2023 NFL Draft: DT Rankings
1
Jalen Carter
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 314 lbs
Strengths:
Carter is a dynamic player in pretty much every aspect. He possesses all the tools, from size, and strength, to athleticism, agility, and bend. As a pass rusher, Carter can win in a variety of ways. He is pretty quick getting off the line and can force his way into the backfield with power. The twitchiness and bend to squeeze his way through is also evident, and he has the speed and burst to get to the QB. A variety of rush moves are evident. He is not someone who just uses physical traits, like strength and athleticism. His dip and rip moves are highly effective and when bullrushes stall out, his counter has shown to be effective. Carter’s strength is evident as a run stopper. His upper body strength, in particular, is impressive, as you can see him bench press opponents right off of him, as he looks to clog up the running lane. His lateral movement skills aren’t elite, but certainly look like another asset to his game. He is able to make his way across the line as the play works its way outside. Carter has a high motor, putting in full effort until the play ends. His hands are almost always active, and can be a real nuisance for offensive linemen. The extra effort he puts in, in some cases, helps turn an initial loss into a win.
Weaknesses:
Carter doesn’t have a lot of weakness to his game, but there are a few things that he can clean up. There are instances where his pad level gets a bit high and balance becomes an issue. His opponents can use this against him, and severely limit his effectiveness of the given play. As well, there were a few times where he had some trouble disengaging from blocks. The highlights are impressive, but a little more consistency, especially against the run, would be ideal. However, his off-the-field track record is a different story. Obviously the charge alleging that he was involved in street racing will have teams concerned. As well his extremely poor Pro Day performance, where he showed up overweight and was unable to finish.
Summary:
Carter is one of the elite players in this draft class. He combines size, strength, and athleticism to serve as a huge threat on the defensive line, and his developed hand moves only add to that. There are a few things to clean up, but overall, Carter is a playmaker in both phases of the game. He is a likely top 5 talent in this draft, probably top 3. However, the interview process will likely have a big impact on where he ultimately gets drafted.
| Grade: 91.6 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Calijah Kancey
School: Pitt
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 281 lbs
Strengths:
Kancey is a dynamic pass rusher from the interior. He is one of the more athletic players in this class at his position, and it shows on a snap to snap basis. His get-off is extremely good, allowing him to quickly penetrate gaps and find himself in the backfield. As a pass rusher, this makes him a menace to deal with. On several occasions, he gets through so quickly that the QB is unable to step up, and does not have enough time to roll out. I love the way he is able to condense his frame, and sneak around the edge of his opponent. This tendency to burst into the backfield has also allowed him to blow up runs at or behind the line of scrimmage. Kancey’s technique is very advanced. He has an array of rush moves that he frequently uses to his advantage. His swim move has been especially successful, but he has also been able to win using a swipe and rip move, power, and a spin, among others. Having an abundance of moves to go to helps keep his opponent honest. As well, despite being undersized, he has the ability to win with power, and push guys off of him. Kancey, despite having shorter arms, still finds ways to win the leverage battle. He is able to take advantage of offensive linemen playing at a high pad level. He has a low centre of gravity, and can get under the chin of his opponent, and then proceed to push him back. In run defence, his athleticism shines, especially on runs to the outside. The lateral movement skills are there to follow the play towards the sideline, and he has the explosion necessary to burst through the gap, plugging it up before the RB can make it through. His versatility was also evident on tape. He is primarily a DT, but he has the athleticism to see some snaps on the outside, as well.
Weaknesses:
Size is the obvious one here. Though he still possesses enough strength to incorporate power into his game, his lack of size will still bring limitations that will ultimately be unavoidable. Kancey won with power on some occasions, but there were others where his opponent was able to completely snuff him out of the play. Especially when lining up against beefier interior linemen, he can sometimes just get swallowed up. His short arms can make it tough to disengage from blocks. This can especially show up when going against the run, as he sometimes gets paved out of the way, opening up a lane for the runner. The length issue is something that also factors into his tackling. Though his technique is generally good, his lack of length has led to some would-be tackles slipping out of his grasp.
Summary:
Kancey is a twitched up interior pass rusher with the technique, explosion, and bend to be highly productive as a pass rusher. These traits also translate into splash plays as a run defender. That said, he is extremely undersized, and is someone who bigger, stronger interior linemen can match up well against. Kancey’s success will likely rely most on his ability to shoot through gaps before his opponent can really land his block. The technique and great athletic traits should lead to some success. I think the biggest question will revolve around consistency, especially as a run defender. Can he be an every down guy, or will he end up more of a pass rush specialist. Given the premium being placed on pass rushers, he should still be a relatively high selection in the draft. Kancey is not a weak guy, and adding even a little more bulk could go a long way in helping to ensure consistency in his play on the field.
| Grade: 86.4 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Bryan Bresee
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 298 lbs
Strengths:
Bresee has measurables that you don’t always see from interior players. He pops as an athlete when you watch his tape. His bend is one of the biggest reasons for his success, as well as his speed. He dips around guards, almost as if he was an edge rusher, and has been able to get to the QB on several occasions. His speed and acceleration are on display when he gets into the backfield and is in pursuit of the QB. It really helps him finish plays off. Bresee is much longer than most DT’s, and the length can help him with leverage. It also significantly increases his tackle radius. He comes with a nice motor, and his consistent effort has helped him add to his stats. On some plays where his opponent had initially kept him under control, Bresee kept his hands active, and fought his way off of the block. Lateral agility is on display when defending the run. He can travel towards the outside of the field when pursuing the ball carrier. He often puts himself in good position to make a play on the ball carrier. He has flashed the ability to rip his opponents away from him, freeing himself up to make the tackle. Bresee brings a ton of versatility. He is best as a 3T, but can line up all over. He even has the bend and athleticism to play some snaps on the edge.
