The Other Penn State Edge Rusher
April 15th, 2024
Penn State edge rusher Adisa Isaac.
Many mockers have Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson headed to the Bucs. Joe’s not against this pick but dang, it would be nice to draft someone in the first round that actually produced in his final college season.
(Joe is actually starting to think Robinson is the J.J. McCarthy of edge rushers. NFL folks go wild about McCarthy as a potential NFL quarterback despite showing very little on tape. What has McCarthy excelled at other than handing the ball off? Oh, he was a winner! Did McCarthy win more than Jameis Winston? No? Oh. Both had a 26-1 record in college.)
Playing opposite of Robinson on Penn State’s defensive line was a cat by the name of Adisa Isaac. Unlike Robinson, Isaac showed production last season. At least more than Robinson.
Also, it seems Isaac can play the run. Against Michigan and Ohio State, Isaac had five total tackles for loss. Robinson in the same games? Goose egg (to be fair, Michigan and Ohio State could have been running away from Robinson).
The last two years Isaac has 27 tackles for loss.
It seems in his writeup of Isaac in “The Beast” draft guide, Dane Brugler of The Athletic is a fan, so he typed
SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Penn State, Isaac lined up as an edge rusher (two- and three-point stances) in former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s 4-3 base scheme. His tape and production improved each season in State College and culminated with him leading the Nittany Lions in both tackles for loss (16) and sacks (7.5) as a senior (accounted for 27.0 tackles for loss over 26 games the last two seasons). With his package of traits, Isaac’s athletic twitch as a pass rusher and promising point-of-attack skills in the run game stand out on tape. However, his inefficiency at contact and freelancing tendencies are a few of several areas that remain a work in progress with his game. Overall, Isaac needs to mature his approach to be more than a flash player, but with his length, energy and athletic tools, he can become an impactful edge presence for a defensive coordinator who continues to unlock his potential. Though he projects best standing up in a 3-4, he has something to offer any NFL scheme as a role player with starting upside (similar in ways to the Philadelphia Eagles’ Josh Sweat.
Brugler lists Isaac as his No. 7 edge rusher. Brugler also believes Isaac is a Day 2 draft pick.
Joe thinks Isaac might be a sleeper. Joe certainly is more apt to bank on a guy who has demonstrated production over a guy that teams project can reach a specific level.
There is something to be said about a guy who demonstrates his ability on the field.
EDGE Adisa Isaac
Good athlete with good length but lacks explosiveness and twitch for his build. Has good strength at POA and good bull rush moves but his hand technique is average at best.
Built as a pass rusher but seems to be more comfortable against the run.4th round pic.twitter.com/cMytrhunoy
— Valentin (@ScoutValentin) April 9, 2024
April 15th, 2024 at 2:23 am
Problem is he is a trade BACK candidate, which I hope we do.
He isn’t a first round guy, unless the Bucs see something no other media darling does, which is possible.
There are just too many other edge needy teams for him to last until #57 IMO.
I see him in the 35-45 range.
This is why I want to trade back if possible.
Much easier to land these guys with extra picks.
April 15th, 2024 at 4:27 am
4.7 40 time, 8.8 RAS, I think this guy screams value in later rounds. Sounds better than chop at #26.
April 15th, 2024 at 5:06 am
I’d be happy to burn a 4th rd pick on a guy like this.
April 15th, 2024 at 5:25 am
Nice find Joe. Kind of a project (hmmm, sounds all to familiar), but had excellent production last year especially. Second round should work. Walter Football seems to like him …
7. Penn State image Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State
Height: 6-4. Weight: 250.
40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2024): 2-3.
4/13/24: While Chop Robinson was expected to be Penn State’s leading pass rusher in 2023, it was Isaac who created the most pass-rushing production in 2023 after Robinson was injured. In 2023, Isaac totaled 7.5 sacks, 35 tackles and a forced fumble. He had four sacks in 2022 and put up a total of three sacks over 2020 and 2019. Isaac has quality size for the next level and is a good run defender. His pass rush needs to improve for the NFL, but he has the potential to grow and had a nice week at the Senior Bowl.
April 15th, 2024 at 7:03 am
I would be happy with Braswell or Isaac in the 2nd as a part of a trade back. I doubt either will be there when the Bucs are on the clock at #57.
April 15th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Naw, looked slow “cement shoes” off of the giddy up.
April 15th, 2024 at 7:51 am
I still think the bucs should trade back if Verse or Latu are gone
grabbing an extra pick or 2 in the first 3 rounds will give us better options and we can fill more team heads with quality picks
April 15th, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Adisa Isaac won’t fall to the fourth round so I wouldn’t mind grabbing him with our first 3rd round pick if he’s there but he could go in the second round
April 15th, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Chop was a big reason why Michigan started primarily running the ball against Penn. Lee, you either need to watch film or give it a rest regarding Chop and his stats. I also do not like to see a lack of stats from an edge rush prospect.. but 8 times out of 10 its because the film corresponds to the lack of stats – meaning they dont loook that good.. Chop is in the 2 out of 10 category where his Stats are misleading in terms of how good he is. The narrative should be “chop is overrated, we should pass” it should be “Chop’s stats could be a huge blessing for the bucs at pick 26”
April 15th, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Joe watched the friggin game. Live. That was more an inditement on J.J. McCarthy than it was hyping Chop Robinson. Maybe quit drinking James Franklin’s Kool-Aid. Joe has never heard of a team with an alleged game-changing quarterback totally shutting down the passing game because of a defensive end who never recorded a sack in the game. Stop!
April 15th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
shouldn’t* be
April 15th, 2024 at 1:51 pm
I wouldn’t mind taking Payton wilson in the first. Not and edge rusher but could be our replacement to lvd when he decides to hang it up. Wilson is a hell of an athlete that just makes plays he is a game wreaker