2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jaquelin Roy (DL – LSU)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Jaquelin Roy.

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Jaquelin Roy (DL – LSU)

6’4” – 315 lbs.

Background:

Baton Rouge local and four-star recruit who appeared in nine games as a freshman, playing 267 snaps and finishing with 18-4.0-2.0. Started just one of thirteen games in 2021, but played significantly more snaps overall (497), putting together a 30-6.0-1.5 line and grading out significantly better on PFF. Wasn’t quite as efficient this year, but played 676 snaps in total, finishing with 49-3.5-0.5.

Positives:

Has a solid development trajectory. Big defensive tackle who has played between 297 and 315 pounds. Generally lines up in the B-gap, but is capable of manning the nose as well. Plays the game with toughness and physicality. Has impressive play strength in both the upper and lower body. Can dig in and lock out blockers at the line, playing with discipline in his run fits. Usually does a good job of keeping his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage. Has strong, heavy hands to shed when in position to make a play. Shows the ability to make tackles while engaged. Offers a solid motor in pursuit. Effective pass-rusher who ranked among PFF’s top ten interior defenders in both overall rush grade and pressure rate (11.3%, seventh) as a sophomore. Does a nice job of varying his approach from snap to snap. Uses club/swim to create pressure as a bigger defensive tackle. Solid leg drive to grind down opposing linemen with his bull rush. Nice push-pull to ragdoll blockers. Power causes opponents to dedicate additional blockers to him. Flashes a nice spin move. Could conceivably play a variety of different techniques in different fronts (zero, one, or three on a four-man line, five on a three-man line.)

Negatives:

Still somewhat inconsistent on a game-to-game basis; of thirty-two combined sacks/hits/pressures as a sophomore, over half (17) came against Central Michigan and Texas A&M. Has the tools to develop into a strong run defender, but ability to recognize plays developing and locate the football is still a work in progress. Some intermittent balance issues; can bend at the waist playing off of blocks. Gets driven back by double teams. Not the quickest nor most explosive player off the line, and may be better-suited to a two-gap scheme. More effort-based in pursuit than effective because of his lack of ideal athleticism. Sort of a one-speed player who doesn’t have the elite closing burst of a true sack artist. May be too tall to play the nose in an odd front.

Summary:

Currently more effective at generating pressure in the passing game, with a variety of moves that take advantage of his natural power, than he is as a run defender, but might have more upside on early downs because of his size, bulk, power, and discipline. Comes with pro-ready functional strength out of the box and doesn’t have glaring weaknesses that would cause him to be labeled a poor scheme fit for most teams, which could lead to him coming off the board early. A potential three-down 4-3 nose or 3-4 end.

Grade: Round 2