INTERIOR D-LINE
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Jalen Carter
DT / GEORGIA / 6'3 / 300
Carter is an imposing lineman with a unique set of physical traits. His release pops off the tape right away. He can shoot out of his stance and generate pressure through timing. Carter has the agility and movement abilities of an athletic edge rusher but possesses the frame of a pure interior player. He has the versatility to play anywhere on the defensive line. Carter has violent hands and effectively uses his physical gifts to wreak havoc on offences. Sometimes he could take better angles off the block and needs to develop a more consistent pass-rush approach. However, Carter will be a dominant defensive player in the NFL.
Grade: Round 1
Warren Sapp
2
Calijah Kancey
DT / PITTSBURGH / 6'0 / 280
Kancey is a productive lineman with an outrageous athletic profile. In his college career, he proved his ability to put up numbers and make an impact consistently. Kancey is undeniably the most athletic player in this positional class. His quickness, body control, and movement abilities make him a well-rounded competitor. Kancey has a deep arsenal of technical moves. He moves off his blocks well and makes a ton of plays in the run game. While his functional strength is good, he is too small to play in the interior consistently. Kancey may be scheme dependent because of this, but his upside as a playmaker is undeniable.
Grade: Round 1
Geno Atkins
3
Bryan Bresee
DT / CLEMSON / 6'5 / 300
Bresee is a well-rounded lineman with an intriguing combination of strength and explosiveness. For his size, his functional power is impressive. Bresee is an explosive and mobile player who has a great set of physical tools. He is disciplined, productive, and smart. Bresee has a great motor and consistently shows up on film. Right now, he is an in-betweener who is slightly undersized to play DT and slightly oversized to play edge. Bresee is a solid prospect with a ton of skill, but injuries are his biggest concern. If he's able to stay healthy - Bresee should produce early on.
Grade: Round 2
Ndamukong Suh
4
Keeanu Benton
DT / WISCONSIN / 6'4 / 315
Benton is a physical lineman with a ton of upside as a run-stopper. His raw strength pops off the tape, and he can effortlessly generate push in the middle. Benton has an impressive ability to quickly move off blocks and make a play. His situational value in short-yardage and red-zone situations is top-notch. He is a high-motor defender who will consistently produce in his role. His production will be limited as a pass rusher, and you are drafting him more as a run stuffer and space eater. However, he is extremely good at what he does and will be a quality piece in the NFL.
Grade: Round 2
Grover Stewart
5
Gervon Dexter Sr.
DT / FLORIDA / 6'6 / 313
Dexter is an intriguing lineman with an exciting combination of physical tools. His build and athletic profile make him a versatile player who can produce in various situations. Naturally, Dexter has an effortless ability to generate pressure and has a knack for making plays. He takes good angles and can quickly disengage off blocks to come up with a stop. Dexter needs some technical improvement with his consistency and pass-rush plan, but I see these as coachable revisions. While some question his motor and awareness, I don't see many of the issues others are concerned by. I think Dexter will be a quality piece on the defensive front.
Grade: Round 2
Carlos Dunlap
6
Mazi Smith
DT / MICHIGAN / 6'3 / 337
Smith is a physical lineman with great raw strength and an impressive athletic profile. He is a freak in the weight room and will put up great numbers at the combine. Smith has physical hands and uses them effectively. He is a valuable run-stopper who consistently makes plays with his size/strength combo. While he is very athletic, his lateral agility needs improvement. Smith has trouble changing direction, which limits his ability in certain plays. Additionally, I would like to see improvement in his awareness to come off blocks better. Smith's combination of mass and power will make him a quality rotational piece in the NFL.
Grade: Round 2
DJ Reader
7
Siaki Ika
DT / BAYLOR / 6'4 / 358
Ika is an imposing lineman with proper nose tackle size. His strength is outstanding, and he can eat up a ton of space while consistently drawing double teams. While he is quick for his size, Ika could be more agile relative to the overall position. He is extremely valuable in the run game and does what he needs to do at a high level. Due to the positional value and role he offers, Ika will not be an every down player with a dominant impact. However, he will be a positive contributor who can provide a ton of situational value.
