in order to have double digit sack potential as an edge rusher you’re required to have a certain skillset. You must have the speed and flexibility to beat tackles on the corner. That threat is what gets ‘em to open up. Beyond that, you’re required to have counters off of the speed threat.
Speed, lower body explosion, burst, flexibility, COD, and hand usage. These are the ingredients to facilitate double digit sack potential.
Rousseau doesn’t have the ingredients. Being 6’7” slow off the snap with a bull rush won’t get it done. I’m awful curious to know what tackles in the NFL Greg Rousseau is going to rack up double digit sacks against. He couldn’t beat ACC offensive tackles.
Furthermore, QB’s aren’t going to run themselves into the sacks Rousseau accumulated in 2019. Guards in the NFL aren’t going to be as horribly off balance as those true freshman Bambi guards he was racking up sacks against FSU, Virginia Tech and Duke. The sack came against a freshman TE James Mitchell against VT.
It’s similar to expecting Chainkwon Davis to produce anything behind the LOS because he’s 6’7”. They just don’t have the skillset for it.
I don’t know how anyone could watch Rousseau in 2019 and Phillips in 2020 and come away thinking Rousseau is a better prospect. In terms of edge rush potential it’s not even a fair fight. Two entirely different classifications of pass rushers. Rousseau isn’t in Michael Johnson territory. He doesn’t possess that skillset.
I’m taking Phillips over Rousseau 15 times outta 10. The concussions are a concern and he has to stay healthy. But he’s the best edge rusher that I watched on film.