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31. Ali Gaye – LSU 
Gaye best fits as a prototypical 4-3 defensive end with a great build of 6’6” and 265 pounds. He has a quick first step getting around the edge and also slants into gaps inside to stop the run. Gaye also has a few hand counter moves at his disposal. Despite the nice size, he still needs to get stronger because the lack of strength sometimes results in him getting blown off the line of scrimmage. Gaye is a project with some upside but unless he finds some more consistency in the NFL, then I am not convinced he will be in the league too long.
Player Comparison: Isaiah Thomas
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Buffalo, Dallas, Carolina (Wild Card – Houston)
- Brenton Cox Jr. – Florida
Cox Jr. may be one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class due to the sheer ability versus the major concerns. He could be a day two player all the way to a very late day three player. It just depends on if a team wants to take a chance sooner rather than later. Cox has a nasty demeanor with lots of skill and speed. He has some excellent spin moves that make him a dangerous pass rusher and his natural strength also makes him tough against the run. In college he tried to play “hero ball” and would leave his assignment to try and make a play. Sometimes it worked and sometimes his missed assignment was costly. If he plays within the scheme and does his job fairly consistently, then he could be a steal as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He has significant character issues in question which tie back to his dismissal from the Florida Gators football team this past season.
Player Comparison: Will Anderson Jr. (skills) / Aldon Smith (red flags)
Projection: 3rd – 7th Round
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver (Wild Card – Tennessee)
- Isaiah McGuire – Missouri
McGuire is a true 4-3 defensive end with good flexibility around the edge and some solid power. He is most effective when he is urgently crashing inside rather than taking the longer route to the quarterback. His effort was never in question and he has the IQ to be sustainable in the league. As an athlete McGuire has modest twitch and is a slower mover. I would like to see him play with more control when finishing off tackles and adding more strength would be beneficial as well.
Player Comparison: Shaq Lawson
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City (Wild Card – San Francisco)
- Ochuan Mathis – Nebraska
Mathis has a nice physical frame with a natural burst as an edge rusher. He is very fluid in his movements and is quite flexible around the edge. In open space he is explosive and shows flashes against the run and the pass. His frame gives him the room to add more weight and muscle which might help him anchor better in the run game. Unfortunately for Mathis, he has not been in a system that has fully utilized his skillset. He will start off as a rotational edge rusher likely as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a hybrid 4-3 defensive end. If he is placed in a system that utilizes his skillset then he could certainly become more than a rotational piece.
Player Comparison: Kingsley Enagbare
Projection: 5th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Arizona, Minnesota, Atlanta (Wild Card – New Orleans)
- Xavier Thomas – Clemson
Thomas is packed with an excellent burst as a pass rusher with some very bright flashes of disruption in the backfield. He has a thick build and is extremely explosive. Despite the thick build, Thomas has been utilized as more of a designated pass rusher due to his limitations as a run defender. Thomas can best be defined as a tweener with a limited offer of snaps per game. He is also an older prospect which hurts his draft stock. If a team has a good first and second down edge rusher with limited value on third down, then Thomas may be the perfect compliment. He undoubtedly will serve best as a 3-4 rush outside linebacker or a hybrid 4-3 defensive strictly on third down.
Player Comparison: DeAngelo Malone
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Houston, Kansas City, Tennessee (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams)
- Robert Beal Jr. – Georgia
Beal is a longer strider with incredibly fast straight line speed. NFL scouts will continue to positively discuss his excellent arm length and reach. He has an effective bull rush combined with some nice hand power. Beal reads plays well and as a run defender remains patient. In all facets of the game, he is relentless in pursuit and his closing burst is evident. Despite all the high regards, he underproduced at Georgia. He is likely considered a bit of a project as some technique will need to be cleaned up, plus Beal lacks versatility. He will need to make his way to a team running a 3-4 scheme in order for him to fit as an outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Tyus Bowser
Projection: 4th – 5th Round
Best Fits: Pittsburgh, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle (Wild Card – Baltimore)
- Eku Leota – Auburn
Leota is a player that may never be used how I would like to see. He is a player with a strong motor, tough against the run game and raw as a pass rusher. When his initial move is stopped he continues to keep going, despite not having a full bag of pass rush moves and a lack of bend around the edge. He can be an effective player that creates pressure from time to time but in order to do so technique will need to be worked on. Leota is also coming off an injury which may be a slight cause for concern. He is big enough and strong enough to play defensive end but I would guess that most teams will believe he translates best to 3-4 outside linebacker. Due to being such a strong player with a hard nosed mentality, I truly believe he is athletic enough to make the move to MIKE linebacker. There would certainly be an extensive learning process but it may be worth a try.