Weaknesses:
Bresee is a high upside player, but some improvements can still be made in order for him to reach his ceiling. As a taller interior rusher, his weight, though pretty consistent with others at the position, is spread out over a longer distance. His frame, at this point, is still a bit lean for the position. You see it in some instances, where interior offensive linemen are able to neutralize his power moves. When neutralized, his active hands have gotten him out of trouble on a lot of occasions. However, he doesn’t really seem to have a coordinated plan on how to overcome this, aside from just battling through it. His pass rush plan is a little basic, and using more counters and rush moves to significantly boost his threat level. Another improvement he’ll need to make is to do with his pad level. He elevates too high on several occasions, giving up leverage to his opponent. Flashes as a run defender have been there, but more consistency would be nice. It didn’t help that he was often taken off the field in running situations. Bresee often does well to slide over, and puts himself in position to make a play against the run. However, missed tackles are evident. As well, playing with more power would help him defend the inside run. Arguably the biggest concern going into the draft will be his injury history. Specifically, a torn ACL. Injuries have significantly limited his playing time in recent years, so the medicals will have to check out.
Summary:
Bresee comes with a lot of upside, thanks to his great athleticism, and long frame. The bend is something you don’t see from a lot of interior rushers, and it can be weaponized as a pass rusher. The athleticism translates to versatility, as he can line up everywhere, even on the edge. Coaches will like that. I’d like to see him add to his pass rush plan and pad level, get stronger, and be more consistent against the run, as he transitions to the next level. The injury question marks will also need to be taken care of. Should the medicals check out, the upside he possesses should earn him a selection in round 1.
| Grade: 86.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Adetomiwa Adebawore
School: Northwestern
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 282 lbs
Strengths:
Adebawore offers a nice skill set if looking at him as an interior pass rusher. He has solid burst and quickness, and his speed really shines once he makes his way into the backfield. Adebawore is someone who can penetrate gaps quickly, meeting RB’s at or behind the line of scrimmage, or causing a disturbance on passing plays. When watching his tape, there is a clear feistiness to his game. His hands are active and he is consistently trying to disrupt the balance of his opponent. The push/pull technique is used quite often, with a good amount of effectiveness. His dip and rip has also been an effective mechanism to enter into the backfield. He has good length, so he is often able to win leverage battles, especially against shorter armed opponents. Adebawore’s skillset is best suited for the inside, and he has had success from that alignment. However, he primarily played on the edge in college. Despite the likely shift in positioning at the next level, the versatility and ability to move around can be seen as a plus.
Weaknesses:
Adebawore is a college edge rusher who will likely transition to the inside in college. This is mainly due to a relative lack of bend, something that is essential when trying to win with speed around the corner. Without being able to take that tight angle against OT’s, he is limited to trying to win with moves to the inside. For that reason, playing him as an interior rusher seems like the natural thing to do. However, on the inside, the question arises about his strength. Does he have the mass and power to be able to handle stronger guards consistently? He might need to add a little bit of bulk, hopefully with minimal or no impact on his athletic movements. Despite some of the deficiencies, he made his way into the backfield quite a bit. However, it would be nice to see him finish plays off on a more consistent basis.
Summary:
An edge rusher in college, but projected DT at the next level due to lack of bend. Adebawore offers some intriguing upside, but also comes with some risk. His burst and speed project favourably on the inside, and in a relatively limited number of snaps from this alignment in college, he impressed. He’s got a few hand moves that work for him, both as a pass rusher and run defender, and his aggressiveness on a play to play basis also helps. For a DT, he is definitely on the light side, and questions will arise about his ability to consistently add a power element to his game. If he can add muscle mass without significantly impacting his movement ability, he has tremendous potential. If not, his skill set should still bring some value, with his ability to penetrate gaps, even if his overall game has some limitations.
| Grade: 80.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
5
Tuli Tuipulotu
School: USC
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 266 lbs
Strengths:
Tuipulotu brings pass rush ability from a variety of spots along the DL. Based on his athletic profile and skillset, I personally view his best position as being in the interior. He is quick off the line and is able to penetrate gaps. His arm over is effective and for his size, he brings pretty good power. Tuipulotu is consistently active with his hands, and can take advantage of opponents with poor balance. You see his high motor on a play to play basis. No plays off, and his consistency in playing to the whistle allowed him to make extra plays, when the opportunity to do so would otherwise not have been there. His ability to penetrate the line will lead to some runs blown up in the backfield, in addition to splash plays as a pass rusher. From the edge, his arm over move was effective, as was his spin move. People will debate where his permanent home lies, but the versatility to play anywhere isn’t a bad thing.
