Chicago Bears Draft Scout: Oshane Ximines
The Chicago Bears met with Old Dominion edge rusher Oshane Ximines at the Senior Bowl. What skill set does he bring to the table?
Despite trading their first two picks in 2019 the Chicago Bears are doing their due-diligence to find quality gems in the 2019 NFL Draft. That includes meeting with a variety of players at the Senior Bowl, including edge rusher Oshane Ximines.
Ximines is a redshirt senior who saw his stats improve every season while at Old Dominion. He went from 5 to 7.5 to 8.5 and peaked with an 11 sack season in his senior year. Is Ximinies a fit with the Chicago Bears, and where would they be looking to select him?
Strengths:
Ximines is the full package when it comes to hand fighting. He brings quick but violent hands that can keep him clean with any punch. Ximines also features a variety of pass rushing moves that comes complete with counters ready to take action. Most moves Ximines comes in with are done to set up his counter.
Ximines has good speed which can show sideline to sideline or when pursuing the quarterback. He has a strong dip move to get around the edge and plays with a high motor.
Weaknesses
Ximines has a nice dip that can be a feature move or a counter. However, he does not have the elite flexibility to get around the edge. Ximines typically relies on strength and technique over burst and athleticism in this regard.
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Ximines is a sound run defender when crashing down on the ball, but is not quite strong enough to consistently hold the edge. Considering his competition, how often he got blown off of the line when holding down the edge is surprising.
The level of competition is also a concern for him statistically. Most of his sacks come from lower level opponents and are attributed to Ximines being stronger, but also more technically sound. Is he maxed out in that area?
Skinny:
Entering the Senior Bowl Ximines was being compared to Marcus Davenport of last season. He did not quite put together the week in Mobile that some wanted to see his hype shoot into the first round. Still, with Round two talk around the small school stud, it is tough to see him slipping all the way to the Chicago Bears.
That might not be the worst thing for Chicago. On one hand, they could use a player such as Ximines. The technical skill makes him a player who can get on the field right away, potentially over Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving next season.
However, his ceiling is somewhat limited, and that means the Bears should have no interest in trading up for a player such Ximines.
If he fell to their third round pick who could be an intriguing edge rusher. He would make Aaron Lynch expendable and could add in pass rushing snaps as a rookie. However, the Bears will not fall all over themselves looking to add a player who would be a consistent third pass rusher at his ceiling either.