OVERVIEW
"Juan" Price has a shoe collection that would make former leaders in the Philippines jealous. That collection may go into the thousands of pairs if he has as much success in the NFL as he had rushing the passer for Pitt the past two seasons. Price started his career as an inside linebacker, starting five games there as a true freshman in 2011 (27 tackles, 6.5 for loss, four sacks). But then the injuries came. He redshirted 2012 with a pectoral injury, missed half of the 2013 season (23 tackles, four TFL in six games) with a back injury, and sat out another full
season with a chest muscle malady in 2014. Finally healthy in his fifth year with the Panthers, Price had 48 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and led the ACC
in sacks per game (0.88, 11.5 totals) gaining a first-team all-conference nod. Five of those sacks came in one game against Louisville. Price had 13 sacks again in another first-team All-ACC season this fall, and was also named second-team Walter Camp All-American by ranking second in the FBS with 23 tackles for loss (45 total stops).
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Quick-twitch athlete with elite playmaking production over last two seasons. Stutter steps and head fakes in rush approach causes uncertainty for tackles. Able to juke inside and bounce back out to create an edge opening as rusher. Built low to ground and plays strong through redirect blocks to trim the edge. Flashes explosive spin counter that can create wins. Absolute bulldog when he smells a sack opportunity. Stout and strong. Big burst to close out quarterbacks. Disruptive in gaps against the run. Sudden stunts inside are often too quick for tackles to counter. Willing to take chances to make plays in backfield.
WEAKNESSES Missed more than two seasons with injuries. Burst-based athlete missing long speed. Slow to transition when forced to make sharp directional changes. Unable to run down running backs headed for corner. Needs to finish plays. Can be quick to shut motor down if he doesn't think a tackle is within range. Appeared gassed at times. Struggles to counter long-limbed tackles with a quick punch. Face-up rusher missing upper body flexibility and hip flip. Needs soft edge to turn the corner.
DRAFT PROJECTION Round 5-6
SOURCES TELL US "He's a little ball of dynamite. He's got some physical limitations, which will keep him from getting picked early, but I see an NFL rusher. He's strong and twitchy and can finish when he gets the tackle beat." — Director of scouting for NFC team
NFL COMPARISON James Harrison
BOTTOM LINE Stiff-hipped, straight-line rusher who is limited in his rush approach, but has the burst and twitch to finish what he starts. The comparison with James Harrison has more to do with the stature, playing style and rush production that both men possess. While his draft stock might be limited, he has the ability to be a sub-package rusher who could flash on the next level.
-Lance Zierlein (NFL.COM)