NFL Draft: DE Rankings
1
Rueben Bain
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 263 lbs
Strengths:
– Able to win in most ways.
– Has the strength to set a firm edge. Defends the run well.
– Consistently able to shed blocks, maximizing the potential of tackles for a loss.
– Good speed to rush around the edge, but bend at the top is what really stands out.
– Strength allows for an effective bull rush, even against stronger OT’s.
– Doesn’t just win with physical traits.
– Displays an effective swim move, dip/rip, swipe, and chop.
– Generally plays with active hands, and doesn’t often provide his opponent with freebies.
– Has the body type and physical traits to effectively kick inside to rush the passer.
Weaknesses:
– Arm length was the talk of the town heading into the combine. They are historically short.
– Being a severe outlier may make teams pause.
– Short arms may cause leverage issues at the NFL level if he isn’t careful.
– For someone who excels in most areas, his getoff looks more modest.
– Looks a bit undisciplined at times when playing the run.
– Issues tackling in space popped up from time to time.
Summary:
Bain is an elite DE prospect who will enter the league with the potential to immediately be an impact player in both phases. He wins with speed/bend around the edge, but can also convert it to power at any point. He is small, but well built, so his strength can sometimes be deceiving. Bain uses a variety of rush moves which, in addition to the physical traits, will make his plan of attack tough to predict. Bain sets a firm edge and consistently sheds blocks to make plays against the run. There will be no avoiding the conversation regarding his arm length, which came in historically short. But while a few tackling issues came up, for the most part, Bain did well to mitigate this issue. He has enough working for him that I’d expect more of the same at the pro level. Overall, Bain has a high floor and a high ceiling. There were slight discipline issues when playing the run, but this can be fixed. His arm length may cause a bit of a dip on draft day, if teams get nervous about taking a chance on an outlier. If he does drop a little, his drafting team will be getting great value, and a player that can contribute in a variety of ways.
| Grade: 90.3 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Arvell Reese
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
– Versatile to play DE or LB.
– Good burst and straight line speed.
– Effective blitzer from off-ball position.
– Gets some pop in his punches when rushing the passer.
– Hand strike knocks his opponent off balance and he can create forward push into the backfield.
– Has the arm length to play with leverage.
– Spin move is effective when rushing off the edge.
– Has experience in coverage.
– Has a handful of counter moves in his toolbox.
– Smart in how he plays off the positioning of his opponent. Uses momentum against them.
– Has good enough speed and bend to win around the edge.
– High motor.
– Strong tackler, good wrap up technique.
Weaknesses:
– Played DE and LB, but doesn’t always seem to have the twitch needed to hang in coverage when playing LB.
– Will bite on run fakes.
– Instincts can improve.
– Is able to generate power, but his frame is still on the lean side, and stronger OT’s can anchor when good technique is used.
– Sometimes struggles to shed blocks when playing the run.
Summary:
Reese is a high end prospect, who played a lot of DE and LB in college. The debate is interesting as to where he should be in the NFL. While some would like him to split, most seem to agree that he should, for the most part, stick to one primary position. For me, his skill set better fits as an edge defender. When playing off the ball as a LB, there seems to be a little hip tightness that impacts him in coverage. But this doesn’t mean he should never be deployed as a LB. I just wouldn’t have it as his primary position. As a DE, he is able to rush the passer with power, speed, and moves that lead to success. Considering that he has a decent amount of room to get stronger, I was impressed by the power he showed. In a general sense, his instincts don’t always seem to be there, regardless of the position he is playing. Hopefully this changes with time. As well, he’ll need to get better at disengaging from blocks. Reese isn’t without his issues, but has the traits to be an impact player off the edge, and the positional versatility that he brings ultimately should be considered a bonus.
| Grade: 88.3 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
David Bailey
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
– Has the speed to win around the edge.
– A certain slipperiness to his game. Shifty and can make an inside cut to find room through a small gap.
– Spin move has been effective.
– Has different hand moves, and uses them advantageously when OT’s overset trying to defend against his speed.
– Can navigate laterally through traffic when defending the run.
– High motor.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is on the lean side, and is a bit lacking in strength.
– Can get neutralized in the run game.
– OT’s that get the first strike can knock him off balance.
– For someone with a lean frame but good athletic profile, I expected his bend to be a bit better. It is not bad, but for how he wins, I would have liked a bit more.
– Doesn’t win too often with a bull rush.
– Needs to improve at disengaging from blocks.
