Can Rasheem Green Dominate in the NFL?

Earlier today NFL.com published mini scouting reports on a couple former college football players looking to make the jump to the NFL, including USC defensive lineman Rasheem Green. Green, the 6’4 275 pound DE who declared last month, spent three seasons as a Trojan playing in 32 games. He finished his USC career with 115 total tackles (48 solo, 67 assist), 16.5 sacks and over 20 tackles for loss. While his total tackling numbers decreased this season, Green’s sack numbers skyrocketed, leading the team with 10 in 2017 (tied for tenth in the nation). Here are a few clips displaying what exactly Green brings to the table:

Green, out of Gardena, California, was a highly rated five star heading into college. He was ranked as the fifth best player out of CA, fifth best DE in the nation, and #21 overall prospect in the nation for the Class of 2015 according to 247Sports.com. Most five stars recruits nowadays have been labeled as three year players, almost expecting to declare following their junior campaigns. However, the two other five stars in USC’s 2015 recruiting class, Chuma Edoga and Iman Marshall, have both returned to SC for their senior season in hopes of boosting their draft stock. Here’s what an AFC scout had to say about Green:

He probably would have been a top-10 pick next year. He’s not strong enough to handle NFL guys yet, so this year might be a redshirt year for him. He has some serious juice, though. He’s going to be a dude when it all comes together.

Here is what NFL analyst Lance Zierlein had to say on the defensive end:

I can tell you projecting his NFL future is a challenge. For one, he plays inside most of the time for USC, but he doesn’t have the girth to play inside in a 4-3 defense as a pro. Green, who decided to forego his remaining season of college eligibility, will likely have to play defensive end in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense and rush from the interior on third downs. As a rusher, there are some “wow” flashes that give you an idea of what he could become, but he clearly has to get stronger and more consistent with his technique before he’s ready for full-time work.

Zierlein has him projected as a second or third round pick in this years draft. Scouts are absolutely noticing the potential the former Trojan has and how is talents can be an asset to arguably every team in the NFL. But it still brings up the debate, should Rasheem Green have stayed another season at SC? How will the best defensive lineman in the PAC-12 this past season produce at the next level?