From now until the 2020 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.
#48 Kenny Willekes/EDGE/Michigan State/6’3”, 264 Lbs
The Good
-High energy and effort player; hustle plays sprinkled all throughout film
-Quick first step to chew up yardage and get into the backfield
-Plays with a low pad level, allowing him to win against bigger tackles
-Smart defender that processes quickly
-Good lateral speed to defend in the backfield
-Fast, powerful hands defending the run
-Plays with an obvious chip on his shoulder and is out to prove something on every snap
-Fluid, easy mover along the LOS
The Bad
-A tad undersized for the position with relatively short arms
-Slow to convert speed to power as a rusher and struggles to work in counters
-Can be overpowered at point of attack by physical tackles
-Pass rush plan is extremely predictable; relies far too much on first step quickness to win off the edge
-Uncomfortable in space and never played standing up
Bio
-Holds Michigan State school record in tackles for loss with 51
-Two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2018 and 2019
-Named Team MVP in back-to-back years (’18 and ’19)
-Sits third all-time in the MSU record book with 26 career sacks
-Won the 2019 Burlsworth Trophy, given to nation’s most outstanding player who began his career as a walk-on
-Played in 40 career games with Spartans, starting 26
-Finished four-year career with 229 total tackles, 51.