Derek Rivers terrorized FCS quarterbacks en route to 14 sacks in 2016. With pass rushing at a premium, the New England Patriots got great value in the third third and will hope he can scale that production up to the NFL in 2017 and beyond.
Derek Rivers will bring elite small school edge rushing to the NFL with the Patriots
The Youngstown State sack machine is the Patriots’ first pick of the 2017 NFL draft.
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
The Patriots drafted the All-American defensive end/linebacker with the 83rd pick of the 2017 NFL draft — the team’s first after trading first- and second-round selections and trading down in the third round.
Can Derek Rivers be as effective against NFL offensive lines?
Rivers has top-level speed when he turns the corner and collapses quarterback pockets from the edge. He uses his quickness and balance to dip his shoulders under blocks and leave offensive tackles flailing in response. His explosive Combine performance — where he ranked among the top defensive ends in the 40-yard dash, bench press, three-cone drill, and vertical lead exercises -- suggests he’s enough of an athletic freak to be successful against NFL blockers as well.
He’s strong enough to win hand battles with offensive tackles, driving them backward and then cutting underneath to eliminate quarterback escape routes. He’s also fast enough to be a dogged pursuer who chases down passers and tailbacks alike downfield.
Plus, he spent his last two years playing for Bo Pelini, so it’s not like any NFL coaches are going to be able to hurt his feelings should he screw up.
Why did he last until the 83rd pick?
Rivers was very much a big fish in a small pond as an FCS standout. While Youngstown State was one of the former Division I-AA’s best programs — they were national runners-up in 2016 — they still played a schedule that included teams like Duquesne, Robert Morris, and other awful football programs outside the western Pennsylvania corridor. On the plus side, he did manage sacks against Illinois and Pittsburgh in FBS showdowns in 2014 and 2015.
While his Combine numbers were terrific, Rivers can play stiff on the field and struggles to get his feet underneath him for fluid lateral movement. Better and bigger tackles can wrap him up and keep him engaged, effectively swallowing him for stretches. He’ll still explode for big plays, but he’ll also go through lulls where he won’t make an impact for long stretches of time.
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