Josephs is the kind of speed rusher who makes you lean forward in your chair on every snap — an absurd first step paired with 34.25-inch arms and an 82-inch wingspan that lets him tag tackles before they're out of their set. When the runway is clear and he can let it rip from a wide-9, he's legitimately one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the class, and the push-pull move is devastating when it connects. The problem is everything else: he gets washed upfield when he can't corner, his rush plan looks like he's mashing buttons on a controller, and at 242 pounds he's a spectator against the run when blockers get into his frame. The outcome range is enormous — this is either a 10-sack-a-year weapon in an odd front or a guy who washes out because NFL tackles don't let you win on speed alone.
- Elite first-step explosiveness that rivals the best in the class — gets off the ball before tackles can react, forcing them into recovery mode immediately
- Exceptional length (34.25-inch arms, 82-inch wingspan at 91st/92nd percentiles) creates a pre-snap advantage and allows him to strike and control distance against blockers
- Effective push-pull move that shows real torque and hand violence when it connects, giving him a go-to counter against tackles who overset
- High motor and competitive effort, including six forced fumbles over the last two seasons — a disruptive playmaker who finishes with ferocity when he arrives
- Functional ability to drop into zone coverage and contribute in sub-packages, broadening his NFL role beyond pure pass rusher
- Severely limited power at 242 pounds — cannot convert speed to power consistently, gets washed out by NFL-caliber tackles who anchor down
- Struggles to corner through contact; gets pushed past the pocket when facing quality pass sets, and stiff ankles limit his bend and hip sink around the arc
- Inconsistent and sometimes chaotic rush plans — tape is littered with wasted rushes, random spin moves, and inefficient attacks that burn time
- Run defense is a clear liability: lacks the anchor and mass to set the edge at the point of attack, and is scheme-limited to odd-front OLB roles only
Multiple evaluators drew this direct comparison — both are undersized, twitchy Tennessee-system speed rushers with elite get-off and length but who need to add mass and refine technique against the run. Umanmielen was a 3rd-round pick to Carolina. Josephs is similarly built but with even longer arms.