Weaknesses:
Tuipulotu, in a lot of ways, looks like a tweener. Does he have the skillset to really be a true interior rusher? The same question can be asked about his fit on the edge. Or will he always be a rotational player in the NFL? The biggest reason I have him as an interior rusher here is because of his lack of bend, which is a crucial trait needed to win around the edge. Though he was able to win with power and technique at times, it might not be as translatable at the NFL level. If he makes the move to the interior, he will need to play a bit heavier, as stronger guards will otherwise give him a tough time. His lack of length will make things a bit difficult, regardless of his position, as the leverage battles will be tougher to win.
Summary:
Tuipulotu is an interesting prospect, even if it’s hard to pinpoint an NFL projection, in regards to his role. At the moment, he seems like a tweener. He has the ability to rush off the edge, but also limitations that might hamper this ability at the next level. If he transitions full time to the interior, he’ll need to bulk up a bit. However, the burst and speed that he possesses would be quite good, relative to most interior rushers. But even if he makes the necessary changes, it is still a bit of a projection. It will be tough for him to shake the tweener label, but even in a rotational role, he is someone who can be very effective if used right. His ability as a pass rusher, even if situational, should have teams looking his way sometime on day two. If he falls to day 3, he could be a good value pick for a team that uses him to his strengths, without trying to force him into a specific role.
| Grade: 79.7 | Round Grade: 3rd |
6
Mazi Smith
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 323 lbs
Strengths:
Smith is a beefy NT prospect who might be able to offer a little bit more pass rushing upside than what you typically see from the position. His work against the run stands out, as his massive frame eats up a lot of space, and clogs up potential running lanes. Smith does a good job of bench pressing his opponents off of him, freeing himself up to make a play on the ball carrier. He effectively uses counter moves when defending the outside run. He isn’t a sideline to sideline player, but Smith is successfully able to go against the momentum of the offensive line to free himself up and stuff the ball carrier when he tries to cut back towards the inside. As a pass rusher, he is always active. Smith delivers a strong punch, and keeps delivering blow after blow to knock his opponent off balance. From there, his strength does the rest, and he can push his guy backwards, into the lap of the QB. The push that he is able to create doesn’t often lead to sacks, but can still be very disruptive.
Weaknesses:
Smith is a good NT prospect, but even with the resurgence of the position in the last year or two, the value it carries is still considered lower than players with more pass rush ability. He brings more ability as a rusher than you see from a lot of NT’s, but in a general sense, it is still pretty limited. A big reason for this is his limitation as an athlete. While he has pretty good speed, athletically, he is mainly a north/south player. He doesn’t have the lateral movement skills or the bend to truly threaten as a pass rusher on a consistent basis. This limits his ability to penetrate gaps, and hurts him, not only as a pass rusher, but also as a run defender, when it comes to plays in the backfield. He still makes plenty of plays against the run, but the splashy plays in the backfield will be tough for him to accumulate. Smith’s plan as a pass rusher could stand to improve. At this point, it is quite simple. Strength and power is his clear go-to, with the odd arm over mixed in. If he can diversify his rush plan, perhaps he could add a bit to his ability as a pass rusher.
Summary:
Smith is a good prospect for a team looking for a solid, reliable run stuffing NT, with some ability to push the pocket as a pass rusher. He likely won’t make too many splashy plays in the backfield, given his athletic limitations. However, after the position dropped in value significantly over the past decade, teams now seem to be coming back around when it comes to players who can consistently limit opponent run plays to just a yard or two. His size and strength are traits that teams looking for this kind of player will be able to get behind, and perhaps a slight change to his frame, and improved technique, can add just a little bit more to his game as a pass rusher.
| Grade: 77.3 | Round Grade: 3rd |
7
Gervon Dexter
School: Florida
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 310 lbs
Strengths:
Dexter possesses boatloads of physical upside. He has a big frame, and the strength to bull rush powerful guards with success. He generates a lot of drive from his legs, and when he gets going, it is not just a little push being generated. His guy is on skates. Dexter is also a good athlete, relative to his size. He has the speed to close down on the QB when he gets into the backfield. Dexter also has demonstrated the ability to disengage from blocks in a flash, and then wrap up the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
Dexter has a lot of upside, but is still a raw player in many ways. The biggest issue that stood out was his burst off of the snap, and boy did it stand out. Dexter was consistently late in his get-off, to the point where it was getting hard to watch. He puts himself at a disadvantage almost every play because of it, and finds himself trying to make it up. Additionally, his motor runs with a lot of inconsistency, which will have to change at the next level. Dexter often fails to keep his pad level down, and his opponents are able to get under his pads and stifle his rush. At this point, Dexter doesn’t consistently use his rush moves to gain an advantage, and he almost looks like he is in no man’s land when his initial rush is handled.
Summary:
The flashes that you see on tape are outstanding. Dexter is a big body with the strength to put any offensive lineman on skates, and athleticism that is very respectable for his size. All that said, he is very raw when it comes to technique and other fine details. He will definitely need to fix his get-off. Getting off the line that late in the NFL will get him eaten alive. Additionally, his hand technique will need development and his pad level will need to be evened out. Considering his traits, he could see rotational snaps as a rookie, and can grow into the position. But to reach the high end starter upside that he has, a lot of improvements will need to be made.
| Grade: 76.5 | Round Grade: 3rd |
8
Colby Wooden
School: Auburn
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 274 lbs
Strengths:
Wooden is a solid all around player, who can line up inside or out on the defensive line. He is at his best on the inside, where his athleticism is better suited. His pass rush moves have started to come out of hiding over the last couple of seasons, and you now see implementations of some hand moves and spins. He had some success using the push/pull technique, which helped him as both a pass rusher and run stopper. Wooden has decent strength, and can generate power against some opponents. His athleticism is also solid, and as a DT, he has enough agility to have success running stunts and twists.
