FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Troy defensive end Javon Solomon.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Javon Solomon
Javon Solomon (DE – Troy)
6’2″ – 245 lbs.
Background:
Florida native who redshirted after appearing in three games back in 2019, then started five of 10 games played the following year, finishing with 29-6.0-1.5. Had a monster 2021 campaign of 50-17.0-11.0, then his production dipped a bit the following year (44-7.5-4.5) before jumping way up to 56-18.0-16.0 this past season.
Positives:
Has been highly productive over the past three years, culminating in a monster 2023 campaign. Typically plays out of a four-point stance, sometimes on the end of three-man lines. Fires out low with some explosiveness. Brings a gritty, physical approach with impressive pound-for-pound functional strength. Knee bend allows him to compete in the leverage battle and hold the point of attack better than his size would suggest. Nice hand placement and arm extension to control blockers. Very good athlete and smooth mover with impressive range in pursuit. Has a nice first step to threaten the edge with speed from wide alignments. Better technician with his hands than is typical of a smaller-school prospect, with a diverse rush approach. Dips his shoulder well, showing impressive balance, and uses a rip move to get around the edge. Bends a very tight arc as he turns the edge, with excellent flexibility and change-of-direction skills. Shows good commitment to keeping his feet churning when he uses his bull-rush. Has some prior experience dropping into coverage, with the raw athleticism to handle those duties.
Negatives:
Has added some bulk in school, but is still on the small side for a pro edge rusher. Rush-first approach can undermine his run fits, creating big holes for opposing running backs. Tends to overrun his spots when pursuing outside rushes, and more discipline as an edge-setter would be desirable. Gets driven off of his spot easily when he gets his shoulders turned. Preference to work around blockers rather than controlling them costs him some tackles. Was essentially a purely downhill player this year, with his coverage duties being eliminated.
Summary:
One of the best, most productive pass rushers in this year’s class, he shows an excellent combination of explosiveness, balance, flexibility, change of direction, hand use, and variety to get around the edge and hunt down quarterbacks. At the same time, he’s a somewhat undersized small-school prospect whose aggressive, rush-first approach can undermine his discipline in run fits and cause him to overrun ballcarriers in pursuit. For that reason, profiles as more of a rotational speed-rusher early in his career, who could eventually develop into more with time in a pro strength program and with more patience on early downs. Would probably fit best as a “Leo” weakside edge.
Projection: Round 3
More 2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive Linemen
- Kris Jenkins (DL – Michigan)
- Tyler Davis (DL – Clemson)
- Ruke Orhorhoro (DL – Clemson)
- Jer’Zhan Newton (DL – Illinois)
- McKinnley Jackson (DL – Texas A&M)
- Byron Murphy II (DL – Texas)
- T’Vondre Sweat (DL – Texas)
- Maason Smith (DL – LSU)
- Mekhi Wingo (DL – LSU)
- Leonard Taylor III (DL – Miami)
- Michael Hall Jr. (DL – Ohio State)
- Braden Fiske (DL – Florida State)
- Darius Robinson (DL – Missouri)
- Justin Eboigbe (DL – Alabama)
- DeWayne Carter (DL – Duke)
- Laiatu Latu (DE – UCLA)
- Chop Robinson (DE – Penn State)
- Bralen Trice (DE – Washington)
- Dallas Turner (DE – Alabama)
- Chris Braswell (DE – Alabama)
- Brandon Dorlus (DL – Oregon)
- Gabriel Murphy (DE – UCLA)
- Adisa Isaac (DE – Penn State)
- Jonah Elliss (DE – Utah)
- Jared Verse (DE – Florida State)
- Nelson Ceaser (DE – Houston)
- Marshawn Kneeland (DE – Western Michigan)
- Austin Booker (DE – Kansas)
- Brennan Jackson (DE – Washington State)
- Javon Solomon (DE – Troy)
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