We finish the draft article preview series with Edge Defender (DE/OLB rush), Interior Defender (NT, DT and 3-4 DE), Cornerback and Safety. Getcha popcorn ready
EDGE
TIER
Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan 6’7 260 pounds
This guy is a beast and should be a top 2 pick in the draft. Has size, speed and strength and super productive for the Michigan this year. Potential to be a stronger Jared Allen. If the Jaguars don’t take him, the Lions better take him.
Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE Oregon 6’4 254 pounds
Thibodeaux was the consensus top pick until he had a couple questionable answers at the combine. He is explosive, fast and a perfect fit at 3-4 OLB or DE. He is compared to Myles Garrett and could have a higher ceiling than Hutchinson but a lower floor.
Travon Walker DE/DT Georgia 6’5 272 pounds
Tall long and thick with good speed. He can play 3 Tech DT or be a rush OLB/DE. The Jaguars might be in love with this guy so he has potential to go number 1. Lacked production at times but has immense potential. Compares to Arik Armstead of the 49ers.
Second TIER
Jermain Jonson II Florida State EDGE 6’5 254 pounds
Good bull rush and good with hands. Compares to Montez Sweat. Needs counter rushes and to rush lower. Round 1 and maybe top 10 pick.
George Karlaftis Purdue EDGE 6’4 266 pounds
Big size and good power but could be better. Ryan Kerrigan comparison. Mid to late Round 1
Boye Mafe Minnesota
Bud Dupree speed but needs more consistency. Late Round 1 or early Round 2 pick.
Arnold Ebiketie Penn State EDGE 6’2 250 pounds
Explosive with long arms but needs more strength. Late Round 1 or Round 2 pick. Transfer from Temple to Penn State and had a good pass rush for the Nittany Lions.
David Ojabo Michigan EDGE 6’4 250 pounds
Exploded for Michigan this year with Hutchinson. Tore his achilles so may drop into Round 2 or 3 because of it. Compares to first rounder Brian Burns from Carolina.
THIRD TIER
Myjai Sanders Cincinnati
Round 3 pick. Compares to Yannick Ngakoue but a better teammate
Josh Paschal Kentucky
Athletic with high motor but needs more pass rush moves, bend and strength. Round 3 or 4
Tyreke Smith Ohio State
Athletic bend but needs a lot more strength. Round 3 or 4 pick.
Interior Defender
Second TIER after Travon Walker
Jordan Davis Georgia
Nose tackle but great athlete and run defender. Compares to Brandon Williams. Mid to late 1st rounder.
Devonte Wyatt Georgia
3 tech DT with pass rushing win rates. Dancing bear with good bull rush. Had off field issue of assault accusation. Late Round 1 or early day 2 pick
Logan Hall Houston
Power but needs to get lower and more pass rush moves. Round 2 pick
Third TIER
Travis Jones UCONN
Huge nose tackle. More of a run blocker. Round 3 pick
Cameron Thomas San Diego State
Versatile for DT or DE but needs more strength and agility. Round 3
Demarvin Leal Texas A&M
Good hands was a high rated prospect but not enough production. Round 2 or 3 pick.
Perrion Winfrey Oklahoma
3 tech with good burst but needs to play lower. Round 2 or 3 pick
Cornerback
Top TIER
Ahmad Sauce Gardner Cincinnati
Physical shut down corner. Compares to Richard Sherman but more atheltic. Could be a top 5 pick
Derrick Stingley Jr LSU
Size and speed but with a injury history. AJ Terrell comparison. Top 12 pick
Second TIER
Andrew Booth Jr Clemson
Zone CB with closing speed but gambles and can get beat. Mid 1st rounder
Trent McDuffie Washington
Quick closing speed and great athlete. Have seen Jaire Alexander comparisons. Mid 1st round pick
Roger McCreary Auburn
Big outside experienced cornerback with good press and agility. Jaylon Johnson comparisons. Late 1st or 2nd rounder
Kaiir Elam Florida
Another long physical corner with AJ Terrell comparisons. Late Round 1 or Round 2
Kyler Gordon
Good agility and size and strength. Needs better run support. Trevon Diggs comparison. Round 2
Third TIER: Round 3 or 4 guys
Marcus Jones Houston
Martin Emerson Miss State
Alontae Taylor Tennessee
Safety
Top TIER
Kyle Hamilton Notre Dame
Verstaile safety that can play in box, free or slot CB. Great game speed and closing speed but timed average. Still most likely a top 10 pick
Second TIER
Daxton Hill Michigan
Five-star athlete that can cover and hit. Could play in slot too. Mid-1st rounder
Lewis Cine Georgia
Speedy safety with great closing speed but needs to be assignment sound. Late 1st
Jalen Pitre Baylor
Safety/slot hybrid but needs a bigger frame. Round 2 pick
Jaquan Brisker Penn State
Tall hard-hitting safety with big time playmaker. Needs to sure up tackling and improve coverage a little. Round 2 pick
Third TIER
Kerby Joseph Illinois
Think Jessie Bate. Late Round 2 or Round 3
Brian Cook Cincinnati
Smart player but not a ballhawk. Compares to Deshon Elliot. Round 3
Nick Cross Maryland
Super athlete that tested off the charts. Round 3 pick
This closes out the Draft Series preview. Hope you’ll be watching Round 1 starting at 8 PM ET on ABC, ESPN or NFL Network. Going to be an interesting unpredictable draft in Las Vegas.