Grade: Round 3
Danny Shelton
8
Jaquelin Roy
DT / LSU / 6'4 / 315
Roy is an athletic lineman with a ton of physical tools and a solid build. He has a wide stance with excellent pad level - allowing him to generate quickness out of his stance. Roy is very agile and explosive and moves extremely well in space. Despite his good frame, he does not possess the best functional strength and can easily be pushed back in the run game by bigger lineman. His plan of attack as a pass rusher will need to improve, and he had limited production in this area at LSU. However, with his physical tools and athletic profile, Roy should be a rotational player in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
Larry Ogunjobi
9
Byron Young
DT / ALABAMA / 6'3 / 292
Young is a smart lineman with functional strength and a consistent motor. He is very physical at the point of attack and can effectively draw double teams. Young plays with a good pad level and contributes value in the run game. He's not a finesse player and has yet to develop a deep repertoire of pass-rush moves. His lack of range and versatility will limit his stock and upside. However, with his power, motor, and reliability in the run game, Young can be a quality rotational piece.
Grade: Round 4
Sheldon Richardson
10
Moro Ojomo
DT / TEXAS / 6'3 / 292
Ojomo is an athletic and competitive lineman. He is a high IQ player on the field and possesses an impressive motor, consistently competing until the whistle. Ojomo has good strength for his size and moves well for the position. His pad level and leg drive allow him to generate pressure at an efficient rate. In three years, Ojomo had limited production at Texas - and usually suceeded due to effort rather than upfront wins. I think he has the makeup and drive to be a quality rotational piece in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
Michael Bennett
11
Nesta Jade-Silvera
DT / ARIZONA STATE / 6'2 / 308
Jade Silvera is a compact lineman with good functional strength. His combination of power and short-area quickness is impressive. He moves very well in open space and explodes into his stance. Jade Silvera has a low stance and possesses a great pad level. He is explosive out of his stance and has a high motor throughout every down. Jade Silvera is more of a straight-line player and has yet to develop any bend or finesse to his game. He only offers little as a pass rusher, his length could be better, and his versatility may limit his upside. However, his strength and quickness will make him a quality depth option.
Grade: Round 5
Alim McNeil
12
PJ Mustipher
DT / PENN STATE / 6'4 / 343
Mustipher is a powerful prospect with an imposing frame. He has the ideal build for the position and looks exactly how you want him to. Mustipher has a high motor, and it is clear that he puts forth total effort on the field. He has great timing on his release, allowing him to explode out of his stance. Mustipher is not the most athletic player and does not move particularly well in space. His use of hands needs fundamental improvement, and he does not add much as a pass rusher. However, with his strength and effectiveness as a run stuffer, Mustipher could be a solid contributor.
Grade: Round 5
Davon Godchaux
13
Kobie Turner
DT / WAKE FOREST / 6'2 / 288
Turner is a competitive lineman with a physical temperament. His pad level is impressive, consistently gaining low leverage under offensive linemen. For his size, Turner is able to generate good power through his legs and core. He has active hands - but needs to learn how to use them more technically and consistently. Turner is very good at locating the ball and getting to the spot he needs to be in. He is a slight in-betweener for the position and needs to develop a more refined attack.
Grade: Round 5
Maurice Hurst
14
Zacch Pickens
DT / SOUTH CAROLINA / 6'4 / 305
Pickens is a thick lineman who operates well in space. He is very quick and has solid acceleration for his size. Pickens effectively uses his hands at the point of attack to create pressure and chaos. He has yet to consistently prove his ability to produce at a high level and will need some refinement. Oftentimes, Pickens pad level becomes too upright, leading to a lack of leg drive and pressure. He is solid at disengaging blocks but needs to improve his awareness while doing so. Pickens has good physical traits and will project as a depth guy in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
Jonathan Hankins
15
Jerrod Young
DT / COASTAL CAROLINA / 6'4 / 343
Clark is a thick and imposing lineman with an impressive frame. He is long and powerful with impressive strength. His mass and low center of gravity allow Clark to generate push through his leg drive. He has a high motor and plays hard to continue trying to create pressure. However, despite this motor, Clark sometimes has trouble getting off blocks and becomes stuck as a floating piece around the pocket. He could use more finesse and is not ready to be an every down contributor. However, with his size and strength, Clark can provide depth to a rotational group.