As we get closer to the end of the 2021-2022 NFL season, we were able to get a closer look at who could potentially help a team next season. The draft is one of the most exciting times in the NFL. Especially for teams and fans who weren’t able to make the playoffs. We have seen teams like the Cincinati Bengals who have been able to build a contending team through drafting. Many teams are built in the offseason. On Saturday, the National and American teams took the field after a week of preparation. Spoiler alert, the pass rushing was phenomenal. In this article, I will go over a few of the pass rushers that caught my and many others’ attention.

Senior Bowl MVP Perrion Winfrey (OKLA DL/OLB)

Perrion Winfrey gave the American team’s offensive line trouble all game long. It seemed like they were getting blown back almost every play. The Oklahoma defensive lineman Winfrey had much to do with it. Winfrey recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss, along with a forced fumble. He was in the backfield all day long causing havoc, and you have to think one of the 32 NFL teams loved what they saw. Winfrey played defensive tackle for Oklahoma, where he put up 5.5 sacks, 23 total tackles, 3 pass deflections, a forced fumble and 11 tackles for loss in 11 games for the Sooners in 2021.

Winfrey is expected to be a second-round selection, which could result in being a steal for whatever team picks him up. Standing around 6’4 and 290 lbs, Winfrey has all the explosiveness and size to do well in the league. You don’t typically see a defensive tackle amass 10+ sacks, a team could love what they see at the combine and select him in the first. It is a great draft for pass rushers, and teams could always use a defensive tackle who can generate pressure.

Boye Mafe (MINN DL)

Boye Mafe is another pass rusher who stood out to me in Saturday’s Senior Bowl. And rightfully so. He had similar numbers to Winfrey, having 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, and also forcing a fumble. Mafe is another pass rusher expected to be taken in the second day of the draft. He can potentially impact his team immediately when he is on the field though. In my opinion, I would have given the MVP to Mafe. Though Winfrey was fantastic, Mafe was as well. He seemed like he was ALWAYS in the backfield, making a play or making the QB uncomfortable.

Mafe was asked to play with his hand in the dirt during the Senior Bowl after spending the majority of his time pass rushing from a two-point stance. Boye Mafe showed scouts that he can be versatile after getting past the opposition consistently. He recorded 7 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 34 total tackles in 12 games for Minnesota in 2021. He has the ability to be a great addition to a team looking to improve their edge rush.

DeAngelo Malone (WKU DL)

Western Kentucky pass rusher DeAngelo Malone is another pass rusher who had himself a day. He ended the game with 6 tackles, .5 sack and 2 hurries. He also dropped into the flats, showing teams how versatile he can be. Malone is projected to go around the 4th round but keep an eye on him throughout the draft and his career. He is long and explosive, with the ability to drop back.

Malone had 8 sacks in 2021, along with 4 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and a whopping 94 total tackles. After a great collegiate career in Western Kentucky, it will be interesting how he does at the next level.

Conclusion

Although there are multiple pass rushers who will most likely get taken in the draft this year, these three guys need to get some attention. We have seen so many pass rushers be effective after getting drafted outside the first round. It is important to remember that. Winfrey, Mafe and Malone all had great weeks and a great Senior Bowl, but now the draft is the next obstacle. Can any of these pass rushers land inside the first round?