1st Round
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Taco Charlton, Michigan
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Solomon Thomas, Stanford
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
2nd Round
Charles Harris, Missouri
Chris Wormley, Michigan
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
Tim Williams, Alabama
3rd Round
Tanoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
4th Round
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
Carl Lawson, Auburn
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic
5th-7th Round
Tarell Basham, Ohio
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas
Josh Callaway, TCU
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State
Avery Moss, Youngstown State
Dylan Donahue, West Georgia
Garrett Sickles, Penn State
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh
Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech
Defensive Tackles
1st Round
Jonathon Allen, Alabama
Caleb Brantley, Florida
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
2nd Round
Montravius Adams, Auburn
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
Charles Walker, Oklahoma
3rd Round
Carlos Watkins, Clemson
Davon GodChaux, LSU
4th Round
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
Elijah Qualls, Washington
Tanzell Smart, Tulane
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
5th-7th Round
Isaac Rochelle, Notre Dame
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
Chunky Clements, Illinois
Josh Augusta, Missouri
Defensive Ends
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
6-4, 272
Garrett was a three year player with the Aggies who departed after his junior season. He started as a freshman in 2014, and finished by being named freshman All-American, and was also named second team All-SEC that same year. He finished with 53 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks that season.
Garrett was a finalist for both the Lombardi and Hendricks awards as a sophomore. He finished that season with 59 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, and five forced fumbles.
Garrett entered his junior season suffering from the effects of a knee injury, and was held to nine starts. He finished with 33 tackles, 15 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, and 10 QB hurries.
The Good
Freakish athlete who plays both bigger and more compact than he actually is.
Absolutely explodes off of the snap.
Very quick around the edge, and gets into the backfield with regularity.
He can fight off blocks around the edge and keeps on moving.
Amazingly crafty first steps into his rush.
First rate pro spin move.
Has played first tier offensive tackles his entire career.
Can play down or up.
Fast enough to make a difference in the open field.
He does not miss tackles. Once his hands are on you, you are going down.
Can play on either side, and be just as disruptive.
Excellent body control, even in space.
The Bad
As good as he can be, he is still very raw in some regards.
Has not been given the best coaching in college, and still has some work to do as far as technique.
Can depend on his raw athleticism too much at times.
Has been known to take some plays off, and gets fatigued.
Does not have first rate hand moves.
Can be blocked when linemen get into his body, and if that happens, he tends to give up.
He may not have given a full effort in 2016, as his mind was already on the draft.
Final Overview
Garrett is a consensus overall number one pick in the upcoming NFL draft. His athleticism and his production are just too much to ignore at this point, and he will get paid. He may very well be the finest defender out there when it comes to his overall potential. The one thing that has to be remembered is that he did not always go full out with the Aggies, and that is concerning about what his mindset may be. He has to be able to go full steam on every play, but he also has shown some conditioning deficiencies, and was never able to play more than 70% of total team snaps on defense while in college. Is he an every down player? That remains to be seen.
Taco Charlton, Michigan
6-6, 277
Charlton was a rare four year player that was high profile during his college career. He was a special teams player as a freshman, and collected just two tackles.
He became a rotational player as a sophomore, and finished with 19 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries that season.
As a junior, Charlton really picked up steam, as he finished with 30 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and three QB hurries.
He finished with his best season as a senior, when he totaled 42 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, twp PBUs, and eight QB hurries.
He finished as a first team All-Big 10 player as a senior.
The Good
CPure combo sized player with seriously decent athletic traits.
Rock solid lower body power.
Has room to add to his frame on the next level.
Explodes off of the snap and can get by the first layer of blocks cleanly.
Solid body control, and can get push against big tackles.
If he gets an early lead on the edge, he is gone.
Can fight off blocks and move on.
Already has a pro spin move.
Has the ability to cut down a back trying to pop outside, and is solid in pursuit.
Is just coming into his own and has room to grow.
