There are a lot of big-name edge rushers in the 2020 NFL Draft for the Baltimore Ravens to fancy, but Michigan’s Josh Uche is a sleeper and potential star.
Breakdown:
Josh Uche was a part-time player for the Michigan Wolverines for some reason. Uche has shown throughout the 2020 NFL Draft process, however, that he deserved far more starting time. When you sit down and watch this kid, you can’t help but be impressed.
Uche is a high-ceiling type of player that can have good production early on in his career. While he was banged up throughout his stint in Ann Arbor, it’s hard to overlook what he did when he was on the field. If this kid is 100%, the sky is the limit.
Notable stats for Josh Uche (full stats here) 2016-2019:
- 14.5 sacks over last two seasons
- Seven sacks on 13 tackles in 2018
- Three career forced fumbles on 38 career tackles
Strengths:
- Compact build at 6’1″ 245-lbs. with a long frame
- Has some great athleticism for the position
- Production is there despite playing part-time
- Improved each season at Michigan, but still looks like he can become even better
- Bend and dip are absurd; can maintain balance and work under offensive tackles
- Quick off the snap; gives him an edge
- Shows willingness to drop into coverage and lineup all throughout the alignment
Spoken to teams caught up on Josh Uche’s low snap % at Michigan. Smart GMs won’t over-think this. Many teams did same thing with Alvin Kamara because he didn’t start at Tennessee. Sometimes colleges just don’t know what they have. @_Uche35 is the most versatile LB in this draft. pic.twitter.com/NkOGw3db8T
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 30, 2020
Weaknesses:
- Some medical issues to watch (stress fracture in his foot, torn meniscus)
- Why didn’t he see more time starting?
- Doesn’t always use his length to his advantage
- Gets swallowed up at times by bigger offensive tackles
- Doesn’t diagnose quickly and can be taken out of the play because of it
Fit with the Ravens:
Josh Uche is a stud. The ability to bend and dip with balance should have the Baltimore Ravens drooling. Having Uche stand up in the team’s 3-4 defense would allow them to get the most out of his skillset. With big bodies in front of him, Uche will be able to work one-on-one blocks and be a ferocious pass rusher.
Uche can be further developed under Don Martindale and turn into a double-digit sack guy and it wouldn’t be surprising. He’s that talented and has that much upside. Combine the fact that he’s not half-bad in pass coverage and the Ravens have themselves someone that can do a little bit of everything and do it well.
Jim Nagy put it perfectly in the above tweet: Josh Uche is the Alvin Kamara of this year’s class. Uche was an underutilized stud at Michigan and will be much more active at the next level. The Baltimore Ravens would love to add Uche’s talents to their front-seven and he could make a big impact early on for the team. He’d be a great selection in round two, but his upside would justify him being taken higher.