Player Comparison: Shawne Merriman / Leo Chenal
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Denver (Wild Card – New England)
- Lonnie Phelps – Kansas
Phelps is an instinctual pass rusher with a high playing IQ. He put on a solid overall performance at the Senior Bowl recently and his high motor/top notch effort appeared to be impressive. Phelps gets some excellent leverage which allows him to win on pass rushes with power when not just using quickness around the edge. Despite the great leverage, he lacks some functional playing strength which would assist when needing to counter. Phelps also has some lower body tightness which can make him slower to change direction. He is a bit more of a scheme specific prospect as a 3-4 outside linebacker/designated pass rusher.
Player Comparison: Jesse Luketa
Projection: 5th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Baltimore, Miami, Seattle (Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers)
- Will McDonald IV – Iowa State
McDonald is one of the long strider edge rushers in this class who also gets some nice bend around the edge aided by fluid hips. He is quick to get in the backfield and then turns on the straight line speed once beyond the offensive line. He also has a counter spin move that can cause problems for his opponents. McDonald’s natural length is a major positive and it is safe to say he has some high upside. In order to be successful at the next level, he will need to gain some strength and become a better run defender. It would also be beneficial to add some more pass rush moves to his repertoire. He will add some nice depth to a roster early on in his career.
Player Comparison: David Anenih
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Atlanta, Arizona, Minnesota (Wild Card – Green Bay)
- Nick Hampton – Appalachian State
Hampton just so happens to be one of the smaller edge rushers in this class. He is a fluid, twitchy athlete with top tier first step explosiveness and he turns the corner so easily. There is plenty of upside with Hampton and also no concerns with his tackling ability. His finishing technique is excellent. He will probably need to add at least a little bit of muscle and weight without losing his quickness. Hampton does struggle to deconstruct blocks but his game is not predicated around that. There will likely be a bit of a transition period for Hampton adjusting to the level of play in the NFL. He could become a very productive 3-4 outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Barkevious Mingo
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Denver, Pittsburgh (Wild Card – Tennessee)
- Thomas Incoom – Central Michigan
Incoom is a developmental pass rusher that has continued to rise on my radar over the past few weeks. He is relentless and has the ideal NFL frame. Incoom is quick off the snap and embraces contact. He also squeezes the edge well which is beneficial against the pass and the run. Incoom was one of the top producing sack artists in the MAC and that is thanks to his motor that is constantly running hot. Incoom needs to improve his leverage at the point of attack and his processing speed can also be improved. Once a few things are ironed out, his upside will take over and he will quickly find himself fully incorporated in a team’s rotation. Incoom probably fits best as a true 4-3 defensive end.
Player Comparison: Boogie Basham
Projection: 4th – 5th Round
Best Fits: New Orleans, Carolina, Dallas (Wild Card – Houston)
- Colby Wooden – Auburn
Wooden is a strong run defender who absorbs contact. He also has a strong push-pull move combined with punch, power and outside arm length. There are times where Wooden flashes dominance and can really move the pocket. Despite having the upside like many draft prospects, he needs to become much more consistent. The NFL coaching staff that gets ahold of him will likely work on technique and hand placement right away. Wooden was a defensive end/defensive tackle in college. The farther out off the edge he is, the less effective he becomes. Ideally Wooden is placed at defensive end in a 3-4 base defense.