Very coachable.
The Bad
He has yet to have that explosive season in college.
He is getting a high grade based on athletic ability and potential, not on production.
Does not give it on every play, and takes a few off.
Still very raw, has some things to learn.
Never started full time until his final year.
Still on the thinner side. Needs some bulk on his frame to be fully effective.
Can be redirected on his rushes.
Needs some nastiness in his game.
Footwork is all over the place.
Does not always play with enough quickness.
Gets caught leaning.
Final Overview
The pieces are there for Charlton, he just needs to put it all together. He needs some consistency, and hopefully, can learn some as a pro from veterans and coaches alike. Charlton is still a very raw, but very talented athlete who seems to be on the way up, and someone will pay a first round pick to get his services.
Derek Barnett, Tennessee
6-3, 259
Barnett was a three year player for the Tennessee Volunteers, and was the first freshman to ever start on a Vol defensive line. He was named All-SEC all three years he played at Tennessee, and was a first team All-American as a junior in his final season.
As a freshman, Barnett wrecked the opposition by totaling 72 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, and 10 sacks. He added eight QB hurries as well.
As a sophomore, He saw some stats dip a bit. He totaled 69 tackles, but finished with just 12.5 TFLs and 10 sacks. He added seven QB hurries to the totals in 13 games.
As a junior, he finished with 56 tackles, again, a dip, and added 19.5 TFLs to go with 13 sacks, five PBUs, 16 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Barnett is another freakish athlete, with all of the tangibles you require, including lightning fast hands.
Technique off the edge is incredible, and uses swim move very effectively.
Knows how to get around a blocker and get to the flank to get rid of him.
He is an attacker who keeps working until he gets to his target.
Equally as effective against the run as he is at getting to the QB.
If you do not get a body on hi, he will destroy your play.
Destroys with his tackles, hits with severe violence.
Reads offenses like a pro already, and knows how to adjust himself.
Can drop back into zone if needed.
The Bad
Can be a bit wild and undisciplined on the field, and will cost you some penalties.
Guesses more than thinks at times.
Takes some time to warm up through the season, and has rarely been ready to go full effort on week one. Needs motivation.
Like a train, once he gets moving, he is not easy to readjust, and a scrambling QB with good presence can elude him.
Footwork is opposite of hand work, and needs some serious work.
Can be shoved around if he cannot immediately get separation from blockers.
Does not give you a lot of length.
Is a bit undersized for DE at the NFL level, and may have to learn to play edge rush OLB in a 3-4 defense.
Still needs to develop a move inside, and does not have a patented spin move down yet.
Not as strong as he is nasty and violent on the field.
Final Overview
Barnett is just plain nasty on film. He is one of the most productive college ends in the last 20 years, and that is where his bread is buttered. He does not match up to all of the measurables, and may have to work harder on the next level than a player like Garrett, but I happen t like him as much as I like Garrett, for production alone. He has some bad habits to break, and did not do great at the Senior Bowl or Combine but I think that those events are largely overrated. The proof is in the film. He has what it takes.
Solomon Thomas, Stanford
6-3, 273
Thomas was a three year player at Stanford, which included a redshirt season as a true freshman. Thomas was a top 25 recruit coming out of high school, and ended up at Stanford. He was named honorable mention All-PAC 12 as a rs freshman, and then was named first team All-American as a sophomore, and was named PAC-12 defensive player of the year.
As a freshman, he recorded 39 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks to go with five QB hurries.
As a sophomore, he finished with 62 tackles, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, and seven QB hurries.
The Good
Excellent frame for the position, and comes from a family of athletes.
Very aggressive player who has lined up across the line.
Very good hand work, uses combos to get out of blocks quickly.
Uses excellent power/speed combo.
Strings moves together, and has solid body control moving from spot to spot.
Solid swim moves.
Already has mastered his spin move inside or out.
Will not glue himself to a blocker. Gets free and makes the play.
