2017 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Ejuan Price, EDGE, Pittsburgh

The 2017 NFL draft is deep with edge rushers. Ridiculously deep.

And when a class has as many legitimate players as this one does, some more under-the-radar guys are bound to slip through the cracks, even if they have talent and production on their side

A rare 6th year senior, Pittsburg defensive end Ejuan Price may be just such a player.

Price has had a tumultuous path to the NFL, battling injuries along the way. However, he can be a dynamic and disruptive player off the edge, something the Giants’ defense could use going forward.

Measurables

Height - 6 feet, 0 inches

Weight - 250 pounds

40 Time - 4.79 (projected)

Pros

• Impressive production over the previous two years. 24.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, and 4 forced fumbles over the last two seasons
• Undersized, but uses his powerful frame and natural leverage well. Constantly jars much larger tackles
• Good first step, usually quick off the ball
• Disruptive force on defense. Price has a habit of living in opponents’ backfields and blowing up plays
• Quickness, low center of gravity, and height make it difficult for offensive linemen to stay with -- or even see -- him on stunts and twists

Cons

• Missed two seasons (2012 and 2014) with chest injuries. NFL teams will have to do their homework on his medical report. Also missed the East-West Shrine game with an injury suffered on the first day of practice
• Will be old for a rookie at 24 years of age
• Undersized for the position at 6’0”, 250 pounds. Teams will question his position and whether he is a three-down player at the next level, or what position he should play.

Does He Fit With The Giants?

This is a bit of a tricky question.

The Giants could use a pass rush specialist on defense, a quick player who can beat tackles and get pressure quickly. However, with his size and build, he simply does not fit their archetype for defensive players. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and there have been plenty of great players who didn’t fit the mold for their positions. However, the Giants would have to have a plan to use him.

They would also have to take a long look at his medical reports and make sure his past injuries don’t make him an injury risk in the future.

Prospect Video

Big Board Rankings

Big Blue View - Not in Top 100

Mocking The Draft - N/A

CBS Sports - 166th Overall

Draft Countdown - Not in Top 100

Draft Tek - Not in Top 300

Final Thoughts

When all is said and done, Ejuan Price might be a player who winds up a sleeper in this class.

He doesn’t look like the “normal” NFL edge rusher, and there will be teams that overlook him for his stature and he also has to overcome his medical red flags. However, he also has intriguing traits, many of which he shares with Ravens’ defensive end/outside linebacker Elvis Dumerville. Price is a natural pass rusher with quickness and power, and knows how to use his frame’s natural leverage to his advantage.

If he lands in the right situation, he could be a steal, but for the Steve Spagnuolo and the Giants, the question will be whether theirs is the right situation for him.

Price might be best suited playing rush linebacker for a team that uses a 3-4 base defense, but would move him to defensive end in nickel situations.