With the offense now in the rear view, we shift over to the prospects on the defensive side of the ball. All considered, this is one of the weaker groups top to bottom in an incredibly offense-heavy draft class, at least in terms of hype. Perhaps that's a side effect of the overwhelming talent at quarterback and receiver, or just a ho-hum group of defenders.
Surely there's some stars out there though, as well as a diamond or two in the rough. Let's dive into the trenches here, try to find them together.
Defensive Linemen
Jer'Zhan Newton (Illinois): The general consensus seems to be that Newton is this year's top player on the D-line, although by all accounts that bar isn't as high as in recent years. The kid goes by Johnny and is a versatile talent on the interior line. It's rare that you see offensive lineman blowing him up, but his smaller stature may be problematic on the professional level. The Illinois product is incredibly explosive off the line, uses his hands expertly and never gives up on a play. But concerns about his size are legitimate, which'll ultimately limit his ceiling, particularly against the rush
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| Photo: FightingIllini.com |
Byron Murphy II (Texas): Uses his leverage really well at the point of attack, often pushing would-be blockers well into the backfield. Good moves with his hands and a high motor to finish off the play wherever it goes. He can play all over the line and gets after the quarterback much more effectively then his numbers suggest. Some say he's also a little undersized, but personally, this is my top defensive lineman in this class. The right coaching situation could really help him shine
Braden Fiske (Florida State): Stout and explosive, with an impressive bull rush. Plays with a high football IQ despite his aggressive style, reading run and pass plays quickly and successfully to blow them up. His high motor has him constantly in pursuit of the football, but he can display patience when setting up pass rush moves. Has a knack for playing too high at times that his upper body strength has allowed him to get away with thus far. Won't be the case in the NFL. He's also not the most athletic specimen in this class, with agility and flexibility that could be improved upon.
Kris Jenkins (Michigan): As pure a run stuffer as you'll encounter, which is particularly surprising due to the fact that he isn't some massive, nose-tackle type build. Kris Jenkins is simply one strong motherfucker. He's incredibly difficult to move backwards off the line of scrimmage, managing to wash himself into the play in worst case scenarios. The Wolverine has decent athleticism, heavy hands and holds a gap as well as anyone in college football, but with just 4.5 total sacks in 3 seasons, he needs to develop some sort of pass rush if he's going to earn himself a hefty second contract in the league.
Brandon Dorlus (Oregon): Active hands and good interior pass rush moves. Doesn't seem to get a ton of push in the run game, many of his highlights seem to be cleaning up other people's big plays too. But somebody's got to do it and there's something to be said about having a nose for the ball. Plays smart, rarely being fooled by misdirection or play action, but he's also not a guy to bull rush the QB on the drop of a hat. A fun project, probably not a day one starter.
Defensive Tackles
T'Vondre Sweat (Texas): Not a good week for Mr. Sweat, being arrested in Texas this week for a DWI after crashing an SUV. A potential suspension could certainly impact his draft status, though I can't imagine the top DT in this class sliding too far. The Longhorn sheds blockers with the best of them, commanding a direct assignment every play. He's relentless against the run, moving well for how large he is. Also has active hands in the passing (and kicking) lanes. But he tends to fade as games go, which is a fixable flaw. His pass rush is incredibly raw too, limiting how many snaps he'd be on the field
Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson): Awesome name, first and foremost, but an awesome player as well. Ruke fires off the line like a cannon, bursting through gaps and gaining leverage on offensive lineman. More of a slender build than traditional defensive tackles, which should translate into versatility in the league. He could use an offseason in an NFL weight room and some refinement to his pass rush, but the sky's the limit with Orhorhoro's skillset and athleticism
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| Photo: Ken Ruinard/ USA Today |
Michael Hall Jr. (Ohio State): High energy, fun player to watch. Seems to play some of his best football in big moments. Can lineup all over the defensive line and get after the quarterback, with a pretty advanced repertoire of moves. But he's only 280 pounds, which'll make for a challenging transition to the pros. The double teams he struggled against in college are only going to be accentuated on the next level. A pass rush ceiling though that'll make many GMs salivate
Mekhi Wingo (LSU): High motor player. Doesn't really shed blockers well but rarely cedes much ground on the line of scrimmage. A little undersized but has a frame to bulk up some. Not as strong as others on this list against the pass or run but could be a versatile chess piece in the right scheme
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@Choppinglines
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