Why the Slide?: Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
By Charlie Campbell, @draftcampbell
Four years ago, we started a series of articles on why certain prospects went undrafted. In that series, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. We got a lot of positive reader feedback about the series, so we decided to expand in the genre to investigate why some prospects slid in the draft. Three years ago, we started the Why the Slide? series, and this year it is back. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.
Over the past few seasons, Ohio State has fielded a future NFL defensive line with almost every starter possessing early-round talent. That included defensive end Sam Hubbard, who was a solid player for three years. In 2015, he flashed his potential with 6.5 sacks to go along with 28 tackles and an interception. A year later, Hubbard collected 46 tackles with eight for a loss, 3.5 sacks and two passes batted. As a senior, Hubbard collected 43 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. Hubbard (6-5, 270) possesses an impressive skill set with size, quickness and athleticism. He was a common projection as a late first-round or early second-round pick. Thus, it was surprising when Hubbard slid to the third round.
In speaking to numerous scouts, there were a few reasons why Hubbard slid. One issue that dogged him throughout the leadup to the 2018 NFL Draft with teams was the view of him as a bit of an underachiever in college. A number of team sources felt that Hubbard didn’t produce up to his potential during his career as a Buckeye. Sources also said that Hubbard’s pro-day workout was moderately disappointing. It sounds like these factors kept teams from falling in love with him, and that led to him slipping to the third round.
The Cincinnati Bengals ended Hubbard’s fall in Round 3, and that was a good landing spot for him. Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson are in the final year of their contracts with Cincinnati. The Bengals also need to find a pass-rushing upgrade over Johnson. The Bengals probably drafted Hubbard to replace one of them. Even if Dunlap gets re-signed, Hubbard could finish off Cincinnati’s edge-rushing group with Carl Lawson, Jordan Willis, and Dunlap. Cincinnati has done a nice job of developing second-day defensive ends into quality starters, as evidenced by Dunlap and Johnson having solid careers after being second-day picks. Hubbard may have to wait a year to become a starter, but the Bengals were a good landing spot, where he should get every opportunity to be a long-term player for them.
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