Weaknesses:
Wooden has a tall frame, but probably lacks the athleticism to play on the edge. But on the inside, his pad level rises up quite a bit, and he loses leverage. He will have to work on heaping it down. Physical traits are solid, but not great. Athleticism is better when judging him as a DT, but it is not like he has any dynamic qualities, like burst or bend. But he is smooth enough to get some penetration and run stunts. Strength is a similar story. Looks good on some days, but more average on other days. Bigger run blocking offensive lineman have been able to push him forward a bit. His pass rush moves are coming along, but more consistency would benefit him.
Summary:
Wooden is a solid prospect. Nothing about his measurables really jumps off the page, but I also don’t look at any of them as a liability. His technique as a pass rusher is coming along, and he has enough of a motor to remain involved throughout the play, and get some action late. Against the run, there are times where he gets pushed back, but others where his push/pull move has successfully enabled him to get off the block and make a play. His success on a weekly basis may vary based on the matchup, but getting a bit stronger and continuing to refine his technique could/should help with consistency.
| Grade: 76.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
9
Moro Ojomo
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 292 lbs
Strengths:
Ojomo played DT and DE in college, but I think he is a DT at the next level. He possesses good strength for the position, and his bull rush has been effective. More than anything, though, he just seems to know how to work his way through blocks. Ojomo plays with a lot of fight, but subtly uses good technique as well. He can dip his way around the rush edge, and his hands are active, but also well timed to swat away those of his opponent. Ojomo gets off blocks nicely, not only with his strength, but also with his great length, which helps him in the battle for leverage. He is a strong tackler, and is certainly not passive when attempting a tackle. He puts everything into it, and makes sure to keep his guy wrapped up. Judging him as an interior rusher, I think his get-off is pretty good. Though not elite by any means, there is enough burst for him to penetrate gaps early on in the play.
Weaknesses:
Quickness isn’t his best suit. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say he is clunky, his movements definitely look a bit segmented when he is required to travel a bit farther. For this reason, I don’t see him as a fit on the edge. Athletic testing at the combine did nothing to make people go back and re-evaluate the tape. Given the penetration he was able to create and all of the flashes, production wasn’t all that good. Though, in my exposures, there seemed to be a decent rotation, and I think his time spent on the edge also may have hurt his production. Ojomo has been able to win with technique, but I think adding a few more rush moves, specifically more inside counters would help his game a lot.
Summary:
Ojomo is a solid all around player, with the ability to rush the passer and play the run. He has burst, but isn’t the most fluid athlete you’ll see. As a result, I think his permanent home is on the inside. His strength is very good, and he has been able to win with good technique, both as a rusher and run defender. But implementing more inside counters to his game could go a long way. Overall, I do see some kinks that can be ironed out, but Ojabo does have a skill set to be an above average starter at 3T, pretty early on in his career. A rotational role is most likely in year 1, at least, while he sorts through some of the finer details of his game. As it grows, he should be able to take on more snaps.
| Grade: 75.0 | Round Grade: 3rd |
10
Kobie Turner
School: Wake Forest
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 288 lbs
Strengths:
Turner brings some ability as a pass rusher. He shoots off the line, and you immediately see some feistiness in him. Turner battles hard, and will turn to the push/pull technique, a swim move, spin, or will swipe at his opponent’s arms. His ability to penetrate the gap not only helped him as a pass rusher, but also created a lot of chaos in the backfield during running plays. Though I like him best as a 3T, he lined up all over the field at Wake Forest.
Weaknesses:
Turner doesn’t always have the strength to stack up against his opponent. His bull rush will be stifled, and it is already on to plan B. He is lacking in strength and bulk, and will have some work to do in the gym. Turner also is lacking length, which hurts him as he battles for leverage. Further, it means that his tackle radius is on the shorter side, and it makes him prone to some missed ones.
Summary:
Turner is a worker bee as a pass rusher. Always going, and when his initial attack is stopped, he wastes no time moving on to plan B. While his scrappiness and technique has led to success, he will still need to get stronger as he makes the transition. His poor length will force him to deal with some poor leverage situations, but overall, I like what he brings as a pass rusher. As well, even if he is not perfect as a run defender, he has the ability to create chaos, which is never bad. He has starter upside if he can make some tweaks and stay consistent at what he does well.
| Grade: 74.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
11
Keeanu Benton
School: Wisconsin
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 309 lbs
Strengths:
Benton is a great option for teams in need of a run stuffer. His hand technique is well developed. He can rip opponents away from him, and also utilizes arm-over moves quite often. This allows him to get off the block and meet the ball carrier in the running lane. Benton also does well on outside runs to move laterally with the flow of the play and then make a play on the ball carrier as he tries to turn up field. He has a massive frame and not too many will match his strength. Just from the amount of space he eats up, teams can have a tough time running the ball against him. His plus strength helps as a pass rusher, and his hand moves allow him to penetrate a little more often than you usually see from a NT.
