Yasir Abdullah NFL Draft Scouting Report

EDGE, Louisville Cardinals

Yasir Abdullah is a fifth-year senior edge player who after a slow start to his career was able to significantly increase his production over the past two years. Abdullah posted his first double-digit sack season in 2021 with 10 sacks and followed up with 9.5 sacks in 2022.

Abdullah appears to be an instinctual pass rusher who can consistently apply pressure to the quarterback. Abdullah’s production comes from his athleticism and ability to get off the ball quickly at the snap. Abdullah is able to time the snap, get great leverage on offensive linemen and is able to dictate the pass-rush sequence. Abdullah has loose hips and lateral agility which allow him to put together complex counter moves which makes it difficult for offensive linemen to mirror and stay in front of him. Abdullah’s production also comes via hustle plays. Abdullah plays with high effort and motor, which allows him to get this pursuit sacks and sacks when he has to retrace his pass rush when quarterbacks step into the pocket and try to escape. 

As a run defender, Abdullah is best when he aligns on the outside shade of an offensive tackle and has to shoot gaps by crossing their face and getting backfield penetration. Abdullah has a quick first step that even when he is on the backside of plays, allows him to shoot the gap and chase a ball carrier down to make the play. 

Abdullah’s improvements as a player start with his lack of overall strength. In the run game, Abdullah allows offensive linemen to get good hand placement and he lacks the strength to quickly shed them. When he was on the front side of plays, Abdullah was often displaced and struggled to keep his integrity. Instead of locking and shedding an offensive lineman, he will attempt to spin out of blocks, which results in him giving up his gap. As a pass rusher, Abdullah’s lack of strength negatively impacts him because he does not have a speed-to-power counter move. This allows for offensive linemen to only be concerned about defeating Abdullah’s speed rushes. 

Top Reasons to Buy In:

• Pass-rush production   
• Lateral agility 
• Pursuit closing speed

Top Reasons For Concern: 

• Strength at point of attack 
• Role-specific player    
• Size

Size (NFL Combine):

Height: 6′ 1”

Weight: 237 lbs

Arm Length: 32 3/8”

Hand Size: 9 1/4”

Athletic Testing (NFL Combine):

40-yard Dash: 4.47s

Vertical Jump: 36.5”

Broad Jump: 10′ 9”

Short-Shuttle: TBD

Three-Cone: TBD

Bench Reps: TBD

Ideal Role: Rotational edge rusher 

Scheme Fit: 3-4 OLB

TDN Consensus Grade: 68.50/100 (Sixth-Round Value)

• Sanchez Grade: 68.50/100

Written By: Keith Sanchez 

Exposures: Florida State (2022), Wake Forest (2022), Clemson (2022), Kentucky (2022)

Yasir Abdullah NFL Draft Scouting Report. Add him to your big board here.