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DEFENSIVE LINE EVALUATIONS
DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Really good pad level for a player this tall and big. Prototypical 3-4 DE with long arms and uses them to separate, diagnose and make play. Easily handles 2-gap responsibility and has wide play radius. Decent pass rusher for size and causes lots of issues. His push/pull ability is top-notch and can just hip throw lineman not prepared for it. Closing speed is a bit limited but that’s a small issue. Agree with top-10 evaluation from most. He’s a solid, solid prospect with very low bust potential. Guys his size/ability don’t come along all that often. Top-10 pick.
Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Very good 4-3 DT that plays with exceptional, athletic start (low, straight back and explodes low into play). Good hand use and doesn’t easily get grabbed by lineman. Just as much a physical bull rusher as quick 3-tech type guy and mixes up his moved pretty well. His closing speed when he’s free could be a tad better and that’s reflective in his 5.1 time and 1.73 10-yard split. Solid round 1 player for the right system.
Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
Flashes tempting ability at times and has a lot of “almost” plays. Elite physical traits for position with great size, speed, length and core strength for a 3-technique. Can explode through gaps. Off-field issues are real as is his lack of statistical productivity and pre-draft discussions are very similar to Jadaveon Clowney. All the talent in the world, but he has to translate that into production. Still a round 1 talent.
A’Shawn Robinson*, Alabama
Certainly has the NFL size and athleticism, but I don’t quite see the hype some are giving him based on film. A bit of a tweener that played all over Alabama’s line. Alabama’s overall talent level could be covering up some deficiencies. Not quite heavy handed enough or powerful enough to be a full-time NT and not really quick enough to be much more than a 2-down run stuffer as a 3-4 DE. Will find a roll in any system, but I think he’s a bit hyped up right now and is not an impact player. Round 1-2
Andrew Billings*, Baylor
Perfect nose tackle build and looks the part of an NFL first round with athleticism and good feet and quicks. A bit frustrating to evaluate because he too often acts like he’s Warren Sapp or a 3-technique and doesn’t get his nose dirty enough. Too many stunts and silly stuff on film. Doesn’t play with good enough leverage and can get a bit top-heavy. Sometimes slides out over his feet. Lots of talent but hasn’t been coached very well in my opinion. A bit boom/bust on how well he’s willing to really embrace NT roll because that’s what he should be but if he wants to be the hero could quickly frustrate NFL coaches for not doing job. Round 1-2
Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
Another NFL level physique that is getting caught up trying to do too much. Acts like a 3-tech in a 1-tech body. On some plays shows exceptional anchor and ability to move his man on skates. Active hands and uses exceptional reach well. Other plays he looks like he’s pre-ordained into combination 3-tech moves that take him completely out of play. Needs heavy coaching and NFL conditioning. All the skills are there to be dominant interior player (especially against short-armed O-lineman) but needs to be much more consistent in approach. Round 2
Chris Jones*, Mississippi St.
