If the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for an edge rusher in the opening rounds of the NFL Draft, it would appear that the parents of Michigan prospect Chase Winovich have more than a passing interest in that player being their son.
A local product and a Thomas Jefferson High School graduate, Winovich is one of the more highly-rated pass rushers available in 2019, projected to go on Day 2 of the draft. And while the prospect of playing for his hometown team would interest him, he revealed it might excite his parents even more when speaking to the press during his media availability session at the NFL Scouting Combine. As recorded in a video clip by Joe Rutter of Trib Live.
“I’ve met with the hometown team, it was an informal interview, and so, we’re going to go from there. That would great, that would be really special. I know my parents are pulling for it. I’d just stay at home, my mom will make me breakfast in the morning.”
Selecting another edge rusher in the first three rounds of the draft just a year after taking T.J. Watt may be a luxury Pittsburgh cannot afford with a number of more pressing needs elsewhere, but if he is still on the boards towards the end of the third-round, Vinovich could be an intriguing prospect. As per a scouting report from Kyle CRabbs of The Draft Network.
“Chase Winovich is a great example of an overachiever, he is a highly polished defender who illustrates a great understanding of the game and how to defeat blocks. With that said, Winovich does have some natural athletic restrictions (lateral mobility, flexibility, length) that will limit his ceiling at the next level. Winovich can be a productive starter at the NFL level and his technical prowess should allow him to get reps early on in his NFL career.”
Fastest Official 40-Yard Dash by DL
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 3, 2019
2019 #NFLCombine
1. Montez Sweat - 4.41
2. Brian Burns - 4.53
3. Rashan Gary - 4.58
4. Chase Winovich - 4.59
5. Jamal Davis - 4.60@HailStateFB @FSUFootball @UMichFootball @ZipsFB
#NFLCombine key measurements thread…
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 1, 2019
229. #Michigan DE Chase Winovich
Height: 6-2 6/8
Weight: 256
Hand: 10
Arm: 32 6/8
Wingspan: 78 4/8