Rangy play maker. Can get all over the place in a hurry.
Plays very well in space.
The Bad
Only played two seasons of college football.
Tends to be maxed out on his current frame. May play smaller on next level.
Can play too upright, and his pads tend to stay lifted up rather than playing down.
Does not play as strong as he could. Needs more size and power.
Plays finesse at times rather than letting the violence rip.
Big, physical tackles can win battles against him.
Guesses too much and creates penalties.
Final Overview
Thomas started flying up the boards with an excellent game against North Carolina in the Sun Bowl, and he also had solid appearances in the post season that raised his stock. Again, I am not one to consider one game, or post season workouts, or for that matter, all star games. What you see on film is generally what you get. I still think that Thomas is a first round caliber player, but he has more work to do than anyone else earning a first round grade. He has only two yeas of major college football under his belt, and that has to be considered. Thomas will need to do some work on the next level, but with that said, there is no dismissing the fact that he has loads of potential, and could one day end up being considered as one of the better players to come out of this class.
Dawuane Smoot, Illinois
6-3, 264
Smoot was a four year player for the Illini, and played as a 215 pound end as a freshman. He was a hurdler and was a junior Olympian in high school.
As a freshman, Smoot eight tackles, with one TFL and one sack. As a sophomore, he started to bulk up, and finished with 33 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He added two PBUs, and three QB hurries.
As a junior, Smoot finished with 40 tackles, 15 TFLs, eight sacks, two PBUs, three QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
As a senior, Smoot recorded 56 tackles, 15 TFLs, five sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Once past the point of attack, he kicks into a second gear to get at QBs and RBs who are on the move.
Can close off a pocket by shutting down the edge.
Excellent athlete who was a hurdler in high school.
Can work the gaps as well as close off the edge.
Has lateral ability, and works down the line very well.
Can play up or down, depending on scheme.
Has the ability to knock a ball loose.
The Bad
Overall numbers were better in year two than year three. Did not seem as focused in his final season.
Has never played on a winning team, and doesn't know how to win on a high level just yet.
Does not explode off of the snap like you would like.
Hand work is average, and he can get redirected off of his course.
Does not possess many moves, or the ability to string together what little he has in the way of moves.
Lacks solid control, and his mindset towards the game does not appear to be focused.
Does not always bring it week to week.
Final Overview
If you look at his film as a junior, Smoot looked like pretty much everything you would need at the DE position, but it is the film from 2016 that should have many concerned. He throttled back in his senior season, almost as if he did not want to give too much and get hurt as he was already thinking ahead to the NFL draft this year. Illinois was losing, and that may have effected his mindset, but it does not thrill me that no matter what was going on with the team, that it appeared that he mailed it in a bit. A stellar athlete brings it no matter what. Teams will likely take a chance on Smoot in the late first round based on his junior film, but I believe that it is buyer beware on this one.
Charles Harris, Missouri
6-3, 253
Harris spent four years at Missouri, including a redshirt year during his true freshman campaign. He came back as a RS freshman, and recorded 19 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, two PBUs, four QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he totaled 56 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, seven sacks, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
As a rs junior, Harris racked up 61 tackles, 12 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, 10 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
Harris was named second team All-SEC as a sophomore, and did so again as a junior.
Harris did not play football until his junior year of high school.
The Good
Excellent run defender who knows how to work a gap.
Pops out of the snap and works with solid explosiveness.
Solid athleticism helps him work down the line in pursuit.
Can cover on screen passes, has enough ability to kick out in pursuit, keeps level with his target.
Shows patience, does not bite easily on play action.
Very quick off the edge.
Plugs his way through double teams.
Wrap tackler who does not throw his body around.
Excellent body control in space, works through traffic, sticks with his objectives.
Will blow up plays in the backfield if your tackle does not adjust to him quickly.
Does not seem to take plays off, motor is constantly churning.
The Bad
Dips his head too often when making tackles.
