2019 Picks #161-165
From the 2019 NFL Draft Bible (click here to purchase)
#161 Texans - Charles Omenihu, DE, Texas
OUTLOOK: Teams willing to roll the dice on athletic upside could be handsomely rewarded with Omenihu, who boasts as exciting of an NFL starter kit as any prospect invited to this year's Senior Bowl. The issue for scouts is why did it take the supremely gifted Omenihu until his senior season to become a standout with his tackle for loss (18) and sacks (9.5) in 2018 exceeding his production from the previous three years combined.
#162 Vikings - Cameron Smith, LB, USC
OUTLOOK: Smart, tough, athletic backer who relies upon his read and react instincts to get the job done. Possesses tremendous vision and is known to be highly competitive. Shows up every week with maximum effort—a lunch bucket guy. Shows a true nose for the football and demonstrates active hands. Has some background intangibles that only helped to strengthen his game along the way, having started at quarterback and starred in wrestling while in high school. When the Trojans switched defensive coordinators from Justin Wilcox to Clancy Pendergast, they also switched schemes from a 3-4 base to a 5-2 look, which resulted in him playing more inside and being responsible for a gap or a zone, as opposed to roaming sideline-to-sideline. He tore his ACL during the tenth game of his freshman season, an injury he says was present since his freshman year of high school. He returned to action in time for the start of his sophomore campaign and started every game. He missed some action during the Spring of 2017 due to a stiff neck. His biggest knock will be his speed; he may not test well but he knows angles and is a pure football player.
#163 Patriots - Jake Bailey, P, Stanford
OUTLOOK: Has been called a weapon by head coach David Shaw, who has praised Bailey for not trying to do too much and understanding that he doesn’t have to try and crush it every time. Bailey was an All-Pac-12 Second Team selection in 2017 with 45.5 yards/punt on 57 attempts, which was first among Pac-12 players and seventh nationally. In addition, 58 of 83 kickoffs went for touchbacks. He followed that up with an improved mark of 44.1 average in 2018. Bailey would go on to set off a series of booming off throughout the week in Mobile during Senior Bowl practices and looked every bit the part of a NFL punter, showing why he projects as a Day 3 prospect.
#164 Colts - E.J. Speed, LB, Tarleton State
#165 Cowboys - Joe Jackson, DE, Miami (Fla.)
OUTLOOK: Sports an imposing frame with broad shoulders, long arms and above average height for the position. Very good initial quickness off the snap, showing enough burst to cross the face of tackles and beat them with speed alone. Loose-hipped, showing the ability to turn the corner like Saran-wrap, making him faster around the edge than others who may run better for the stopwatch. Terrific effort in pursuit, chasing ball-carriers to the sideline and often yards downfield. Good lateral agility and vision to avoid getting caught up in the trash while in pursuit, taking aggressive (but not reckless) angles and adjusting, as needed. Uses his praying mantis-like arms to snatch ball-carriers seemingly out of his grasp, demonstrating impressive strength to drag them to the ground. Physical tackler, twisting ball-carriers to the ground and often arriving with an explosive thud. Competitive and alert. Works to fight through blocks, spinning himself free and towards the ball-carrier. Good hand-eye coordination and competitiveness to poke or rip at the ball when he can, forcing at least one fumble each of his three seasons at Miami and five overall. Reads the eyes of the quarterback and shows good timing in his leaps to thwart passing lanes, breaking up five passes over his career, including one interception. Shows some savvy with the ball in his hands, scoring touchdowns in 2018 (42-yard interception return) and 2016 (18-yard scoop and score off a fumble). More quick than fast, with some wasted motion off the snap, appearing as if he's running in place when he doesn't time the count correctly. Just average straight-line speed to chase down ball-carriers despite giving good effort. Good strength but negates it, at times, by playing too high and losing the leverage battle. Limited experience rushing from the left side (versus the right tackle) or out of the two-point stance. Wore a brace over his left elbow in 2018. While lacking the national name recognition of some of the other top-rated defensive ends in this remarkable 2019 class, Jackson is well respected by scouts, likely earning a top 64 selection.
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