2017 NFL Draft: Did Isaac Rochell Get Out of the Seventh Round?

As a projected seventh-round draft pick before predraft workouts began, Isaac Rochell has boosted his 2017 NFL Draft stock.

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The day after the Super Bowl, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller had Notre Dame alum, Isaac Rochell as Mr. Irrelevant of the 2017 NFL Draft. An honor bestowed upon a player who likely won’t be in the league very long, Rochell was considered a player with little NFL future.

After an impressive NFL Combine and Notre Dame Pro Day, though, Rochell may have done enough to move himself out of the embarrassing pick. The question, however, isn’t whether or not he’s moved up, but how far.

Proving to everyone that he’s skill set is much better than expected, teams are starting to notice he’s a valuable late round option. With the recognition, teams will begin to contemplate how early they’re willing to take a chance on Rochell. An organization in need of a defensive lineman in the middle of the draft may even consider the 6’4, 280-pound pass rusher.

Rochell could be a reliable pass rusher in the NFL after some development. His long arms and upper body strength allow him to give the lineman a quick bolt then use his low stance to drive into the backfield. With little come up in his release, Rochell is able to keep leverage on most offensive players.

Where he lacks is change in speed and inability to use multiple rush techniques. Although one of Notre Dame’s strongest players last season, Rochell only put up one sack in 2016. Without developing more options in the rush, his value at the next level stays minimal. Although, with the change from college to the pros, coaches should be able to adjust his pass rush approach.

One AFC East scout told NFL.com, “Just kind of a guy for me. He can’t play defensive end in an even front (four down linemen) and he can’t play on third downs. Just not a fit for what we do.”

Maybe that’s who he is right now, or who he was during the season, but it’s not where his future lands. At Notre Dame, his biggest asset was his leadership and determination to improve. With NFL coaches guiding him, that high motor will be something that gives him a chance to be a future starter at the next level.

Rochell is still considered a third-day option with a lot of upside. Did he make it out of Mr. Irrelavant? Absolutely. NFL coaches are going to love his passion for learning and ability to lead. Somewhere, a scout is going to suggestion Rochell just because he could turn into a leader, even if it’s as a backup.

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Rochell has impressed enough to improve his draft stock out of the final round. He could be looking to hear his name as early as the fifth round. Either way, there’s still a lot of development ahead for this South Bend product, but with the right coaching, he could be a steal on day three of the NFL Draft.