To the defensive side of the ball we go, starting out in the trenches. There'll be some varied opinions about just how good some of these guys will ultimately be, but there's undeniable talent and raw tools across the board. Starting with the prospective top overall pick...
EDGE/Defensive End
Abdul Carter:
Penn State 6' 3" 250 lbs. 4.48 40-Time
Absolutely insane burst off of the line, accelerating at a speed that few offensive tackles will be able to account for. When coupled with his elite ability to bend, Carter's an absolute menace to opposing quarterbacks. More than adept at stopping the run, with a motor that's constantly running at 100%. Effective out of two and three-point stances, showing success bumping into the 5-gap as well as on the edge. Diagnoses plays quickly, with the ability to change direction at the drop of a hat. Capable of dropping back as a spy or linebacker, though his best work is done around the line of scrimmage.
Diagnosed with a potential foot injury that was cleared from needing surgery, for now, but could pop up down the road. Only weighs 250 pounds, which could pose some issues against larger pro tackles. Could refine his hand usage while rushing the passer, too often relying on his athleticism to get the job done.
Summary: This is the top prospect in this class, no two ways about it. Carter's an absolute freak of an athlete with a limitless motor and sky high potential. Some of his moves that worked in college will need to be sharpened in order to translate to the NFL level, but every physical tool you'd want is firmly in place. Would be stunning to see him drop past the second pick overall, especially with the weak quarterback group.
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| Photo: Bleacher Report |
James Pearce Jr:
Tennessee 6' 5" 245 lbs. 4.47 40-Time
Refined arsenal of pass rushing moves and head/shoulder fakes to torch opposing tackles and get after the QB. Uses athleticism and discipline to set the edge before closing in to shut down plays. Relentless motor, always playing through the whistle regardless of if he's making the primary play or cleaning things up. Impressive change of direction, accelerating back to full speed quickly from a stand still.
Plays a little too fast at times, resulting in over pursuit of ball carriers and missed tackles. Light for his frame, occasionally struggling to shed blocks once squared up by larger, more skilled linemen. Run defense needs to be improved in order to reach his three-down potential.
Summary: Projecting early on as a pure pass rushing specialist, the former Volunteer has all the makings of a true pocket disrupter. His bend is impressive, combined with solid burst and a pretty advanced repertoire of moves to shed blockers and destroy his target. If he wants to maximize his potential however, he needs to add a little muscle to his frame and improve his run defense. Low floor but sky high ceiling for Pearce Jr.
Mike Green:
Marshall 6' 3" 251 lbs. 4.57 40-Time
Incredible burst out of the two-point stance, using his speed to blast by opposing lineman and get into the backfield. A high motor player that consistently leaves it all on the field. Uses his hands effectively for leverage on blockers and to set up pass rushing moves. Agility and acceleration are top notch, changing direction and regaining full speed at the drop of a hat.
Extremely raw, regularly depending on his crazy athleticism instead of technique to beat opposing lineman. Limited experience against top tier competition at Marshall, leading to questions about how his skillset will translate upward. A little too overaggressive at times, selling out for fakes while abandoning his assignments.
Summary: Much like James Pearce Jr., Mike Green provides a bevy of desirable pass rushing traits. A relentless motor, good hands and one of the more explosive first steps you'll see on the college level. Some will attribute his success to lower level opponents, but the tape reflects the freakish type of athleticism he can bring to the table. He's likely a bit light right now to be an every down player in the NFL, but if he can learn to use better leverage against opposing linemen on run plays, he could quickly ascend to that level. At the bare minimum, he's a guy you want pinning his ears back on third and long to get after the quarterback.
Shemar Stewart:
Texas A&M 6' 5" 267 lbs. 4.59 40-Time
Strong at the point of attack, regularly getting his hands into the chest of opposing lineman while reading and reacting to plays. High effort player who plays through the whistle and can be plugged all over the defensive line. Supremely ideal length and size for the position, with a massive wing span and vertical to disrupt passing lanes. Effectively executes stunts, forcing offensive lines to always account for him.
Hand technique could use some improvement, mainly relying on his bull rush to get guys on skates before disposing of them. This surprisingly doesn't always translate into good penetration on run plays either. Despite the enticing measurables, his on-field production leaves something to be desired, with only 4.5 career sacks over three seasons for A&M.
Summary: A prototypical frame for a defensive lineman, with a frustratingly low level of production. Some scouts are absolutely enamored by Stewart, while others just can't justify spending a premier pick on a guy who lacks premier numbers. Whoever does end up with the Aggie will be guaranteed a disruptive player that'll reroute plays fairly regularly-- but if that team can unleash his finishing capabilities, Stewart could end up being an every down monster in the trenches.
Mykel Williams:
Georgia 6' 5" 260 lbs. 4.65 40-Time
Active in run support, rarely getting washed off the line of scrimmage. Disciplined when reading and reacting to plays, rarely falling for fakes while maintaining assignments. Strong bull rush and capable of performing stunts effectively when getting after the passer. Capable of splitting out wide to cover backs, with closing speed and angles to ensure they don't slip away. Always in pursuit of the ball, not stopping until the whistle blows.
