NFL Draft is April 25-27th in Nashville. We covered the offensive prospects in the previous article. Now we’ll take a gander at the defensive players for the upcoming draft.
EDGE
This group includes defensive ends and pass rushing OLBs.
Round 1:
DE Nick Bosa: Nick Bosa is the cream of the crop despite missing last year with an injury for Ohio State. Bosa like his brother (Joey) will be a take in the top 3. Bosa is explosive with good hands and can set the edge. He can be a stud 4-3 DE or 3-4 DE. Should make an instant impact.
Josh Allen: Allen is a DE/OLB hybrid who was uber productive for the Kentucky Wildcats. He can win with quickness and power. Athletic to drop into coverage and disengage from blocks. Allen should go in the top 5.
Montez Sweat: Incredible speed DE/LB hybrid that was productive for Mississippi State. Has a heart condition but should still be a top 10 pick. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Rashaan Gary: DE from Michigan that has the build but didn’t always match the production. Boom or bust prospect that will be a Round 1 pick. Gary could play in a 3-4 or some 3 tech DT as well given his body size. Has a shoulder issue too so will probably drop.
Brian Burns: Speedy undersized edge from Florida State. He may only be a 3rd down player but he can be a very productive 3rd down player. Excellent-Mr. Burns
Clein Ferrell: Strong edge defender that can play the run and set the edge. Productive player on a strong defensive line for Clemson. He will be a solid first round pick.
Day 2:
Jaylen Ferguson: Off field issues but good pass rusher from LA Tech off the edge.
Chase Winovich: High motor tweener with good leadership from Michigan.
Oshane Ximines: Cool name and from Old Dominion.
Zach Allen: BC high motor guy
De’Andre Walker: Georgia pass rusher that I’m sure Jammin loves.
Jachai Polite: Not trying to be Polite. Once a first round prospect, he has dropped like a rock in this draft
Day 3
Christian Miller, Austin Bryant, Jalen Jelks, Ben Banogu, Shareef Miller, Wyatt Ray, Carl Granderson, Jordan Brailford are the top day 3 prospects.
Defensive Tackle/DL
Quinnen Williams Top 5: Monster and productive Alabama DT. He can stuff the run, eat double teams and provide some pass rush.
Ed Oliver Top 10: Undersize 3tech but can rush the passer. He is versatile. Think Geno Atkins.
Jeffrey Simmons. Late 1st round: Good Dt from Miss State but tore his ACL and will miss 2019. Maybe a late first round pick.
Christian Wilkins. 1st round. Stud DT from Clemson. Blend of pass rush and run defense
Dexter Lawrence. 1st round. Stud Dt from Clemson. Not a type. More run D but good potential. Banned for bowl games for PEDs
Jerry Tillery: Late 1st round potential. Notre Dame product with room to grow at 6’6 and 296 pounds.
Day 2
Dre’Mont Jones from Ohio State was a first round talent but dropped in the pre-draft process.
Gerald Willis III. What u talkin about Willis
LJ Collier. Versatile DT who can play some DE.
Joe Jackson. Not shoeless but from the U.
Charles Omenihu. Texas DT/De combo
Khalen Saunders: Small school guy from Western Illinois
Isaiah Buggs: Another Alabama defensive lineman
Day 3
Anthony Nelson, Renell Wren, Daylon Mack, and Demarcus Christmas are some day 3 options.
Linebacker
Devin White: White is more of a pure LB from LSU with great tackling ability and speed. He should be a top 10 pick in this draft and could be used in a JACK role as a rush or ILB.
Devin Bush: Bush is an undersized but incredibly athletic cover linebacker. He has the potential to be a top 10 pick in this draft. He should be a good starting weak side LB in this league.
Day 2
Mack Wilson from Bama. They just churn out solid LBs there.
Vosean Joseph from Miami can play the weak side. Haven’t seen a good Miami LB in awhile
Terrill Hanks from New Mexico State but has potential.
Germaine Pratt from NC State is an undersize backer.
Day 3
Tre Lamar, Te’von Coney, Drue Tranquill, and Blake Cashman are some names to watch on day 3 at LB.
Cornerback
Greedy Williams Round 1: Greedy Williams is a skinny but good cover corner from LSU. Greedy is tall at 6’2 but skinny and will need to tackle better in the pros.
Byron Murphy Round 1: Solid cover corner from Washington. They have produced some good pro corners lately.
DeAndre Baker Round 1: Georgia corner who should go in Round 1 at 5’11 and 193 pounds.
Day 2
Rock Ya Sin. Great name and played for Temple. Could be a Round 1 guy if the right time falls in love with him.
Justin Layne: Michigan State corner with good ball and tackling skills
Julian Love. Had an injury but could be a starter from day 2 from Notre Dame
Sean Bunting. Central Michigan guy. That’s all I got on him
Amani Oruwariye: Tall big play corner from Penn State
Trayvon Mullen: Playmaker for the Clemson Tigers on defense
Day 3
JoeJuan Williams, Lonnie Johnson, David Long and Isaih Johnson are the top day 3 corners.
Safety
Day 1 or 2
Nasir Adderly: Delware safety leads the class. Could be late Round 1 or early day 2 pick
Taylor Rapp: Hard hitting strong safety from Washington. Lays the boom
Chauncy Gardner-Johnson. Florida Gator safety
Jonathan Abram: Miss State safety. All of the above guys could sneak into round 1 or early day 2.
Day 2
Juan Thornhill. Virginia stud much like LKP
Deointe Thompson. First round pick potential that dropped. Can be a free safety and played for Bama so you know he is good
Darnell Savage Jr. This guy is savage from Maryland
Amani Hooker. Good player from Iowa. Could be a Bear
Day 3
Jaquan Johnson, Marquise Blair, and Mike Bell are the top day 3 guys.
This draft is loaded on the defensive line and has some depth at CB and safety too. The Lions could take an edge or LB or CB. Green Bay could take an edge, OLB, ILB, CB or safety. Bears don’t have a pick until day 3 but they could take a safety in Round 3 and could use OLB depth. The Vikings need a weak side LB, 3 tech and could add more at safety after they cut Sendejo. Defensive end could be a need next year for Minnesota.
Can’t wait for the draft and to see who will become a super stud.