2017 NFL Draft: Ole Miss Marquis Haynes Scouting Report

Ole Miss’ Marquis Haynes is a long and lean edge defender who still needs time to develop.

Haynes has a long frame which includes excellent arm length. This is a trait a lot of evaluators covet when looking for pass-rushing prospects. The longer the frame the easier it is for the defender to keep blockers off his frame.

It also helps with batting passes at the line of scrimmage and making it difficult for the quarterback to see over the line.

Haynes is a solid overall athlete with good change of direction ability and some quickness. His long legs limit his quick-twitch ability, but he does show enough speed to win off the edge. The issue is that this is his only pass-rush move.

This is an extremely raw player who needs to work on developing a wider array of pass rush attacks. Haynes should start by hitting the weight room in order to get stronger and add some bulk to his frame. He’s too lean and lacks the strength to convert his speed to power.

More from With the First Pick

His lack of strength also comes into play when he tries to disengage. Haynes is easily neutralized by offensive linemen who are able to get into his frame. His length isn’t as effective as it should be because he doesn’t fight for inside hand placement.

Haynes shows some fight against the run, but lacks the ability to anchor and work off blocks. Again, this has a lot to do with his lack of bulk and strength.

While Haynes is a good athlete it doesn’t translate to his coverage skills. He plays too high and without balance when he’s asked to drop into coverage. This is an area where he could improve with more reps and improved technique.

It’s tough to evaluate a prospect like Haynes because he has obvious raw ability, but also has some glaring holes in his game. He’ll catch the eye of evaluators because of his build and athleticism. They’ll see a piece of clay that potentially can be molded into a dominate pass rusher.

Current Draft Status: Late 3^rd Round