Overview
Position: Defensive end / 3-technique defensive tackle
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 292 pounds
School: Alabama Crimson Tide
Isaiah Buggs 2019 NFL Draft Profile
Every year in the NFL Draft, the Alabama Crimson Tide have a star defensive lineman selected early on. This year, Quinnen Williams has grabbed the top honor of not only the best Crimson Tide prospect, but one of the best prospects overall. Williams isn’t the only Tide defensive lineman in this Draft. An underrated and often overlooked playmaker on the defensive lineman is Isaiah Buggs. Even though Williams is the more explosive, Buggs has shown to be highly consistent himself. Buggs was a highly developed before he arrived at Alabama from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He was always essentially a defender with the Crimson Tide, playing with top rated Draft prospects. Buggs has high value himself and many teams that will be looking to acquire his talents and skills.
In his first season with the Crimson Tide in 2017, Buggs was a role player who was suited as a defender to clog running room for opposing offenses. He accounted for 51 total tackles, four tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The next season was a huge breakout year for Buggs playing in a big spotlight. He was part of a hugely experienced defensive line that included Williams and Raekwon Davis. Buggs accounted for 52 total tackles, 23 solo tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss (eighth-most in the SEC), 9.5 sacks (fourth-most in the SEC), three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He was eventually named apart of the second-team All-SEC from the Coaches and AP. Buggs showed out at the 2019 Senior Bowl by being named one of the 10 players of the week.
Strengths
- possesses a big body and connects hard at the point of first contact with the offensive line;
- quick burst and violent movement off the snap;
- motor makes a tough defender to stop when attacking the outside shoulder or penetrating the interior;
- possesses great hands which can quickly give the edge in either the run game or the pass rush;
- huge frame that fits most of the NFL’s most prolific defensive linemen;
- very intelligent in reading plays in terms of recognizing run plays, screens, or passing plays;
- Physical and highly aggressive when contacting the offensive lineman;
- Can play in a weakside defensive end 3-4 front or a three-technique tackle in a 4-3 front;
- has great leverage when hitting the offensive line.
Weaknesses
- lacks the elite speed and overall athleticism to beat the more limber offensive linemen;
- lacks overall burst after the first step;
- rarely beats the tackle off the edge outside hand moves;
- has a habit of overthinking on certain plays where he takes his time to address what play the offense is running;
- tends to sit on run blocks too long to see if he can make the play;
- he doesn’t create consistent penetration when addressing the offensive scheme;
- tends to be slower than most of the top defensive ends in this draft.
NFL Comparison: Cliff Avril
Teams with Need at Position: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans
Projection: middle of the third round to top of the fourth round
Bottom Line
Buggs will likely fill in with any team that needs to add serious depth to their defensive line. The good thing for him is that he is more versatile than most solid edge rushers as an inside defensive lineman or an edge. Some of the teams that have been looking to address the defensive line in the third round including the Bills, Panthers, 49ers, and Patriots might be good fits. Others include the Giants, Titans, and Bengals.
He will be able to continue his post-collegiate success in his NFL Draft journey at the 2019 Scouting Combine. Depending on how well he does in the Combine in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers, his stock will either rise or fall.
