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- Marcus Harris – Auburn
Harris has a stout build which allows him to set the edge in the run game and utilize power as a bull rusher. He flashes violent hands, hustles and is a decent tackler. Harris also does well with locating the ball carrier quickly. He lacks the necessary speed and flexibility to impact the game as a pass rusher out on the edge. Despite needing some refinement and lacking a variety of pass rush moves, Harris could still be an asset lined up closer to the center as a 3-4 defensive end.
Player Comparison: Tyler Lacy
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Tennessee, Atlanta, Los Angeles Rams (Wild Card – Jacksonville)
- 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 – 7th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, San Francisco, New Orleans (Wild Card – Philadelphia)
- David Ugwoegbu – Houston
Ugwoegbu has great length, size and speed which makes him a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker yet can also provide some depth in a box linebacker role. He has a solid closing burst which allows him to track ballcarriers sideline to sideline. Ugwoegbu is aggressive but can still drop in coverage. His flexibility and explosiveness around the edge makes up for the lack of physicality as a tackler. His grab and drag tackling technique sometimes result in missed tackles. Ugwoegbu needs to work on shedding blocks more consistently and he tends to be too patient in pursuit.
Player Comparison: Chazz Surratt / Tyreke Smith
Projection: 7th Round – UDFA
Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Denver, Jacksonville (Wild Card – Atlanta)
- Eric Watts – UConn
Watts is a versatile edge rusher with the ability to be a 3-4 defensive end/defensive tackle or even play defensive end in a 4-3 on first and second down. Even with a tall and long frame, Watts has surprising burst and the strength to move linemen to either side. He does well countering inside due to his situational awareness and finishes plays as a strong tackler. Watts is still raw as a pass rusher, lacks outright violence and looks stiff way out on the edge.
Player Comparison: DeMarvin Leal / William Gholston
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Arizona, New York Giants, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Seattle)
- Austin Booker – Kansas
Booker is a long striding edge rusher who closes quickly in space. His nimble feet, flexibility, length and quick spin move has all propelled him up draft boards. Booker has potential but there are also numerous concerns. He is slow off the snap with his hand in the dirt and gets overeager up field which takes himself out of the play. Booker will need to bulk up in order to succeed at disengaging in the league. Unless Booker gets bigger, he will be limited to 3-4 outside linebacker.
Player Comparison: Isaiah Thomas / Ochaun Mathis
Projection: 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Denver, Green Bay, Carolina (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams)
- Jaylen Harrell – Michigan
Harrell is a 3-4 outside linebacker with hybrid 4-3 defensive end versatility. He has speed in open field allowing him to drop in coverage or even add some burst on the blitz. Harrell chases and tackles well, overpowering running backs and closes gaps versus misdirection runs. He plays like a MIKE linebacker with his play strength and run stopping ability. Despite Harrell’s versatility, he is still developing his pass rush repertoire. Sometimes Harrell can also be a bit overeager when trying to make a play in the backfield.
Player Comparison: Nick Herbig / Arnold Ebiketie
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Arizona, Minnesota, Tennessee (Wild Card – Los Angeles Chargers)
- Brennan Jackson – Washington State
Jackson is a blend of speed and size as a 3-4 or 4-3 defensive end. He hustles every single play and despite not having the best pass rush moves, Jackson tends to get home on his second or even third effort. His tough bull rush, motor and excellent run defense could make him a valuable mid to late round selection. Jackson is not a high production player but rather a high pressure one. Sometimes he abandons his assignment, gets too wide and too high up field. Jackson is at times still trying to find a balance between a high motor and being overeager.
Player Comparison: Brent Urban / Khalid Kareem
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Miami, Houston, Washington (Wild Card – New Orleans)
- Braiden McGregor – Michigan
McGregor is a true 4-3 defensive end built with toughness and decent agility. Not only can he change direction quickly but he also has solid length and power. McGregor does well accelerating and packs a punch when making contact with a blocker. McGregor has the classic edge rusher frame but with that brings some stiffness in his movements. He is a touch slow off the snap and has a slow spin move. McGregor will get pushed past the pocket too much for my liking.
Player Comparison: Ali Gaye / Cameron Thomas
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Washington, Cleveland, Detroit (Wild Card – Buffalo)
- Zion Tupuola-Fetui – Washington
Tupuola-Fetui is a 3-4 outside linebacker who chases well and can makes plays in space. He has a good frame, excellent feel for where the play is going and can drop in coverage when necessary. Tupuola-Fetui is quick off the line of scrimmage and possesses solid stamina. He is a limited athlete but makes up for it by sticking with the play and hustling. Tupuola-Fetui doesn’t change direction quickly and will need to add more muscle/weight in order to compete in the league.
