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Emmanuel Ogbah is an edge rusher who was born in Nigeria and played collegiately for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. During his three seasons playing for Oklahoma State, Ogbah compiled impressive statistics including 26.5 sacks, 35.5 tackles for a loss, 95 solo tackles, nine passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles. He set the school record with 19 quarterback hurries to go along with his conference leading 12.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss in 2015. Following consecutive First Team All Big-12 selections, the 2014 Big-12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and 2015 Big-12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year awards, Ogbah decided to forego his senior season to enter the 2016 NFL draft.
Ogbah is a physical specimen, standing at 6'4" 273 pounds with long 35 1/2" arms. He had a very impressive performance at the recent NFL combine, showing unexpected athleticism and explosiveness with his 4.63 second 40-yard dash time and 35.5" vertical leap. The combination of high level production in college with strong combine testing results has Ogbah locked in as a first round draft pick for the upcoming draft.
Power is Ogbah's best attribute. NFL.com list Ogbah's strengths as a powerful frame with broad shoulders, ability to absorb contact and a good 'rip' move to win around the corner. CBSsports.com profiles Ogbah as a physical power player who is comfortable covering in space with an exciting combination of speed, length and power. Areas for Ogbah to improve upon include his quickness, motor and pursuit.
Projections are mixed for Ogbah's draft stock at this point in the evaluation process. Most analysts predict Ogbah being selected between the middle and end of the first round. At the combine, Ogbah proved he is versatile enough to serve as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, this revelation should improve his draft stock. Former Steeler outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley is another comparable player to Ogbah, although Ogbah has better length and size.
If the Baltimore Ravens are fortunate enough to add Ogbah to their roster, he could serve in a similar capacity to Pernell McPhee. Ogbah's versatility should allow him to rotate with Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil at outside linebacker on early downs and move down to the defensive line for passing downs. Ogbah's elite functional strength will allow him to hold his ground and supply pass rush at either 5-technique defensive end or even 3-technique defensive tackle in long yardage passing situations.
Emmanuel Ogbah is yet another pass rushing option in this 2016 draft that aligns well with the Ravens positional needs. The #6 pick is probably too early to draft Ogbah, but he would be an ideal player to target later in the first round under a trade down scenario. Ogbah's combination of positional value, college production and athletic upside would be a great addition to the Ravens defense.