Looks smaller than you would like on film, and measures the same in reality. May need to kick out to OLB in a 3-4 set.
Looks like his frame is maxed out.
Lunges his way into tackles rather than keeping balance and smashing the tackle.
His approach to the QB is very wide and arcing.
Does not get rid of blocks quick enough, will ride the wave.
Edge rush is based on quickness and athleticism, but everything else looks pretty basic with him.
If he gets tied up by a blocker, he likely will not win the fight.
Did not react well to change in scheme as a junior, and his numbers dipped.
Still very raw at times.
Final Overview
Harris has earned a second round grade, but interest in him in recent weeks is on the upswing. He has all of the tools that he needs, but he will need some technique work on the next level, and he needs to be moved out to OLB to be able to find some space to play in, as he is limited in size to be able to up head to head against the mammoths that are NFL OTs. If you can get him in open space and allow him to be creative, you have a high motor athlete who will make a ton of plays. He has loads of potential for the right team and coaching staff, and I can see him sneaking his way into the first round on draft day.
Chris Wormley, Michigan
6-5, 298
Wormley came to Michigan from Toledo, Ohio, where he was voted as the Ohio Division One High School Player of the Year. He ended up being a five year player for Michigan, including his redshirt season as a true freshman.
In his first year on the field, he recorded 19 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and one PBU. For his second season, he recorded 21 tackles, five TFLs, and three sacks, and added two QB hurries.
As a junior, Wormley doubled his tackle totals to 43, and added 14.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one PBU, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a senior, he recorded 39 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He also added three blocked kicks to his resume.
He was named third team All-Big 10 in 2015, and first team in 2016.
The Good
Intimidating frame that matches with tackles.
Very good length, and can also switch up and play inside.
Arm length lends to skill as a kick blocker. He blocked three kicks last season.
Has enough power to collapse the middle of the line, or collapse the edge in a hurry.
Patient tackler that does not bite on play fakes.
Can play up or down.
Strong pursuit speed, does not give up on the play.
Power in lower body will drive back blockers.
Uses arms to create separation from blockers.
Has the ability to bust through gaps.
Keeps working in traffic and does not lose sight of the objective.
Very good in pursuit, and will work across the field to make a play.
Doesn't get knocked down, even in traffic. Amazing balance for someone his size.
Plays with his brain.
The Bad
Slow to redirect himself when he gets knocked off course.
Looks average athletically on film.
Straight up bull rusher who can get stonewalled at the point of attack.
Hand moves are average.
Does not pop off the blocker, and will ride the wave.
His feet look sluggish to me, and his game is more power than technique.
His numbers are not eye popping on any level.
Final Overview
Wormley is a player who coaches tend to love. He will do all of the little things, and will basically play wherever you want him to. He does not flash excellent athleticism all of the time, but there is enough there to warrant consideration. I see him more as a second rounder due to his versatility, as he can play inside or out, and can be used in the middle as a kick blocker on special teams. Some teams may like him enough to reach into the first round, but I would not do that myself. He is a high character guy, which will help his case.
Takkarist McKinley, UCLA
6-2, 250
McKinley was an original California commit, but failed to gain entry based on academic performance out of high school. He attended Contra Costa JC, and was named all conference in his lone season there, and then transferred to UCLA once his academic issues were solved. He spent three seasons with the Bruins.
As a sophomore, he recorded five tackles,3.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. As a junior, he became a main stream player, and recorded 35 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, four PBUs, and two forced fumbles.
As a senior, he racked up 61 tackles, 18 TFLs, 10 sacks, six PBUs, three QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named first team All-PAC 12 as a senior.
The Good
High motor player, always working in the field to make the play. Does not take plays off.
Bounces around and still goes after the play.
Not a biter on play fakes.
Pure speed and power combo with solid foot churn.
Works quickly off of the edge.
Solid ball raking skills, always reaching for the football.
Solid balance, and does not see the ground much.