Summary:
Bailey is a lean, athletic DE with the ability to create problems as a pass rusher. The threat of his speed causes oversets, and the moves in his toolbox allow him to win inside. These abilities should translate to success at the next level, but as a prospect, he is not without concerns. His lean frame and overall lack of strength creates some issues in both phases. As a rusher, strong OT’s that are able to initiate contact can take him out of the play. As well, he sometimes gets paved out of the way on run plays. I think there is a decent floor as a pass rusher, but the hope is that he hasn’t maxed out his frame. If Bailey is able to get stronger, it would help him round out his game. I’d still expect him to be a starter, but those improvements could be the difference between being good or being elite.
| Grade: 86.1 | Round Grade: 1st |
4
Akheem Mesidor
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 259 lbs
Strengths
– Good athlete. I like his get-off, and his bend at the top of the rush is decent too.
– Able to kick inside and shoot gaps.
– Active hands. Constantly fighting and is often able to swipe away the hands of his opponent.
– Gets decent power on his bull rushes.
– Times his inside counters well.
– High motor player.
– Motor allows him to make plays against the run.
Weaknesses:
– Lack of balance sometimes sees him end up on the ground prematurely.
– Used decent as a descriptor up above for a couple of traits. Helps his floor, but also just prevents him from going all the way on some reps.
– Not the biggest guy, in terms of both reach and overall build.
– Isn’t great at keeping contain. Sometimes due to being overpowered, other times due to bad positioning.
– Is an overager. Will be 25 as a rookie.
– Has an injury history. Medicals will have to check out.
Summary:
Mesidor has some dynamic abilities as a pass rusher. His getoff, in particular, is really good, and gives him an early jump on plenty of reps. He has the speed to threaten the edge, and decent enough bend to give himself a chance. His high motor has kept plays alive longer than it would for others, and has allowed him to make plays against the run. While he shows some power as a pass rusher, he can also get outmuscled at times, especially in the run game. Mesidor has some difficulties when trying to anchor, and he isn’t always able to set the edge. Some positional issues and mental lapses also lead to some poor reps against the run. Still, his overall skill set is one that can make him an impact pass rusher. With some fine tuning, he can be solid against the run too. His age and injury history might drop him down some spots, so he might end up being a nice value pick by the time the draft is finished.
| Grade: 85.7 | Round Grade: 1st |
5
Malachi Lawrence
School: UCF
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
– Tall frame with long arms.
– Good athleticism.
– Bursts out of his stance.
– Has the speed to beat OT’s and the bend to finish the play off.
– Spin move has flashed some success.
– Good motor.
– Has the speed and agility to follow outside runs to the sideline.
– Shows a variety of rush moves that help him win.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is a bit lean.
– He will need to get stronger.
– Less effective when bigger OT’s are able to initiate contact and anchor down.
– Has his inconsistencies defending the run. Bigger OT’s can set the edge.
– Bull rush is inconsistent.
Summary:
Lawrence is a long, twitched up DE with the burst, speed, and bend to threaten around the edge. OT’s have to be careful of his traits, and fearful ones sometimes overset, opening up counter opportunities. Lawrence has some rush moves in his toolbox, which helps. His athleticism allows him to disrupt run plays as well, and he can follow outside runs all the way to the sideline. His frame, however, is a bit lean, and getting stronger would really help his game. Right now, his bull rush isn’t super effective, and stronger players are able to match up. Additionally, he can sometimes get snuffed out in the run game. The pass rush upside will follow him to the NFL right away. Depending on how far along he is in camp, Lawrence might be more of a situational pass rusher as a rookie. But as he gets stronger and can play with more power, he should be able to start, and be a good one.
| Grade: 84.1 | Round Grade: 2nd |
6
Keldric Faulk
School: Auburn
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 276 lbs
Strengths:
– Prototypical frame.
– Long reach which gives him an effective swim move.
– Strong player.
– Can bench press his opponent off of him when looking to disengage from blocks.
– Ability to disengage has allowed him to be an effective run defender.
– Has had success with a bull rush.
– High motor player. Will finish off lingering plays.
– Reads the play well, especially when it comes to defending the run. I like his timing.
– Very young prospect with room to grow.
Weaknesses:
– Doesn’t “wow” you with athleticism.
– Burst off the line is nothing special.
– Doesn’t have a lot of bend to win around the edge at the top of his rush.
– Has reach and a big frame, but sometimes lets his opponent strike first.
Summary:
Faulk’s frame will catch a lot of attention, and rightfully so. His natural size and length gives him a leverage advantage that he is often able to use nicely. It is especially noticeable against the run, where he also plays a very smart and detailed game. His ability to play in this phase should allow him to see snaps early, and his strength and rush moves give him at least some ability as a pass rusher. But the question for me is upside. I’m not a huge fan of what he brings to the table athletically, and his lack of bend specifically could be a concern. Still, his high motor is likable, and if he can play more aggressive, and not let opponents initiate contact, Faulk has the chance to be a quietly well rounded player. For me, the athletic issues and question of upside makes a 1st round pick rich, but it wouldn’t surprise me if a team likes the other stuff enough to use one. Even if unspectacular, he should be a solid pro, and his young draft age will bring the assumption that he will improve over the next couple of years.
| Grade: 83.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
7
Zion Young
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 262 lbs
Strengths:
– Prototypical build for the position.
