What Efe Obada brings to the Washington Commanders
Taking a closer look at what the Commanders new signing brings to the team
The Washington Commanders made their second free agent signing this week, bringing in defensive end Efe Obada to bolster the defensive line rotation. Obada has a fantastic backstory having been born in Nigeria and raised in England, making his way to the NFL via the international player pathway program. Of course, he played previously under Ron Rivera for the Carolina Panthers and spent last season with the Bills. So this coaching staff is very familiar with him. But for Washington fans, what are they getting in Obada? Let’s take a closer look.
Given his path to the NFL, Obada is still a raw talent but has developed some strong go-to moves as a pass rusher. He attacks the edge using variations of a club and swipe move to clear the hands of a blocker and burst by him.
On this play, Obada alings outside the Panthers’ left tackle. He comes off the snap angled directly at the tackle and flashes his left hand inside, causing the tackle to raise his hands in response. Obada then uses his right hand to club down on the tackles’ outside arm, causing it to drop and giving Obada a path to the edge. The tackle clings on to prevent Obada turning the corner as sharply as he’d have liked, but his pressure still forced quarterback Cam Newton to step up in the pocket and move of his spot.
That club move is a nice partner to his more preferred double swipe move.
This time, Obada works against the same tackle, but uses a different move. Instead of angling at the tackle, he works up the field to the edge. The tackle lunges at him and Obada uses a double swipe, swiping both hands across his body to clear the hands of the tackle. That allows Obada to get the edge and turn the corner freely. The tackle just about manages to recover in time to slow down Obada from getting the sack, but the potential of that type of rush is clear to see.
Indeed, the potential of that move was recognized later in the game.
Once again Obada works against the Panthers’ left tackle. Obada uses his double swipe again to clear the hands of the tackle and get the edge. The tackle attempts to replace his hands, but Obada manages to swipe them away again with another swipe from his inside hand on his way past. That allows Obada to turn the corner and close on the quarterback for the sack.
While Obada is listed as a defensive end and played that spot for the Panthers under Rivera, the Bills found a slightly different role for him last season. On third down and other obvious passing situations, Obada would slide inside to defensive tackle, working as a pass rushing three-technique against guards. His fantastic athleticism and length in theory should make him a handful for interior lineman to deal with. Often that did prove to be the case and Obada’s burst off the line gave opposing guards plenty of issues.
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