Tennessee Titans sign Victor Ochi

Did the Tennessee Titans just find a hidden gem on the edge?

Victor Ochi isn’t a name that a lot of people really know about. If you weren’t following the 2016 NFL Draft closely, you might have missed him.

The pass rusher from Stony Brook went undrafted, but that wasn’t because he didn’t have his supporters.

More from Titans Free Agency

Eric Galko said in a Bleacher Report article:

“Still raw in his pass-rush repertoire, Ochi relies almost entirely on his flexibility and initial explosiveness to produce. He was too often pushed to the perimeter and neutralized due to a lack of a counter rush move, something he’ll need to develop at the next level. But Ochi’s raw athleticism, explosiveness on the perimeter, and smoothness in space makes him a worthwhile developmental edge-rusher who could fit perfectly in a “LEO” role that the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars utilize.”

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com summarized his scouting report on Victor Ochi, saying:

“Ochi dominated his competition with explosive power and high-octane effort. While his production looks inspiring, his opposition rarely played with enough functional strength or athleticism to warrant a camp invite. Transitioning to NFL speed and strength will be a huge jump for Ochi, but he has the translatable power and nastiness to compete for a roster spot as a physical, edge-setting 3-4 outside linebacker. “

Live Feed

Titans re-signing Jeffery Simmons leaves a Hulk-sized footprint in AFC South /

FanSided

Bergkamp FIFA 23 Challenges: How to Complete the Trophy Titans Icon ObjectiveDBLTAP

Other teams should get in on Aaron Rodgers sweepstakesWith the First Pick

3 NFL teams that need to swoop in, steal Aaron Rodgers from the JetsNFL Spin Zone

Will the Tennessee Titans trade up for a quarterback?With the First Pick

Titans could select local product for latest quarterback projectFanSided

Dane Bruglar summarized his scouting report on Ochi by saying:

“Ochi prefers to mix things up and competes with a relentless demeanor, but he doesn’t play with twitchy movements and will need to develop his pass rush repertoire to be effective at the next level. Although his lack of ideal measureables will take him off the board for some teams, there is a spot in the NFL for his unique skill-set, probably as a pass rush specialist in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme – would be the first player in Stony Brook history to be drafted into the NFL.”

So, here are the three things that I have highlighted in each report that seem to come up every time.

1. He is a raw player that needed some time to develop in the NFL. He may have gotten that working with the defensive coaching staffs of the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens.

More from Titan Sized

2. He is a high effort player that plays whistle to whistle and likes to get physical. That is Mike Mularkey and Jon Robinson’s identity personified.

They want as many guys on the Karl Klug, Taylor Lewan, Jurrell Casey, and Jack Conklin spectrum who compete hard every single play.

3. He can play outside linebacker in this scheme. When I say that, I mean they could finally have a backup behind Brian Orakpo in that stand up, outside rusher.

Dick LeBeau is a great developmental coach and he has taken late rounders and UDFAs and turned them into great players. Look no further than James Harrison.

His college production speaks for itself as he tallied 24 sacks and 33 tackles for loss in his final two years in college.

His effort, burst, athleticism, and physicality have a great chance of giving him a real shot at competing for a roster spot. He is one of my sleeper picks to actually make the Tennessee Titans 53-man roster.

Home/Titans Free Agency