Joshua

Uche

The Ravens traded picks No. 60 and 129 to the Patirots for picks No. 71 and 98. Uche (6’1/245) only logged 10 percent of the Wolverines’ snaps in his first three years before compiling 11.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks on 53 percent of the team’s snaps as a redshirt senior. That lack of playing time can easily be attributed to a torn meniscus and stress fracture in his first two seasons, but the fact of the matter is Uche has only played 667 career snaps across nine starts at the collegiate level. He did buoy his high-end athleticism into a 2020 class-high 23 percent pressure rate (via Pro Football Focus) in his final year at Michigan, proving he can be a highly-productive edge rusher in the league even if he plays exclusively in subpackages. He could make a living as Bruce Irvin-light if developed properly.

The reality is Uche (6'1/245) likely felt the same way as this NFL scout did about his usage. McGinn writes that Uche considered transferring following the 2017 due to his limited playing time in both 2016 and 2017. The following season, Uche’s usage and production kicked up a notch as he earned seven sacks in 2018 and another 8.5 sacks in 2019. However, one other scout did dispel the notion that Uche could play a traditional off-ball linebacker role in the NFL, which he played some of at Michigan. “No way, no chance of that (playing stack LB),” said one scout. Uche ranked seventh in McGinn’s poll of NFL execs and scouts.

The 2020 draft class is loaded with versatile LB talents, but according to Nagy, a Wolverine takes the cake. Uche is a 6-foot-1, 245-pound linebacker who hybrids as an edge-rusher and off-ball linebacker. In Michigan’s defensive scheme, Uche was often used as a blitzer on twists, stunts, and various other “games” up front to keep opposing offensive line’s guessing while Uche flew in through the chaos. Some analysts have concerns with Uche’s relatively low snap count for a supposed NFL starter, but Nagy says “sometimes colleges just don’t know what they have,” obviously looping Uche into that group.

"[Uche] consistently beats blockers with good snap anticipation, a lethal first step, and his tremendous explosiveness off the edge,” Driscoll writes of the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Michigan product. On the more critical side of the ledger, the analyst notes that Uche does somewhat lack for size and experience. Driscoll believes that Uche -- who profiles as a Day 2 selection -- has the chops to develop into a starter down the road.

Uche (6'1/245), who performed well at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, is projected to be a Day 2 selection in April’s draft. And he is one of many outside linebackers that the Packers have met with thus far in Indianapolis, with that being viewed by many draft analysts as a position of need for Green Bay heading into this draft. Uche isn’t the most experienced player, and there are some concerns regarding which position he’ll play in the NFL. “He plays with closing burst, can tackle and is smoother in coverage than expected, but the difference in becoming a pro linebacker instead of a short-term, hybrid athlete will depend largely upon improving his second-level instincts and finding an eclectic defensive mind to unlock his potential,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his analysis of Uche.

Uche (6'2/250) has been used as an edge rusher and an outside linebacker, which has led to his being labeled as a “tweener” by some evaluators. But the ability to rush the quarterback, and play either with his hand down or in a standing position, increases his value in the eyes of the scout who spoke with ESPN writers. “He doesn’t have the typical edge-rusher build but likely projects as an outside ‘backer who can sustain pass-rushing downs in certain defenses,” the scout said. “Loved how explosive his lower-body movement showed up in individuals. Great bend.” Uche received positive reviews throughout Senior Bowl week, and is likely to be selected on Day 2 of the NFL Draft in April.

“From his impressive one-on-one drills to where he could not be stopped by anyone, to his high IQ press conference answers, Uche won the week in flying colors and was the best edge rusher there,” Farabaugh writes of the 6-foot-2, 250-pound linebacker. The evaluator believes that Uche has a real shot at landing as a second-round selection in April if he can continue to crush the evaluating process.

"[Uche] wins with immediate explosion that blockers simply cannot account for in space, introducing his long arms to stay on path to the quarterback,” Brugler writes of the 6-foot-2, 250-pound Michigan standout. The analyst additionally notes that Uche has “also done a nice job when asked to drop and cover” while in Mobile this week. With a strong process -- off to a nice start, here -- Uche could have a shot at a Day 2 selection come April.

Uche will still play in the team’s upcoming bowl game, but he won’t be back next season. Uche, a redshirt junior in 2019, recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles as one of Michigan’s primary pass-rushers. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound outside linebacker will attend this year’s Senior Bowl, which he is eligible to attend because he is a four-year player and a graduate despite not technically being a senior. Uche is a borderline Day 2 player who could solidify himself in that range with a good pre-draft process.

Uche (6'2/250) notches a “win” on 29.5% of his pass-rush attempts. Ohio State’s Chase Young leads the country with a 31.4% win rate, so Uche isn’t very far off from the nation’s best pass-rusher and potential No.1 overall pick. Uche has picked up 8.5 sacks so far this season and could get into double-digits with some solid performances to finish the regular season and in Michigan’s eventual bowl game.