if he were rushing and can get caught up in blocks unable to disengage.
• Needs to learn more pass rush moves, play with more urgency, and set the edge more consistently.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

Carraway has a lot to learn to become a complete pass rusher and a complete outside linebacker. His value though is in the pass rush skills he’s developed already and his production. He has the athleticism, explosiveness, and bend to win off the edge to occasionally win with his athleticism alone in the NFL. With some coaching and attention to detail with his hands, he can become a real weapon off the edge. The NFL is in love with pass rushers and Carraway has posted consistent production in his years as a starter and test fairly well at the combine. I think he goes higher than people think and potentially could be one of those day 2 selections people don’t see coming.

I can’t see him starting on the Redskins due to the gaps in his game right now. I can for sure to see him as part of the rotation in blitz sub packages and as a rotational OLB. As a mid round pick if even if Carraway were to develop into just a pass rush specialist once he’s ready to start it would provide great value to the team that drafts him. In the meantime, he would provide needed depth to the position and would be a good developmental pass rush project that has the potential to play at a much higher level than where he ends up being drafted and would probably be good for a half handful of sacks in his first year.