Player Comparison: DeMarvin Leal
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Los Angeles Chargers (Wild Card – New England)
- Jose Ramirez – Eastern Michigan
Ramirez is the second developmental pass rusher from the MAC making it on my list. In 2022, Ramirez put together an impressive campaign and had 12 sacks on the season. He has a good first step and enough of a burst to make offensive tackles bite towards the outside. The problem for said offensive tackles is that Ramirez is slippery and forces misses on finesse rushes. His playing strength could certainly improve and his hand placement could be cleaned up. The major question is can he do what he did in college against much stronger competition. Regardless, the film doesn’t lie that he was a nightmare for the MAC. When Eastern Michigan needed a big play, Ramirez would take the game over. He could slot in as a 3-4 outside linebacker or as a hybrid 4-3 defensive end. Most of his reps early in his career will come on third down exclusively.
Player Comparison: Oshane Ximines
Projection: 4th – 5th Round
Best Fits: Cincinnati, New Orleans, New England (Wild Card – Tennessee)
- Adetomiwa Adebawore – Northwestern
Adebawore is a stout bowling ball of an edge rusher. He has the versatility to move all around the line because he challenges offensive linemen head on and likes to shoot gaps on the inside. He reads blocks well and plugs holes against the run. Not only does Adebawore have great quickness, but he also ran one of the fastest 40 yard dash times for edge rushers at the combine. He is aggressive as a tackler and tireless in his pursuit. He has all the skills to be a major disruptor in the NFL. The question is if he can finish off plays himself rather than just be disruptive. There is also a lack of flexibility and his untraditional build could limit him on the outside. Adebawore will be best suited as a 4-3 defensive end that tends to crash inside.
Player Comparison: Brandon Graham (build) / Logan Hall (playing style)
Projection: 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Philadelphia, Indianapolis (Wild Card – Detroit)
- Dylan Horton – TCU
Horton is known for his violent collisions with offensive linemen. He is effective against the pass and the run due to his willingness to put his body on the line on every single play. Horton is a high effort developmental prospect who excels when chasing down runners from the backside of the play. He has a fairly quick first step but some tight hips. Horton will be considered by many to have a high upside, but he is undeveloped as a pass rusher and does not have the sack production of other prospects. This may be because he is newer to the position as a former safety. Horton will fit into a 4-3 scheme as a defensive end.
Player Comparison: Dante Fowler Jr.
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: San Francisco, Houston, Carolina (Wild Card – Las Vegas)
- K.J. Henry – Clemson
Henry is equipped with a sturdy build and has some exceptional playing strength. He has strong hands and generates some good push which allows him to collapse the pocket. Henry closes gaps against the run game due to his quick recognition skills. Due to his lack of twitch and bend, he lacks third down value. Henry was a rotational first and second down defensive end at Clemson and that is how he will translate to the NFL as well. Not only could he be an early down 4-3 defensive end but even an early down 3-4 outside linebacker depending on the scheme.
Player Comparison: Isaac Rochell / Carl Lawson
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Tennessee, New Orleans (Wild Card – Kansas City)
- Mike Morris – Michigan
Morris is a larger defensive end with the strength and size to seal and collapse the edge. He has heavy hands and maintains great leverage on almost every rep. Morris is a player that makes his presence felt and can drive back even the best tackles. He does also have the ability to squeeze into smaller lanes and cut through the teeth of the offensive line. Despite being strong against the run, he is developing as a pass rusher. I like his motor but would like to see even more dominance. Morris not surprisingly has a lack of bend because of his size and lacks the explosiveness of the rest of this draft class. Morris could either be a defensive end in a 4-3 or reduce inside in a 3-4.
Player Comparison: Tanoh Kpassagnon
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Detroit, Cleveland, Dallas (Wild Card – San Francisco)
- Byron Young – Tennessee
Young is a playmaker with great athleticism, flexibility, changes direction easily and is slippery. He is a hard worker with plenty of toughness. Despite being a smaller edge rusher with limited power and mass, as well as being an older prospect, his hard work ethic will likely overcome all of that. Once his footwork is cleaned up, Young will be making an impact year one or two. He could be an every down 3-4 outside linebacker or operate as a designated pass rusher in a 4-3 at defensive end.
