We’re officially inside one month away from the 2019 NFL Draft, and 95.7 The Game’s “Know Your Prospect” series is underway. Over the next month we will highlight some of the top players, best fits and names you should know for the 2019 draft class. With Jimmy Garoppolo coming back from injury and with pressure building for John Lynch in year three the 49ers desperately need to put together a draft haul that can make an impact day one.
Chase Winovich, Michigan, Edge
Weight: 256 lbs
40-Yard Dash: 4.59
2018 Statistics: 5 Sacks, 14 QB hits, 34 QB Pressures (According to Pro Football Focus), 40 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 3rd Team All-American
Athleticism:
Before we get to the positive on Chase Winovich, we have to address the “negative.” Questions circulated around Winovich’s athletic traits in the pre-draft process, but at the combine he surprised everyone elite test times in multiple categories. He ran a 4.59 40-yard dash, 6.94 3-cone drill and a 4.11 20-yard shuttle. All times ranked in the 90th percentile above as a defensive end. Winovich’s stellar combine performance put him into a group of elite company:
Defenders with <= 4.65 40s and 3-cones weighing>250 pounds at combine this century:Chase WinovichMontez SweatHarold LandryLeighton Vander EschJordan WillisJustin HoustonJerry HughesJason WorildsConnor BarwinCliff AvrilMark AndersonDeMarcus WareBrian Urlacher
— Mike Renner (@PFF_Mike)
April 1, 2019 Run Stuffer:
Winovich is one of the better edge run stuffers in the draft class. He uses his football IQ to easily diagnose run plays to be in position to make the play from the jump. Winovich understands blocking schemes while attacking gaps to disrupt the play and find the football.
He is discipline on the edge and uses his athletic ability to stretch the play. Even when when Winovich can’t get to the football you’ll see him blow up pulling guards to clog run lanes. Winovich is a closer in the run game, he never gives up on the play and will make tackles from sideline to sideline. Winovich can uniquely find leverage against bigger offensive tackles to stretch and stick tackles in their place. Winovich ranked second overall with a 11.8 run stop percentage according to Pro Football Focus while racking up 17 tackles for loss.
The more I watch him, the more I want Chase Winovich on this football team. pic.twitter.com/rI4MOlawgU
— The Reid Option (@ReidOptionKC)
March 26, 2019 Team Chase Winovich -- pic.twitter.com/jsZeVRBC9L
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers)
March 22, 2019 Hand Usage:
As a pass rusher, Winovich’s best trait is his hand usage. Winovich has active hands that he uses to keep blockers at a distance while keeping his feet chattering to get to the quarterback. When Winovich does get locked up with a blocker he has an elite push-pull move that ended with many offensive tackles laying face first. Winovich uses his hands in a bevy of ways that keeps his blocker off balance snap after snap. At times Winovich can look like a wild man while getting to the quarterback, but his active hands seem to have an approach with each rush.
Not watching Chase Winovich today but hard to ignore him when he schools someone like he did this Notre Dame RT. pic.twitter.com/sM3mBFmy6h
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora)
March 28, 2019 Motor:
The number one thing you’ll hear about Winovich is his elite motor. His effort on the football field is rare for even some of the biggest grinders in the National Football League. To say he plays with his Targaryen-like hair on fire wouldn’t do him justice. When watching Winovich you’ll see him turn up all over the field. You may line up to watch one of Michigan’s other defensive standouts like Devin Bush or Rashan Gary, but you’ll end up focusing on Winovich as he continually steals the show. Winovich wasn’t a captain for the Wolverines, but was unquestionably one of the countries best leaders.
Watch #15 and tell me how you can’t love this guy? pic.twitter.com/69ENWXbZck
— Tommy Call III (@tommy_III)
April 2, 2019 Chase Winovich just absolutely destroyed that running back ---- pic.twitter.com/RpFduReeRX
— Wolverine Sports Talk (@UMsportstalk)
January 1, 2018 Grade: Top-25 pick