Weaknesses:
Despite the power and developed hand moves, Benton won’t offer much as a pass rusher. While he is good for a NT, it will prevent him from becoming more of a well rounded player and earning a bigger role than that of a run stuffer. From a pass rushing perspective, he lacks the agility and bend to be able to penetrate the line on a consistent basis, and he also lacks the speed to get to the QB consistently, even if he was able to get through more often. Benton can sometimes play at a pad level that is too high, and concede leverage to his opponent. This, to an extent, offsets a lot of the strength that he brings to the table. Conditioning may also be a bit of an issue, as Benton’s play had a tendency to dip a little bit as games progressed.
Summary:
Benton has the tools, both physically and technically, to be an outstanding NT in the league. His ability to stuff the run stands out on tape and he is often able to use his strength and hand moves to his advantage. He has more pass rush ability than a lot of NT’s out there, but it likely won’t ever be consistent enough for him to be considered anything more than a NT. As he transitions to the next level, he’ll need to keep his pad level down consistently, and improve his play in late game situations. Overall though, he should be able to earn a spot as a starting NT in the near future.
| Grade: 73.8 | Round Grade: 4th |
12
Siaki Ika
School: Baylor
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 335 lbs
Strengths:
Ika comes with a massive frame and a lot of strength that can be a pain for interior linemen to handle. Especially when going up against smaller, more athletic guards or centres, he can prove to be overwhelming, making a double team something to consider for offensive coordinators. Ika is a plus run stopper. He fills gaps nicely and can just stand the ball carrier right up as he tries to burst through it. On tape, you see an explosive first step, which is impressive, given his size. This burst is something he is able to use to eventually generate more power into his attack. He flashed pocket pushing ability as a pass rusher, and on some occasions, walked his opponent straight back towards the QB.
Weaknesses:
Outside of pushing the pocket, Ika probably won’t offer much as a pass rusher. He is limited in terms of lateral mobility, so getting around the rush edge likely won’t be an option for him at any point, barring the odd outlier play. Further, his rush plan is very basic, for the most part being limited to just a bull rush. He is one dimensional. Ika has good size and strength, but doesn’t have that outstanding length that would help him to easily gain leverage. He also didn’t help himself by getting his pad level high on several occasions, allowing his opponent to anchor against him. There were some instances where Ika and his opponent got up a bit high. In those instances, Ika usually won. However, you don’t want to be relying on others’ mistakes. Being a run stopper primarily, I’d like to see him get better at disengaging from blocks, in order to free himself up quicker to make plays on the ball carrier.
Summary:
Ika brings size and strength to the table, and has the chance to be a plus run stopper at the next level. You see ability to push the pocket on tape, but outside of that, likely won’t offer much as a pass rusher. Depending on how consistently he can create push, he might be limited to being a 2 down player at the next level. As he makes the transition, I’d like to see him be more consistent with his pad level, and improving his ability to disengage at the line should help his ability against the run, which is already solid. Early in his career, Ika is someone who can potentially help out teams as a rotational run defender. With the right development strides, he could potentially start and earn more of a full time role down the line.
| Grade: 71.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
13
Zacch Pickens
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 291 lbs
Strengths:
Pickens has a quick enough first step to shoot the gap and get some early separation. He is subtly quite nimble, showing the ability to sort of bend around the inside rush edge, and navigate his way around bodies in pursuit of the QB. Pickens has good length and is capable of using it to fall off blocks. You see the odd arm over move, which has had some effectiveness when pulled out of the bag of tricks.
Weaknesses:
Pickens is a tall interior rusher who can sometimes struggle to keep his pad level down. He plays too high a lot of the time, giving him a big disadvantage early in the play. Pickens isn’t the strongest guy out there as it is, so technical mistakes that cost him leverage are not a great sight to see. Interior offensive linemen can get a decent amount of push, and it is easily visible in these situations. Even when his technique is on point, he isn’t one to anchor very much. His has, instead, is more revolved around finesse. The problem with that is he lacks a variety of pass rush moves that would work in tandem with his quickness. Because of this, he often fails to generate anything when his initial rush is stood up.
Strengths:
Pickens is a solid, yet unspectacular player in both phases of the game. He has length, which helps him disengage from blocks when defending the run. His length is also an asset in pass protection, but to really get the most out of it, he will need to develop his pass rush moves and diversify his attack. As it stands now, he struggles to generate much if his initial plan of attack is beaten. Pickens has some quickness, which allows him to have some success shooting the gap. But I wouldn’t say he has outstanding athleticism, nor does his strength stand out. Overall, with some development, he has the chance to be a solid rotational player.
| Grade: 70.1 | Round Grade: 4th |
14
Jaquelin Roy
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 305 lbs
Strengths:
Roy is a massive interior DL prospect who has the upside to be an effective run stuffing NT, while potentially offering a bit as a pass rusher, as well. For a big guy, I really like his explosiveness off of the snap. He shoots out of his stance and can overwhelm his opponent with power early in the rep. Roy eats up a lot of space, and can stonewall runs at the line of scrimmage. Using his strength, he gets off of blocks nicely, and can just engulf the ball carrier. Roy looks like a pretty good bull rusher when going after the QB. He’s got good lower body strength and can drive his opponent backwards, helping the pocket to collapse. There is some willingness on his part to use hand moves when rushing, and his high motor makes the offensive lineman work diligently through the conclusion of the play.