Hand usage could be improved, often relying on raw strength to beat opposing linemen. Speed rushing moves would benefit from refinement as well. Not overly productive at getting after the quarterback, despite his physical tools, racking up just 14 sacks in three seasons at Georgia.
Summary: Those Georgia defenses always seem to churn out good players, with Mykel Williams fitting the bill. He's a big body lineman who produces from various stances and positions on the defensive line. Williams is a run stopping aficionado, setting edges effectively to contain and destroy opposing rushers. Unfortunately, his pass rushing skills are currently one-dimensional and raw, really limiting his ceiling in the pros. If a coaching staff can get him to perfect a few speed rushing moves though, the Bulldog could emerge as a premier three-down defensive end from this class.
Landon Jackson:
Arkansas 6' 6" 264 lbs. 4.68 40-Time
Captain at Arkansas, well respected by teammates and coaches. Stout run defender, rarely ceding ground while reading and reacting to plays on the ground. Capable of dropping back into pass coverage. High motor player, always in pursuit of the ball.
Raw pass rush arsenal, with heavy reliance on his raw strength rather than speed or technique. Solid measurables don't particularly translate to the field, often looking stiffer and slower then his 40 and agility scores would suggest. Burst off the line isn't impressive, nor is his bend around the pocket.
Summary: One of the steadier guys in this draft class, always going at 100%. Unfortunately, his measurables leave you really wanting when actually crunching the film. Jackson's a versatile talent that just plays a little stiff in most aspects of the game. If you need someone to overpower an opposing lineman, he can fill that role. But against more athletic tackles, forget about it. Decent piece, could end up producing a bit more at outside linebacker in the long term.
Jack Sawyer:
Ohio State 6' 4" 260 lbs. 4.60 40-Time
Big game player, as evidenced by his fumble-six against Texas in the CFB Semifinal. Decent bend for his size which, when combined with his solid repertoire of rushing moves, allows him to get around even the best tackles. Hard to wash down the line on run plays, regularly holding his ground or creating penetration. Effective with interior stunts to get after the passer.
Short arms occasionally impact his ability to get into the chest of opposing blockers. Agility could use improvement, with struggles once plays get into open space. Lacking explosiveness off the line, which may force him to into more of a power role in the pros.
Summary: In his four years at Ohio State, Jack Sawyer really honed the coaching he had at his disposal. Despite the fact that he doesn't reek of athleticism, his high motor and technique have transformed him into a supremely desirable defensive end. Wherever he ends up getting drafted is going to get a natural leader that'll thrive on early downs, while potentially developing into an absolute stud as he continues to master his craft and adjust to the increased competition.
Nick Scourton:
Texas A&M 6' 3" 285 lbs. 4.70 40-Time
Diverse and effective arsenal of pass rushing moves to beat opposing blockers. Plays through the whistle every play. Disciplined and relentless against the run, though he struggled against high quality tackles. Special teams contributor, which every NFL team's looking for.
Functional speed doesn't always to the field, especially on plays where he has to change direction. Occasionally overaggressive in tackling attempts, taking bad angles or jumping at his target-- which too often resulted in him missing the tackle. Will likely have issues against the run early on in his career.
Summary: A really solid pass rush specialist, boasting an advanced set of moves to get after the QB. His high motor style of play helps him to get after run plays, but he's got a ways to go there before anyone's expecting him to be an every down man. Intriguing professional ceiling, with the floor of a pure pass rush specialist who can contribute on special teams.
Princely Umanmielen:
Ole Miss 6' 4" 244 lbs. 4.72 40-Time
Fast enough to get around less athletic tackles. Has a decent rip and swim move, though his hand usage leaves room for refinement. Disciplined when setting the edge against the run, quickly collapsing it once the back commits to a lane. High motor, always in pursuit of the ball. Production matches potential, with 17.5 sacks in his final two collegiate seasons at Florida and Ole Miss. Versatile enough to play with his hand in the dirt or out of the 2-point stance.
Burst off the edge is a little too all-or-nothing, either quickly beating his man or getting washed aside. Doesn't always take the best pursuit angles, too often relies on athleticism rather than technique to complete assignments. Plays a little high at times, allowing blockers to stymy his first step.
Summary: Five years in the SEC will cut your teeth and get you league-ready-- exactly the type of trajectory we saw from Umanmielen. He's a go getter off the edge that can get after the offense in a variety of ways, particularly in the pass rush. He's long, strong and quick, never giving up on a play while learning from his mistakes. Seems very coachable, with a ceiling that leaves scouts salivating.
Defensive Tackle
Mason Graham:
Michigan 6' 4" 296 lbs. 5.10 40-Time
Scheme versatile, producing from various spots on the defensive line. Incredibly strong and explosive, rocking opposing linemen with expert hand placement and leverage before tossing them aside. Doesn't give up ground in the run game. Able to change direction impressively for a man of his size.
