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Atlanta Falcons 2016 NFL Draft: Scouting Emmanuel Ogbah

By Eric Robinson

Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) reacts during the game against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (38) reacts during the game against the Baylor Bears at Boone Pickens Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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How would Emmanuel Ogbah fit into the Atlanta Falcons defense?

It’s the elephant in the room at this point for the Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons have a combined 41 total sacks from the 2014 and 2015 seasons. After being tied for 30th (22 sacks) in 2014 and 32nd (19) this past season, the mission once the season concluded was to add some muscle to the defense and shore up the biggest weak spot on a defense that saw improvement.

The front office helped with the signing of DE Derrick Shelby and the resigning of DE Adrian Clayborn via free agency but both are just pieces to the puzzle. Edge rusher Vic Beasley was a key piece to the formula in last year’s draft but when the Falcons are on the clock at 17th overall, the team could very well go pass rusher. The favorite will likely be Shaq Lawson of Clemson.

However, there is a considerable chance that Lawson doesn’t come anywhere near the 17th pick. If he doesn’t and the team still wants a pass rusher at 17, Emmanuel Ogbah could definitely be the answer. Let’s view his scouting report.

DE Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State

Height: 6’4

Weight: 273 pounds

Strengths:

  • Prototype NFL frame, well-muscled
  • 10 sacks in 2014, 12.5 sacks in 2015; 35.5 career tackles for loss including 16.5 in 2015
  • 2015 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
  • 35 1/2 inch arm length and 10 inch hands measured at the NFL Combine; clocked 4.63 in a 40-yard dash at the combine
  • Able to win effectively with a bull rush; impressive upper body strength
  • Able to convert speed-to-power to get into the backfield; reliable closing speed on ball carriers
  • Totaled a sack in 16 of his last 21 games at Oklahoma State
  • Shown ability to slide to the interior to rush on third downs
  • Ability to rush from the left & right end spots

Weaknesses:

  • Plays upright at times
  • Doesn’t use his arm length consistently
  • Needs to establish an arsenal of pass rushing moves
  • Shows tendency to get washed down numerous times on run plays
  • Situational awareness is inconsistent
  • Burst at the snap needs to be quickened

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Bottom line: Ogbah is an interesting case. While I like him more for the Falcons scheme better than Clemson’s Kevin Dodd (one-year wonder?) or Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence (not desirable size), Ogbah has shown some concerns.

However, don’t panic. The concerns that I have for Ogbah are coachable. The development of pass rushing moves can be coached and come with time. The habit of playing upright can be broken. The pattern of getting washed down at times can be altered. As I’ve stated on many occasions, the 4-3 Under scheme is built off versatility and Ogbah offers that.

The ability to rush from either end and rush on the interior on certain downs are a plus. In the case of Shaq Lawson not being available at 17th (which is quite possible) taking Ogbah wouldn’t be a bad option.

Next: Blogging Dirty mock draft: Round 2

Defensive line coach Bryan Cox and head coach Dan Quinn can light a nice spark under Ogbah, iron out the kinks in his armor, and turn the former Oklahoma State defender into another link on the chain that is being built to upgrade Atlanta’s pass rushing woes.