UDFA Joe Ostman

One of the UDFAs the Eagles (unofficially) signed is DE Joe Ostman from Central Michigan.

Ostman led the nation with 14 sacks. He is the kind of highly productive, high-motor player that Eagles scouts and coaches love. Ostman surprised a lot of people with a strong showing at his Pro Day.

All 32 teams were at @CMU_Football pro day, with Lions LB coach AL Golden in attendance to work out pass rusher Joe Ostman (6-2 1/4, 253), who was not invited to combine. He should be drafted in later rounds after workout: 4.80 40, 36.5 VJ, 10-2 BJ, 4.41 ss, 7.02 cone, 31 lifts. https://t.co/CNfJUdarOZ

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) March 19, 2018

That’s an impressive workout. The problem is that it doesn’t exactly match his game tape. He was a terrific college player, but he made plays more with effort and skill than with athleticism. That’s tougher to do in the NFL.

Ostman has short arms (31 inches). His frame looks pretty filled out so I don’t see him getting much bigger. I’m sure that is part of the reason he went undrafted.

The case for Ostman is that he gets the job done. He plays bigger than his size. He has big hands and uses them well.

Joe Ostman got that speed around the edge! pic.twitter.com/IERtwiklju

— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 17, 2018

While not explosive, he has good quickness. Ostman is relentless in pursuit of the ball. He’s going to make his share of hustle plays. Ostman can shoot gaps. He is highly disruptive. He tackles well. While not a big DE, Ostman can be a good run defender. He fights to hold the point of attack. There are times he gets engulfed by blockers, but he will also make plays. He is aggressive, but plays under control. He’s not just going to fly up the field and leave his gap empty. He was 5th in tackles for CMU this year and had 4 FFs.

Ostman should be good on STs. I think he’s got an uphill battle to make it in the NFL so it is crucial that he stands out on STs. I do think playing in the Eagles Wide-9 front gives him his best chance of succeeding. He can use angles and a good shoulder dip to get by/under blockers.

I actually wonder if some teams thought about him as a LB. I don’t mean a 3-4 rush LB. I could see a 3-4 team considering him an ILB. Ostman will take on blocks, can shed them and he’s got a good motor. Cover skills would be an issue.

Ostman is going to do everything he can to make the team. His lack of length and functional athleticism will make it tough on him, but he could be good enough to make the practice squad. I do look forward to watching him this summer. You know he’s going to make life miserable for some third string O-linemen late in preseason games.

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