Welcome to the team - DT/FB JJ Pegues

I figured we would be in the market for a FB after waiving Mauga. We got our guy.
 
Inconsistent hustle. Lame.


Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5

Overview​

Compact, thick-hipped defensive lineman with versatility to play multiple positions -- including short-yardage running back! Pegues can be hell on wheels when he’s motivated and has it cranked up. He’s quick off the ball but not explosive into first contact as consistently as he could be. He’ll beat reach blocks and double teams if he gets his technique ironed out. He has quicker hands and feet than most opponents he’ll face and has the talent to get to the other side of the line in both phases. He has rush talent and can finish using rare change-of-direction quickness, allowing him to capture pocket-mobile quarterbacks. Ole Miss leaned on Pegues as a short-yardage runner on offense, using his power and athleticism to convert at a high rate. He has the potential to become a very productive interior defender but his ceiling and floor will be determined by the consistency of his motor.

Strengths​

  • Versatility to play multiple spots on the defensive line.
  • Possesses explosive pop and lift from hips to hands.
  • Hands and feet for quick wins with arm-over move.
  • Elite change-of-direction quickness for a big man.
  • Tackles two gaps away and captures moving quarterbacks in the pocket.
  • Stutter-steps to an edge and then discards leaning blocker.
  • Outstanding short-yardage conversion rate on direct-snap carries.

Weaknesses​

  • Second action off the snap is much slower than his first step.
  • Has a tough time pressing and locking out as a two-gapper.
  • Can be reached to lateral landmarks by the blocker.
  • Needs to play with better technique and grit versus double teams.
  • Inconsistent back-side hustle.
  • Average rush counters when his early tries are stalled.
 
STRENGTHS:
● Burly big man through his waist and hips, and he carries it very well
● Plays with both quickness and bend to attack in different ways
● Roots underneath pads of blockers to establish the point of attack
● Flashes lower-body strength to wear down blocker's edge
● Natural feel for rushing angles when working back to the quarterback
● Looks to get his hands involved whenever possible
● Short-yardage back — accounted for 11 first downs, 10 broken tackles and seven touchdowns on 21 carries in 2024
● A-plus character — received 2024 Chucky Mullins Courage Award (and changed to No. 38, Mullins' number), awarded to the Ole Miss defensive player who embodies Mullins' legacy of courage, leadership, perseverance and determination

WEAKNESSES:
● Power shows up in spurts, not droves
● Tends to be short-stepper in his movements at times
● Overreliant on initial attack and needs to transition better to counters
● Wins the battle but loses the war when he can't maintain initial control
● Improved technique required to help compensate for average length
● Need to see a better plan against the run, including when facing double teams

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Ole Miss, Pegues played across the defensive line in defensive coordinator Pete Golding's 4-2-5 base scheme, from the A-gap to outside the tackle as a wide rusher. Primarily an offensive player in high school, he arrived at Auburn as a tight end and didn't know anything about playing on the defensive line, but he gradually improved the past three seasons.

An Oxford native nicknamed "The Mayor," Pegues is a unique prospect, because he doesn't play with as much power as one might except for his size, but he's a much better mover than most 310-pounders. He has an offensive background, which Lane Kiffin tapped into, especially in 2024, with an 85.7 percent conversion rate (18-for-21) in short yardage. Overall, Pegues is a compactly built athlete with the quickness and play strength to give blockers trouble from different alignments, although his ability to access counters and show better resolve will be his key to carving out a permanent defensive role. His versatility on offense should only boost his chances of locking down a roster spot.

GRADE: 4th-5th round
 
Crow said:
Inconsistent hustle. Lame.


Draft Projection
Rounds 4-5

Overview​

Compact, thick-hipped defensive lineman with versatility to play multiple positions -- including short-yardage running back! Pegues can be hell on wheels when he’s motivated and has it cranked up. He’s quick off the ball but not explosive into first contact as consistently as he could be. He’ll beat reach blocks and double teams if he gets his technique ironed out. He has quicker hands and feet than most opponents he’ll face and has the talent to get to the other side of the line in both phases. He has rush talent and can finish using rare change-of-direction quickness, allowing him to capture pocket-mobile quarterbacks. Ole Miss leaned on Pegues as a short-yardage runner on offense, using his power and athleticism to convert at a high rate. He has the potential to become a very productive interior defender but his ceiling and floor will be determined by the consistency of his motor.

Strengths​

  • Versatility to play multiple spots on the defensive line.
  • Possesses explosive pop and lift from hips to hands.
  • Hands and feet for quick wins with arm-over move.
  • Elite change-of-direction quickness for a big man.
  • Tackles two gaps away and captures moving quarterbacks in the pocket.
  • Stutter-steps to an edge and then discards leaning blocker.
  • Outstanding short-yardage conversion rate on direct-snap carries.

Weaknesses​

  • Second action off the snap is much slower than his first step.
  • Has a tough time pressing and locking out as a two-gapper.
  • Can be reached to lateral landmarks by the blocker.
  • Needs to play with better technique and grit versus double teams.
  • Inconsistent back-side hustle.
  • Average rush counters when his early tries are stalled.
Click to expand...
Not For Long if he does not fix that.
 
Eric Galko
@EricGalko
The #Raiders just got maybe the second most versatile player in the draft in Ole Miss DT/FB JJ Pegues.

He finished top-10 in pressures in the country this year on a loaded Ole Miss DL room.

He had 7️⃣ rushing TDs this year too (and had 55 pass/run blocking snaps).

At @ShrineBowl, he was incredibly disruptive all week long (🎥👇) and had an Interception in the Game too.

Awesome value for the #Raiders.
 
Defensive tackle JJ Pegues addresses the media after being selected 180th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft.

 
Chip Kelly has PhD compared to remedial HS teacher Lance Kiffin.

Yes, Pegues will see snaps at FB, may get some direct snaps. But watch: he will catch more than eight passes for at least 2 TDs this year, too -- one on a fake punt.
 
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