ESPN's Top 10 Impact Rookies(non-1st Round)

[kungfoodude]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/45025476/2025-nfl-draft-ranking-rookie-year-impact-mid-late-rounders

 

Full disclosure, was not at all a fan of this pick in the 2nd BECAUSE I generally view him as being very limited in his pass rush ability. 

That said, he does have the makeup to be very capable of replacing Clowney, long term.

[PanthersNCSU]

I'm excited for Scourton. Even if the sack numbers aren't there right away, he'll contribute and has a certain floor IMO. Would be thrilled if he can turn into a Charles Johnson-type contributor one day. Never a star (though, please do), but reliable and damn good at what he does. 

[poorboysrev]

1 minute ago, kungfoodude said:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/45025476/2025-nfl-draft-ranking-rookie-year-impact-mid-late-rounders

 

Full disclosure, was not at all a fan of this pick in the 2nd BECAUSE I generally view him as being very limited in his pass rush ability. 

That said, he does have the makeup to be very capable of replacing Clowney, long term.

So you don’t think with his weight down /position more similar to what it was in 2023 he’s capable of 10+sacks? I don’t watch college football so just going off the write ups, like getting the opinions from folks who do

[SmittysLawnGuy]

12 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/45025476/2025-nfl-draft-ranking-rookie-year-impact-mid-late-rounders

 

Full disclosure, was not at all a fan of this pick in the 2nd BECAUSE I generally view him as being very limited in his pass rush ability. 

That said, he does have the makeup to be very capable of replacing Clowney, long term.

Lost your pie with that landing. You are incorrect. Go back and watch Purdue. Bro is nasty with a motor on Nos!

[jb2288]

10 minutes ago, poorboysrev said:

So you don’t think with his weight down /position more similar to what it was in 2023 he’s capable of 10+sacks? I don’t watch college football so just going off the write ups, like getting the opinions from folks who do

Apparently the weight stuff was a little over blown but that being said A&M obviously had no idea how to use d line and going from Purdue to SEC is a big jump. I wouldn’t expect 6+ sacks this year and that’s ok. He’s super young and will keep improving 

[jfra78]

Scourton may not get double digit sacks, but he won't be a liability on every other down

[Bear Hands]

Scourton's interviews are telling to me that it's only a matter of time before he could really put it together.  His limitation tool-wise that I see is in his bend, but at the leaner size, it looks like it wasn't a problem at Purdue.  

He has a good moveset and reads leverages very well (vet level well).  Plays both the speed/quickness (great change of direction) and has a power game with good hand usage.  Moves from what I've seen in my digs:

I'm seeing cross-chop, fake crossers into bull, bull rush, spin (his preferred move of choice), hand shuck.  He's not unrefined by any means.  

If he can do 2 things---I'm feeling confident from seeing his interviews that we have a real dude on our hands:

1) Diversifying his moveset/how it's deployed - Over-reliant on some, but again, he has a growing palette.  And is already great with his hands so things are in-place to coach up.

2) Developing a counter moveset and starting to play the chess game with an OT - He's very good at reading leverage, knowing when to change things up during a play.  But NFL coaching should start to teach him how to really create a plan based on an opponent.  What to throw at a guy first, how to confuse with fakes/counters, etc.  How to play against these tackles as a game progresses.  

Overall, he has some things that give me serious optimism:

Run Defense, speed moves, power moves, he's super young and has the size/length.  When you really spell it all out, I think we should get excited.  Temper expectations from a stat sheet standpoint, but he should be able to go in and make an impact.  

 

[LinvilleGorge]

I think we got great value on Scourton we owe TAMU a thank you for misusing him and hurting his draft value. He looked like a 1st rounder for sure and potentially a high 1st rounder playing lighter at Purdue.

[Icege]

I am JUICED to see these young guys get on the field and figure things out over the course of the season. I know that things are being slow-played and that 2026 - 2027 is the "show up or shut up" season for this iteration of the team, but it's difficult for me not to be excited about how they might trend.

Edited May 12, 2025 by Icege

[kungfoodude]

1 hour ago, jfra78 said:

Scourton may not get double digit sacks, but he won't be a liability on every other down

Yeah, I was just not a fan of the value there. I think he will be a better version of YGM. 

[SOJA]

If Scourton stays at purdue he's a first round pick 

[SOJA]

1 hour ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I think we got great value on Scourton we owe TAMU a thank you for misusing him and hurting his draft value. He looked like a 1st rounder for sure and potentially a high 1st rounder playing lighter at Purdue.

didn't read the thread before I posted but you nailed it 

[frankw]

The best thing about the pick is he's only 20 and he already checks many of the boxes. He also has the right mentality his personality is a very welcome addition for this team culture. Just have to give him time.

[rmoneyg35]

Honestly I expect more from Princely Umanmielen than Scourton this year. Scourton is only 20 years old and won’t be 21 until August where Princley is 23 and was a 5th senior with 2 different SEC teams. They are different kinds of players and Scourton may even get more reps on the rushing downs but I can see Princely getting more sacks.