TWYMAN!
The Vikings selected DT Jalen Twyman from Pitt with the 199th pick in the 6th round.
He seems like an interesting interior pass rusher. He sat out last season due to Covid concerns and put on 30-40 lbs from his playing weight in the 280s, which is why he fell. Should compete with Lynch and Mata'afa as situational interior rusher.
The Vikings take Pitt DT Jaylen Twyman at 199th overall, and the guy landing in the Tom Brady spot is coming off his own interesting (medical) combine performance. The opt-out was believed to have played in the 280s in college. Weighed 319 in Indy.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 1, 2021
That was part of his freefall.
The dude looks like you put Gary Coleman's head on an action figure's body.
Jaylen Twyman is READY for the NFL — as he heads to the Minnesota #Vikings with Pick 199 https://t.co/E022bNHw8J
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) May 1, 2021
So we pass on Daviyon Nixon at 157 to take this 42 picks later. Alrighty then.
DL prospect Jalen Twyman pumped out 40 reps with ease at @Pitt_FB’s Pro Day! 🏋️♂️ (via @accnetwork) pic.twitter.com/WfwodTTXUO
— NFL (@NFL) March 17, 2021
He had 10.5 sacks in 2019. Hopefully that's the guy we're getting and not the one who ran a 5.4 40.
Brugler had Twyman as a 2nd-3rd rounder. No idea why he fell, but it smacks of character...same reason Nixon fell.
14. Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh (6-foot-1½, 301, 5.43, Round 4 or 5): Played at about 285-290 in 2019 when he registered 10½ sacks. Opted out of 2020, then showed up weighing 301 at pro day and ran a subpar 40. On that same day, he benched 40 times.
From Washington, D.C., he redshirted in 2017. Played 13 games (one start) in 2018 before starting all 13 games in ’19.
“Interesting guy,” said one scout. “He has some pass-rush ability. But (in 2019), you have to remember they had two edge guys who put pressure on the quarterback. He had 10½ sacks, but they were mostly cleanup sacks. When the guy moved up in the pocket, he splattered him.”
Finished with 57 tackles (13½ for loss) and 11 sacks.
“He’s got good short-area quickness,” said a second scout. “Problem is, he’s not a very big man and he can’t run. Best thing he does is inside rush. Pretty good rotational guy.”
@"Vikergirl" said: https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1372321852161413124?s=19When is the last time the Vikings drafted a player that cranked 40 Reps at the combine?
Pre draft we were all over Twyman from Pitt. the best/funny thing is that of all the Pitt players I liked Weaver the best. We ended up with Jones and Twyman and not Weaver. WTF do I know. Because i Love Spelly's drafts and I am armchair. Ok, kids soccer chair..boring!
@"MaroonBells" said: Brugler had Twyman as a 2nd-3rd rounder. No idea why he fell, but it smacks of character...same reason Nixon fell.14. Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh (6-foot-1½, 301, 5.43, Round 4 or 5): Played at about 285-290 in 2019 when he registered 10½ sacks. Opted out of 2020, then showed up weighing 301 at pro day and ran a subpar 40. On that same day, he benched 40 times.
From Washington, D.C., he redshirted in 2017. Played 13 games (one start) in 2018 before starting all 13 games in ’19.
“Interesting guy,” said one scout. “He has some pass-rush ability. But (in 2019), you have to remember they had two edge guys who put pressure on the quarterback. He had 10½ sacks, but they were mostly cleanup sacks. When the guy moved up in the pocket, he splattered him.”
Finished with 57 tackles (13½ for loss) and 11 sacks.
“He’s got good short-area quickness,” said a second scout. “Problem is, he’s not a very big man and he can’t run. Best thing he does is inside rush. Pretty good rotational guy.”
He was overweight and slow with his tests. Rick said he hopes that he can get down to the weight they discussed. He must have ate good during his opt out. If he played this year, I believe he would have been a 2nd round pick as you stated.
