Greg

Gaines

The Rams get this pick and No. 243 in exchange for the 162nd and 167th picks. Gaines (6’1/312) made 47 starts on the Huskies’ defensive line, amassing 20.5 career tackles for loss with 9.5 sacks and a forced fumble. PFF College graded Gaines as its No. 1 defensive tackle in the Pac 12 last season, and he earned the 2018 Morris Trophy as the conference’s top defensive lineman. Gaines was not only the Pac 12’s top-graded run-stopping IDL, but he also led all Pac 12 iDLs in QB pressures (45). Just a 37th-percentile SPARQ athlete, Gaines’ pass-rush production is unlikely to translate smoothly, and he is likely to max out as a rotational, mostly early-down nose tackle in the pros with limited length (31 ¼-inch arms) and explosion.

We’re all about the locale synchronicity. At 6-foot-1, 312 pounds, Gaines is a mountain of a young man, one who gives all-out effort from play to play. While he failed to blow the top off the NFL Scouting Combine, he didn’t completely flatline either, posting a composite SPARQ athletic score in the 37th percentile of NFL defensive linemen. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein sees Gaines’ best pro fit coming as a rotational piece in a 4-3 defense.

The scout also added that Gaines (6'1/312) “gives you an honest day’s work every time he steps out on the field.” Gaines didn’t test all that well at the NFL Scouting Combine, producing just a 37th percentile SPARQ athletic composite score. NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein compared him to David Parry and believes his “effort and strength make him a Day 3 rotational 4-3 nose.” Even after reportedly playing well at the Senior Bowl, he likely remains an early Day 3 selection.

Gaines (6'1/312) had a 109-inch broad jump, which is more than good enough for a player of his size. The defensive tackle “was a problem” for offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl as well, so he’s making a case for a Day 2 selection at this point. However, he’s more likely to end up being selected Day 3 given the insane performances we saw from the other defensive lineman today. During the 2018 season, Gaines only had 7.5 tackles for loss across 14 games.

Not a big surprise, as Gaines was a problem for offensive lineman his entire career for the Huskies. He measured in at 6-foot-1, 307-pounds, which is 15 pounds lighter than he was listed for Washington (322). Serritella notes that he was able to shed blocks and create leverage in Mobile. He projects Gaines to be a mid-round pick, meaning he could go anywhere from late on Day 2 or early on Day 3.

Gaines won the Morris Trophy as the top defensive lineman in the Pac-12, and for good reason. The 6-foot-2, 322-pound defender helped Washington register as one of the best run defenses in the country, and while his stats aren’t overwhelming (2.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss), they don’t tell the story about how good Gaines is at plugging the line and allowing the back seven to make plays. Gaines was considered a mid-round pick coming into the year by analysts, and has a real chance to go before the end of Day 2 -- especially if he performs well in events like this one.

“While he needs to improve his play against the run, he’s a better pass rusher than former Husky Danny Shelton, the 12th overall pick of the 2015 draft,” Pauline wrote. Gaines finished with two tackles for loss, both sacks, in Saturday’s blowout win against Oregon. Gaines was also named the team’s defensive player of the week earlier this season after the win over Portland State. Overall, Gaines has 7.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks through six games.

Gaines’ return is a big one for the Huskies, who have some depth issues at defensive tackle after losing Vita Vea to the NFL Draft. Gaines has been one of the most productive run-stuffers in the country the last two years, and the 6-foot-2, 318-pound defender received some draft consideration before he ultimately decided to return to school. If the Huskies have any shot of winning, they’ll need to hold Auburn’s run game in check, and Gaines is a big part of that plan.

It’s almost impossible to replace a talent like Vea who can stuff the run and also cause havoc in the passing game. Gaines won’t be that type of player, but he can certainly help quiet the loss of him. The 6-foot-2, 318-pound defender had notions of going pro this year, but will return to the loaded Washington defense in 2018. As Dodd writes, Gaines “graded out the fifth-best D-lineman in the Pac-12 and a top-20 nationally run stopper. He missed only five tackles in 520 snaps.” If he shows that kind of production again next year, he could be a Day 2 pick -- maybe even higher.

Gaines (6'2/318) relayed the news to the Seattle Times following Saturday’s 35-28 loss to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl. He was only able to play in limited capacity during that bowl defeat, as he aggravated a torn PCL in his knee, one which he said he’s been fighting through since October. The redshirt junior posted 29 tackles (5.0 for loss), 1.5 sacks and three passes defended during the regular season this year.