Scouting Ed Stinson
The Jets announced that they had signed two players yesterday, so we're going to take a look at their strengths and weaknesses, starting with defensive lineman Ed Stinson.
The 27-year old Stinson is listed as 6'3" and 287 pounds and was a fifth round pick out of Alabama in 2014. In three NFL seasons, he's started five games and recorded 26 tackles, a sack and a pass defensed.
Background
Stinson, who redshirted his freshman year at Alabama, began his college career as a Jack linebacker, only switching to the defensive line in 2010. He won three national titles with the Crimson Tide and was a second-team all-SEC selection in his senior year.
The Cardinals drafted Stinson in the fifth round and he played in 29 games over the next three seasons, mostly in a rotational role. He played in just four games, starting one, in 2016.
After missing most of preseason, Stinson was placed on injured reserve and the Jets picked him up yesterday after he was released from the injured list a few weeks ago.
Let's take a closer look at what Stinson brings to the table, divided into categories.
Measurables
Stinson has decent size and length but his pro day numbers were unspectacular. He ran a 4.98 40-yard dash and posted 27 bench press reps but his explosiveness and agility numbers were poor.
Usage
Stinson mostly played as a defensive end in his rookie year but has seen more reps on the interior over the past two seasons.
On this play, they lined Stinson (#72) up as an inside linebacker and he almost got in on the sack as he came off a double team when the quarterback stepped up.
Motor
Stinson is regarded as having a good motor and giving a solid effort in the trenches. He once played 52 snaps in a regular season game and 64 in a preseason game.
Pass rush
Stinson hasn't been very productive as a pass rusher throughout his career. He has one sack in regular season action, one in a playoff game and two in preseason action. He had just 5.5 in his college career, with a career-high of three in his junior year, and doesn't generate a lot of pressure.
Most of the sacks he's had at the NFL level have been cleaning up after the quarterback was forced to step into the pocket, although he did also get one on a stunt.
He generates a bit of interior pressure here from left defensive tackle by shooting inside to penetrate and draw a double team:
Run defense
Run defense is Stinson's strength. He has a wide base and holds up pretty well at the point of attack. He also moves his feet well to move laterally and leverage his way into running lanes. However, he lacks explosiveness when shedding blocks or shooting gaps.
Here's a nice play where he gets inside leverage with quickness at the line and is able to get downhill to prevent the runner from driving for any yardage.
However, on this play, Stinson (#91) gets prevented from stretching out the run by his blocker, who is able to force him back to the outside to set up a big run:
Tackling
Stinson hasn't been particularly productive but he's a pretty solid tackler who will wrap up and drive through the ball carrier.
Here, he makes a solid hit in the hole:
He's only missed a few tackles at the NFL level, but only had one forced fumble in his college career.
Coverage
Stinson has hardly ever been dropped into coverage at the NFL level and only had two passes defensed in his college career. Getting his hands up to contest passes is something he needs to work on.
Special teams
Stinson hasn't made many contributions on special teams. He's never blocked a kick at the NFL or college level and has been ineffective when employed as a blocker.
Instincts/Intelligence
Stinson's instincts should be quite advanced because he has played multiple positions on defense. He seems to keep his head up well when battling in the trenches and waiting for a run to develop.
Stinson had a neutral zone infraction for his only NFL penalty.
Attitude/Demeanor
Stinson is described as having a tremendous work ethic and that perhaps led to him getting playing time over the talented-but-lazy Robert Nkemdiche at times over the past few years. He was considered a leader towards the end of his Alabama career and has good toughness.
Injuries
Injuries have been a problem for Stinson, who was plagued by turf toe problems in 2014 and 2016, missing 18 games in those two years. He played in 15 of 16 games in 2015, though.
Stinson's senior year at Alabama saw him playing through a groin issue that kept him out for the senior bowl and prevented him from working out at the scouting combine.
He was bothered by a hamstring injury in camp and preseason this year, but has presumably put those issues behind him now.
Scheme Fit
Stinson's rookie year saw him play for Todd Bowles and he credits Bowles with giving him a chance and showing confidence in him to be able to perform at the NFL level as a rookie.
As noted earlier, Stinson played more reps as a defensive end during his rookie year. Ultimately, he would seem to be an ideal replacement for Lawrence Thomas as a rotational lineman that can contribute in rotational situations against the run.
Conclusions
Stinson isn't a very exciting player. He's slow-footed and stiff, with limited explosiveness, and hasn't been particularly productive. However, he's more than capable of contributing in terms of filling in against the run and doing some of the dirty work in the trenches.
He would seem to be an NFL-level talent who has just struggled to stay on the field over the course of his career. While he perhaps doesn't have much upside, there's no reason why Stinson can't step in and do a solid job off the bench.
UP NEXT: We'll take a look at linebacker Obum Gwacham later.