– Length helps in leverage battles.
– Has the strength to go with the size.
– Sets a firm edge.
– Good run defender. Uses his strength and length to get off blocks.
– Sure tackler.
– Bull rush is effective.
– Flashes of a good dip/rip move.
– High motor who is always looking to get after it. Will get coverage sacks as a result.
– Had a good Senior Bowl week.
Weaknesses:
– Athleticism is average.
– Burst off the line is decent enough, but he is lacking the bend to finish plays off.
– Dip/rip move would be more effective if he had the bend to consistently turn the corner.
– Has a lot of good reps that just can’t get to that next level because he didn’t have the bend to get home.
– Shows flashes of a couple of rush moves, but he relies more on traits. His bull rush is effective, but he sometimes tries to win with speed around the arc, but he gets pushed out the back door.
– Needs to add moves to his toolbox. A good inside counter would be great.
Summary:
Young has the build that evaluators would have custom ordered for all their DE’s if they could. He is long and tall with a sturdy frame, ready to handle the rigours of trench duty in the NFL. Strength and power are important parts of his game. His bull rush is effective, as he shows the ability to collapse the pocket. His biggest impact comes against the run. Young sets a firm edge to keep the ball carrier contained. He also uses his strength and length to get off blocks and make tackles. Right away, he should be able to start thanks to his ability as a run defender. He also brings a solid floor as a power rusher. He lacks the athleticism to truly push the ceiling high, but with more rush moves implemented into his game, he can become more effective as a pass rusher.
| Grade: 82.7 | Round Grade: 2nd |
8
Cashius Howell
School: Texas A&M
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
– Howell is a twitched up athlete with the speed to consistently threaten OT’s around the edge.
– His burst off the line is incredible.
– Implements jukes and headfakes at the start of his rush.
– Has a variety of rush moves in his toolbox.
– Good spin move, good swim move.
– Has the bend to finish plays off.
– Speed and agility to follow run plays to the outside.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is very lean.
– Undersized, which leads to holes in his game.
– Gets taken out of a lot of plays.
– Inconsistent converting speed to power.
– OT’s are able to anchor against him.
– Doesn’t make the biggest impact against the run because bigger OT’s are able to pave him out of the way.
– Not a good edge setter.
Summary:
Howell is an interesting case study. The classic case of athleticism vs frame. His speed, bend, and burst are all in the top tier. His get off is amazing, and it sets the tone for a lot of his reps. His speed threatens OT’s, while his bend finishes the play off. However, his frame is lean, and there are times where he gets pushed around. He is inconsistent when it comes to converting speed to power, while his impact against the run is highly inconsistent. The athletic traits are exciting and his ceiling is high. But until he gets stronger and becomes a more complete player, he is a situational pass rusher.
| Grade: 81.5 | Round Grade: 2nd |
9
TJ Parker
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 263 lbs
Strengths:
– Good build with the length and strength to win at the next level.
– Sets a firm edge and keeps contain as a run defender.
– Has a good arm over move that allows him to get off blocks and make plays on the ball carrier.
– Can also bench press opponents off of him to get off blocks.
– Bull rush is effective and will collapse the pocket.
– Shows flashes of good rush moves that have helped production.
Weaknesses:
– Bust off the line leaves a bit to be desired. Slow start sometimes sets the tone for his rep.
– Speed is average at best, and isn’t a big threat to athletic OT’s.
– Similarly, his bend doesn’t stand out, and there are times where good reps aren’t able to be finished off.
– Shows flashes of rush moves, but doesn’t use them as consistently as he could. More frequent use and better timing when he does use them would help.
Summary:
Parker is a high floor player thanks to his sturdy build and abundance of strength. As a pass rusher, he brings an effective bull rush. He does well against the run, showing the ability to set a firm edge and disengage from blocks when he has a chance to make a tackle. Athleticism is average, which does limit the upside a little bit. His lack of bend prevents finishing on some plays, while his lack of burst and speed prevent him from gaining that early half step advantage. Still, Parker has a high floor. He should be able to help against the run right away, while also contributing as a pocket pusher. If he can be more consistent with the rush moves in his toolbox, we should see decent pass rush production.
| Grade: 81.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
10
Romello Height
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 239 lbs
Strengths:
– Great burst off the line.
– Excellent speed to win around the edge, and he has the bend to turn the corner in the later stage of his rush.
– Has long strides that cover ground quickly.
– High motor and relentless pursuit.
– Twitched up athlete. Was even used in coverage from time to time.
– Effectively swipes away the hands of his opponent.
