O’Bryan Goodson NFL Draft Overview
Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’-0”
Weight: 297 pounds
School: Memphis
O’Bryan Goodson 2021 NFL Draft
Some prospects stand out in their position group because of their physical profile. In the case of O’Bryan Goodson, his lack of size is a real attention grabber on the list of defensive tackle prospects. However, he’s incredibly fun to watch on tape because he’s a 6’-0” sub-300 pound nose tackle. Goodson uses his natural leverage to wreak havoc in the opposition backfield at every opportunity. However, the level of competition he faced at Memphis and questions surrounding how his lack of size will translate to the NFL obviously limits his draft stock.
A Mississippi native, Goodson was a three-star recruit coming out of South Panola High School in 2017. Goodson racked up 143 total tackles, 50 tackles for loss, and 13 sacks in three seasons of football in high school. He was offered by Southern Miss but committed to Memphis. Despite his lack of height and a smaller build, Goodson contributed as a true freshman for the Tigers. He made 28 total tackles in 11 games, including one sack.
As a sophomore in 2018, Goodson made 23 total tackles, including a career-high 8.5 tackles for loss in 12 games. Lined up predominantly in B-gap alignment as a junior, Goodson enjoyed more solid production against the run. He recorded seven tackles for loss in 10 games. However, Goodson shifted to nose tackle full-time in 2020 and the production ticked up even more. He made a career-high three sacks and recorded 27 total tackles in just eight games during the shortened season.
Strengths
- Agile for the position – has a quick burst through the A-gap when he gets his timing and uses his hands efficiently;
- Has active hands – always working and punches strikes with a purpose;
- Plays from a position of natural leverage and low pad level;
- High School wrestler – shows good balance on the field, hard to get on the ground in college;
- Very Disruptive in college – Wreaked havoc in the backfield. (26.5 tackles for loss in college career)
Weaknesses
- Very undersized for the position in the NFL;
- Limited pass rusher – doesn’t really have a good move, just active with his hands;
- Often gets stuck on a block – shorter arms make it difficult to disengage when he’s stacked up;
- Play recognition needs to improve – gets washed away by double teams he doesn’t see coming;
- Ok production for the level of competition – not close to dominant.
NFL Comparison: Mike Daniels
Daniels has enjoyed a productive NFL career to this point. The Green Bay Packers originally selected the now nine-year veteran in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Listed at 6’-0”, Daniels also plays with natural leverage in the trenches. However, Daniels has put on a little more weight than Goodson, which allows him to compete consistently against bigger offensive linemen in the pros.
Teams With Need at Position: Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders
Projection: Sixth/Seventh Round
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Bottom Line on O’Bryan Goodson
There’s a lot to like about Goodson on tape. He finds a way to succeed and win the snap on his own terms with his own unique style. The quick first step burst and active hands make him a nuisance for offensive linemen in the run game and against the pass. Plenty of smaller defensive linemen have been successful in the NFL. Goodson should be able to get by in the NFL at his height.
However, the height combined with the weight is another matter. At his size, Goodson needs to be more efficient as a block shedder and develop more moves to beat his blockers than he ever showed on tape. With his projected skillset, Goodson needs to add another 20 pounds of functional weight to his frame in order to compete in the trenches. Although the production was solid at Memphis, it was far from special for the level of competition.
O’Bryan Goodson is talented for sure. He was consistent against the run throughout his college career and in his final season, Goodson flashed NFL pass-rush potential. The Memphis defensive tackle is worth a late-round flier for an NFL team who likes the unique skillset of Goodson. With some development in an NFL weight room, Goodson could compete on Sundays for years to come.
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