2018 Draft Prospects
6'0 and some change. People keep comparing him to Aaron Donald, which makes sense, as their stats are nearly identical.
But PJ's productivity is straight up unbelievable. 14 blocked kicks? as I recall from a pass rusher/interior lineman? Nearly hundred tackles for loss? Was it forty-something sacks? 10 forced fumbles? 30 passes broken up? Some interceptions?
EDIT - here you go. Check out these stats.
https://saintsreport.com/forums/showpost.php?p=7011503&postcount=81
Gotta have athleticism to block Kicks and I'm sure his 38 inch vert has something to do with that.
The only problem I have with guys like that is just the simple fact that the odds are stacked against them because they are undersized.
Take Rankins for instance. If Rankins had Onyemata's body he'd be killing it right now..but he doesn't and you saw what he looked like last year when asked to play starter snaps.
Oyemata actually graded better than Rankins in run defense and was only about 2 points off as a passrusher. Thats with Rankins having the better ability, football acumen, and pedigree.
Saints drafted him because he had potential to be the next aaron donald, geno atkins, etc etc but those guys had special traits about them. Donald it was his elite athleticism 4.68(40), (35) Bench Reps, and ridiculous 7.11 3cone. Geno Atkins (and if you listen to players talk they'll tell you this his gift) had elite upper body strength (34) Bench Reps.
Rankins ran a 5.00, had a 7.44 3cone, and 28 reps on the Bench. Other than his above average vert there was no other "special" trait that stood out about him athletically.
Thats why he failed to have the impact he did last year as a full time starter vs when he was a 6th man to Fairley. That's also why the Saints focus on their prototypes....to play in the NFL athleticism is a need. Only so many players have gotten away with being less than stellar athletes but the majority of NFL players have a certain height/weight/size/speed combo that allows them to be successful.
Anyone undersized is going to have to work harder while also having slimmer chance.