Finding Broncos: Two High Upside Edge Defenders to Watch on Day Two

Finding Broncos scouts the 2023 NFL Draft with a pair of high-quality defenders on the edge.

The 2023 NFL Draft features incredible depth and versatility at the edge position. Teams can find pretty much any archetype they prefer, from smaller speed rushers to bulky power defenders to players that can convert speed to power. The Broncos have a big need at the position, so let's take a look at a couple of players that could be available when they pick early in the third round. 

Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Edge | Kansas State

Pros:

• Thick build in the lower half that packs a lot of power.
• Incredibly difficult to move off of his spot in the running game.
• Identifies quickly and finds a way to get into gaps.
• Displays a good pad level for the most part.
• Initial hand placement is top-notch.
• He leverages well as a pass rusher on bull rush technique.
• Highly effective when attacking the guard and B gap coming from the 5-technique.
• Effort level is unquestionable.
• Tracks ball carriers down on screen and flat passes with good recognition and recovery ability.
• Massive production with 25 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
• Inside-out versatility as an interior pass rusher in sub-package looks.

Cons:

• Not quite as twitchy or explosive as you would like as a pass rusher.
• Relies more on power rather than speed and bend.
• Stiffness in the lower half is a big issue.
• Inconsistent with his first step.
• Hand fighting technique is lacking.
• Lateral agility and change of direction ability don't show on tape.
• Needs to be more creative with his counters.
• Could play to his length better, especially when shedding blockers.
• Top heavy and inconsistent with balance.

Overview:

Felix Anudike-Uzomah is an incredibly powerful Edge defender who easily displays his lower body strength. He sets a firm edge in the running game and rarely moves off his spot, even when tasked with holding up against double teams. He uses that power effectively as a bull rusher coming off the edge and, when crossing the face of the tackle, to attack the guard and collapses the pocket from the interior.

He shows a nice pass-rush plan and executes it well as the game progresses, but he needs more refinement in his instinctual creativity and technical refinement moving forward. Much of his production comes from his high-level motor and recognition, which shouldn't be a knock against him as a player. However, a higher ceiling could be reached if he figures out the finer nuances of playing the position.

Fit with the Broncos:

Anudike-Uzomah was primarily used as a 4-7 technique defensive end in the Kansas State defense, displaying a stout edge defender in the running game and eating up blockers to allow their linebacker to flow to the ball. With Vance Joseph's defense, this is precisely what you need from your edge defenders. With several questions about the ability to defend the run and the overall health of Randy Gregory and Baron Browning, Anudike-Uzomah could be a piece to add to the defense on early downs.

Anudike-Uzomah needs to refine his technique and overall arsenal as a pass rusher to see the field on all three downs, but his effort level is something this defense could use as he continues to develop.

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© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Zach Harrison | Edge | Ohio State

Pros:

• Long arms that he uses to his advantage frequently.
• Upper body strength allows him to extend and keep blockers at bay easily, opening counter moves.
• The swim move is incredible; he wins with it nearly every time he throws it.
• Violent and active hands are always trying to find a way to separate.
• He shows decent bend when asked to come around the arc.
• Shows a spin move at times that can be refined to become lethal.
• The push-pull technique is refined and powerful.
• Showed some coverage versatility, but better nuance is needed.

Cons:

• Run defense lacks some instincts, especially against read-option plays.
• Can run upfield too much, opening backside gaps and losing contain in the running game and escape paths for the quarterback.
• Lower half structure and power is lacking at times, leading to an inconsistent bull rush.
• Not quite as stout on the edge as you would like in the running game.
• Counters need to be thrown earlier in the rep.
• The pass rush plan seems off the cuff rather than measured and precise.
• Allows blockers to close the outside hand sometimes, keeping the boundary open in the running game.
• Lateral agility is lacking. There are flashes of twitch to his game, but consistency issues are present.
• Issues with reaction to the snap and coming off the ball to put blockers in conflict with speed.
• Inconsistent production.

Overview:

Zach Harrison is an incredibly long edge rusher with a powerful upper half. He does a great job keeping space between himself and blockers, using his active hands to keep his chest clean, and opening up counter moves as a pass rusher. His best counters win frequently, but there is a lack of urgency to throw them leading him to be late to the party at times.

Harrison, a high-upside player, has a strong set of tools to work with as he works through a rotation as a true 5-7 technique defensive end with the versatility to stand as an outside edge rusher and drop into coverage if needed.

Fit with the Broncos:

Harrison lacks some urgency as a playmaker, and there are some questions about his instincts, but his overall fit in the Vance Joseph defense is good. If deployed as a 5-technique with an outside edge rusher next to him, Harrison could succeed early with his ability to rip across the face of the tackle and attack the B-Gap.

It wouldn't make sense if Joseph lined Harrison up on the backside as a 7-technique defensive end due to his inability to maintain gap integrity. Harrison loves to get upfield quickly so that some backside running lanes could create issues for linebackers flowing to the football.

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