@"Tyr" said: The dude looks like you put Gary Coleman's head on an action figure's body.Jaylen Twyman is READY for the NFL — as he heads to the Minnesota #Vikings with Pick 199 https://t.co/E022bNHw8J
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) May 1, 2021
Must be doing the Aaron Donald Pitt workout
@"Tyr" said: The dude looks like you put Gary Coleman's head on an action figure's body.Jaylen Twyman is READY for the NFL — as he heads to the Minnesota #Vikings with Pick 199 https://t.co/E022bNHw8J
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) May 1, 2021
Damn. You're right! Creepy.
tell ya what ---you step up and tell him. I'll watch from here
PROSPECT SUMMARY - JAYLEN TWYMANPittsburgh defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman emerged as a redshirt sophomore in 2019, collecting 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. While the production stands out, he still had plenty to prove on the field but opted out of the 2020 college football season so our last exposure to Twyman is his 2019 game tape. Twyman found success as a pass rusher by utilizing a push-pull and swim move, but he needs to add more to his repertoire to have success as a pass rusher in the NFL. Twyman is a quick athlete with good mobility but he lacks size and his frame is underdeveloped. It doesn’t appear he has ideal anatomical length, and when combined with his lean frame and inconsistent leverage, there are challenges both as a run defender and pass rusher. Twyman has appeal as an interior gap-shooter, but there is a notable developmental curve ahead of him to reach his ceiling in the NFL. He must develop his frame, get stronger, and expand his hand technique.
Ideal Role: Interior pass rusher.
Scheme Fit: 4-3 three-technique.
FILM EVALUATIONWritten by Joe Marino
Games watched: Miami (2019), North Carolina (2019), Virginia Tech (2019), Ohio (2019), Virginia (2019), Syracuse (2019).
Best Game Studied: North Carolina (2019)
Worst Game Studied: Virginia (2019)
First-Step Explosiveness: Twyman has a sufficient first step when releasing out of his stance, but it’s not overly dynamic. He could do a better job of angling his first step to create more consistent half-man relationships and not play so many pass rush reps body to body with his blocker. I did not see issues with false steps out of his stance and his release is clean.
Flexibility: Twyman illustrates good flexibility and the ability to reduce and get skinny through gaps. He can bring his hips around the hip of his blocker if he’s able to soften the course. Twyman appears to be plenty loose and agile.
Hand Counters: Twyman’s go-to moves—a push-pull and swim move—can become stale and he needs to expand his repertoire. His ability to string together moves and counter is underdeveloped at this point. Twyman competes to clear contact, but he needs more technical refinement to become more consistent.
Hand Power: Twyman has ordinary pop in his hands. This shows up when he looks to execute his swim and rip moves where the violence and power in the club to set up the rip or swim doesn’t make enough of an impact. His swipes and efforts to clear his pads often come up empty and blockers are able to set the clamps on him.
Run Defending: As things currently are, Twyman lacks the mass and power at the point of attack to be a consistent run defender. He isn’t quick to process blocks and he’s often reached and sealed. Twyman does have positive moments shooting gaps, but anchoring against NFL drive blocks will be a challenge.
Effort: Twyman plays with consistent effort, relentlessly working to clear blocks and he’s urgent in pursuit. It’s apparent that he’s highly driven given a challenging upbringing and desire to make a positive change for his family. There are no concerns here.
Football IQ: Twyman is underdeveloped for the role he projects to at the next level in terms of hand usage, power, and processing. Too many of his reps are played absent of leverage and extension, which invites blockers into his frame. He must improve his understanding of how blocks are trying to attack him and what the correct responses are.
Lateral Mobility: Twyman has the lateral mobility expected for an undersized interior defensive lineman. He has no restrictions flowing down the line of scrimmage and working toward the sideline.
Core/Functional Strength: Twyman has plenty of room to get stronger and add functional strength which will be vital given his lean frame. His frame appears to be underdeveloped with plenty of room to add bulk and positive mass. Twyman doesn’t have a sufficient anchor right now to anchor against NFL blockers.
Versatility: Twyman doesn’t offer much in the way of versatility. He’s a pass-rushing interior defensive lineman who does not project favorably to defending the run in the NFL. He doesn’t have the length, size, or athletic profile to play on the edge or defend multiple gaps.
Prospect Comparison: Mike Patterson (2005 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles)
Somehow I can't connect that Hulk-like body to his baby face...looks like a 10-year old, doesn't it?
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