Player Comparison: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Green Bay, Minnesota, Tampa Bay (Wild Card – Philadelphia)
- Cedric Johnson – Ole Miss
Johnson is a versatile edge defender with nimble feet and the ability to spin off blocks to make a play. He has straight line speed with an ability to chase the ball carrier. Despite being lean, Johnson has strength and powerful leg drive. As a pass rusher, he does a good job at converting speed to power on a bull rush. Johnson is still a work in progress because of being raw and a bit inconsistent. If he can set the edge better then expect Johnson to get some time early in the league as valuable depth. He could immediately be a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB. If he puts some weight on then Johnson may be able to slide inside to DE in a 3-4 base.
Player Comparison: Isaiah Foskey / Michael Clemons
Projection: 5th – 7th Round
Best Fits: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina (Wild Card – Houston)
- Javon Solomon – Troy
Solomon is a 3-4 outside linebacker with decent quickness and flexibility. He does well at bending in order to get a low pad level. Solomon possesses speed in space, sets the edge well and is serviceable against the run. He is an explosive mover with a solid spin move and motor that runs hot. With being a shorter edge defender, Solomon sometimes struggles gaining leverage. He also needs to develop more counter moves in the NFL.
Player Comparison: Nik Bonitto / Khaleke Hudson
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta, Arizona (Wild Card – Minnesota)
- Grayson Murphy – UCLA
Grayson is one of two Murphy brothers in this year’s class. He may not be as highly regarded as a prospect as his brother Gabriel, but he is still a talented 3-4 outside linebacker. Murphy is aggressive, has a strong motor and finishes plays with intensity. His burst lets him get around the edge as a pass rusher and against the run he sets the edge well. Murphy has a strong build coupled with a desire to seek contact. He lacks bend, lacks elite quickness and needs to work on his hands. If Murphy plays as a 4-3 DE then he will be limited on early downs.
Player Comparison: Gabriel Murphy / Dylan Horton
Projection: 4th – 6th Round
Best Fits: Jacksonville, New York Giants, Seattle (Wild Card – Tampa Bay)
- Mohamed Kamara – Colorado State
Kamara is a hybrid 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB with speed, power and quickness. He manages to close on his target quickly and stays in pursuit with his impressive motor. Kamara has nimble feet, spins off blocks and regularly wins on the edge. He was productive in college and may be productive in the NFL due to his versatility and numerous positive traits. Kamara currently lacks elite pass rush moves and plays a bit stiff. He does have some size limitations that cannot be fixed including smaller hands and short arms.
Player Comparison: Jose Ramirez / Baron Browning
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Washington, Tennessee, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Los Angeles Rams)
- Nelson Caesar – Houston
Caesar is a 4-3 defensive end with violent hands, good quickness and a great motor. He has top tier stamina which allows him to be consistently disruptive. Caesar has a strong bull rush, gets good leverage and when he extends his arms he continues to drive his legs. Caesar also does well bending around the edge and keeps his eyes in the backfield. Against the run he has some struggles anchoring and is still learning how to disengage effectively. If Caesar can develop more counter moves that will take his game to the next level.
Player Comparison: Thomas Incoom / Dante Fowler Jr.
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: New Orleans, Houston, San Francisco (Wild Card – Cleveland)
- Marshawn Kneeland – Western Michigan
Kneeland fits best as a 4-3 DE ideally in an odd front. He has a strong bull rush, keeps a solid pad level and sets the edge well against the run. Kneeland has strong snap anticipation and once contacted he displays violent hands. He also anchors well as a more stout edge rusher. Kneeland is not a burner and prefers to kick inside on plays. He does not have great lateral movements but could improve that with improved footwork.
Player Comparison: Josh Pascal / Adetomiwa Adebawore
Projection: 3rd – 5th Round
Best Fits: Cleveland, Buffalo, Chicago (Wild Card – Indianapolis)
- Gabriel Murphy – UCLA
Murphy is a 3-4 OLB with third down 4-3 DE value. He has a low center of gravity with power and quickness along with good upper body strength. Murphy regularly wins around the edge with excellent dip/bend or by countering inside. Gabriel seeks contact with blockers and is also fantastic in pursuit. Murphy is a bit stiff and doesn’t add much value in coverage at the moment. He still has some room for improvement in the run game.
