2016 NFL Draft: Eagles to host Maryland pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue on pre-draft visit

The Eagles will host Maryland pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue (IN-gah-kway) on a pre-draft visit, according to Ngakoue himself (via Turron Davenport). Ngakoue is one of 30 prospects scheduled to visit the team's facility in Philadelphia leading up to the 2016 NFL Draft.

The 21-year-old Ngakoue measures in at 6-2, 252 pounds. In 30 career games with the Terapins, Ngakoue posted 83 tackles, a whopping 32 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, one interception, three passes defensed, and two forced fumbles.

CBS Sports writes that Ngakoue is one of the most underrated prospects in this year's draft class.

Ngakoue is currently listed by NFLDraftScout.com as the 18th ranked OLB and a sixth round value but he was given a second round grade from the NFL Advisory Committee after setting a new single-season record for the Terrapins with 13.5 sacks last season. He has an explosive burst off the edge and the flexibility to dip under the reach of tackles. Evidence that he possesses the strength to hold up in the running game at the Combine, where he registered an impressive 26 repetitions on the bench press. Ngakoue has six private workouts scheduled and three team visits set up with traditional 4-3 and 3-4 clubs each showing interest.

Ngakoue seems to fit the mold of the "fastballs" Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is looking for in his defense. Philadelphia isn't looking for a new starting defensive end so Ngakoue could figure in as a rotational pass rusher. Eagles defensive line coach Chris Wilson put Ngakoue through a workout at Maryland's pro day so the interest in him seems to be real.

Here's a scouting report on Ngakoue via NFL.com.

"Strengths - Flexible and athletic with a chiseled frame. Produced 45 quarterback pressures and 13 sacks this season. Plays with plus motor. Slippery with ability to find his way into a play even though he's being blocked. Impressive lateral quickness to escape reach blocks and create perimeter contain against the run. Stays low, creeping around the corner before exploding up to the quarterback on twists. Plays with some hip flip around the corner as a pass rusher. Suddenness to unlock a more dangerous inside move.

Weaknesses - Needs to improve timing of the snap. False stepper as stand­up rusher and takes five steps to gain five yards when bursting upfield. Pops upright out of his track stance rather than firing up the field. Several sacks the result of extended plays or being unblocked. Engrossed with blocks in front of him and loses track of the ball. Lacks quick shed hand strength or an ability to impact game at the point of attack.

Bottom Line - Lacks the desired height and length from an edge player, but does have the athleticism and production teams like. A deep dive into the tape reveals very few "instant wins sacks" and his short strides prevent him from threatening the edge as often as you might expect. While Ngakoue appears to have the traits of an upfield player, he was asked to set edges at Maryland. His production from 2015 will intrigue teams, but he is a work in progress who needs a more developed skill set as a pass rusher if he wants to become a factor in the NFL as a starter."

Complete list of known Eagles draft visits

QB Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

WR Kolby Listenbee, TCU

CB Cyrus Jones, Alabama

WR Mike Thomas, Southern Mississippi

CB Rashard Robinson, LSU

LB Deion Jones, LSU

DE Yannick Ngakoue, Maryland