Jalyn Holmes, DL
School: Ohio State | Conference: BIG 10
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22?
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 280 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd Round or 4th Round
NFL Comparison: Taco Charlton
College Statistics
Player Overview
When Jalyn Holmes arrived at Ohio State from Norfolk, Virginia he weighed around 235 lbs. Holmes had a lot of time to transform his body and refine his game playing behind a stacked Ohio State defensive line essentially his whole career. Even this year as a senior Holmes was technically 3rd on the depth chart at the DE position behind Sam Hubbard and Nick Bosa/Tyquan Lewis. Holmes may not have gotten the playing time of a true starter or produced prolific stats but his talent on the field is clear. Now up to an impressive 280 lbs, Holmes looks to gather attention from all teams looking for defensive end help at the Senior Bowl.
Holmes skills are still a bit raw but he has the power, burst, and speed you want to see out of a pass-rushing defensive end. Holmes also has some serious length which scouts are going to love. Holmes does not come without his share of areas to clean up. A must is going to be his technique regarding his hand use and ability dip and shed blocks along with consistency. He has the skills to spin, swat, and bull rush but he doesn't always put it all together. Holmes is a traits and high upside prospect. The team that invests in him is going to be highly rewarded with a productive pass-rushing defensive end if they can coach him up.
Strengths
- Impressive size, length, and athleticism for the position.
- Will no doubt be in consideration to play anywhere along the line in a base 4-3 and also has the measurables to play DE in a 3-4. Versatile.
- Good read and react ability. He doesn't always get home but when he does it's awesome. Holmes shows a good feel for where the play is headed coming off the edge and will react accordingly to speed up the rush or try and bring down the runner.
- Dangerous and disruptive pass rusher when he clears the edge.
Weaknesses
- Needs coaching up regarding his technique specifically his hands.
- Doesn't string together pass rush or disengagement moves consistently.
- Can suffer from hesitation when he has to make a decision on which gap to defend.
Let’s see his work:
Kiper on OSU's Jalyn Holmes: "Didn't have the production but has enormous talent." I'd disagree with the production criticism because he was moved all over the DL and that rotation was so deep that no one had gaudy stats.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) January 18, 2018
I feel like Jalyn Holmes has nice athleticism. I kept wanting to see him pin his ears back and speed rush. Felt restricted by scheme.
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) December 14, 2017
Meanwhile, at the Senior Bowl, weigh-in results for Ohio State's defensive ends:
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 23, 2018
Jalyn Holmes - 6'4 3/4", 279 lbs, 10" hands, 34 3/4" arms, 82 7/8" wingspan
Tyquan Lewis - 6'2 3/4", 276 lbs, 10 3/8" hands, 33 5/8" arms, 79 3/4" wingspan
Good measurables for both.
Ohio State’s Jalyn Holmes with a nice spin move on UTEPs Will Hernandez. Hernandez has work to do in pass pro. pic.twitter.com/maJcZzIDvy
— patrick (@PatDStat) January 24, 2018
How He Would Fit On The Redskins
Holmes is a very intriguing prospect that undoubtedly has a high ceiling in the NFL if he can become more consistent and string together a chain of pass rushing moves. While I believe he can play in both base schemes as well as nickel packages I don't think he currently fits in the Redskins defense. Greg Manusky is trying to build a front predicated on stopping the run which is not a particular strength of Holmes. The way the Redskins defense is set up is both DEs are responsible for helping seal the edge along with the outside linebackers so the inside linebackers can work downhill. Holmes’ greatest strength, in my view, is his pass rushing ability and potential. The Redskins don’t emphasize a pass rushing end like other 3-4 teams do say the Texans (Watt), Steelers (Hayward), Chargers (Bosa) etc. If they did I would be a fan of selecting Holmes as a developmental player and pass rushing asset along the defensive line but I feel his potential would be wasted here. The Eagles were reportedly interviewing Holmes after yesterday’s Senior Bowl practice lets hope he doesn’t end up there.