What if I told you that the next Demarcus Ware was available in the draft this year and the Atlanta Falcons were in an ideal spot to take him?

Jordan Willis may not be that guy just yet, but he has the athletic potential to get there and seemingly has the off-field intangibles the Falcons may be looking for in their next first round pass rusher. Willis represents an ideal prospect for Atlanta with high upside who may have under-produced in college due to minor issues surrounding his technique and role.

Here’s what you need to know.

Jordan Willis

Edge Defender

Kansas State University

Combine Measurements

Height: 6-foot-3-3/4” Weight: 255 pounds

Arm Length: 33-1/2” Hand Measurement: 9-7/8“

40 yard dash: 4.53 sec. 10 yard split: 1.54 sec.

20 yard shuttle: 4.28 sec. 3-cone Drill: 6.85 sec. Bench Reps: 24 reps

Vertical Jump: 39.0″ Broad Jump: 10‘5″

Athletic Comparison: Demarcus Ware, 2005 No. 11 overall pick out of Troy

Stats

2016: 13 games played, 52 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four QB hurries, three fumbles forced, one fumble recovered, three pass deflections

2015: 13 games played, 35 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two QB hurries, four fumbles forced, three pass deflections, one blocked kick

2014: 13 games played, 26 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one pass deflection

2013: 9 games played, one tackle, one tackle for loss, one sack

Scouting Report

Strengths

Willis is definitely a good pass rusher early. He can explode off the line and has very strong hands even if how he uses them is a bit lacking. He can control the line of scrimmage versus the run and would be an instant upgrade against the run over Dwight Freeney in nickel sets.

As a pass rusher, he’s versatile in his attack and has a great swim move that he uses as his primary counter. His athleticism allows him to mask some deficiencies in his technique to show as a productive pass rusher. He’s also able to rush effectively from the left or the right side.

Weaknesses

Willis is the latest in the line of speedy pass rushers that the Falcons could bring in. His athletic profile suggests Ware, but his hand usage and technique suggest Vernon Gholston. He’ll need a lot of good coaching and a mentor who can help him turn into the player that his potential says he is.

The Falcons will also have to make sure Willis understands how to maintain his leverage around the corner when rushing. He also has trouble timing the right moves against defensive ends.

How does he fit the Comrade Filter?

Willis was a three-year starter, a senior and a captain for the Wildcats. He’s relentless in his pass rush and isn’t afraid to mix it up when defending the run. Willis has been noted to be the kind of guy that spends his off-time studying film of other teams and pass rushers he’d want to play like.

He also believes in the idea of scouting and planning his rushes for the opponent he goes against. The Falcons would love to have Willis in the fold and he would just continue to contribute to the feeling of brotherhood within the locker room.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWNuD-2Qaz0

Overview

If there was a defensive end the Falcons needed to bring in because of his similarity to what Cliff Avril could do in Seattle, it’s Jordan Willis. Willis is one of the quicker, more explosive ends to come out in the draft ever. His athleticism and production suggest he’s a true first-round prospect.

However, his film may not be 100 percent there to back it up. He is definitely a risk on the field as far as technique is concerned. Nonetheless, his off-field demeanor, leadership and coachability makes him seem more like he’s someone who’s just going to make it work once he gets to the NFL.

How he would fit into the Falcons’ plans

If Atlanta wants to secure the services of the former Wildcat, they’ll likely have to hope Willis falls to No. 31 overall in the draft or prepare to trade up to get their guy. In the structure of the defense, Willis would play a backup LEO role in the base set and nickel defensive end throughout his rookie season.

After his rookie year, the Falcons could start to work him into more base defensive sets as the pure LEO in a mold similar to what Avril plays out in Seattle. Beasley would then play strong-side linebacker in base and nickel end how he has been doing to try and keep the two talented pass rushers on the field at all times.