PFF scouting report: Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State

Below is the PFF draft profile for PSU's Carl Nassib which incorporates PFF’s college grades and scouting intel from our team of analysts. To see all of PFF’s 2016 scouting reports, click here.

Position fit: 4-3 defensive end with the possibility of kicking inside to rush from the interior in subpackages

Stats to know: 11th graded edge player (7^th pass rush, 28 run defense). 54 total pressures (16 sacks, 9 hits, 29 hurries). Led in sacks. No. 1 rush productivity rating

What he does best:
• Quick at the snap, plays low despite height, good at getting initial bull on the tackle
• Explodes into blockers, can be very disruptive in the run game
• Could be strong 6-technique (head up over tight end) on early downs against the run
• Often rushed from very wide alignment. Effective there – quick upfield and good hand swipe/rip
• Dominated at the Senior Bowl, had the highest grade and win percentage among defensive linemen during one-on-one drills

Biggest concern:
• Played exclusively against right tackles
• Low snap count, one year of production – played 42.4 percent of defensive snaps over last two seasons at Penn State. Injury issues late in the season
• Dominated some of the worst teams on the schedule (Temple, Buffalo, San Diego State, Rutgers) but poor bowl game against Georgia (-2.3) and only four snaps combined against Michigan and Michigan State
• Downblocked, moved a bit easily at times in run defense. Doesn’t shed blocks well on the move
• Can play reckless at times in run game — head down, unable to find the ball. Also gets caught upfield
• Not a great athlete, trouble changing direction vs QBs and RBs in space. Doesn’t have the bend or agility to turn the corner as a pass rusher consistently
• Eight missed tackles last season tied for 22^nd among edge defenders

Bottom line:

Extremely productive college rusher and had a good senior bowl week, but not the greatest athlete. Might have trouble against stronger NFL tackles or when rushing from a more narrow alignment. Nassib’s senior year production makes him an interesting next-level prospect, but the one-year wonder element is cause for concern.