Round 4, Pick #117 - DE DJ Wonnum

Run Defense - Competes for his gap but there are too many instances where he gets rooted out of his run fits and run lanes widen when he should be squeezing down. Doesn’t consistently play with extension. Best moments come when he shoots gaps.

Pass Rush - Like the way he fights at the top of the arc to soften the angle, diminish his surface area, work to flatten and work to the quarterback. With that said, too many of his rushes are fruitless and he gets way too far up the field. Rush plan needs more variety.

Burst - Modest and he isn’t a consistent snap anticipator to help overcome a lack of rapid acceleration releasing out of his stance. Stand up reps are leave much to be desired in terms of quickness. I do like some of the footwork he illustrates to pull tackles out of their sets.

Effort - No questions here -- Wonnum competes hard on every snap and battles in pursuit. Doesn’t often get clean wins around the edge but he keeps working and will run into tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Hand Technique - Hand play is lacking. Needs to be more sudden and intentional about deploying rush moves. He’s often tardy to start softening angles with pass rush moves and he’s too far up the field when attacking the edges of his blocker.

Flexibility - Wonnum can flatten and corner but he isn’t overly bendy. Battles through some tightness when changing directions and working laterally.

Processing - Keys and diagnoses well but plan to attack needs to evolve and sometimes speed up. As a pass rusher, he does little to win the overall chess match and set up future moves. Generally aware and isn’t fooled by window dressing or misdirection.

Play Strength - Definitely has room to grow and improve his functional strength so he can become more stout setting the edge and maintaining his run fits. Ability to convert speed to power leaves something to be desired.

Versatility - South Carolina lined him up in a variety of plays including on the interior defensive line, off the ball and both as a standup edge and hand-in-the-dirt defender. Has limitations as both a run defender and pass rusher.

BEST TRAIT - Effort

WORST TRAIT - Pass Rush Plan

RED FLAGS - None

NFL COMP - Sam Montgomery

Wonnum has been a steady presence in Will Muschamp’s defense at South Carolina since his freshman season in 2016. While he hasn’t been overly impactful, Muschamp has schemed up opportunities for Wonnum to make plays and he showcased enough over his tenure to be on the NFL radar. If he can develop technically and get stronger, Wonnum has a chance to be a rotational end in the NFL but his modest physical traits don’t suggest much upside.