The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with talented edge rushers that have general managers salivating.
DeAngelo Malone is one of those twitched-up edge rushers. The Western Kentucky product checks in at No. 77 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Malone came to Western Kentucky as a three-star recruit out of Georgia. Malone enjoyed a breakout season in 2018, recording 60 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, and one interception.
Malone earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. The Georgia native recorded 99 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. He was tied for fourth in the FBS with his 20.5 tackles for loss.
In 2020, Malone recorded 71 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Malone earned Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year for a second time this past season. The Hilltopper edge rusher recorded 94 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks.
Miller is one of the most productive edge rushers in this class. Over the last four seasons, Malone has a pair of Conference DPOY awards under his belt to go along with 57.5 tackles for loss and 32.5 sacks.
It's gonna be hard to find a more productive edge rusher than DeAngelo Malone.
– two-time Confernce USA DPOY
– 264 tackles/49.5 TFL/26.5 sacks the last 3 seasons
– explosive 1st step (1.58 10-yard split)
– good length
– Athletic freak – made Bruce Feldman's Freaks list twice pic.twitter.com/9wXenMYnCb— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) December 24, 2021
Malone is a lengthy and explosive edge rusher that’s been a terror off the edge for Western Kentucky. That explosive first step is a big reason why Malone is why he was listed on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freak’s list.
“His 10-yard split is 1.58 seconds. He broad jumped 9-10 and his vertical is 35 inches. He’s also got a 6-8 wingspan.”
That 10-yard split shows just how explosive Malone is off the snap. He quickly wins the corner with his explosiveness and quickly closes on the quarterback with his long strides and burst.
A big concern with Malone is his weight (234). It’s worth noting that Malone has put on 24 pounds since arriving at Western Kentucky. There’s no reason to think that Malone can’t pack on 15 more pounds to get closer to the 250 range. Even if he doesn’t add 15 pounds, you can’t coach that kind of athleticism.
Despite being undersized, he is able to convert speed to power. He explodes off the edge like a rocket, but also can mix in a bull rush, which was on display during Senior Bowl week.
.@WKUFootball’s DeAngelo Malone blows up Southern Utah OL Braxton Jones.#seniorbowl pic.twitter.com/cbbs9TJJ7E
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) February 3, 2022
“He’s athletic that wins with speed to power conversions,” Nick Price, a contributor for RiseNDraft.com, said. “He has enough bend to rip and dip around the edge. He’s also gotten better with his hands this year too which is great. I’ve seen a more balanced move set out of him.”
Malone finished his career with 60 tackles for loss and 349 tackles. With his quickness, he’s able to burst through gaps to consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage. If a team runs away from him, he has the speed to chase down plays from the backside. He’s not overwhelming at the point of attack but competes with a nonstop motor.
“Versus the run, he’s largely deployed as a gap penetrator that allows him to use his athleticism to make plays in the backfield,” Price said. “He’s smart too, rarely have I seen him get baited by misdirection. He plays with great gap integrity.”
Malone proved that he belonged by having a good week of practice at the Senior Bowl. During the game, Malone earned the American team Player of the Game after recording six tackles, a half-sack, and two pressures.
Fit with the Packers
With a cloud of uncertainty hovering over the future of both Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith following the 2021 season, the Packers will likely be looking to address the edge rusher position early and often in the 2022 NFL draft.
If the Packers miss out on the first wave of edge rushers Malone is a player that Gutekunst could target early on day three of the draft.
“A good range for Malone is an early-round four to late-round five target,” Price said. “Those athletic traits and pass rush upside plus his football IQ are really great. You could get him on the field early as a designated pass rusher ( DPR) and potentially look to drop him into coverage in underneath zones. Some general managers may feel bold enough to get him in late round three due to upside.”
Malone explodes off the edge like a rocket. He’s got NFL-ready quickness and could be a dynamic subpackage pass rusher early in his career.