Player Comparison: Josh Uche
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: New England, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona (Wild Card – New Orleans)
- BJ Ojulari – LSU
Ojulari is a natural athlete with a fast first step, making him a true speed rusher. As a pass rusher he is best when given a variety of different ways to rush the passer. He not only can get around the edge well, but finds tons of success off of stunts, twists and delayed rushes up the middle. He is aggressive in pursuit against the run yet can display excellent patience when squaring up with a running back. He lacks arm length and power but in the right scheme and being used correctly, that should not be a major issue. Ojulari should be a 3-4 outside linebacker in the league.
Player Comparison: Jonathon Cooper / Azeez Ojulari
Projection: 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Tennessee, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota (Wild Card – Atlanta)
- Derick Hall – Auburn
Hall is most certainly the top guy of the three Auburn edge rushers in this draft class. He has a strong build, explosiveness, long limbs, heavy hands and undeniable power. Even though he has plenty of wonderful traits, there is still a lot of room for growth. Hall appears to be an underdeveloped pass rusher with hip tightness that makes him slow to turn and change direction. He will absolutely get plenty of playing time right away but might not come into his own until year three. Hall has the versatility to comfortably fit in a 4-3 as a hybrid defensive end. He will likely be most effective as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Trevis Gipson / Melvin Ingram
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Green Bay (Wild Card – Tampa Bay)
- Andre Carter II – Army
Carter is a tall 6’7” prospect with elite athleticism. He can easily drop in coverage or get skinny and shoot gaps through the line. His motor always runs hot and he shows up everywhere on the field. Carter has more than a couple bright flashes per game… instead it’s more like a lot. As a pass rusher he does an excellent job of squeezing off the backside then crashing inside. He might not be polished but he is slippery and impactful. If Carter can add some functional strength and develop some more rush counters then he will wreak havoc early on in his career. His early down ability is currently in question but it’s hard not to take a shot on this guy. Carter will be a perfect fit in a 3-4 base defense as an outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Brian Asomoah (early down questions) / Arik Armstead (length)
Projection: 3rd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Tennessee, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver (Wild Card – Minnesota)
- Keion White – Georgia Tech
White is a true hand in the dirt defensive end that not only shows off his physicality but also his freak athleticism as a former tight end. He has a stout and compact build but moves extremely well for his size. White is productive as a run stopper and a pass rusher. He is versatile and can reduce inside in his alignment as well. His punch is extremely heavy and he has fantastic lower body strength. White is absolutely a raw prospect and unpolished but he is extremely intriguing and his three down potential also boosts his draft stock. He could play in a 4-3, 3-4 or really any system. Just put him on the field and watch what happens.
Player Comparison: Thomas Incoom 2.0 (a freakier version)
Projection: Late 1st – 2nd Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Houston, Chicago (Wild Card – Indianapolis)
- Zach Harrison – Ohio State
Harrison may be one of the top genetic freaks at any position in this draft class. He is blessed with great size at 6’6” and 272 pounds while having excellent straight line speed and solid strength. His pursuit against the run or trailing screens is unlike most players that size. His arm length allows him to create plenty of extension between himself and the offensive lineman, plus he easily bats down passes by getting his hands up. Harrison is a smart player with strong block recognition and can flash complete dominance. Despite having the tools to become an all-time great edge rusher in college, he was inconsistent and underachieved. If Harrison’s motor ran hotter and he was switched on even 20% more of the time, he would be a legitimate nightmare for opposing offenses. Harrison will fit best as a 4-3 defensive end but could certainly play outside linebacker in a rush heavy 3-4 scheme.
