From now until the 2019 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#15 Chase Winovich /Edge Michigan – 6’3” 256
The Good
- High motor, relentless effort
- Was used all up and down the LOS and on both sides
- Diagnoses run quickly and attacks pulling blockers in attempt to close down gaps
- Shows quickness to get inside of blocks to get in backfield and good speed chasing down RB’s behind the LOS
- Good punch in his hands and solid ability to extend and hold off blockers
- Good quickness at the snap to put pressure on OL
- Varies his pass rush plan using a variety of moves and counters well when first move is unsuccessful
- Good effort to chase across and downfield.
The Bad
- Play strength is adequate and would like to see some added in the NFL
- Slow reading the mesh point between RB and QB
- Too shallow setting the edge giving runners a chance to get outside
- When taking on pulling OL he needs to keep his outside shoulder clean
- Spends more time on the ground than you’d like to see
- Doesn’t have a dominant pass rush move
- Can he play in coverage? Wasn’t asked to do it in college
Bio
- Career – 166 tackles, 86 solo, 43 TFL, 18.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 3 FR, 3 FF
- 2018 – 59 tackles, 33 solo, 15.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR
- Four year letterman, Two time All-Big Ten (AP, Coaches)
- 2018 Bo Schembechler MVP Team Award and Richard Katcher Award, presented to Michigan’s most outstanding defensive lineman or outside linebacker
- 45 career games with 26 starts
- Two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2015, 2016)
- Played linebacker and quarterback in high school
- Majoring in Evolutionary Anthropology
- Father, Peter, played basketball at Bethany College
Tape Breakdown
Watching tape of Chase Winovich (#15) can be kind of like playing Where’s Waldo as he was uses all over the defensive line. From play to play he would be lined up to the left or right, strong or weak side, and inside or outside. Playing for Don Brown, Michigan’s defensive coordinator, he was used primarily on the edges but would also line up inside as a 3 tech or even the 0 tech. His stance varied as well depending on the situation and where he was using a 2, 3 and 4 point stance.
Against the run, his quickness is good at the snap getting off the ball quickly and getting his hands up quickly to take on the blockers. He identifies run quickly and plays aggressively using quickness to cut into gaps vs Zone runs and take on down blocks and pulling offensive lineman to attempt to clog running lanes on Gap runs. On runs away from him he displays awareness and speed to chase down runners behind the LOS. It is nice to see a player who wraps up when he tackles not just trying to knock the runner down with a shoulder. When setting the edge on runs his way he shows good recognition and is solid with his hands to keep blockers off of him. Some area’s to improve include following the ball through the mesh point, using his inside shoulder while taking on blocks and getting depth when setting the edge to cut off the outside for the back.
At Purdue quick recognition and COD to see the tackle pulling outside, beat the down block of the TE and get outside to force the run back inside.
At Notre Dame here is the aggressiveness taking on the pulling blocker he gets a good punch to stand up the OC and make the TFL.
At Ohio State they leave him unblocked from the backside and he shows good burst to get down the LOS and make the TFL.
Vs Florida lined up over the TE on right side he shows great quickness and agility to duck between the LG and LT to burst into the backfield
Rushing the passer, again he shows good quickness at the snap and does a nice job varying his pass rush to keep the lineman off balance. He uses his hands well to get the OL hands off him using slaps, chops and hesitations followed by quickness to make him a slippery target. His assortment of rush moves include a rip, swim, club, long arm and can surprise with a solid bull on occasion. He also varies inside and out so he seems to have a plan each time out and will counter quickly when that doesn’t work. His play strength could use some improvement to help him win more on power rushes. Long armed tackles can give him trouble pushing him up the arc and would like to see him improve on recognizing screens.
At Purdue rushing from the right edge he uses a quick nod inside with a swipe of the LT’s hands to get the sack.
At Notre Dame lined up over the LT it looks like a push pull to displace the blocker and get pressure to force the incompletion.
At Notre Dame this is a good, bad and good play. He starts his chase after the QB rolling out. He realizes the screen and retreats. But then he overruns the receiver but showing his motor chases downfield to make the tackle
At Notre Dame rushing from the left edge he jabs out, in, out and yanks down the left tackle and meets Devin Bush (#10) at the QB.
Vs Penn State from the 5 tech he uses a club to the inside to beat the RT and get the sack.
He isn’t the strongest or the fastest but he has a high motor and will bring the effort play after play no matter what he is asked to do. I felt he was quickest playing from a 2 point stance and think that would be ideal for him at the next level to use his quickness and moxie to make plays. Coverage is going to be a question that needs answering as he wasn’t asked to do it in college. He’ll be someone I think the Steelers would take a good look at over the next couple weeks.
Projection: 4th round
Games Watched: 2017 – At Purdue; 2018 – At Notre Dame, Vs Penn State, At Ohio State, Vs Florida
