2018 NFL Draft profile: Bradley Chubb will terrorize opposing quarterbacks
Bradley Chubb is the consensus top defensive end in the 2018 NFL Draft but how does he compare to Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney?
If quarterback is the most important position in football, then the guy responsible for stopping the quarterback is the second most important. That’s why NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb will be a hot commodity in the NFL Draft. His ability to get to the quarterback as well as set the edge as a quality run defender will make him the first edge defender off the board.
Chubb arrived at NC State as one of their best recruits in years and consistently improved his game to the point where he broke out as the nation’s best defensive lineman in 2017. He’ll be compared to former top picks, Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney, but he’s a different type of player than those. They were physical freaks of nature with rare athletic gifts and college production to match. Chubb, very well in his own right, just doesn’t have the type of freakish speed and athleticism that they possessed, but he’s still a prospect that should develop into a Pro Bowl talent in his prime.
Below, you can find my insight into Chubb and what NFL teams will see in him based on my evaluation of his college career with the Wolfpack.
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Chubb had a breakout final season at NC State where he finished with 10 sacks and 72 tackles and emerged as the top edge rusher in the nation.
The 6-4, 270-pound Chubb looks the part with long arms, thick legs, broad shoulders and a barrel chest. He really has the ideal size you look for in a left end in an even front. This allows him to hold up as a quality run defender and set the edge, but what makes him a high pick is his ability to get to the quarterback.
Chubb has experience lining up with his hand in the dirt in an even front and can stand up in an odd front. His versatility makes him an attractive prospect. He’s best when attacking the quarterback because he’s not graceful when he has to flip his hips in coverage, so he’s ideally suited as an end in a four-man front.
He’s not quite the elite athlete that Garrett was and is more of a cross between Chris Long and last year’s No. 14 pick, Derek Barnett, who had five sacks as a rookie for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Chubb will be an immediate starter as a rookie and should develop into a Pro Bowl performer once he learns to play under control a little more and refine the use of his hands against offensive tackles as a pass rusher.
Draft Projection: Top 6