His first step is lightning, especially from upright position off of the snap.
Legs are always churning.
Collapses a pocket very quickly, and will push bigger lockers back.
Can also play inside or outside at LB.
The Bad
does not always get his arms extended to create separation.
Takes the long raod into the backfield sometimes with a wide ranging arc to the ball.
Does not always separate from blockers, and will ride the wave all the way in.
His arms are all over the place at times, with some seriously wasted movements.
Undersized for the DE position, and will almost certainly have to kick to playing LB.
Needs to add some bulk to the frame that he does have.
Still shows some rawness in technique.
Final Overview
McKinley is a high motor and effort player who needs to add bulk and overall technique to his game. He is a speed edge guy who needs to add some complimentary moves to his game and shorten his approach to the backfield. He had one very exciting season at UCLA, but he still has some work to do long term to become a serious starter in the league. He has the talent and athletic ability, now he needs to be refined. If that can happen, and I think that it can, he could be a very nice edge rush specialist in the NFL.
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State
6-4, 280
Walker was a four year player for the Seminoles, and had been a verbal commit to Alabama before flipping to Florida State out of high school. He was a consensus top 50 national player out of the high school ranks.
He played in 11 games as a freshman (he was an early enrollee), and recorded 18 tackles, two TFLs, and a sack.
As a sophomore, he played in 14 games for the national championship team, and recorded 38 tackles, six TFLs, had one sack, and four QB hurries.
He returned as a junior, and totaled 58 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, five PBUs, three QB hurries, and four forced fumbles. He also added a blocked kick.
Walker decided to return for his senior season, and recorded 68 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 16 sacks, two PBUs, four QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named third team All-ACC as a junior, and was named 1st team All-ACC and 1st team All-American as a senior.
The Good
Super productive once he had the leash removed from the coaching staff. Should have stated before he got the chance.
Massive first step, and excellent swim move combo helps him shirk blockers quickly.
Gets into the backfield with lightning speed.
Sack specialist the last two seasons. Very disruptive in the backfield.
Constantly works to find a way to the play.
Very smart player on the field.
Gets his arms in the air on pass plays, an has enough reach to knock passes down.
Still has enough room on his frame to bulk up some.
Collects blockers to enable teammates to get to the ball.
Rarely leaves the field, and wants in on the action.
Sure tackler who levels pads and makes the hit.
The Bad
Does not possess solid pursuit speed/ability. Players can pull away from him in open space.
Does not have good flow speed when working down the line.
Does not always get good arm extension at point of attack, and can be redirected, or even taken out of the play.
Footwork is not always first rate.
Allows himself the ability to get worn out, and may not be a full three down player in the NFL.
Final Overview
Walker is a high effort guy that will give you everything he has on the field, even if it is, at times, to his detriment. One cannot question his desire to play, and his motor and ambition are what you want, but sometimes a staff will have to limit him to get everything that he has that is good out of him. He is one of the most productive players in this draft, and he could find his way into the late first round, but a second round pick would be suitable for one of his skill set. He is simply just too productive to ignore.
Tim Williams, Alabama
6-3, 244
Williams was a four year player at Alabama, and jilted his hometown LSU Tigers in favor of playing for the Tide.
He played in seven games as a freshman, and recorded three tackles and had one TFL.
As a sophomore, he played in 12 games as a reserve, and recorded five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and finished with three QB hurries.
He played a ton more as a junior, and played in a total of 15 games. He finished with 19 tackles, 12.5 TFLs, and 10.5 sacks. He also added four QB hurries.
He finished with 31 tackles as a senior, and also added 16 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, 12 QB hurries, and forced two fumbles.
The Good
Fires off of the snap with explosiveness and swiftness.
Pass rush specialist who takes a solidly direct approach to the target.
Equally as adept at getting into position coming from the edge or inside.
Takes advantage on the edge and can get around a blocker with decent shoulder leverage.
Has real speed for an End/OLB.