Weaknesses:
Roy has pocket pushing ability, but is unlikely to ever be a finisher. While he starts off most of his reps with a bang, his pass rush fizzles out due to lack of quickness and bend. His pocket pushing ability makes an impact, but his hand moves and inside counters are not quick or effective enough for him to actually get past his guy and pursue the QB. As a result, his production will be limited. From a technique standpoint, there are instances where his pad level gets a bit high. Just cleaning that up a bit will help him maximize the advantage that his strength gives him.
Summary:
Roy has the chance to be a high end run stuffing NT at the next level. His big frame eats up space in the middle, and he can get off blocks and engulf ball carriers before they can even get started. His bull rush and pocket pushing ability makes him serviceable as a pass rusher, and on some plays, will help open up opportunities for the other guys rushing the passer. But as an individual, I don’t think he has the bend to be a consistent finisher. His statistical production likely will never include many sacks, but he does enough to maybe be considered more than a 2 down player.
| Grade: 70.0 | Round Grade: 4th |
15
Jayson Ademilola
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 284 lbs
Strengths:
Ademilola is an athletic interior pass rusher, who quietly is able to make plays as a run defender as well. He shoots gaps very quickly and can be a handful once he gets through, even partially. He’s got a jump in his step, and recovering can be difficult for the offensive linemen. I love the way that he converts speed to power. He has been able to knock his guy backwards with a good strike. Ademilola has also utilized the dip and rip move with some success. He is a bendy player, so this move suits him well. As a run defender, I have seen him use a swim move to get off of his block and meet the RB in the hole. His motor is very high, and it helps land him in good position in both phases of the game.
Weaknesses:
Ademilola has a lean frame for the position, and can get pushed around a bit if he isn’t able to convert speed to power. If it is just straight strength on strength, that is a matchup he’ll have a tough time with. Especially in the run game, where he largely has to win with finesse, like he does as a pass rusher. But if the offensive lineman engages first, he can definitely get driven back, unable to match the power. I have seen the swim move make some appearances, but a few more inside moves would be nice to see.
Summary:
Ademilola is a prospect that is going under the radar this draft season. But he has the ability to rush the passer and make plays in the run game. His frame is a concern at this point. At this weight, NFL linemen will give him a very tough time. For that reason, I see him as a situational guy until he can add more bulk to his frame and handle power better. In time, I do think it is possible that he outperforms his draft slot and ends up starting.
| Grade: 66.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
16
Keondre Coburn
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 332 lbs
Strengths:
Coburn is short when it comes to height, but he is extremely compact and powerful. At his best, his bull rush can stack up with anyone in this class. He is able to get under his opponents pads and push him backwards. However, this is more than just winning the leverage battle. Coburn purely out-muscles people too, and as a result, gets a good amount of push in the pocket. He is able to have some success against the run too, for this reason. The push he creates can really disrupt things for the RB, and he then puts himself in position to make a play. His motor also helps, as he has the will and determination to keep at it, while also showing the ability to engage in hand battles and use hand strikes to knock his opponent back.
Weaknesses:
Coburn is limited athletically. He doesn’t have the speed or agility to win around the rush edge, and he is essentially limited to using power and effort in an attempt to get into the backfield. His lack of length hurts him a lot in the run game. While he often does well to put himself in the right position, his length sometimes prevents him from securing the tackle once it is in his grasp. Runners have been able to break them in the past. Perhaps some additional pass rush moves could help a little bit.
Summary:
Coburn is a very good bull rusher, but the rest of his game is pretty limited. He lacks the athleticism to be a consistent and versatile pass rusher. Though he is still pretty good against the run, his lack of length can also hurt him in this area, at times. He projects as a rotational backup at the next level, but in the right amount of snaps, his ability to push the pocket can be useful, and perhaps make a team a bit more willing to give their starter a breather.
| Grade: 65.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
17
Dante Stills
School: West Virginia
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 286 lbs
Strengths:
Stills is a speedy, quick interior pass rusher. His pass rushing production throughout his college career has been quite good, and it is his ability to penetrate gaps that is largely responsible. He’s got a good get-off when the ball is snapped, which gives him that slight edge if his opponent isn’t able to get out of his stance as quickly, or quicker. Stills has a high running motor. I think hyper is a word I would use to describe him. It is always “go, go, go” and he has been able to win around the rush edge as a result. Stills has shown to be a reliable tackler when the opportunity presents itself.
Weaknesses:
Size is the issue for Stills, and is one that will most likely follow him into the pro ranks. In both phases (rin and pass), he doesn’t bring much power. Despite his agility, wider offensive linemen can engulf him and remove him from the play. Stills played some edge in college, but is not at all bendy enough to stay there. He is much better suited for the inside, but even there, the size will cause limitations. This means that he is a tweener.
