2018 NFL Draft prospect profile: Marcell Frazier, DE, Missouri

The old axiom “You can never have too many pass rushers” is written into the New York Giants’ organizational DNA. However, after former third-round picks Damontre Moore and Owamagbe Odighizuwa flamed out for the Giants, the cupboard looks pretty bare behind Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon.

2017 fifth-round pick Avery Moss appears to be a potential contributor, but Romeo Okwara and Kerry Wynn have been uninspiring. It’s also true that with the other needs on the roster, the Giants probably can’t pour premium resources into the position. That will force them to look deeper for potential contributors -- a la Moss.

That brings us to Missouri defensive end Marcell Frazier. Mizzou has built a reputation for churning out explosive pass rushers that can wreak havoc on NFL offenses. That alone should earn Frazier a look.

Measurables

Height - 6 feet, 5 inches (listed)

Weight - 265 pounds (listed)

Pros

• High motor. Rarely gives up on a play.
• Solid NFL frame with good height and thickness.
• Active hands. Uses a variety of pass rushing moves.
• Disciplined rusher and appears to play with good awareness.

Cons

• Slow off the snap. Frazier is generally the last player moving when the ball is snapped.
• Shows stiffness in his stance and when trying to bend around the edge.
• Doesn’t have great speed.
• Arms appear to be on the short side

Prospect video

What they’re saying

”Realistically, Heupel left us in a bad position,” Frazier said of Heupel, who took the head-coaching job at Central Florida, bringing offensive line coach Glen Elarbee with him. “It is what it is. And Elarbee left us in a bad position. As men they have to look in the mirror. They let a whole bunch of teenage boys down, 18- and 19-year-olds. They left and they have to do what’s best for their family, but I think it showed up a little bit today. We were doing things [on offense] we haven’t done since maybe the Auburn game. It showed up.”

”We practiced for almost a whole month without an O-coordinator or an O-line coach after having one of the most dominating offenses in the nation. It’s tough. I believe they let some guys down. They had to do what’s best for them. I don’t quite understand it.”

Frazier pointed to Scott Frost, who is still coaching Central Florida in the Peach Bowl despite taking the Nebraska job, as someone who’s setting a better example.

- Marcell Frazier on OC Josh Heupel leaving the team before the Texas Bowl.

Final thoughts

Frazier looks the part, and just standing on the field he looks like an NFL defensive end. During the play, his hand usage, variety of moves, and motor should earn him a look from scouts and GMs.

The problem is his snap anticipation and first step. He can flash the ability to come off the ball with some explosiveness, but far too often he is the last player moving off the snap and rolls out of his stance instead of firing out of it. He doesn’t show great bend and that could (and probably does) play a role. It’s also possible that he is being coached to read the possibility of a run before attacking into the backfield.

Watching Frazier, he reminds me of Kerry Wynn. A player with a high motor and limited ceiling who might be better off playing the 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense than the more athletically demanding 7 or 9-technique in a 4-3 front.