New Era Scouting

Jason Pierre-Paul

Scout: Matt Miller

Height/Weight: 6’6 – 265

40 Time: 4.54

Pro Potential: Mario Williams- Houston Texans

Position Traits

Pass Rush/Closing Ability/Moves and Counter Moves: Excellent closing speed. Turns the corner very well, but can struggle against elite tackles. Naturally gifted and agile. Struggles to dip his shoulder and rotate hips to turn the corner because of a lack of flexibility. Can be improved with NFL strength training. A little inconsistent and must learn to keep the intensity up every play. Needs to be more aggressive when met in the lane.

Pursuit/Lateral Movement and Agility: An impressive all-around athlete. Great speed and leaping ability. Lacks great flexibility. Not great change of direction skills. Is aggressive in pursuit and will chase down runners from behind. Is not fast enough to catch many backs from behind, but does give maximum effort.

Quickness/Explosion: Explosive out of his stance in a two or three-point. Looked lost at times against NFL-level tackles. Until he learns to use his body, he will struggle.

Run Defend/Recognition: Gets pushed around here. Is often on the ground. Does not protect against cut blocks particularly well. Poor recognition, but has played at three levels in three seasons. Will benefit from consistency and film study. It cannot be stressed enough that Pierre-Paul is incredibly green.

Size/Length/Hand Size: Great length and ideal size for a pass rushing end. Does have the frame to put on more weight. Hand size is adequate. Length is above-average. Lanky and lean. Can add 20+ lbs to his frame.

Strength/Ability to Shed Blocks: Will need built from the ground-up in a NFL strength program. Struggles against the run and needs work shedding blocks. Must learn to use hands to keep blockers off his legs. Has to improve keeping blockers from getting in to his body and attacking his legs. Is able to improve in all areas, but needs time and coaching. At this time he does not have the strength to hold-up against NFL blockers for an entire game, much less an entire season. However, he does have the work ethic to get bigger and stronger.

Tackling: Makes plenty of arm tackles against the run. Will explode through the ball carrier with force. Closes fast and shows natural instincts. Is a lunge tackler (again- he needs coaching) and raw in his form.

Technique/Hand Use/Leverage: Is very raw and will require hours and hours of coaching. Teams must remember he is still new to football after only playing two years in High School and one year at USF. Lacks secondary moves and tries too often to beat blockers will outside speed moves. Does flash a bull rush, but is not effective against better blockers. Comes out of his stance too high at times. Needs refined, but is loaded with potential.

Versatility: Has lined up at both left and right end and even played some outside linebacker. Has the size to play head-up on tackles and the speed to play outside. A former basketball player who could pique a team’s interest at outside linebacker.

Final Word: A junior college transfer from Fort Scott Community College(academics), Pierre-Paul quickly became a star at South Florida. Lining up opposite George Selvie, his freakish athleticism started to attract scouts. While he is not the most well-known defensive end in the draft, Pierre-Paul may be the best pure pass rusher. Although he only played one year at USF, Pierre-Paul quickly became known as a dominating pass rusher and will attract general managers and coaches looking for an edge rush. When scouting Pierre-Paul you must look at the athleticism and potential and look past the raw technique. He is definitely a project, but one will huge dividends.

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