Three-Point Stance: NFL Rookie Pass Rushers After Two Weeks

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In the NFL, pass rushers are the single most important part of the defense. After two weeks, a few rookies excelled, and a few are still finding footing.

For rookies in the NFL, the learning curve remains steep, especially for pass rushers. Gone are the days when you could coast by with one move and teams failed to stop it. The worst NFL offensive lineman is still miles ahead of the worst college one. As a result, rookie rushers need to build their rush repertoire like an artist builds their portfolio. Unless your move is an all-time elite one (it’s not), linemen will pick up on that tendency and defeat you snap after snap.

Aidan Hutchinson

While most people praised the three-sack effort against the Commanders, the tape revealed deeper than the headlines. Granted, the sacks carry great weight and will be discussed. Yet, other parts of Hutchinson’s game merit applause. Initially, the awareness and feel for the play itself.. He veered wide on a running play, hemmed up by a tackle, yet, felt the play to the inside, and he spun off, made the tackle for a short gain. Hutchinson did not remain blocked. Although the run did not venture to his side, the presence of mind to know where to disengage signifies an acute nuance to playing near the line of scrimmage. While no rookie pass rusher is perfect (except Jevon Kearse in 1999), improvements must occur. Hutchinson, on plays flowing from far to near the sideline, will get washed out by blocking. This week, the Vikings will throw Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill at Hutchinson. Darrisaw’s ability to snap a jolting punch and sync mirroring feet will challenge him.

Travon Walker

In watching Walker’s film over the last two weeks, you see vast potential and plenty to still improve on. Walker’s jump and snap anticipation set him apart from many of his rookie brethren. 275-pounders, in a two-point stance, should not move that well. Not to mention the flexibility around the edge and prestidigitation in hand work. Additionally, Walker flashed some coverage ability, if needed. On the other hand, Walker occasionally fails to use an effective counter. If a blocker stops his first move, he needs to transition into a quicker backup plan. You will see him attempt to bull rush as a last resort. However, with vertical pads and the blocker locked on, this rarely works. Walker shows double-digit sack dominance, once he irons out the wrinkles in his approach.

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George Karlaftis

If any rookie pass rusher should use brute force, Karlaftis bounds to the top of the list. With a game predicated on hands and winning with power, Karlaftis should display this on a frequent basis. However, the All-22 in his first two weeks shows areas of greatly needed improvement. Karlaftis looks a step slow on the snap, just a tick behind the start of the play. Now, some of this can also be contributed by Karlaftis barely getting lined up properly just before the snap. That extra slide horizontally causes rushers to think and not make their first step forward. Otherwise, Karlaftis’ heart and work ethic will serve him well.

Overview

While two games aren’t a great evaluation metric, they will open a small window into what a pass rusher can be. For Hutchinson, Walker, and Karlaftis, their lofty draft statuses demand results. Furthermore, pass rushing, the art form, continues to evolve. As such, with continued fieldwork, film study, and acclimation to the pro game, the hope remains these three will be the foundational cornerstones their general managers drafted them to be.