– Uses push/pull to gain leverage and further his rush.
– Athletic enough to catch ball carrier from behind or to follow them across the line until a play opens up.
Weaknesses:
– Overager prospect.
– Frame is quite lean.
– Struggles to play with power.
– Doesn’t have much of a bull rush.
– Also can get knocked around when defending the run. Beefier offensive linemen pose a big challenge.
– Will have to get stronger.
– Sometimes gives too much rushing the passer, and is left behind when the play turns out to be a run. Must be more aware.
Summary:
Height is a twitched up DE with the athletic ability to be a serious threat as a pass rusher. His athletic traits already cause issues, and he has some moves in his toolbox as well. Adding a few more counters would work wonders, but getting stronger is really the thing he’ll need to work on. There isn’t much of a power element to his game right now, and he has his struggles against the run. Getting stronger and playing the game with more awareness would help a lot as a run defender. Entering the league, he looks ready to be a quality situational pass rusher. In time, he can be a high end starter if he can round out his game.
| Grade: 79.0 | Round Grade: 3rd |
11
Jaishawn Barham
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
– High end speed off the edge.
– Burst is elite.
– Bend isn’t quite elite like the other traits, but is good enough for him to finish plays.
– Uses stutters to get by his opponent.
– Good dip/rip move.
– High motor.
– Plays with a ton of tenacity and compete.
– Will fight hard at the top of his rush to finish plays, and dive to try to clip the QB and bring him down.
– Former LB with the athleticism of one.
– Capable of dropping into zone coverage.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is lean and slender. Will need to add mass and strength.
– Sometimes gets pushed around by bigger OT’s.
– Struggles to set the edge.
– Lack of discipline against the run also doesn’t help. He overcommits to the run and will end up too far inside.
– Has rush moves that are implemented into his initial plan, but needs to utilize counters more often.
– Took some penalties that were costly.
Summary:
Barham is a twitched up athletic edge rusher with the ability to impact games with splash plays. He threatens OT’s around the arc on a consistent basis, and has the rush moves to throw into the mix. His high motor and tenacity also led to wins, and helps his projection for the next level. He is undersized and does get pushed around sometimes. Barham certainly won’t be bull rushing on a consistent basis. Additionally, you do see struggles against the run. As he gets stronger, 3 down potential will start to emerge. And with his experience at LB and capabilities in coverage, creative defensive coordinators might already view him as a 3 down guy that can move around a bit.
| Grade: 78.6 | Round Grade: 3rd |
12
Gabe Jacas
School: Illinois
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 260 lbs
Strengths:
– Has a good motor and a tenacious playing style.
– Active hands that look to swipe away those of his opponent.
– Good strength that leads to a good bull rush.
– Does a decent job of converting speed to power.
– Can set the edge against the run.
– Gets off blocks and can make a play on the ball carrier.
Weaknesses:
– Decent speed, but not standout.
– Lacks bend to consistently turn the corner and get home.
– Burst is average at best. Not super explosive off the line.
– Is revved up as a pass rusher, but doesn’t always go in with a plan.
– Instances where his pad level elevates.
Summary:
Jacas has a solid floor thanks to the strength and high motor that he brings. His bull rush is good, and his tenacity and business with his hands can be quite disruptive for offensive linemen. Against the run, he can set the edge, and use his length and strength to get off blocks and make plays. Athleticism is about average, which limits his upside. He lacks the speed and bend to truly challenge around the arc, and too often, he goes in without a real plan, which doesn’t really work when you lack athletic traits. His size and strength can be a handful and should allow him to be a starter. Technical improvements will help, as well. The ceiling here isn’t super high, but he should be a solid pro.
| Grade: 78.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
13
Mason Reiger
School: Wisconsin
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
– Good overall athlete with great burst out of his stance.
– Speed is good and he has enough bend to win around the edge.
– Extremely high motor. Never gives up and will chase plays down until the whistle.
– Nimble on his feet and will weave his way around blockers to get into the backfield.
– A quick sidestep to cross face has been effective in taking advantage of oversets.
– Will follow runs across the line of scrimmage and put himself in position to make a play.
– Has a good spin move.
– Length seems to be good on tape.
– Absolutely dominated at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is lean and light.
– When met by stronger opponents, they are able to push him around a little bit.
– Good athletic traits to win around the edge, but would benefit from using more inside counter moves.
– Inconsistent when tasked with setting the edge.
– There are some flashes from him in run defence, but he is inconsistent.
– Could get stronger to make more use of his bull rush. Would like to see him add more power to his game.
