AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Malcolm Roach is one of four University of Texas players to be invited to the 2020 NFL Combine.
In his senior season for the Longhorns, Roach played in eight games and started seven, finished third on the team in both tackles for loss (nine) and sacks (three) and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick in 2019.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein described Roach as "a short-limbed, tight-legged defender with natural power and some funk in his hands." Zierlein added Roach needs an efficient pathway to the backfield and is better-suited as 3-technique or as a shade nose if he can add "good mass on his frame." Zierlein said Roach lacks length and sees him as a potential rotational piece in an upfield 4-3 scheme defense.
STRENGTHS (According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein)
- Was the leading vote-getter for team captain
- Weightroom work shows through his play strength
- Fires upward, inside strike with heavy hands into contact
- Strong base and point of leverage bolster control at point of attack
- Not easy to push around for single blocks
- Was a little out of position in 3-3-5 stack, but did his job
- Flashed initial quickness in very limited snaps at nose
- Able to slide and dart into gaps as slanting rusher
- Hand pop can jostle blocker and opens edge attack
WEAKNESSES (According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein)
- May need to rebuild body type with better weight for move inside
- Doesn't always make imprint on games like he should, regardless of scheme
- Motor will run out of gas when plays extend
- Tightness in lower half prevents consistent bend through the rep
- Limited lateral agility
- Arms are short and hands are small
- Inconsistent separating and shedding when second with his hands
- Below-average change of direction inside the pocket
- Lacks length to effectively work to the edges as a rusher
- 40-yard dash: 4.84
- Bench press: 20 reps
- Vertical jump: 30 inches
- Broad jump: 114 inches
- 3-cone drill: N/A
- 20-yard shuttle drill: N/A
Measurables:
- Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
- Weight: 297 pounds
- Arms: 31 7/8 inches
- Hands: 9 5/8 inches
NFL DRAFT PROSPECT GRADE
Roach's grade is listed as a 5.60. Here is how his grade lies in the scale:
Grade scale:
- 8.0 - The perfect prospect
- 7.3-7.5 - Perennial All-Pro
- 7.0-7.1 - Pro Bowl talent
- 6.7-6.8 - Year 1 quality starter
- 6.5 - Boom or bust prospect
- 6.3-6.4 - Will be starter within first two seasons
- 6.1-6.2 - Good backup who could become starter
- 6.0 - Developmental traits-based prospect
- 5.8-5.9 - Backup/special-teamer
- 5.5-5.6 - Chance to make end of roster or practice squad
- 5.4 - Priority free agent
- 5.0-5.1 - Chance to be in an NFL training camp
- No grade - Likely needs time in developmental league
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: