Rasheem Green NFL Draft Preview: Stock, Mock Drafts and Projections

USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green boasts tons of upside, but will that be enough to earn a Day 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft?

After two seasons brimming with potential Rasheem Green emerged as a dominant defensive lineman for USC Football in 2017.

The junior defensive end started all 14 games, leading the Trojans with 12.5 tackles for loss including 10 sacks. Living up to his potential in Year three earned Green All-Pac-12 first team honors and a second team All-American nod from CollegeFootballNews.com.

Now, Green will look to make his mark on the NFL stage. But what uniform will he be wearing when he sets off on the next stage of his journey.

Scout’s Take

“Green’s draft grade is based on projection over what he shows today. He has obvious upside that is waiting to be unlocked and unleashed, but he must get stronger and play with better technique and toughness…Green may need a team with a patient approach and willing mentor to guide him along his early stages. It will take time, but he should become an impact starter in the league.”— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Green, who had 19 tackles for loss and 16 sacks over the past two seasons is long, athletic and naturally powerful in his upper body. His tape is inconsistent, but he has the potential to develop into an impact player similar to Cameron Jordan (Saints).”— ESPN.com

More from Reign of Troy

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• USC Podcast: RoT Radio Ep. 396 on the Football Season’s Fallout
• Talanoa Hufanga named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, USC football with five first-teamers

“While some might see a ‘tweener in Green, many NFL teams are likely to see Green’s skill set as a positive. His tall frame still has room for some extra bulk, which would allow him to slide inside on a full-time basis. Most importantly, he’s still just scratching the surface of his potential, and the league should fall in love with his motor and upside.”— Luke Easterling, USA Today

Prediction

With as much upside as Green possesses, it seems a near certainty the lineman will be selected no later than Day 2, as high as the second round.

That’s how Mel Kiper sees it, projecting Green to the Atlanta Falcons in Round 2 in his three-round “Grade A” mock draft. In another three-round draft pitting Kiper against Todd McShay, the later also picked Green in the second, but to the Buffalo Bills.

The guys at Walter Football disagree on Green’s draft status. Charlie Campbell falls in line with the ESPN analysts, sending Green to the Raiders in the second round. Despite the Raiders moving to Las Vegas, many a USC fan would welcome that pick.

However, Walter Cherepinksy sees him falling to Day 3 as a fourth round pick of the Green Bay Packers.

Green arrived at USC with five-star potential and he hasn’t even hit his ceiling just yet. Whoever picks him up will be getting a bit of a project, but one which may be worth the Round 2 investment.