Hercules Mata' Afa DE Washington State | Page 7

Feb 7, 2018 at 11:50 AM

WRATHman44
Staff
Posts: 16,908

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
Mata' Afa has a better 1st step, imo. It's crazy how he explodes off the snap.

No doubt, the combine will be big for him. If he's coming in at 240 Lbs where do you play him?

Left side edge rusher, FEASTING on RTs, until he learns the ins and outs at SAM. I think he has the athletic instincts and agility to do it, but it'd be nuts to expect him to do the job after a month of camp.

I think many have stated that 240 is too light for SAM, but I don't buy it in this scheme. Harold looked to be playing at ~245, and he was fine setting the edge. There's a 5T right there eating up the RT, so you only have to contend w/a TE/H.

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Feb 7, 2018 at 12:12 PM

#92

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 118,146

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
Left side edge rusher, FEASTING on RTs, until he learns the ins and outs at SAM. I think he has the athletic instincts and agility to do it, but it'd be nuts to expect him to do the job after a month of camp.

I think many have stated that 240 is too light for SAM, but I don't buy it in this scheme. Harold looked to be playing at ~245, and he was fine setting the edge. There's a 5T right there eating up the RT, so you only have to contend w/a TE/H.

I'm cool with that...Eli was 245 this yr?

Feb 7, 2018 at 12:28 PM

#93

WRATHman44
Staff
Posts: 16,908

Originally posted by strickac:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
Mata' Afa has a better 1st step, imo. It's crazy how he explodes off the snap.

No doubt, the combine will be big for him. If he's coming in at 240 Lbs where do you play him?

3-4 OLB could be a good fit for him early on. I don't think SAM is out of the question, but he would need to add some weight. I see him standing up in the pros and coming in as an extra pass rusher on passing downs.

3-4 OLBs have set the edge against OTs more often. That's why the 49ers made Harold bulk up to 270 in 2016. I don't see that as a great fit. I see him falling a bit because he doesn't have a clearly defined projection to a 3 down spot for most teams. If it works out that way, I hope the 49ers pounce on him.

Feb 7, 2018 at 12:30 PM

#94

WRATHman44
Staff
Posts: 16,908

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by WRATHman44:
Left side edge rusher, FEASTING on RTs, until he learns the ins and outs at SAM. I think he has the athletic instincts and agility to do it, but it'd be nuts to expect him to do the job after a month of camp.

I think many have stated that 240 is too light for SAM, but I don't buy it in this scheme. Harold looked to be playing at ~245, and he was fine setting the edge. There's a 5T right there eating up the RT, so you only have to contend w/a TE/H.

I'm cool with that...Eli was 245 this yr?

That's what I gather from his interviews over the last two years. He played at 270 in 2016, and he said he dropped 20-25 pounds to speed up.

Feb 7, 2018 at 12:33 PM

#95

TheXFactor
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Posts: 25,990

Now that's a name that belongs on a jersey.

Feb 7, 2018 at 4:40 PM

#96

Heroism
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Posts: 25,764

Mata'afa's get off really is freaky. He also has tremendous natural forward lean that keeps him low to the ground.

[ Edited by Heroism on Feb 7, 2018 at 4:42 PM ]

Feb 8, 2018 at 7:52 AM

#97

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 118,146

Originally posted by Heroism:
Mata'afa's get off really is freaky. He also has tremendous natural forward lean that keeps him low to the ground.

Feb 8, 2018 at 8:11 AM

#98

Dillesq
Member
Posts: 1,512

Originally posted by Heroism:
Mata'afa's get off really is freaky. He also has tremendous natural forward lean that keeps him low to the ground.

Oh baby

Feb 8, 2018 at 8:59 AM

#99

Mertonschickendance
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Posts: 4,491

When is he expected to get drafted?

Trade down for him and pick up Ronald jones?

Feb 8, 2018 at 9:14 AM

#100

JustinNiner
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Posts: 6,762

Originally posted by Mertonschickendance:
When is he expected to get drafted?

Trade down for him and pick up Ronald jones?

we could probably trade down and pick up another 2nd, and take Jones and Mata'afa in the two 2nd rounders. Use the 1st rounder on a lineman or CB and we are looking pretty good

Feb 8, 2018 at 12:14 PM

#101

IdahoNiner
Veteran
Posts: 9,543

Originally posted by JustinNiner:

Originally posted by Mertonschickendance:
When is he expected to get drafted?

Trade down for him and pick up Ronald jones?

we could probably trade down and pick up another 2nd, and take Jones and Mata'afa in the two 2nd rounders. Use the 1st rounder on a lineman or CB and we are looking pretty good

I still say he ends up going late first. Early second absolute latest. If he is there in the second, someone will look to snag him ASAP.

Feb 12, 2018 at 3:40 PM

#102

Mertonschickendance
Veteran
Posts: 4,491

latest mock has us taking him w/ our 2nd rounder (57 I think)...seems unlikely he'll be there that long

Feb 12, 2018 at 9:45 PM

#103

Mertonschickendance
Veteran
Posts: 4,491

Originally posted by JustinNiner:

Originally posted by Mertonschickendance:
When is he expected to get drafted?

Trade down for him and pick up Ronald jones?

we could probably trade down and pick up another 2nd, and take Jones and Mata'afa in the two 2nd rounders. Use the 1st rounder on a lineman or CB and we are looking pretty good

sounds ideal!!

Feb 17, 2018 at 11:18 AM

#104

NYniner85
Veteran
Posts: 118,146

#WSU EDGE Hercules Mata'afa (6'2", 252) is a unique case study since he was mainly used as a DT at Wash St.

Here are few clips of him (#50) either rushing off the edge, playing in space, displaying hand usage etc. pic.twitter.com/1VuukDJNaJ
— Steve Frederick (@SportsGuyTweets) February 17, 2018

Kid is explosive

Feb 17, 2018 at 11:41 AM

#105

Heroism
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Posts: 25,764

Keep in mind that I am big Hercules guy, but let's keep it funky: how many of you guys agree that's a 252-pound man when you watch those clips? Dude looks about the same size as Reuben(~230 lbs) to me.

[ Edited by Heroism on Feb 17, 2018 at 11:44 AM ]