2018 Raiders Draft Prospect
Name: Tyquan Lewis
School/Position: Ohio State, DE
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 270 pounds
Stats:
Tackling: In reviewing Lewis’ film, one thing becomes readily apparent: He is a wicked hitter. Lewis explodes through the ballcarrier, delivering a jolt upon impact. He demonstrates excellent burst in stopping opponents. The hips, calves, and core work in unison to strike with force.
Technique: While he is an effective pass rusher, there is no variation in moves. He survives on power and tenacity. There is plenty of ceiling here for Lewis. Refinement will enhance his skillset. Granted, Lewis’ coachability lends itself to improvement.
Pursuit: Lewis plays faster than whatever unimportant 40 time he will run at the combine. He chases with the quickness of a much smaller player. Lewis is no stranger to lining up on one end, having the play roll away, defeating the blocker, and tracing across the field to make the play. Film shows a constant effort to keep his feet moving. When he left Ohio State, Lewis’ 24 sacks were the most since 2005. In addition, Lewis notched 37 tackles for loss in his Columbus stint.
Play Recognition: Despite his pass rush abilities, Lewis can sniff out misdirection or play action. He will adjust his rush angle to compensate for any deception. Instead, Lewis uses a quicker step and not loop as widely around the tackle on running plays. Lewis opts to close running lanes than rather play hero ball (a selfish act by a player to draw attention to them, rather than make the sound strategic play.)
Aggression: From the snap, Lewis plays with an anger and disregard for opponents. His hands will stand blockers up or cast tight ends or backs aside. There is a consistency to his fury. Regardless of opponent, Lewis takes the same approach. For example, teams tried to keep a tight end in on running plays. Lewis leaps from the snap, uses his right hand to fend off the tight end block, and uses his left to halt the progress of the runner. There is nothing textbook about his approach. He reaches a level of violence quickly.
Raider Fit: Currently, Lewis’ potential runs along the lines of a situational pass rusher. He can evolve into a starter, but there needs to be an evolution of his game. In the new Raiders defense, getting home with four remains the goal. Under those circumstances, Lewis can help in two ways. First, he can get to the quarterback from the edge. Next, he can slide inside and beat guards with a quick first step. With the Raiders’ lack of depth on the line, Lewis provides an intriguing addition to the roster, if they draft him. In order to build a pass rush, the Raiders can’t just rely on Khalil Mack.
Red Flags: None. Lewis is the product of a strong home environment. His mother ensured that he learned accountability from a young age. As a result, Lewis’ focus is on the field. Ancillary distractions should not be any issue for him.