Player Comparison: Jesse Luketa / Byron Young
Projection: Late 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Tennessee, Denver, Tampa Bay (Wild Card – Seattle)
- Brandon Dorlus – Oregon
Dorlus is a powerful, physical and strong edge who is built like an athletic defensive tackle. He plays with a good motor, has solid leg drive and can rush the passer. Dorlus is effective against the run and is not bothered when operating in tight spaces. He would need to add some weight in order to play defensive tackle but should fit well as an odd front 4-3 DE or DE in a 3-4. Dorlus is not fast and lacks elite athleticism which limits him out on the edge. He is still a work in progress with plenty of potential.
Player Comparison: Jonathan Bullard / Joe Gaziano
Projection: 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Arizona, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta (Wild Card – New York Giants)
- Jonah Elliss – Utah
Elliss is a hybrid 4-3 DE/3-4 OLB with quickness, good flexibility and excellent closing speed. He locates the ball quickly with solid instincts and then has good timing to disrupt the play. Elliss is athletic enough to turn and run with running backs or tight ends in coverage. He has an elite spin move but that is about all he currently has in the toolbelt of effective pass rush moves. Elliss needs to improve his hand fighting, especially since he isn’t long which allows offensive tackles to get to his chest. Elliss is still raw but flashes talent.
Player Comparison: Tyree Wilson / Malcolm Koonce
Projection: Late 2nd – 4th Round
Best Fits: Houston, Detroit, Chicago (Wild Card – New Orleans)
- Adisa Isaac – Penn State
Isaac fits best in the NFL as a 3-4 outside linebacker but could be a hybrid 4-3 defensive end. His long strides make him cover ground quickly which makes him effective in pursuit. Isaac has a strong motor and is explosive when bending around the edge. Despite being a great athlete, Isaac is still patient and sets the edge well. He is more finesse than power which entails that he will struggle at the point of attack. In order to be productive, he needs more of a free run into the backfield.
Player Comparison: YaYa Diaby / Will McDonald IV
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: Jacksonville, Tennessee, Denver (Wild Card – Chicago)
- Chris Braswell – Alabama
Braswell is a 3-4 OLB who possesses excellent speed, ideal length, violent hands and generates fantastic push. Not only is he strong, but Braswell is also smart about trying to keep his arms free underneath blocks. His quick feet coupled with his instincts against the run makes him one step ahead consistently. When I turn on the tape it appears like Braswell owns the field. Braswell still has some limitations including his lack of bend, happens to be slower at changing directions and also needs improvement with dismantling blocks.
Player Comparison: Derick Hall / Jermaine Johnson
Projection: Late 1st – 2nd Round
Best Fits: Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Philadelphia (Wild Card – Green Bay)
- Bralen Trice – Washington
Trice is another player who can fit in a scheme as a 3-4 OLB or a 4-3 hybrid DE. He is much more successful standing up rather than having a hand in the dirt. Trice displays a sturdy frame, good length and with that he is quite tough at the point of attack. He disengages from blocks well, knows how to counter and hustles every play. Trice has plenty of burst combined with power on bull rushes and numerous finesse moves. He does lack elite twitch and plays a bit stiff. Sometimes Trice struggles with missed tackles specifically against the run.
Player Comparison: George Karlaftis / Sam Hubbard
Projection: 2nd – 3rd Round
Best Fits: New York Giants, Seattle, Arizona (Wild Card – Minnesota)
- Chop Robinson – Penn State
Robinson can align as a 4-3 DE or as a 3-4 OLB. He is effective with his hand in the dirt, plays with tons of energy and is dangerous on third down. Robinson is one of the fastest edge rushers in this class and his first step is lethal. Even with the speed assets, Robinson has a dense build with compact strength and power. He has plenty of bend around the edge and is also agile. Another reason why Robinson is so disruptive is because of his polished hand technique. He can anchor against the run and plug the hole or just flash his freak athleticism and terrorize a quarterback. Robinson lacks length which makes high physicality matchups a touch more difficult. He currently has a limited array of pass rush mover and counters.
Player Comparison: KJ Henry / Jonathan Greenard
Projection: 1st Round
Best Fits: Philadelphia, Carolina, Houston (Wild Card – Detroit)
Watch as Cole unveils the top 3 – highlights included!
