New York Jets Draft Profile: Edge rusher Jeff Holland

Here is a draft profile of a potential New York Jets selection, edge rusher Jeff Holland.

The New York Jets are in need of an edge pass rusher. That sentence has probably been said every year for the last 15. But anyone who watches the team knows that it is true. They have effectively been able to replace John Abraham. It’s one of the big reasons that the defense has had difficulty closing out games over the last few years. They can’t get to the quarterback when they need a big sack.

Often we would look at a frontline talent to fill this void. The thing is, we know the Jets aren’t going to be using their first pick for an edge pass rusher. The Jets also don’t currently have a second round pick in this year’s draft. So we take a look a little deeper into the minefield of the college prospects to find a pass rush prospect. One that look like he could develop into an impact player is Jeff Holland, edge rusher out of Auburn.

As always, we start with the stats from college:

		Tackles	Def Int	Fumbles
Year	School	Conf	Class	Pos	G	Solo	Ast	Tot	Loss	Sk	Int	Yds	Avg	TD	PD	FR	Yds	TD	FF
*2015	Auburn	SEC	FR	LB	9	7	6	13	2.5	1.0	0	0		0	0	0			1
*2016	Auburn	SEC	SO	LB	9	10	3	13	3.0	2.0	0	0		0	0	1			0
*2017	Auburn	SEC	JR	LB	14	26	19	45	12.5	9.5	0	0		0	1	1			4
Career	Auburn					43	28	71	18.0	12.5	0	0		0	1	2			5

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In his final season, this young man took big steps forward in the numbers department. Besides the overall tackle numbers, all of the big categories jumped forward. Holland posted 12.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles as a junior. This was his first year as a starter for Auburn and clearly Holland showed what he could do.

MEASURABLES

HEIGHT: 6-2

WEIGHT: 249 POUNDS

ARM LENGTH: 33.5″

HANDS: 10.5″

At the Combine, Holland was quite fast for his position, running the forty yard dash in 4.79 seconds. He also performed a 116 inch broad jump.

Before we come to our own conclusions, let’s get some words from Lance Zierlein:

"Strengths Play is fierce and physical. Has good initial upfield burst with ability to accelerate around the edge. Gets upper body turn early in his rush to prevent tackles from squaring him with their punch. Utilizes two-hand swipe as pet move but rip and run around the arc is also effective.Weaknesses Plays with hip tightness and poor body composition. Carries bad weight and doesn’t have typical physique of an NFL starter along the edge. Tight throughout his lower body. Unable to bend and strike with desired leverage to lift and control his man."

Time to get our scouting on, and that means looking at the tape.

This is a developmental player with the potential to become very good.

Next: Full first round mock version 2.0

The most blatant positive is Holland’s relentless motor. He stops at nothing to get to the ball, whether or not he ultimately gets home. At times we see him on the ground trying to grapple for ball carrier. He is also effective at beating his opponent to the edge with sheer speed. if he gets the jump on the tackle lined up against him he has a good shot at winning the matchup.

He needs better technique. Holland uses his hands, but inconsistently. He doesn’t get a good bend around the edge, allowing a tackle to control him if he meets him solidly on the edge. We don’t see much as far as intricate rush moves either.

But the positive is that somehow, Holland finds a way to get home. He uses smarts to ultimately get the job done. That gives the appearance of a player that can be taught. He might not begin as a starter but he could be a situational rusher, sort of what Dylan Donahue was supposed to be. Jeff Holland would be worth a day three investment.

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