Summary:
Reiger is a twitched up rusher with an extremely high motor. He is always on the go, looking to make a play. He has the burst, speed, and bend to beat OT’s around the edge. While he doesn’t always implement hand moves, doing so could take an already good pass rush up another notch. While his constant pursuit has led to flashes as a run defender, his inconsistencies against power has thus led to inconsistencies in this phase of his game. Projecting him to the next level, Reiger can be a good situational pass rusher right away. Getting stronger should help against the run, while implementing inside counters could help his rush a lot. I really like the ceiling here, and his strong performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl seems like it is just the beginning.
| Grade: 78.0 | Round Grade: 3rd |
14
Joshua Josephs
School: Tennessee
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 242 lbs
Strengths:
– Burst off the line is pretty good.
– Great length which, along with his speed, sets him up to use counter moves.
– Wide angles around the arc can coax his opponent into an overset, where he can then use his length to unleash a swim move.
– Gets some pop in his punches, which helps him push the pocket and get off blocks when defending the run.
– High motor player.
Weaknesses:
– It’s not bad, but his bend doesn’t quite match his burst and speed, which is a bit disappointing.
– Frame is on the leaner side, and powerful OT’s can anchor against his rush.
– Will need to add mass and get stronger at the next level.
– Bull rush is inconsistent.
– Inconsistent play against the run when left to work in the trenches.
– The potential for counter moves opens up quite frequently, but he doesn’t often take those chances.
– His rush plan is often plain and predictable.
Summary:
Josephs is a long pass rusher with enough burst and speed to challenge OT’s around the edge. While his bend isn’t quite at the same level, he’s got enough to still get home. While his hand strikes are full of pop, his overall strength isn’t quite there, and his frame is a bit on the lean side. This led to his bull rushes being stifled and inconsistencies in the run game. Josephs is still a bit raw at this point, but consistently using counter moves would help his pass rush evolve so much. His game is just begging for it. In order to have a 3 down role, he’ll need to get stronger and improve against the run. But the potential is there. He should be a solid rotational guy early, and can be a good starter in time.
| Grade: 77.7 | Round Grade: 3rd |
15
R Mason Thomas
School: Oklahoma
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
– Twitched up athlete.
– Great speed to get around the edge, along with high end burst.
– Also has the bend to finish plays off.
– Can make taller OT’s look silly.
– Very scrappy player.
– Tenacity and hand fighting lead to some disruption, even if he doesn’t get a clear win on the play.
– Uses burst to shoot gaps.
– Can be used on twists.
– Athleticism resembles that of a LB.
Weaknesses:
– Very undersized for an edge guy.
– Gets pushed around quite a bit.
– Well built OT’s can snuff out his rush.
– Sometimes has trouble impacting his team’s run defence.
– Lacking when it comes to strength.
– Lacks length which further makes it difficult to gain leverage.
– Injury history.
Summary:
Thomas is a twitched up player with high end athleticism and splash plays that catch the eye. He’s got a great first step, speed, and bend to complete speed rushes with either a sack or a QB hit. His tenacity sometimes catches opponents off guard, and leads to more push than you would expect him to create. However, he is still lacking when it comes to strength and length. Bigger OT’s push him around and he has a hard time defending the run when road grading linemen are on the other side. The issues are likely to persist at the next level, but the athletic traits should also continue to help him make splash plays as a pass rusher. His limitations may hold him back from a 3 down role, but Thomas can be a good situational pass rusher.
| Grade: 72.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
16
Nadame Tucker
School: Western Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 247 lbs
Strengths:
– Great burst to get a jump on the rep.
– Has the speed and bend to be a dangerous pass rusher. Tools to really threaten around the edge, especially against stiff OT’s.
– Has a wide array of pass rush moves. Rushes with speed, uses a swim move, a dip/rip, spin, chop etc. For a small school guy with such little starting experience, his toolbox being this full is impressive.
– Has the speed to chase down ball carriers from behind in the backfield.
– Impressed with his performance at the Senior Bowl. Was important for him with questions about his competition level at a smaller school.
Weaknesses:
– Overager prospect. Will be 26 by the time the season starts.
– Age + only 1 year of production will have analytics people pushing him way down.
– Undersized for the position.
– Decently strong for his size, but still gets washed away in the run game.
– Isn’t someone you can rely on to set the edge.
– Bull rush shows flashes, but against lesser competition. Factoring in the jump in competition, it is unlikely to be impactful for him at the next level.
– Frame lacks length which makes it tougher to win leverage battles.
Summary:
Tucker is an interesting prospect. His athleticism and refined pass rush technique really stand out on tape, and look like things that will translate. The lower competition level he faced poses a big question, but for some, his impressive Senior Bowl performance has answered it. But even if it has, you have a 26 year old with only one real year of experience and production. If he makes it, he would be an analytical outlier. Going back to the tape, his small frame hurt him when playing the run, and it likely means that he’ll be a situational pass rusher at the next level. And despite some of the other concerns, it is hard to overlook the traits and rush moves that he has. He likely goes on day 3, but I expect him to have a role at the next level, even if not as a starter.
| Grade: 72.5 | Round Grade: 4th |
17
Vincent Anthony
School: Duke
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 258 lbs
Strengths:
– Long frame and the arm length to win leverage battles.
