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2019 NFL Draft: Power ranking top 10 edge rushers for 49ers

By Peter Panacy

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 1: Nick Bosa #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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FRISCO, TX – DECEMBER 20: Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl on December 20, 2017 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX – DECEMBER 20: Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl on December 20, 2017 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

If stats are your thing, Louisiana Tech EDGE Jaylon Ferguson would be your guy.

The 6-foot-5, 262-pound Ferguson has a very similar frame to Granderson. But the sheer number of sacks — 17.5 in 2018 — helps separate him to No. 9 on this list.

Don’t forget his 2016 numbers either:

Jaylon Ferguson Defense & Fumbles Table
Tackles Def Int Fumbles
Year School Conf Class Pos G Solo Ast Tot Loss Sk Int Yds Avg TD PD FR Yds TD FF
*2015 Louisiana Tech CUSA FR DE 12 22 13 35 15.0 6.0 0 0 0 1 0 2
*2016 Louisiana Tech CUSA SO DE 14 27 22 49 14.0 14.5 0 0 0 2 2 3
*2017 Louisiana Tech CUSA JR DE 11 25 13 38 12.5 7.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2018 Louisiana Tech CUSA SR DE 13 38 27 65 26.0 17.5 0 0 0 3 1 2
Career Louisiana Tech 112 75 187 67.5 45.0 0 0 0 6 3 7

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/24/2019.

Like Granderson, Ferguson doesn’t boast the best explosive first step. But he’s far more varied in his pass-rushing arsenal, and his hand movement is top notch. That arguably could be the trait that pushes Ferguson into day-one consideration.

If he has to choose between inside and outside moves, though, Ferguson is best suited for rushing inside on a tackle. His outside bend is pretty rough, and he’ll often get pushed beyond the pocket with little chance of recovery.

Perhaps he makes it into Round 1 of the NFL Draft. Right now, he’s a solid choice early in the second round.