New England Patriots Possible Sleeper Target in the 2015 NFL Draft – Kyle Emanuel, OLB/DE North Dakota State
 Kyle Emanuel is a possible sleeper pick in the later rounds of the draft but had outstanding production at North Dakota State.(USA Today Image) |
As the 2015 NFL Draft draws closer we’ll profile some of the players that may be on the Patriots radar. Some of these players have already been linked to New England as possible targets others, we feel would be a great fit.
Check out our earlier 2015 NFL Draft profiles on PatsFans.com:
DE/OLB Nate Orchard from Utah
WR Tyrell Williams from Western Oregon
DT Jordan Phillips from Oklahoma
DT Carl Davis from Iowa
RB David Johnson from Northern Iowa
CB Steven Nelson from Oregon State
OLB Zack Hodges from Harvard
CB Ronald Darby from FSU
WR Devin Funchess from Michigan
OG A.J. Cann from South Carolina
RB Mike Davis from South Carolina
ILB Benadrick McKinney from Mississippi State
OLB Hau’oli Kikaha from Washington
T Jeremiah Poutasi from Utah
One of the needs that the Patriots are trying to address in 2015 is the pass rush. They are attempting to build up the front seven via free agency and the draft. The Pats have been already linked to some of the better DL in the draft after signing DE Jabaal Sheard from the Browns.
One area that can also be addressed is the linebacker position both inside where both Jerod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower are recovering from injuries that required surgery and outside where they can use some depth and presence on the edge where they can pressure the quarterback.
Kyle Emanuel from North Dakota State is somewhat of a sleeper; he isn’t mentioned in the top tier of edge rushers but had some incredible stats at defensive end in the FCS. He was the winner of the 2014 Buck Buchanan Award as the most outstanding player in the FCS in the country.
Emanuel has good size at 6’4, 254 and projects to be an OLB in the NFL but one with the versatility to play upright or with his hand on the ground. Playing against albeit lesser competition in the Missouri Valley Conference, he logged in 32.5 tackles for loss (TFL), and 19.5 sacks at N.Dakota State, an incredible 52 explosive plays. But in eight games against Top 25 ranked opponents, still produced with 16.5 TFL and 10 sacks.
Has excellent flexibility and can bend and turn the corner against tackles on the edge. Emanuel has a non-stop motor with quick feet that allows him to never be out of the play. Plays sideline-to-sideline, sets the edge very well and takes excellent angles in the running game.
He’ll have to learn to play more coverage and in space in the NFL, which may be a learning curve. And he’ll have to learn some different pass rush moves at the next level. Ran well at his Pro-Day with 4.77 time in the 40 yard dash and did 27 reps on the bench press.
Pros:
- Outstanding production, 19.5 sacks and 32.5 TFL
- Non-stop motor, relentless player who never quits on a play
- Hits hard, plays physical, sets the edge well in the running game
Cons:
- Played against inferior competition, will have to learn some new pass rush moves
- Didn’t play much in space, coverage will be a different obstacle for him
- Decent but not elite speed on the edge
Where can the Patriots can get him?: When evaluating small school studs, it is often difficult to get an accurate read on a prospect. The first thing you want to see is a guy who dominated at the lower level. Emanuel passed that test with flying colors with 52 explosive plays in 2014.
When looking at his technique, he has the ability to shed blockers, has quick feet, can turn the corner while dipping his shoulder to beat tackles to the edge and has excellent leverage at the point of attack.
He reads the play and reacts well and hits opposing ball carriers with authority. While he doesn’t have the length of arms that is ideal, there is no arguing with his production. His workouts show good speed and excellent strength. He’s a sleeper who has not gotten a lot of press but could be a diamond in the rough for the Patriots as a late round pick.
Playing in sub-packages, at least initially, he will give Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia the versatility and flexibility to rush off the edge as a blitzer or play some short zone coverage. He can set the edge in the running game and will go all out on every down.
Here is a short highlight film of Emanuel from North Dakota State:
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