– Good burst off the line.
– Also shows good speed and bend.
– Has the tools to threaten around the edge.
– Good dip/rip move.
– Also has a good chop move.
– Will swipe the hands of his opponent.
– Turned in a good performance in the Senior Bowl.
Weaknesses:
– Frame is lean. He will need to get stronger.
– Struggles to play with power.
– His game is begging for inside counters but he doesn’t really use them. Doesn’t have a plan B if his initial rush plan stalls out.
– Lack of strength and power sees him get washed out on running plays.
– Gets pushed around on some plays.
– Bull rush doesn’t create movement.
– Pretty good fluidity for his size, but his movements do look a little segmented.
Summary:
Anthony has an abundance of length and good overall athleticism, giving him some solid tools to work with at the next level. I like his get-off and speed when rushing the passer, and there is enough bend to turn the corner and get home. While he is a big guy, his frame is lean, and he currently lacks the strength to handle work in the trenches against the run. As a pass rusher, meanwhile, his toolbox is lacking a counter move. Implementing this shouldn’t be hard, and would step up his impact in this area. Entering the NFL, he could be a situational pass rusher. But until he gets stronger and improves against the run, teams will be nervous about giving him a 3 down role.
| Grade: 68.7 | Round Grade: 5th |
18
George Gumbs
School: Florida
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 245 lbs
Strengths:
– Has a good get off and decent bend for when he tries to turn the corner.
– Will cross the face of his opponent, which can leave them frozen and unable to recover.
– Great motor. Shows up in his pass rush, but also in his run defence. He’ll chase down a play from the opposite side of the field.
– Good dip/rip move.
– Good length.
Weaknesses:
– Slender frame. Lacks the mass and strength to win the more physical battles.
– Run defence is good when in pursuit, but he has a tough time getting off blocks and isn’t good when it comes to setting the edge.
– Road graders will open up a running lane by ploughing him out of the way.
– Not really effective with a bull rush.
– Sometimes will let his pad level get too high.
– Rush technique could be more consistent.
Summary:
Gumbs has good length and some athletic traits that are likable. His speed and bend will challenge some OT’s, and he has shown flashes of some good rush moves. I’d like to see him shift to plan B more often when his initial plan doesn’t work out. While solid as a pass rusher, he leaves a lot to be desired in run defence. His best moments come when he is pursuing the ball carrier from behind. And his high motor certainly led to some nice plays. But closer to the line, he lacks the strength and physicality to consistently get off blocks and make a play on the ball. Gumbs has enough to make it as a situational rusher. If he gets stronger and improves his run defence, a 3 down role isn’t out of the question. But he is more of a developmental guy.
| Grade: 68.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
19
Derrick Moore
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 255 lbs
Strengths:
– Burst off the line is decent.
– Does a good job of converting speed into power as a pass rusher.
– Was able to push the pocket a decent amount.
– Looks to get his arms up as the QB is about to throw the ball.
– Flashes a good dip/rip move.
Weaknesses:
– Pass rush plan is too basic. Other than the odd time, he attempts to win with a straight bull rush or by converting speed to power.
– His get off is decent, but he doesn’t have the bend to threaten around the arc.
– Inconsistent against the run.
– Motor doesn’t seem to be high, which partially contributes to inconsistencies as a run defender.
– Without the early speed, his power drops off. Isn’t as strong as some of the other reps might suggest.
– Gets his pad level high and the OT is able to get under and lift him up.
Summary:
Moore shows flashes as a pass rusher thanks to a good speed to power move that was able to work with relative consistency. He shows flashes of a good dip/rip move, but his overall rush plan is very basic, relying heavily on power. But the thing is, he isn’t the strongest player out there. It is at a good baseline level, but he isn’t exactly moving people when he doesn’t have that early build up speed. Moore lacks the bend and overall athleticism to consistently threaten without better technique and a more diverse plan. There are improvements he’ll have to make. Additionally, more effort against the run will be needed. Moore projects as a rotational guy early on, who could be a low-end to solid starter if he makes enough improvements.
| Grade: 66.3 | Round Grade: 5th |
20
Keyron Crawford
School: Auburn
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
– Good athlete with good burst off the line.
– Has enough bend to round the corner.
– Plays with active hands and can swipe away those of his opponent.
– High motor to get coverage sacks after the play has dragged on.
– Flashes ability to bench press his opponent off of him.
– Decent amount of pop in his hand strikes.
– Has the athleticism to chase down ball carrier from behind.
– Good enough athlete for some off the ball LB.