Player Comparison: Yetur Gross-Matos
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Indianapolis, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Buffalo)
- Isaiah Foskey – Notre Dame
Foskey is a player where his motor and effort should never be questioned. He is always switched on and working hard. He has an exceptional bull rush as a pass rusher but that is about all he does. He certainly needs to add some additional pass rush moves. Foskey possesses some nice acceleration and does a great job collapsing the edge and reducing angles to escape the pocket. He is a high IQ player and could even make an impact on special teams as well. He is still improving as a run defender and was held in check by NFL level tackles he faced this season. Foskey can’t be the go-to guy but could be an integral piece to a team’s puzzle. He is another 3-4 outside linebacker/hybrid 4-3 defensive end.
Player Comparison: Kyle Van Noy
Projection: 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Seattle, Arizona, Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card – Denver)
- Tyree Wilson – Texas Tech
Wilson has a lot of buzz around his name and the vast majority of people would call him a top three edge rusher in this class. There is no doubt whatsoever that he is versatile, large, quick and strong. He is also a top tier run stuffer who knocks offensive linemen back into the backfield. Wilson does most of his damage as a pass rusher on stunts and twists. He is physically dominant. So why do I have some questions? Wilson lacks speed and bend which makes it hard for him to get around the edge. He also plays with a high pad level and it allows offensive linemen an opportunity to latch on and gain control. Also, his lack of moves in the tool bag as a pass rusher might limit his impact with getting to the quarterback. The farther he lines up from the football, the less impactful he will be. I would like to see Wilson as a 3-4 defensive end or even defensive tackle. In a 4-3 at defensive end a coaching staff would have to find some way to get him rushing towards the middle. He has to be used correctly or else he may be called a bust in a few years. If used correctly he could be a star.
Player Comparison: Josh Paschal (build) / Ed Oliver (play style)
Projection: 1st Round
Best Fits: Atlanta, Green Bay, Detroit (Wild Card – Pittsburgh)
- Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas State
Anudike-Uzomah is an edge rusher that appears to like his hand in the dirt. He is quick off the snap and packs some pop in his initial contact with an offensive tackle. He has a high powered motor which makes him a high level pass rusher. He has some excellent dip around the edge and after getting low, he turns the corner quickly and attacks. Anudike-Uzomah is a raw talent with limited counter moves and can be undisciplined in run defense. He has the tendency to launch into tackles while off balance and that results in some missed tackles. There is room to develop. The NFL-like pass rush ability alone makes him an attractive prospect for a team desperate for production. He is a true 4-3 defensive end.
Player Comparison: Brian Burns
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: Carolina, Las Vegas, Kansas City (Wild Card – Cincinnati)
- Tuli Tuipulotu – USC
Tuipulotu is a big edge rusher at 290 pounds and above average length. He is actually very athletic with great mobility for his size. Tuipulotu was extremely productive in college and put up double digit sack numbers. His power often stuns blockers and then he drives them back with his push and relentless motor. He is the definition of a handful. Tuipulotu might not have the greatest bend around the edge like several other larger bodied prospects, yet I believe he is clever enough and has a big enough bag of pass rush tools to not let that slow him down. NFL teams will just need to figure out how to best use him schematically, whether that is at 3-4 defensive end, 4-3 defensive end or even at defensive tackle in pass rush situations.
Player Comparison: A.J. Epenesa
Projection: Late 1st – 2nd Round
Best Fits: Detroit, New Orleans, Cleveland (Wild Card – Atlanta)
- Nolan Smith – Georgia
Smith is the fastest edge rusher in this draft class and wowed at the NFL combine. He might be a smaller edge rusher but his pure speed, relentless motor and explosiveness downhill make him a top prospect. Not only does Smith apply pressure as a pass rusher, but he is also a stellar run defender. Drafting Smith means you added a dangerous weapon to your defense. Smith is a tweener but would do well strictly standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Adding more pass rush moves as a rookie would be huge for his game, plus getting the hand combat skills up to par. He was out at the end of this season due to an injury but seems to have recovered well.
Player Comparison: Micah Parsons / Baron Browning
Projection: 1st Round
Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Arizona, Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card – Baltimore)
Watch as Cole unveils the top 3 – highlights included!
