The Canadian Cyclone: Mathieu Betts is the Best EDGE Prospect North of the Border

Mathieu Betts, EDGE
School: Laval-Canada | Conference: Quebec Student Sports Federation
College Experience: Senior | Age: 24
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 258 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 6th-7th Round or UDFA
NFL Comparison: ????

College Statistics

Player Overview

A defensive end who dominated the competition in Canada, Betts was recruited by Temple, Purdue, and Buffalo for college. He won the JP Metras Trophy - awarded to the best down lineman in Canadian college football - three straight years, from 2016 to 2018. Current Chiefs’ guard, Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif won the prestigious award in 2013. His 40 yard dash time (4.7) was tied for the fastest ever by a defensive lineman at a CFL combine and he’s considered the top defensive prospect in the upcoming CFL draft, which is slated to take place days after the NFL draft, in early May. He impressed at the East/West Shrine game practices, where his quickness allowed him to beat offensive tackles of much greater stature from top US programs.

Strengths

• Incredible rush moves
• Ability to read plays
• Finesse rusher
• Hustle
• High motor
• Quick mental processing
• Good tackler
• Intangibles and work ethic

Weaknesses

• Appears to lack burst
• Lacks bend
• Can be locked up by large o-linemen
• Size and strength
• Lateral mobility

Let’s see his work

@TSN_Marsh

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

This guy is a whirling dervish at the line of scrimmage, able execute amazing spin moves against hulking offensive lineman with ease, and destroying the competition north of the border. He looks to join several of his countrymen, including Duvernay-Tardif and David Onyemata (Saints), in making a splash in the NFL. Not only is he tough to contain at the line of scrimmage, he has a nose for the ball and hustle that would make Pete Rose proud. There’s footage of him rushing the passer, and then chasing a receiver into secondary to make tackles from behind. He. Just. Doesn’t. Stop. He’s been described as the “best player a Canadian university has produced in a long time.” Already in the market for pass rushers with Preston Smith’s departure, this guy needs to get consideration as a late round addition to the Redskins who can fit into the mix, perhaps initially as a special teamer, but eventually as depth to spell the Ryans and whomever else the Redskins might draft this year at EDGE.