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Kwity Paye? Azeez Ojulari? Jaelen Phillips? These are names who have been rumored to the Cowboys as potential candidates for the 10th overall pick, or potential trade back candidates. But one name we may need to get familiar with is Oklahoma’s EDGE Ronnie Perkins, who should be drafted at some point on day two.
Name: Ronnie Perkins
School: Oklahoma
Height: 6-2
Weight: 253
Class: Junior
Position: EDGE
Jersey: #7
Strengths:
Explosive, long-armed pass rusher that uses his arm length well to win as a pass rusher off the edge. Beat Teven Jenkins with long-arm move multiple times in 2020, and set up a stab-chop, and cross-chop move as well throughout his career. Offers above average first-step quickness off the ball, which will allow him to win edges, without being a dynamic athlete. Plays through the whistle consistently with a motor that doesn’t cool. Chases down plays in the backfield and down the field he has no business getting to because of his motor. Plays with some violence when taking on offensive linemen and attacking blockers when rushing the passer.
Weaknesses:
Smaller build EDGE defender with less than ideal arm length (though he often won with it at Oklahoma). Tightness in his hips, ankles, and legs shows up with the inability to flatten efficiently when looking to finish at the quarterback. Has the tendency to get washed out of running plays due to lack of size and strength in his upper body. Scheme helped with some of his production over the years at Oklahoma. While his vertical explosion impressed, his lateral agility was a consistent issue with the Sooners.
Overall Summary:
While still developing his technique, and lacking the ideal athleticism and twitch in his lower half, Ronnie Perkins is a savvy, high-motored, EDGE that uses his less than ideal traits to his advantage more often than not. While not possessing elite arm length, Perkins uses his long-arm move to walk linemen back into the quarterbacks lap, and has incorporated a stab-chop and cross-chop move that has developed quite nicely. Perkins may not ever be a guy that makes a Pro Bowl every year, but he can carve out a role as a quality depth piece in the National Football League, and that’s something the Cowboys have lacked behind DeMarcus Lawrence for some time now.
Round Grade:
3rd (#67 Overall)
Video Breakdowns:
#Oklahoma DE Ronnie Perkins' film against Oklahoma State is shared a ton, but I think his #Florida performance is just as impressive.
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 22, 2021
-Violent squeeze, blows up puller on QB power
-Delayed stunt, gets QB hit and forces quick throw
-Quick get off for TFL
Top 5 EDGE for me. pic.twitter.com/jZ6mcNOQIB
Ronnie Perkins is a Top 50 player... pic.twitter.com/OV0oDHKW9n
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) February 16, 2021
Reminder that Ronnie Perkins is the best 3-4 OLB in the Draft. pic.twitter.com/MwdR0i2wq6
— Lorenz (@ScoutingLenz) March 7, 2021