2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jayson Oweh





  • Jayson Oweh, 6-5/252

  • Defensive End

  • Penn State


  • Jayson Oweh Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Fast speed rusher
  • Burst off ball
  • Speed to run the arc and get around the corner
  • Speed-to-power rush ability
  • Can fire to the inside
  • Has a burst to close on the quarterback
  • Functional strength, length
  • Ability to use hands and feet at same time
  • Good motor
  • Gives a second effort
  • Agile; not stiff
  • Can dip underneath tackles
  • Loose hips
  • Nice ability to redirect
  • Willing run defender
  • Hard worker in the weight room
  • Versatile for 3-4 or 4-3 defense
  • Huge upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Disappointing production in 2020
  • Unpolished pass rusher
  • Raw, underdeveloped technique
  • Can over pursue
  • Could use refinement of pass-rushing moves
  • Quick twitch, but delayed reaction to snap


  • Summary: Penn State has produced a lot of freaky athletes in recent years who have displayed shocking size and speed in the pre-draft workouts. Oweh should continue that trend this year, as he is a workout warrior who flashed a big skill set with the Nittany Lions. In 2019, he contributed 21 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles, and it looked looked like a year hinting at big-time potential. In the shortened 2020 season, however, Oweh collected zero sacks or forced fumbles while making 38 tackles. He entered the 2021 NFL Draft having made four sacks in his last 18 games, but sack numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

    Oweh has the speed and strength to be a tough battle for offensive tackles in the NFL. Oweh would be a star of the “all looks” team given his body type and his carved-up physique that could be featured on a muscle fitness magazine. As a pass rusher, Oweh can burn tackles with a speed rush and also is strong enough to fight them off with his hands. He uses his hands and feet at the same, showing the ability to translate speed to power. Additionally, he has the agility to redirect to the inside or sink his hips while running the loop on the outside. He could use more refinement with his pass-rushing moves, but as a pro, he has the potential to be a good pass rusher.

    Oweh is also a decent run defender considering he weighs less than 260 pounds. His weight room strength keeps him from getting pushed around, and he flashes the ability to get off blocks and flow to the ball-carrier. In the pass rush and as a run defender, Oweh pursues well and displays a good motor.



    For the NFL, Oweh’s best fit could come as a 3-4 outside linebacker, although he also has the potential to be a 4-3 defensive end. In a 4-3, it could make sense to rotate him a fair amount because offensive tackles who have a 50-70-pound advantage could wear him out, so keeping him fresh as a pass rusher and available to make an impact in the fourth quarter would require rotating him.

    Scouts say Oweh is a workout warrior who added a lot of muscle in the weight room during his time at Penn State, and he should put up a shocking 40 time similar to a wide receiver or cornerback. Not having a 2021 NFL Scouting Combine hurts Oweh, but he still is expected to be one of the stars of the pro-day workouts.

    Team sources believe Oweh could go late in the first round or early in the second round during the 2021 NFL Draft. They say his track record and tape are that of a second-day pick, but because he is a workout warrior, they think a team could fall in love from his pro day and ends up taking him late in Round 1 or early in Round 2.



    Player Comparison: Chandler Jones. Oweh’s skill set is reminicent of Jones. Jones (6-5, 265) and Oweh are similar in size, and Oweh will probably top out around Jones’ weight. Both are fast edge rushers who have the developed strength to defend the run. Jones went in the back of the first round in 2012, and Oweh could go in that range this year or early in Round 2. Jones was more productive in college, but if Oweh turns into a good pro, I could see him being a similar style player to Jones.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Scouting Reports








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