Big Blue View
Is Umanmielen an sleeper in a very good edge class?
If there’s one thing that quickly becomes abundantly clear about the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s that this is an incredibly deep and talented the edge class.
This class of edge defenders is so impressive that a player like Princely Umanmielen of Ole Miss is flying under the radar. Umanmielen had 10.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss after transferring from Florida to Ole Miss, but is still only on the periphery of the conversation regarding pass rushers.
The New York Giants have added depth players to fill out their depth on the defensive front, but have yet to replace Azeez Ojulari’s pass rush potential. Could Umanmielen be a value pick to fill the void on the second day of the draft?
Prospect: Princely Umanmielen (1)
Games Watched: vs. Kentucky (2024), vs. Arkansas (2024), vs. Georgia (2024)
Red Flags: Foot injury (2024)
Best traits
Princely Umanmielen is an athletic pass rusher with solid size, great competitive toughness, and untapped upside. He has a versatile frame at 6-foot-4, 244 pounds with 33 ⅝ inch arms, and he could find a natural fit in a modern “multiple” defensive front.
Umanmielen has an explosive first step as well as a relatively fluid lower body. He keys the snap very well and does a good job of exploding into the backfield. He has a quick first step and typically plays with good leverage. And while he might not have elite bend, he has the ability to turn a tight corner and carry his speed into the backfield when he plays with good technique.
He’s a disciplined rusher who doesn’t often fall for misdirection, nor does he freelance when faced with read-option plays. He understands his assignment at the mesh point and trusts his teammates to execute their assignments. Umanmielen also offers great competitive toughness throughout his game. He gives great effort trying to access the backfield if his rush is initially stopped and he has a strong motor in pursuit.
Finally, he has a good closing burst and is a wrap-up tackler. While he might not have great speed for a modern edge defender, he does have the ability to run down ball carriers through smart angles and is a hard hitter when he arrives at the ball.
Worst traits
Umanmielen’s greatest weakness lies in his hand usage – or rather his lack thereof.
He flashed an understanding of how to use his hands to beat linemen and neutralize blocks, however it was inconsistent at best. Umanmielen often resorted to a blunt shoulder ram to jolt tackles before trying to force his way past them. He did make an attempt to win inside leverage once engaged, however his shoulder check frequently exposed his chest and back to blockers and allowed them to control him with relative ease. It also compromised his pad...
