Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants Draft Prospect: Edge Javon Solomon

Originally posted on FanNation Giants Country
By Nick Falato | Last updated 1/16/24

Javon Solomon, EDGE

Height: 6’2
Weight: 245 lbs.
Class: Senior (5th-Year)
School: Troy
College Statistics

A former three-star recruit out of Amos P. Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida, where he was the 267th Floridian recruit and the 137th OLB in the 2019 recruiting cycle. Solomon was a very accomplished EDGE rusher in the smaller Sun Belt conference. He was Honorable Mention All-Sun Belt or better since the 2020 season

He had 46 pressures on 336 pass-rushing reps in 2023. In 2021, Solomon was an All-American Honorable Mention by Pro Football Network; he averaged 1.42 tackles per loss per game and averaged just under a sack a game.

Solomon became one of just 31 players nationally since 2000 to record 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks through the first ten games of a season; one of just nine from a Group of Five school to do so and the only Sun Belt player.

He joined the ranks as the third player since at least 2000 to record 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and one interception in the season's first six games. The other two were Carl Nassib (Penn State, 2015), and Elvis Dumervil (Louisville, 2005) Solomon will attend the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Summary

Javon Solomon is an incredibly quick pass rusher with effective bend, burst, and hand usage to separate from offensive tackles. He is a high-side rusher who is best utilized from a wide stance. His ability to bend through contact with a relentless motor will give him a shot as a situational pass rusher. Solomon’s size and anchor ability are question marks.

He’s not a terrible run defender for what he was asked to do, but he was in an aggressive attacking system at Troy that did not have him anchor in place too often; when he did, double teams uprooted him at the lower level of competition. In the right system, with the correct usage, Solomon can be a very good asset on defense, especially if he’s a situational pass rusher who gets to pin his ears back and hunt the quarterback.

Solomon isn’t being discussed much before the Senior Bowl, but a good showing at the event can be the catalyst to raise his stock. Teams covet natural pass-rushing skills with the necessary burst to threaten the tackle’s high side and the pass-rushing savvy/timing to adjust when appropriate.

The NFL speed will be an adjustment for Solomon - and his smaller stature could pose a problem - but he’s an undersized rusher I am willing to take a shot on.

GRADE: 6.24

This article first appeared on FanNation Giants Country and was syndicated with permission.

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