2020 NFL Draft: Jason Strowbridge Solidifies His Stock
By Dan Matney
North Carolina defensive lineman Jason Strowbridge’s NFL Draft stock is on the rise after a strong performance against Clemson.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound redshirt senior provided a disruptive presence against the Tigers and played a large role in the Tar Heels’ failed upset bid.
Strowbridge is quick off the snap and consistently gets penetration as a one-gapper. He plays a variety of techniques and projects best as a 2-technique at the next level, although he possesses the traits to fit into an odd front as well.
He does a nice job converting speed to power and packs a powerful punch with his hands. Strowbridge has the strength to match in his lower half, although there are times where he gives up a little ground off the snap; he’s flashed the ability to anchor down at the point-of-attack but needs to continue to build consistency in this area.
Strowbridge doesn’t have a clogger build but he keeps his shoulders square in the hole and does a nice job taking up space. He’s good at occupying blocks to create opportunities for his linebackers and his quickness allows him to be effective on loops and stunts.
Strowbridge is active as a pass rusher but needs to continue to refine his tool bag. He flashes an impressive spin move and also found success with a rip move, but he wasn’t able to go to them often.
He generates push with his bull rush and has the combination of agility and power that makes guarding him one-on-one a chore for interior linemen. Strowbridge has good first-step quickness and can disrupt when he gets a good jump, but there were too many times in this game where he blended into the scenery.
Strowbridge is likely to find most of his success at the next level as a run defender, but he has upside as a pass rusher.
The remainder of the schedule is relatively easy from an offensive line standpoint. Duke has allowed just four sacks this season, but the rest of their slate all rank in the lower half in the nation in sacks allowed.
If he can continue to play at the same level while finding production getting after the quarterback, Strowbridge could be one of the biggest late risers in the NFL Draft cycle.