Summary:
In terms of size and physical traits, Stills is a bit of a tweener, but he will likely stick at DT in the NFL. His burst and high running motor give him the ability to penetrate gaps, and make him a potential situational rusher for the team that drafted him. Unfortunately, the “situational” tag is likely here to stay, unless he manages to implement more power into his game, and even then it would still be a question mark.
| Grade: 64.4 | Round Grade: 6th |
18
Byron Young
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 294 lbs
Strengths:
If you think you’re seeing double, you’re not wrong, as Byron Young, DT out of Alabama, shares the same name with Byron Young, DE out of Tennessee. Alabama Young brings a good amount of strength to the table. He is at his best going up against the run. On several occasions, I saw him bench press his opponent off of him so that he could make a play on the ball carrier. When within his tackle radius, he doesn’t usually have a problem making the tackle. Young has pretty good hand technique. He uses a dip and rip move with some effectiveness, and also an arm over, from time to time. That said, as a pass rusher, his bull rush is his best feature. Young is able to generate some backwards push.
Weaknesses:
Young is a below average athlete, which hurts him in both phases of the game. As a pass rusher, he doesn’t incorporate any kind of speed, bend, or burst. He saw some snaps on the edge in college, but clearly looked out of place. Because of his strength and technique, he can, once in a while, make his way into the backfield. However, the QB or ball carrier is easily able to sidestep him, as he doesn’t have the agility to adjust and finish off the play. For this reason, his impact as a pass rusher seems like it will be minimal. Evan in run defence, outside runs are not something he has an easy time chasing down, and his overall range is pretty limited.
Summary:
Young is able to win with power, generally it comes more so as a run defender. He gets off blocks effectively thanks to his strength. This frees him up to meet the runner in the gap. His below average limits his ceiling, and will likely prevent him from starting, as he doesn’t bring a lot of pass rush upside. That said, along with his strength, he has good enough technique to potentially make it as a solid backup/rotational piece. But his limited utility will hurt his draft stock.
| Grade: 63.2 | Round Grade: 6th |
19
Scott Matlock
School: Boise State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 308 lbs
Strengths:
Matlock is a big body, but actually has pretty solid athleticism for his size. His lateral movement skills are solid, and he has been useful on stunts. He is a high energy player, seemingly always having a spring in his step. Matlock plays with decent power, and can push the pocket. When his initial rush is stopped, he keeps working, and will try to get by his opponent’s rush edge. He takes up a lot of space at the line, and can chip in as a run defender. Matlock had a good week at the NFLPA Bowl.
Weaknesses:
Matlock already has decent power, but he still has room to get stronger, and take on stronger o-linemen with more consistency. This will help him a lot in the run game. I’d also like to see him add more variety to his pass rush. There were flashes, but overall, he seemed to lack an abundance of inside counter moves, instead opting to continue plugging away at what sometimes was a lost cause.
Summary:
I like Matlock’s combination of size and athleticism. Sometimes he wins with power, but the stronger opponents can still beat him. The good news is that there is room to add bulk, and doing so will help with consistency. Matlock’s ability to play with quickness and urgency bodes relatively well for his future, and if he can refine the smaller details, he has a good shot at working his way up a depth chart.
| Grade: 62.0 | Round Grade: 6th |
20
DJ Dale
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 302 lbs
Strengths:
Dale is an undersized player, but has enough short area quickness and strength to hold his own against bigger opponents. He shoots gaps pretty quickly and plays with a high motor, which makes him tougher to contain for an extended period. Dale has a good swim move that he unleashes from time to time. His gap penetration ability brings the potential to cause confusion in the backfield. Dale has some success running stunts.
Weaknesses:
Dale, as mentioned above, is undersized. Though he has enough strength to somewhat compensate, his lack of length hurts him. His tackle radius is much lower than that of other players at the position, and tackles sometimes slip away, or end up being just out of reach. On top of that, he doesn’t quite have the movement skills to adjust when the RB flips the switch. His play understandably can be underwhelming when taking on double teams. He slits them the odd time, but generally has trouble creating any kind of movement. Dale has good short area quickness, but outside runs can still prove to be too much. His poor combine testing backs this up.
Summary:
Dale lacks size and length to be a higher end prospect, but he has enough strength and short area quickness to still hold his own out there. He brings some penetration ability, and has a high enough motor to potentially make it as a rotational guy.
| Grade: 61.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
21
Karl Brooks
School: Bowling Green
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 303 lbs
Strengths:
Brooks dominated the small school ranks, putting up elite production. At that level, he shows a variety of pass rush moves that he should be able to translate over to the NFL. His motor runs hot, and with this effort, he is able to build up momentum and convert it into power. Brooks has powerful hand strikes that can knock back his opponent.
Weaknesses:
From a physical standpoint, I don’t really see anything special. He brings some power, but I think a large portion of that could be neutralized once he makes the jump in competition. Athletically, he’s got some burst and can convert speed to power, but he is a stiff mover when it comes to lateral stuff. He played a lot on the edge in college, but a move to 3T seems best. Brooks can be pretty inconsistent against the run, and will need to improve in order to be more than a pass rush specialist.
Summary:
Brooks has some tools that are advantageous as a pass rusher. To an extent, his abilities should translate. That said, he’ll have a very hard time repeating his production, as his stiff lateral movements are more likely to be exposed, and he won’t have the same strength advantage that he did against a lot of his opponents. I don’t see huge upside, but he is a technical player that could potentially win in those ways at the NFL level, if he can continue to refine his skills. Also of note is that a full time transition to 3T seems likely, as opposed to staying on the edge. He’ll have his work cut out for him, but I could see a team taking a flyer on the production.
| Grade: 59.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
22
Jalen Redmond
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 291 lbs
Strengths:
Redmond shows good explosion off the snap, demonstrating the ability to penetrate gaps when his opponent is a tick slow out of his stance. He generally plays with a good motor, and a willingness to battle until the whistle. He anchors decently well, which helps him as a run defender. Redmond can hold his place, and then fall off the block when it is time to make the tackle.
