In a move that took many fans off guard, the Atlanta Falcons traded up in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and selected Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro. The move made all the sense in the world to Clemson associate head coach and defensive run game coordinator Nick Eason, who shared his thoughts with Abe Gordon Tuesday.
"Talking to the scouts, going with them through the evaluation process, with him, I knew his stock had risen," Eason told Gordon. Orhorhoro had what Eason called one of the best seasons of his career last year. "He has everything that you want in an NFL defensive lineman."
Prior to the draft, Eason said he felt Orhorhoro would be taken in the bottom of the first round or early in the second. He definitely didn't see Orhorhoro lasting past pick No. 45.
"Ruke possesses all the talent and the tools to be one of the most dominant defensive linemen in the NFL," Eason said.
Eason also explained where Orhorhoro might fit into the Falcons' scheme. With Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata manning the interior of Atlanta's defensive line, will there be a way for Orhorhoro to move outside?
"Ruke brings a lot of versatility," Eason said. "He's long, he can play defensive end on first and second down, he can bump inside as a three technique. We used him as a zero technique rushing on third-down packages.
"He can play all across the defensive line on all three downs. (The Falcons will) probably use him everywhere because they can. He has the tools to do so."