A little too reliant in his raw strength when getting after the passer, needing to speed up his disengagement at the point of attack. Not the tallest or longest for his position, which occasionally can be exploited by blockers.
Summary: A treacherous one-on-one assignment for anybody opposite of him, the former Wolverine often found himself dealing with multiple blockers. It rarely mattered, with as unblockable a skillset as you're going to find in this draft. While far from a perfect prospect, Graham will immediately slot in week one as a versatile game wrecker, with a high likelihood of never coming off the field if he can refine his pass rushing techniques. Won't make it out of the top ten.
Kenneth Grant:
Michigan 6' 4" 331 lbs. 4.95 40-Time
Just a massive individual, rarely getting blown off the line by one on ones. Impressive speed for a man of his size, really building up a full head of steam once he sheds initial blocks. Active hands in passing lanes, routinely batting down passes when he's unable to get after the quarterback. Fairly advanced arsenal of pass rushing moves, on top of his pure, raw strength.
Change of direction leaves plenty of room for improvement. Needs to develop more consistency in the pass rush production, especially when he's initially stood up. Weight management could be a concern as well, fluctuating as high as 360 during his days at Michigan.
Summary: Initially poised to be an early down nose tackle, Grant has the pass rushing technique to develop into a three-down monster. He's a brutal force at the point of attack, often displacing blockers with ease before making his way to the ball. His NFL coaches will need to make sure he keeps his weight in check, but if he can maintain his size while boosting his conditioning, Grant could turn into one of the dominant forces of this class.
Walter Nolen:
Ole Miss 6' 4" 296 lbs. 4.95 40-Time
Fast first step helps to violently engage at the point of attack, using powerful hands to blast opposing linemen and create penetration. Potent set of moves to help collapse the pocket, boasting 6.5 sacks from the interior last season. Above average agility for a bigger man, as well as the versatility to line up in multiple positions on the defensive line.
Lighter frame occasionally leads to getting washed down on stretches and counters. Shorter arms allow blockers to get into his chest too often, limiting effectiveness. Not always able to win one-on-one if his initial moves are countered.
Summary: Nolen is a load to handle for any group of interior linemen, pressuring the quarterback with alarming efficiency-- even if he's not always getting home. He was productive and showed improvements with each passing year at the collegiate level, which is encouraging as well. The physical limitations are there, but few guys are capable of blowing up the middle of a pocket better then him. Don't be shocked if he's the second D-Tackle off the board.
Derrick Harmon:
Oregon 6' 4" 313 lbs. 4.95 40-Time
Extreme burst off the line, blowing up opposing linemen on his way to the backfield. Hand techniques are sharp, with an impressive rip and swim move. Active hands in the passing lanes when he can't beat his initial assignment, routinely batting down passes. Athletic enough to be utilized on stunts, as well as dropping back as a spy or into shallow coverage. Versatile skill set and size, showing the ability to disrupt from the 0 to the 5 tech.
Plays a little high at times, surrendering leverage to blockers. Occasionally gets washed down by double teams, but rarely cedes much ground off the line of scrimmage. Needs to work on his counters when initial moves aren't successful. Sometimes plays a little too fast, getting to the point of attack but lacking the ability to finish.
Summary: While still a raw talent, there's not a ton of guys out there who boast the disruptiveness that Derrick Harmon does. The former Oregon Duck routinely finds himself in the backfield, though sometimes a little too rapidly. Any coaching staff that can help him harness the chaos he brings to the field is going to get a guy whose aggression and speed are hard to match-- and nearly impossible to teach. One of the higher upside guys in this whole draft.
TJ Sanders:
South Carolina 6' 4" 297 lbs. 4.95 40-Time
Initiates contact with interior linemen using powerful hands to set up bull rushes or vicious moves in his arsenal to disengage. High motor guy who'll knock down passes if he can't get penetration toward the QB. Capable of stunting effectively, accelerating quickly toward open gaps to end plays.
Sometimes too reliant on his strength to beat blockers, needing more consistency with his hand usage. Occasionally rounds outward from the LOS on wider stretch runs, surrendering ground if and when he's able to get to the ball. Concerns about his conditioning have risen in the past, something NFL teams would be wise to key in on.
Summary: TJ Sanders is a beast in the pass rush, utilizing his strength and a nearly unstoppable rip move to blow by would-be blockers. His versatility and athleticism allow him to line up all over the defensive line too, which should eventually increase his usage on pro defenses. As a rookie though, expect him to struggle against the run in limited opportunities, while wreaking some havoc on passing downs.
Honorable Mention:
EDGE/Defensive End: Josiah Stewart, Bradyn Swinson, JT Tuimoloau, Kyle Kennard
Defensive Tackles: Tyleik Williams, Alfred Collins, Omarr Norman-Lott, Deone Walker
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@Choppinglines
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