Jah Joyner has been an impressive pass rusher for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and a quarterback pressure machine. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report and film analysis on him. The last scouting report was on the offensive side of the ball, and now it flips to the defense.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Minnesota EDGE Jah Joyner
Measurables:
- 6’5”
- 265 lbs
Player Background:
The second-ranked Connecticut recruit in the 2020 class, Jah Joyner had 13 sacks in just eight games as a senior. The four-star prospect committed to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in December 2019 as a defensive lineman. He didn’t see any in-game action during his freshman season and played just four games in a redshirt year in 2021. Elevating into a rotational EDGE rusher in 2022, Joyner notched 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles-for-loss in 13 total games.
His long-awaited breakout arrived in 2023, leading the Golden Gophers’ defense with 7.5 sacks and forcing two fumbles. He remained a rotational piece but saw exponentially more snaps with high production. Joyner has racked up 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and seven pass deflections through nine games in his final collegiate season.
Accolades:
- All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2023)
- Academic All-Big Ten (2021)
Strengths/Pros:
Joyner possesses a freakish frame and overall length with his arms measuring almost 35 inches long. He’s a twitchy athlete who can make compact movements very well. He has all the foundational aspects of an NFL player, with potentially his best trait being an unwavering level of effort. He never quits after the snap and blows up several plays every game after most players would have let off the gas. His hands are heavy and strong, leading to major hits and a much higher chance of forcing fumbles.
He flashes good pursuit at times and quickly rotates onto delayed runs/pitches. One of the most intriguing parts about Joyner’s game is how much better he gets as the game progresses. He gets faster, stronger, and more explosive the longer he’s on the field and breaks down offensive lines. His vision on stunts is impressive and he holds contain firmly on the outside. His arm strength is solid and he can control tackles with just one anchor.
Weaknesses/Cons:
Joyner’s downside is that he’s just incredibly raw as a player. He struggles mightily with disengaging from offensive linemen and consistently working past them. He gets caught up on longer pass-rush moves and works himself into uncomfortable positions too frequently. His functional strength needs work to aid his bull-rushing and lower half drive. His lower half is also quite stiff and doesn’t have the bend to realize the potential his frame gives him.
Joyner needs to improve both the quickness and technique of his hands to be a more effective finesse-based rusher. His initial get-off is decently slow and limits how well he can be positioned early in plays. He also has problems with getting flagged in crucial spots and being a momentum shifter for the opposing team.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Joyner’s perceived upside is that of a legitimate pass-rushing specialist who can produce double-digit sacks yearly. There are a good amount of concerns with his skill set, however, and his reaching that potential is far from a guarantee. Similar to his collegiate career path, a team could elect to “redshirt” him for the first year or two to flesh out his abilities. Joyner can be a valuable asset on a contending defense and could be a major steal in this year’s draft.
Prospect Grade:
- Early to Mid-4th Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. North Carolina
- 2024 vs. USC
- 2023 vs. Michigan State
Main Photo Courtesy of Matt Krohn – Imagn Images