Massive bubble and noticeably bigger than everyone around him. Can just throw people if he gets them off balance and uses reach really well to create problems for opponents. Very good athleticism for his unique size (why isn’t this guy an offensive tackle?). Can get high and lose leverage as the play develops. Even at his size needs more functional core strength and could use NFL weight room work. Planet theory prospect. Round 2-3
Jonathan Bullard, Florida
Played strong-side DE in Florida’s 4-3 defense and shows good explosion off snap. Stays low and generates decent push vs. tackles. I think he’s a versatile player than can provide some nice quicks that interior players will find tough to handle and could be 3-down player that slides inside on passing downs. There are some technique issues that prevent him from being very highly rated and has a lot of work to clean up game, but the talent to be a good 8-10 sack guy is there. Round 2-3
Austin Johnson*, Penn State
Meat and potatoes lineman that relishes contact and plays with a nasty streak. Wish Butler and Billings had some of his fire and tenacity. Stays low and can really anchor against even double teams. Played the talented OSU line to a standstill and was often double teamed. He won’t be pretty, but has the physicality and mentality to play NT in the NFL. That counts a lot in my book. Round 2-3
Jarran Reed, Alabama
Very similar to A’Shawn Robinson evaluation: for all the talent around them, neither is really this explosive athlete making plays. They play off each other and mostly just ram into guys and clog up everything, but neither consistently beat the man in front of them. Alabama has so much talent and rotates guys into defense that their responsibilities are tough to translate into 1st round talent/investment for the next level. While his size would indicate maybe a 3-tech, he lacks burst (see 10-yard split) to really be that type of player. Is more of a typical rotational SEC D-line athlete that is very common every draft season. Round 2-3
Adolphus Washington, Ohio State
Another solid NFL talent with good size, movement skills and excellent length. Active hands that are constantly moving. Stays low and in play and has good balance. Can shoot gaps or play 2-gap style and has some rotational versatility at the next level. Is not elite in any one thing but he’s a very solid defensive line prospect. Round 2-3
Javon Hargrave, South Carolina St.
Small school prospect with legit NFL 3-technique traits. Is noticeably quick off ball and can attack gaps and swim through trash to disrupt play. Good motor and effort and sticks with it. Was very dominant vs. his level of competition and often unblockable. Is not the most effective player once locked onto and if his gap penetration is stopped he’s somewhat ineffective, but that burst is pretty unique that some coaches covet. Round 2-3
Kenny Clark*, UCLA
NFL size and bubble but film was mediocre (see Stanford game vs. NFL level O-line players). Looks like a rotational player at the next level with a tweener build to play both DT spots. Not sure I see playmaker and can often be handled one-on-one to a standoff. Not quite quick enough to be a 6-7 sack guy from the interior but should find roll. Round 3
Maliek Collins*, Nebraska
Pretty good gap shooter with NFL size and quicks. Big enough to hold up as an every down player and shows nice quickness to penetrate and disrupt play and pressure QB. Not just a body. Plays with nice leverage and has a compact frame with strong lower body. Decent hands and is active on contact. Another solid prospect in a very busy and deep draft class. Round 3-4
Willie Henry*, Michigan
Big, NFL frame that just turned 21 and is still growing into position. Fires out low, quick and strong and has good initial pop to game. Is a bit raw after contact and has a tendency to duck head and lose track of play. He’s a project player but the strength/athleticism are there to be a very good NFL player. I could see him both losing weight to because a quicker 3-technique or gaining weight to become a solid NT prospect. That type of versatility with his age will attract some attention. Round 4
Hassan Ridgeway*, Texas
NFL size and talent and shows some nice movement skills on tape. Sophomore season was better and is coming off dinged up junior year. Might have benefitted from staying in school, particularly in such a deep class, but some really like his ability and has all the skills to be a very good rotational addition to an NFL team. Can really do well in one-on-one situations and often handles man with ease. Good base and functional strength and plays with good pad level. Conditioning needs work and there are questions about work ethic but he’s still young, only started game at age 14 and has potential. Round 4
Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Super height and length for position with Adonis build. Was played out of position at Baylor as a wide DE too often and is much better suited for 3-4 DE duty but needs to improve functional lower body strength and technique. Off-field questions loom and had a tough upbringing. On field play intelligence also a problem. Reminds me a lot of Clifton Geathers. Round 4-5
Bronson Kaufusi, BYU
A tall DE/DT hybrid type player that played all over BYU’s line, even standing up on occasion. Not a lot of functional power in his game and is a finesse player. Good movement skills and teams that like to stunt a lot might like his versatility. Often when his one-on-one move doesn’t work he gets a bit lost. A little robotic in his decision making process. Has the athleticism to find a roll on a team but is a bit of a tweener to me that doesn’t have an NFL position. Lacks the power/anchor to be a 3-4 DE and lacks the explosiveness you’d like to attack the edge as a 4-3 DE. Round 5
DeForest Buckner, Oregon
Really good pad level for a player this tall and big. Prototypical 3-4 DE with long arms and uses them to separate, diagnose and make play. Easily handles 2-gap responsibility and has wide play radius. Decent pass rusher for size and causes lots of issues. His push/pull ability is top-notch and can just hip throw lineman not prepared for it. Closing speed is a bit limited but that’s a small issue. Agree with top-10 evaluation from most. He’s a solid, solid prospect with very low bust potential. Guys his size/ability don’t come along all that often. Top-10 pick.
Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
Very good 4-3 DT that plays with exceptional, athletic start (low, straight back and explodes low into play). Good hand use and doesn’t easily get grabbed by lineman. Just as much a physical bull rusher as quick 3-tech type guy and mixes up his moved pretty well. His closing speed when he’s free could be a tad better and that’s reflective in his 5.1 time and 1.73 10-yard split. Solid round 1 player for the right system.
Robert Nkemdiche, Mississippi
Flashes tempting ability at times and has a lot of “almost” plays. Elite physical traits for position with great size, speed, length and core strength for a 3-technique. Can explode through gaps. Off-field issues are real as is his lack of statistical productivity and pre-draft discussions are very similar to Jadaveon Clowney. All the talent in the world, but he has to translate that into production. Still a round 1 talent.
A’Shawn Robinson*, Alabama
Certainly has the NFL size and athleticism, but I don’t quite see the hype some are giving him based on film. A bit of a tweener that played all over Alabama’s line. Alabama’s overall talent level could be covering up some deficiencies. Not quite heavy handed enough or powerful enough to be a full-time NT and not really quick enough to be much more than a 2-down run stuffer as a 3-4 DE. Will find a roll in any system, but I think he’s a bit hyped up right now and is not an impact player. Round 1-2
Andrew Billings*, Baylor
Perfect nose tackle build and looks the part of an NFL first round with athleticism and good feet and quicks. A bit frustrating to evaluate because he too often acts like he’s Warren Sapp or a 3-technique and doesn’t get his nose dirty enough. Too many stunts and silly stuff on film. Doesn’t play with good enough leverage and can get a bit top-heavy. Sometimes slides out over his feet. Lots of talent but hasn’t been coached very well in my opinion. A bit boom/bust on how well he’s willing to really embrace NT roll because that’s what he should be but if he wants to be the hero could quickly frustrate NFL coaches for not doing job. Round 1-2
Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech
Another NFL level physique that is getting caught up trying to do too much. Acts like a 3-tech in a 1-tech body. On some plays shows exceptional anchor and ability to move his man on skates. Active hands and uses exceptional reach well. Other plays he looks like he’s pre-ordained into combination 3-tech moves that take him completely out of play. Needs heavy coaching and NFL conditioning. All the skills are there to be dominant interior player (especially against short-armed O-lineman) but needs to be much more consistent in approach. Round 2
Chris Jones*, Mississippi St.
