NFL Draft Profile: Isaiah McGuire, EDGE, Missouri Tigers
Isaiah McGuire
Missouri Tigers
#9
Pos: EDGE
Ht: 6043
Wt: 268
Hand: 0858
Arm: 3378
Wing: 8200
40: 4.76
DOB: 7/27/2001
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
High School: Union
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
McGuire showcases veteran savvy as a run defender and enough of a pass rush repertoire to work as a rotational pass rusher as a rookie, but his lean frame and current play strength could raise concerns.
Evaluation:
McGuire appears most comfortable working from a two-point stance, although he has experience working from three and four-point stances as well. He was productive against the run and pass in 2022. McGuire got Georgia tackle Broderick Jones (2022) off balance in the run game and set a hard edge against Auburn (2022). He creates effective displacement on stunts and displays good speed off the snap to threaten the tackle’s outside shoulder. The former three-star recruit offers pursuit upside as a backside run defender. He has a swim move for inside rushes and a rip move for outside rushes. McGuire appears to have above-average arm length and showed significant growth from 2021 to 2022 in utilizing his long arms. He flattens his angle at the top of his rush to the quarterback but will also carry a tackle vertically before working back to the inside shoulder. There are instances of McGuire converting speed to power, but he needs to be more consistent in that area. The Oklahoma native’s hand placement is usually ideal but also has room for improvement. He latches and pulls offensive linemen to get them off balance in the passing game. McGuire is fairly lean throughout his frame to the point that he can’t play defensive end in the NFL. His pad level rises quickly, which makes his questionable play strength more noticeable. The senior lacks the power to bullrush consistently and has no way to combat double teams. Missed tackles remain a concern. McGuire lacks open-field speed and twitch. He occasionally mistimes the snap and is late off the ball and can be late to activate his hands. His hands need to be more active and violent. McGuire’s desire to push upfield and pursue the quarterback sometimes opens rushing lanes. He displays some upper body stiffness and looks uncomfortable when asked to play coverage and operate in space.
Grade:
5th Round
Quotes:
“You guys have seen it. He’s the best player on our defense for two years now. He’s the best defensive end in the country, just flat out if you just simply watch the tape. I’m just so happy for him. We’ve definitely seen these days coming.” -- Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson on EDGE Isaiah McGuire
Background:
McGuire was a three-star recruit from Union High School in Tulsa, Okla., in the class of 2019. He was the No. 1,228 recruit according to the 247Sports composite board and No. 1,168 for On3.com. McGuire was an unranked three-star recruit for Rivals and an unranked three-star recruit for ESPN with a 78 grade out of 100. He led Union to the Oklahoma Class 6A-I State Semifinal game and earned All-District honors from Tulsa World in 2018.
