Along with running back and tight end, the 2017 NFL Draft class appears to be one of the deepest pass-rushing classes in recent history. Myles Garrett tops the list, but as many as 12 others would garner first-round grades depending on which NFL team you ask.

Despite the buzz around the position, one name is far too frequently left out. Tyus Bowser, a leader of the revitalized Houston program, doesn’t just merit consideration as one of many pass-rushers. He’s a first-round prospect, one of the most uniquely talented prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft, and deserves to be considered in that tier before and after the NFL Scouting Combine.

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Bowser's Missed Production

A four-year contributor and two-year starter at Houston, Bowser had begun to thrive even before Tom Herman arrived on campus. He further blossomed with the coaching staff as the talent level around him rose. Bowser has bounced between a true defensive end role and an outside linebacker over his career, and has offered value as both a pass-rusher and coverage option.

Despite dropping in coverage on about half of his third down snaps and playing a more true 4-3 outside linebacker position, Bowser has remained remarkably productive over his career. As a senior, Bowser finished with 8.5 sacks (same amount as Myles Garrett) and 12.0 tackles for loss in just eight games.

Bowser missed five games this past season after getting in an altercation with a teammate during which he never threw a punch but broke his orbital bone. Extrapolating his numbers over the full 13-game season, he would have had 76 tackles, 19.5 TFL, and 14 sacks. Those tackle for loss and sack numbers would have been near the top of the FBS ranks.

Bowser's Value as Top-End Rusher

Tyus Bowser is a high-level athlete that should test extremely well at the NFL Scouting Combine. He extends and bends well off the snap and shows great lower half coordination to adjust, reposition and generate lower half force to push the pocket. He dips his inside shoulder with control well as an edge player, and can adjust his upper half shoulders on both interior and pure edge rushes. He offers a highly explosive and low-set first step off the snap and doesn't lose vision of the running back as a rusher.

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He finishes as a tackler really well, utilizing long arms and his 10-inch hands. His low center of gravity as a rusher helps generate pressure, but he can misstep upfield and is susceptible to pulling and trap blocks, and backfield blockers at times.

In the play below against Oklahoma, Bowser works from a delayed blitzing angle, gets initial and interior penetration, and is able to extend while engaged with great concentration. He can win as a defensive end, but it’s his versatile blitzing and body control in pursuit that will allow him to thrive at multiple positions in the NFL.

Additionally, Bowser’s ability to work in space with that ideal length and body control can allow him to thrive on the perimeter, notably as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He comes down the line with great force and keeps his balance as he works in space as a tackler and as a rusher. Here, he evades the offensive tackle laterally, attacks the running back (San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey) and works around him without losing ground to finish as an edge rusher.

Bowser's Coverage Value in the NFL

As a pure linebacker, Bowser dips into coverage surprisingly well and has improved his pedal and lateral movement in space, but too often gets off balance and lost in deeper zone coverage. He's able to meet and engage tight ends and running backs, but doesn't have the eye discipline to stay true in coverage. As a linebacker, he has good, not great, range and likely should be reserved to a SAM linebacker in 4-3 defenses with more pass rushing than coverage drops in the NFL.

In the play below, Bowser, as a freshman, showcased the type of versatile upside he’s blossomed into at Houston. Here, he aligns as a 4-3 over the strongside linebacker and transitions from a line-of-scrimmage player into coverage to make the interception in space.

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His performance against Memphis in the second half is probably the best indication of his top-50 value not only as a pass coverage linebacker but as a versatile weapon late in games. Here, he’s able to match-up with a slot receiver, transition in stride and then, after stout coverage, come up and finish in space at the third level as a tackler.

Bowser's production was on track to reach elite numbers, but his untimely injury put his college numbers more inline with prospects who still still sit atop the current edge rusher position rankings around the internet and around the NFL. He's a bit of an tweener at this point, but meets all of the measurable thresholds and should test about on par for 3-4/4-3 outside linebackers.

Even in one of the better defensive end/linebacker classes in recent history, Tyus Bowser merits early round consideration. He’ll be on the second-round radar after the NFL Scouting Combine is through, but his skillset, versatility, and remarkable value for 3-4 and 4-3 teams scream first-round prospect.