Weaknesses:
– Is undersized, and his game has limitations as a result.
– OT’s are often able to anchor, and he doesn’t really have many go to counters.
– Shows flashes of power, but this isn’t a consistent part of his game.
– Not really able to set a firm edge.
– Gets paved out of the way in the run game.
– Tackles sometimes slip from his grasp.
– Lacks the length to win leverage battles.
– Pad level gets too high at times.
Summary:
Crawford is a flashy player thanks to his combination of burst, speed, and bend. These athletic traits allow him to flash as a pass rusher, and his active hands have further propelled some of his reps. The downside here is that he is quite undersized and struggles to match up against power. OT’s remove him from factoring on a lot of run plays, and even as a pass rusher, there are quite a few where he is invisible. The inconsistencies against the run are likely to persist, but there are enough flashes as a pass rusher to like. I don’t quite think his bend is elite, but his overall athletic traits are higher end. Despite the limitations, he projects as a solid rotational pass rusher that can make some splash plays from time to time. Improving his technique should help improve production, too.
| Grade: 65.7 | Round Grade: 5th |
21
Dani Dennis-Sutton
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 256 lbs
Strengths:
– Well built player.
– Has a sturdy frame to handle work in the trenches.
– Good length to play with leverage.
– A strong player who can impose his will.
– Able to fend off powerful OT’s and make plays against the run.
– Able to get off blocks using his strength or his length, which helps him keep some space when engaging.
– Able to set a firm edge.
– Has a good bull rush, and will flash a nice swim move from time to time.
– Has special teams experience.
– Motor is pretty good.
Weaknesses:
– Is an extremely still mover.
– His testing numbers at the combine were great, but I don’t know where that came from. It doesn’t come close to showing up on tape.
– His strength helps him early in the rush, but if he ever gets a half step on his opponent, he lacks the bend to round the corner.
– Lack of twitch can also pose challenges when adjusting to the ball carrier to make a tackle.
– A high pad level negates some of the strength that he plays with.
– Needs to use his inside counter moves more consistently.
– Took some penalties he shouldn’t have.
Summary:
Dennis-Sutton is a strong player who stands out primarily against the run. He is able to get off blocks and hunt down the ball carrier. He likes work in the trenches, and is not afraid of the physicality that comes with it. His bull rush is good, and you sometimes also see a good swim move or a coverage sack. However, in a more general sense, he offers little as a pass rusher. He is too stiff to make an impact at the top of his rush, so he left to either push the pocket or clean up the scraps of good coverage. Sometimes his inside counter works and he gets home, but I don’t expect it to happen too often at the next level. For his play against the run, I think Dennis-Smith sees regular action at the next level. However, for a league where pass rush ability is increasingly priced at a premium, his low upside in this area pushes him down for me. But he will be a solid pro, even if unspectacular.
| Grade: 65.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
22
Wesley Williams
School: Duke
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 256 lbs
Strengths:
– High motor player.
– Active hands that generate a good amount of pop.
– Good burst out of his stance.
– Can convert early speed into power.
– Frame is built to withstand work in the trenches.
– Motor allows him to pick up coverage sacks.
– Solid bull rush.
– Has the strength to set the edge, and can make plays against the run.
Weaknesses:
– Has good acceleration, but doesn’t have the bend to consistently turn the corner and get home.
– Pass rush plan is basic. Goes in with early speed and tries to convert to power. Sometimes you get a dip/rip, but overall, there isn’t a lot of diversity to his rush plan.
– Sometimes gets overeager as a pass rusher, and will take himself out of the play if it ends up being a run.
– Short arms make leverage battles tougher.
Summary:
Williams is a solid but unspectacular prospect. He has a good build and a high motor, which gives him a decent floor. He can handle himself against the run, and his get off allows him to convert speed to power as a pass rusher. Williams will pick up coverage sacks, but his basic rush plan is unlikely to yield as much production at the next level. Still, he brings enough that with some development, he could be a solid starter on a team that prioritizes run defence, effort, and reliability over flashiness. Or, he could make it as a reliable backup. The ceiling isn’t super high here, but he’ll stick around.
| Grade: 63.9 | Round Grade: 6th |
23
Trey Moore
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 243 lbs
Strengths:
– Has good agility and change of direction skills.
– Has shown to have some good inside counters when rushing the passer.
– High motor and will clean up the scraps in the backfield.
– Able to tackle the ball carrier from behind in the backfield when playing the run.
– Uses jukes and stutters in his pass rush.
– Has some experience as an off the ball LB.
Weaknesses:
– Very undersized player.
– Lacks the size and mass to consistently hold up against the run.
– Struggles when up against heavy OT’s.
– Can get washed out by big offensive linemen run blocking.
– Is a fluid mover but his speed looks just okay on tape. Factoring in his size, and it is below where you’d want it to be.
