Editor’s note: Everyone’s excited about the Commanders’ NFL Draft haul. Rightfully so. That doesn’t mean each selection will slot into a prominent role as a rookie. We’ll discuss realistic expectations for each player over the next few days, leading into Commanders rookie minicamp. In this installment, we evaluate an athletic pass rusher from the SEC:
EDGE Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
Selection: Fifth round, No. 147 overall
Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 242 pounds
What assistant GM Lance Newmark said: “He has excellent length. You really
feel his range with his upper body and his ability to affect the passer and impact the run game with how long and rangy he is with his upper body. He’s a guy that we’re excited about and we think there’s a lot more to come there in terms of development.”
[RELATED: Why Commanders took Joshua Josephs in NFL Draft]
What Joshua Josephs said: “I set standards high for myself, so I believe I’ll be able to make a very dominant impact on that field and just contribute to the success of our team.
“…I’m very ball savvy. I really understand the game and I understand concepts and I watch a lot of film. That’s one of my biggest strengths. I wouldn’t say that’s my biggest strength, but it is definitely up there.”
Prominent members of the position group*: Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise
*Note: Taken from Mark Tyler’s way-too-early 53-man depth chart
Perfect-world expectations: Josephs’ athleticism helps him quickly adjust to the NFL, with a quality training camp that earns him snaps in the edge-rusher rotation. It’s hard to imagine him taking the lion’s share of snaps from Oweh or Chaisson, even in this idealistic scenario, but he could be a major contributor in the early going. He could help in run defense and as a situational pass rusher, getting after the quarterback at important times. The Commanders need someone like that, and Josephs could well earn that role as a rookie.
[RELATED: Commanders select Joshua Josephs in fifth round of NFL Draft]
Real-world expectations: Josephs is only 242 pounds. That’s pretty light, even for a standup edge rusher. Draft analysts say he’ll need to bulk up some and add strength, which doesn’t often happen in a compacted offseason between the draft and training camp.
While he has the talent to be a quality NFL player, some technical development is required to help him consistently beat pass protectors. I mean, he was a Day 3 pick for a reason. That’s why Josephs should have a lower bar entering his rookie season. His crazy-massive wingspan suggests he should be good at batting passes and keeping blockers off him, but he’ll need a bigger pass-rush arsenal at this level.
He should see steady action – special teams participation is a given – that increases as the season goes on, with 3-5 sacks as a realistic first-year bar.
What are your expectations for Joshua Josephs in his rookie year? Add them and a stat line – what the heck? — in the comments below.
