Oakland Raiders: One EDGE target in every round of the 2019 NFL Draft
By Justin Fried
As we get into the later rounds of the NFL Draft, teams tend to look for players with either traits or a good solid foundation of skills to build off of. There are no perfect prospects this late, but you’re looking for potential and a solid starting point.
That’s pretty much what you get with TCU’s Ben Banogu.
One of two TCU edge rushers expected to be drafted in the mid-rounds — along with L.J. Collier — Banogu is an athletic pass rusher who shows enough traits to take a flier on in the fifth round.
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Banogu flashed at the combine running an impressive 4.62 40-yard dash and a position-best 134 broad jump. He has a relatively quick first step but doesn’t always use it to the best of his advantage.
The Louisiana-Monroe transfer doesn’t bend well around the edge despite playing at a slim 250 pounds and tends to rush much more upright than he should. He would be best served lowering his pad level and using his athleticism to his advantage rather than relying on his pass rush moves, which are average at best.
Still, Banogu could find himself earning playing time as a sub-package pass rusher who could excel when asked to perform stunts and twists. While his athleticism doesn’t always shine through when he’s rushing on the edge, it’s easy to see his speed and quickness when he’s shooting the gap in a stunt.
In the fifth round, you could do much worse than selecting the gifted, but limited Banogu.