Massive bubble and noticeably bigger than everyone around him. Can just throw people if he gets them off balance and uses reach really well to create problems for opponents. Very good athleticism for his unique size (why isn’t this guy an offensive tackle?). Can get high and lose leverage as the play develops. Even at his size needs more functional core strength and could use NFL weight room work. Planet theory prospect. Round 2-3
Jonathan Bullard, Florida
Played strong-side DE in Florida’s 4-3 defense and shows good explosion off snap. Stays low and generates decent push vs. tackles. I think he’s a versatile player than can provide some nice quicks that interior players will find tough to handle and could be 3-down player that slides inside on passing downs. There are some technique issues that prevent him from being very highly rated and has a lot of work to clean up game, but the talent to be a good 8-10 sack guy is there. Round 2-3
Austin Johnson*, Penn State
Meat and potatoes lineman that relishes contact and plays with a nasty streak. Wish Butler and Billings had some of his fire and tenacity. Stays low and can really anchor against even double teams. Played the talented OSU line to a standstill and was often double teamed. He won’t be pretty, but has the physicality and mentality to play NT in the NFL. That counts a lot in my book. Round 2-3
Jarran Reed, Alabama
Very similar to A’Shawn Robinson evaluation: for all the talent around them, neither is really this explosive athlete making plays. They play off each other and mostly just ram into guys and clog up everything, but neither consistently beat the man in front of them. Alabama has so much talent and rotates guys into defense that their responsibilities are tough to translate into 1st round talent/investment for the next level. While his size would indicate maybe a 3-tech, he lacks burst (see 10-yard split) to really be that type of player. Is more of a typical rotational SEC D-line athlete that is very common every draft season. Round 2-3
Adolphus Washington, Ohio State
Another solid NFL talent with good size, movement skills and excellent length. Active hands that are constantly moving. Stays low and in play and has good balance. Can shoot gaps or play 2-gap style and has some rotational versatility at the next level. Is not elite in any one thing but he’s a very solid defensive line prospect. Round 2-3
Javon Hargrave, South Carolina St.
Small school prospect with legit NFL 3-technique traits. Is noticeably quick off ball and can attack gaps and swim through trash to disrupt play. Good motor and effort and sticks with it. Was very dominant vs. his level of competition and often unblockable. Is not the most effective player once locked onto and if his gap penetration is stopped he’s somewhat ineffective, but that burst is pretty unique that some coaches covet. Round 2-3
Kenny Clark*, UCLA
NFL size and bubble but film was mediocre (see Stanford game vs. NFL level O-line players). Looks like a rotational player at the next level with a tweener build to play both DT spots. Not sure I see playmaker and can often be handled one-on-one to a standoff. Not quite quick enough to be a 6-7 sack guy from the interior but should find roll. Round 3
Maliek Collins*, Nebraska
Pretty good gap shooter with NFL size and quicks. Big enough to hold up as an every down player and shows nice quickness to penetrate and disrupt play and pressure QB. Not just a body. Plays with nice leverage and has a compact frame with strong lower body. Decent hands and is active on contact. Another solid prospect in a very busy and deep draft class. Round 3-4
Willie Henry*, Michigan
Big, NFL frame that just turned 21 and is still growing into position. Fires out low, quick and strong and has good initial pop to game. Is a bit raw after contact and has a tendency to duck head and lose track of play. He’s a project player but the strength/athleticism are there to be a very good NFL player. I could see him both losing weight to because a quicker 3-technique or gaining weight to become a solid NT prospect. That type of versatility with his age will attract some attention. Round 4
Hassan Ridgeway*, Texas
NFL size and talent and shows some nice movement skills on tape. Sophomore season was better and is coming off dinged up junior year. Might have benefitted from staying in school, particularly in such a deep class, but some really like his ability and has all the skills to be a very good rotational addition to an NFL team. Can really do well in one-on-one situations and often handles man with ease. Good base and functional strength and plays with good pad level. Conditioning needs work and there are questions about work ethic but he’s still young, only started game at age 14 and has potential. Round 4
Shawn Oakman, Baylor
Super height and length for position with Adonis build. Was played out of position at Baylor as a wide DE too often and is much better suited for 3-4 DE duty but needs to improve functional lower body strength and technique. Off-field questions loom and had a tough upbringing. On field play intelligence also a problem. Reminds me a lot of Clifton Geathers. Round 4-5
Bronson Kaufusi, BYU
A tall DE/DT hybrid type player that played all over BYU’s line, even standing up on occasion. Not a lot of functional power in his game and is a finesse player. Good movement skills and teams that like to stunt a lot might like his versatility. Often when his one-on-one move doesn’t work he gets a bit lost. A little robotic in his decision making process. Has the athleticism to find a roll on a team but is a bit of a tweener to me that doesn’t have an NFL position. Lacks the power/anchor to be a 3-4 DE and lacks the explosiveness you’d like to attack the edge as a 4-3 DE. Round 5