– Very little power or pop in his game to speak of.
Summary:
Moore has some good moments as a pass rusher where his fluidity and quietly savvy technique allows him to slip through gaps. However, he is very undersized for the position, lacking the strength and length to consistently win matchups. Additionally, while he is a fluid mover, he also lacks the kind of high end speed that you desperately want from someone who is undersized. While he has his moments, he lacks any stand out traits, which puts a cap on his upside. Moore is instinctual enough that he should make a roster, but it is hard to see him being more than a rotational backup. Perhaps he gets a look at LB, but good fluidity at DE suddenly becomes a question mark when talking about a LB. He is a tweener. A rotational backup may be his defensive ceiling, but Moore has the tools to be a really good special teamer.
| Grade: 62.6 | Round Grade: 6th |
24
Keyshawn James-Newby
School: New Mexico
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
– Has some fight in him.
– Will work hard through contact for a chance to make a play on the ball carrier.
– A good get off with solid agility.
– Matches up well against tall OT’s that lack fluidity.
– Seems to have long arms and a good tackle radius.
– Good motor and will continue chasing the ball carrier up the field.
– Good hand placement as he engages in blocks.
Weaknesses:
– Faced lower competition in college. NFL will be a big jump up.
– Undersized for a DE.
– Bigger players don’t have a problem anchoring against him.
– He works hard to make plays against the run, but NFL offensive lineman will have an easier time moving him forward.
– Pass rush plan was pretty basic.
– Burst and speed are both good, but his bend isn’t at the same level. He bends with a higher pad level, and makes it easier for his opponent to push him out the back door.
Summary:
James-Newby is a hungry player whose effort level and burst/speed will give him a chance at the next level. He is undersized, but for his size, he has good length. He produced at the lower level, but the NFL will obviously be a big jump. I do have concerns about how he’ll hold up in rn defence, as NFL linemen should be able to plough him out of the way. That said, he has enough athletic traits that, with some refinement, could allow him to make it as a situational pass rusher. He brings a sense of urgency too – the kind that quietly leads to production.
| Grade: 56.9 | Round Grade: 7th |
25
Logan Fano
School: Utah
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 257 lbs
Strengths:
– High motor.
– Gets his arms up in an attempt to bat down the pass.
– Good strength. He sets a firm edge.
– Good wrap-up tackler.
– Active hands allow him to get off some blocks.
– Effective run defender.
– Strong enough to push the pocket.
Weaknesses:
– Injury history.
– Decent straight line, but lacks twitch and lateral agility.
– Linear athletic nature will hurt pass rush production at the next level.
– Credit for attempting spin moves, but they weren’t that effective.
– Otherwise lacked much of a pass rush plan other than effort and power.
– Lacks arm length.
Summary:
Fano has a decent build and decent strength to work in as a role player. He does some good work against the run, setting a firm edge and working hard to hunt down the ball carrier. Twitch is lacking, and I don’t see a ton of pass rush upside. That said, he’ll get a couple of clean up sacks. Overall, he projects as a rotational backup who stands out more for his run defence than his pass rush.
| Grade: 55.5 | Round Grade: 7th |
DE Rankings:
1. Rueben Bain (90.3, Rd 1)
2. Arvell Reese (88.3, Rd 1)
3. David Bailey (86.1, Rd 1)
4. Akhem Mesidor (85.7, Rd 1)
5. Malachi Lawrence (84.1, Rd 2)
6. Keldric Faulk (83.0, Rd 2)
7. Zion Young (82.7, Rd 2)
8. Cashius Howell (81.5, Rd 2)
9. TJ Parker (81.0, Rd 2)
10. Romello Height (79.0, Rd 3)
11. Jaishawn Barham (78.6, Rd 3)
12. Gabe Jacas (78.4, Rd 3)
13. Mason Reiger (78.0, Rd 3)
14. Joshua Josephs (77.7, Rd 3)
15. R Mason Thomas (72.9, Rd 4)
16. Nadame Tucker (72.5, Rd 4)
17. Vincent Anthony (68.7, Rd 5)
18. George Gumbs (68.2, Rd 5)
19. Derrick Moore (66.3, Rd 5)
20. Keyron Crawford (65.7, Rd 5)
21. Dani Dennis-Sutton (65.0, Rd 5)
22. Wesley Williams (63. 9, Rd 6)
23. Trey Moore (62.6, Rd 6)
24. Keyshawn James-Newby (56.9, Rd 7)
25. Logan Fano (55.5, Rd 7)
Notables Not Graded:
– Aidan Hubbard
– Caden Curry
– Jack Pyburn
– Mikail Kamara
– Quintayvious Hutchins
– Tyreak Sapp
– Ethan Burke
– Marvin Jones Jr.
– Zach Durfee
– Anthony Lucas