Weaknesses:
Redmond anchors well and doesn’t often get pushed back by his opponents. However, Redmond also doesn’t do much pushing back, himself. As a pass rusher, his bull rush isn’t super effective. Additionally, while his explosion off the line is good to penetrate gaps, he is a linear runner, and lacks the bend and quickness to actually finish the play off on a consistent basis. Instead, even with some quick penetration, his opponents can recover, and either reset and anchor, or just push him out the backdoor.
Summary:
Redmond has some appealing skills, but the set isn’t complete, and he lacks the ability to consistently finish plays off. His game as a pass rusher is about early penetration, with the hope being that he can create some sort of disturbance in the pocket. Redmond does have some solid moments as a run defender, as he is able to anchor in this phase of the game. Overall, he may not be starter material, but he has some traits that could make him a solid back of the roster rotational player.
| Grade: 58.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
23
Cameron Young
School: Mississippi State
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 304 lbs
Strengths:
Young plays with good strength and can get some power into his hand strikes, allowing him to kick his opponent backwards. He has good length and demonstrates the ability to get off of blocks, freeing himself up to make takes near the line of scrimmage. Even when he can’t get off of his block, he takes up enough room that it frees things up a little for the LB’s to get in on the play easier. Young plays with a solid motor. He puts in effort as a pass rusher. A little push is able to be created, and his effort sometimes gets him some clean up duty.
Weaknesses:
Young is a decently fluid player, but doesn’t really have much speed, burst, or quickness. Despite playing with some power as a pass rusher, he is not the kind of athlete that will be generating much pressure. As a result, his role will be limited in the NFL. He also lacks diversity in his attack, which leaves it predictable and easy to stop for most opponents that can come close to matching his power. Playing at a high pad level also hurts him quite often. He will need to even that out, as he transitions to the next level.
Summary:
Young projects as a 2 down run stuffing NT at the next level. There isn’t a lot of pass rush upside that goes beyond a little pocket movement, but he does do well to get off of blocks as a run defender. Upside isn’t crazy and his limited abilities will drop his value. But with some technical development, he could be a solid role player or backup NT.
| Grade: 57.3 | Round Grade: 7th |
24
Jerrod Clark
School: Coastal Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 334 lbs
Strengths:
Clark has a massive frame, and was often assigned two blockers to deal with him. He has a lot of strength, showing the ability to generate push, even when double teamed. Clark is your prototypical run stuffing NT. He eats up space like it is nobody’s business, and often, at the very least, forces the RB to reroute when he is about to encounter him. His length helps him fight off blocks and disengage when looking to make a play against the run.
Weaknesses:
Clark is a very limited athlete. He rushes the passer exclusively with power, and when that is picked up, he doesn’t have the quickness to try for the edge, or an abundance of rush moves to try and counter. Essentially, he just continues his attempt to power his way forward. His lack of footspeed can make outside runs a challenge, and also make it tough to track down the QB when he does get into the backfield.
Summary:
Clark is a run stuffing NT who has a massive frame and the ability to eat up space. I don’t see much pass rush ability. His bull rush is effective. However, it is essentially his only move, so the value of it is left somewhat diminished. He won’t be a super flashy player or pad the stat sheet. But with some technical refinement, he can serve his role as a run stopper, and will likely be a late round pick or UDFA, as one dimensional players typically see their value drop quite a bit.
| Grade: 52.2 | Round Grade: UDFA |
Full Rankings:
- Jalen Carter (91.6, Rd 1)
- Calijah Kancey (86.4, Rd 1)
- Bryan Bresee (86.2, Rd 1)
- Adetomiwa Adebawore (80.1, Rd 2)
- Tuli Tuipulotu (79.7, Rd 3)
- Mazi Smith (77.3, Rd 3)
- Gervon Dexter (76.5, Rd 3)
- Colby Wooden (76.4, Rd 3)
- Moro Ojome (75.0, Rd 3)
- Kobie Turner (74.8, Rd 4)
- Keeanu Benton (73.8, Rd 4)
- Siaki Ika (71.0, Rd 4)
- Zacch Pickens (70.1, Rd 4)
- Jaquelin Roy (70.0, Rd 4)
- Jayson Ademilola (66.1, Rd 5)
- Keondre Coburn (65.3, Rd 5)
- Dante Stills (64.4, Rd 6)
- Byron Young (63.2, Rd 6)
- Scott Matlock (62.0, Rd 6)
- DJ Dale (61.9, Rd 6)
- Karl Brooks (59.8, Rd 7)
- Jalen Redmond (58.8, Rd 7)
- Cameron Young (57.3, Rd of 7)
- Jerrod Clark (52.2, UDFA)
Notables Not Graded:
- Nesta Jade Silvera
- Jonah Tavai
- Jacob Slade
- Jason Lewan
- Broderic Martin
- Devonnsha Maxwell
