Julian Okwara-EDGE-Notre Dame

Phoenix49ers · 2019-09-28T17:47:49-07:00

Okwara clearly needs his own thread. Seeing as edge rusher could still be a major need with the uncertainty of Ford's knee condition, this is someone that I think would be a phenomenal fit for this defense. His brother Romeo is currently in the NFL and also a DE playing for the Lions. I think Julian still has quite a bit of improvement to make as a pass rusher and he's disappeared at times during games this season and in the past but his speed, explosiveness, bend and agility make him a nightmare for blockers when he is on. I see him as a mid 1st to a mid 2nd rounder depending on how this season goes. In this scheme in particular he could come in as part of an edge rotation and his skillset and athleticism is perfectly suited to playing a Wide 9. He was one of Bruce Feldman's college football Freaks and has shown steady improvement during his time with the Fighting Irish. "The Irish have some terrific edge rushers, and the senior from North Carolina is one of the better players in the country," Feldman wrote about Okwara. "In 2018, he made 37 tackles, 11.5 for loss with seven sacks and 21 QB hurries. The 6-5, 241-pound younger brother of NFL pass rusher Romeo Okwara moved to United States from Nigeria as a third-grader. The younger Okwara's speed is why he cracked the top 10 this year. Notre Dame has clocked his top speed at 21 mph — a time you'd expect from a speedy wideout but not from a 6-5 pass rusher."https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/2019/07/12/notre-dame-football-julian-okwara-makes-bruce-feldmans-top-10-freak-list/JULIAN OKWARA WITH ANOTHER STRIP SACK!!ADE OGUNDEJI WITH THE SCOOP AND SCORE!!!IRISH UP 28-17!!! pic.twitter.com/gqbCrI1low— ND Whiteboard (@ND_Whiteboard) September 28, 2019Notre Dame's Julian Okwara up to two sacks today with #Vikings GM Rick Spielman in the house, per @TJamesNDI. Okwara is a top-40ish prospect. pic.twitter.com/xHJzRNsa2Y— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 28, 2019High effort play from #NotreDame DE Julian Okwara here. Abuses the Louisville RT tackle, chases the QB down and led to Alohi Gilman ripping the ball out. pic.twitter.com/NSbdFDNYnx— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) September 4, 2019Remember the name Julian Okwara, yes the younger brother of former Giant Romeo Okwara.Watch as Julian runs down love as the backside DE pic.twitter.com/Eeg9XOE2cS— New York Guardians Bandwagon Fan (@Hayes_Hair13) September 30, 2018This is just mean by Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara. Uses ONE hand to push back the tackle and sheds to get the sack. #DraftTwitter pic.twitter.com/fQK9LsssSo— Joseph Yun (@DuckinNoles247) September 3, 2019Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara with the swipe and dip for a QB hit. He's explosive with bend and solid hand use. Excited to see him take another step this year. pic.twitter.com/bEkbBmNXGv— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) August 18, 2019 If he keeps having games like he did today then he'll easily be out of the 49ers range but definitely a player to keep an eye on. His speed off the edge would be very tantalizing in this defense.

Sep 29, 2019 at 3:11 AM

49ers808
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Yes please! He's easily better than his brother imo

Sep 29, 2019 at 8:57 AM

LifelongNiner
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If Skule proves he can hold down the fort without KS scheming around him, do it. We'd have a backup group of Dlinemen (Okwara-Street-Thomas-Blair) better than a couple starting Dlines.

Oct 13, 2019 at 3:30 AM

Phoenix49ers
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Still beasting.

Man I'd love to see Okwara playing in this defense but if keeps balling out he could fly past the 49ers realistic draft slot, especially with the success Burns is having.

Having Bosa, Ford and Okwara would be a nightmare rotation for offenses to try and block.

Oct 14, 2019 at 8:20 AM

FL9er
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"When we got here our goal was to build a defense, build a defensive line," Shanahan said. "Lots of teams have won the Super Bowl with a dominant defense and not a very good offense. But it's rare the other way around. I know how hard it is to go up against a really good d-line. I know they invested in the years before we got there. I know John and I, we're looking to do it almost every year. It's helped us out, especially getting Bosa this year, it makes a huge difference. ... That was definitely our first goal when we got here, to get to where we had a top-five defense." -Kyle Shanahan

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/10/14/49ers-defense-kyle-shanahan-deshaun-watson-texans-sam-darnold-jets-mmqb

Oct 14, 2019 at 10:05 AM

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,707

Originally posted by FL9er:
"When we got here our goal was to build a defense, build a defensive line," Shanahan said. "Lots of teams have won the Super Bowl with a dominant defense and not a very good offense. But it's rare the other way around. I know how hard it is to go up against a really good d-line. I know they invested in the years before we got there. I know John and I, we're looking to do it almost every year. It's helped us out, especially getting Bosa this year, it makes a huge difference. ... That was definitely our first goal when we got here, to get to where we had a top-five defense." -Kyle Shanahan

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/10/14/49ers-defense-kyle-shanahan-deshaun-watson-texans-sam-darnold-jets-mmqb

MOAR PASS RUSH!!!!!!

Oct 26, 2019 at 6:25 AM

LifelongNiner
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Posts: 24,634

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by FL9er:

"When we got here our goal was to build a defense, build a defensive line," Shanahan said. "Lots of teams have won the Super Bowl with a dominant defense and not a very good offense. But it's rare the other way around. I know how hard it is to go up against a really good d-line. I know they invested in the years before we got there. I know John and I, we're looking to do it almost every year. It's helped us out, especially getting Bosa this year, it makes a huge difference. ... That was definitely our first goal when we got here, to get to where we had a top-five defense." -Kyle Shanahan

https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/10/14/49ers-defense-kyle-shanahan-deshaun-watson-texans-sam-darnold-jets-mmqb

MOAR PASS RUSH!!!!!!

#destroythepocket

Nov 4, 2019 at 2:13 PM

Phoenix49ers
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Same matchup here, at the top vs the RT and Julian Okwara comes through again. I love how he's able to just rip through so quick and get a nice clean win around the end here. Also attacks that deep level of the pocket which is great awareness on his part as well. pic.twitter.com/G2Wva0GamA
— Chris Robbins (@C_Robbins_) October 25, 2019

Second time #Colts GM Chris Ballard has attended a Notre Dame game in the past five weeks. Does he have his eyes on Julian Okwara, a projected 1st round EDGE rusher? https://t.co/7eLib2LrBR
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) November 2, 2019

Nov 6, 2019 at 2:17 PM

49er-from-Yavin-IV
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Is this guy going to be available for us at 32?

Nov 6, 2019 at 2:49 PM

jersey49er
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I think he goes top 20 as of now but his combine performance could put him higher..

Nov 6, 2019 at 3:40 PM

#10

Phoenix49ers
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Posts: 131,707

Originally posted by 49er-from-Yavin-IV:
Is this guy going to be available for us at 32?

Not unless he gets caught smoking meth in a middle school yard. Sad because he's perfect for this defense.

Nov 6, 2019 at 8:36 PM

#11

jersey49er
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Posts: 7,667

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by 49er-from-Yavin-IV:
Is this guy going to be available for us at 32?

Not unless he gets caught smoking meth in a middle school yard. Sad because he's perfect for this defense.

Anything is possible, even your scenario lol