Can drop into coverage on zone plays.
The Bad
Serious character concerns. It was reported that he had failed multiple drug tests at Alabama, and missed part of a game for a misdemeanor gun charge. Huge red flags, and was under disciplined.
Is not very cerebral to his approach. Needs to have things simplified to succeed.
He will bite on play fakes, and gets fooled quite easily.
Way to thin to play DE in the NFL. Will have to be a pass rush specialist, limiting him to third downs, or long yardage downs.
Will give you limited success on running plays.
Can get knocked around.
Numbers are not really that impressive over his career.
Does not read offenses well.
Hand work is sloppy and rather weak.
Not very athletic, will not get to plays that are away from him.
Small tackle radius.
Final Overview
NFL scouts and execs love players who can get into the backfield, and Williams can do that, but he really is limited to that role overall. He will get a second round grade because of this special skill set, and someone will likely take him there. In my opinion, he has too many off field issues for me to consider seriously, so I would not sacrifice an early round pick on this particular prospect. He is a suspension waiting to happen, and I do not trust where his head is at, and I certainly do not trust his focus ability, and there are questions about his on field IQ. I would pass on this guy, because the defensive end position is the richest in this draft class.
Tannoh Kpassagnon, Villanova
6-7, 289
Kpassagnon was a bit of a late bloomer, and was a four year player for the Wildcats. He played sparingly as a rs freshman, and finished with 15 tackles and one sack.
He missed eight games with a torn MCL, but still finished with 12 tackles, five TFLs and 3.5 sacks.
He returned healthy as a junior, and finished with 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. As a senior, He blew up with 21.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks.
He was named All-CAA as a junior, and repeated as All-CAA along with FCS All-American honors as a senior..
The Good
Very good frame, with excellent length, and the frame has the ability to add more bulk.
Very good core strength with some powerful ability to move blockers out of his way.
Can slip through gaps and have an impact in the backfield.
Really started coming into his own in the pass rush as a senior, with huge numbers.
Very smart off the field.
Can get to plays that kick outside and has a nice range.
Solid kick blocker.
The Bad
Takes the long arcing road to the QB.
Not very explosive with consistency.
Lacks lower body power, and plays too narrow at his base.
Rides the wave with the blocker and does not separate.
Does not always know where the ball is.
Very upright player, and does not have a good concept of pad level or leverage.
Very raw in his ability.
Final Overview
Kpassagnon is a very raw player with a ton of potential and a very good brain that is ready to learn. I see him as being a three year developmental player with a ton of potential, but he has a lot to still learn. He has some serious tools to work with, and has the ambition to learn, and that will aid him in the process. If I had the ability to draft a developmental prospect with a high ceiling in the third round, I would seriously consider him.
Jordan Willis, Kansas State
6-4, 255
Willis was a four year player at Kansas State, and was a favorite among his coaches. He came to Kansas State as a Kansas City All-Metro pick out of high school.
As a freshman, Willis recorded One tackle, which was a sack. As a sophomore, he recorded 26 tackles, seven TFLs, four sacks, and one PBU.
As a junior, his numbers began to pick up, as he finished with 35 tackles, 15 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, three PBUs, two QB hurries, and four forced fumbles. He also blocked one kick.
As a senior, he became one of the omst productive and disruptive players in the nation. He finished with 52 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 11.5 sacks, three PBUs, four QB hurries, and three forced fumbles.
He was named as the Big 12 Defensive player of the year in 2016, and was named as a third team All-American.
The Good
Breaks down what he is seeing with skill. Does not take the bate on misdirection.
Strong tackler, finishes what he starts.
Quick to change direction when needed.
Very strong hand work, some o the best at this position in this class.
Plays with decent balance in space.
Has excellent combo moves, including a devastating swim move that he uses with skill.
Very disruptive in the backfield against the run.
The Bad
One track mind as a pass rusher, and uses his moves early and leaves the tank empty for the end of the play.
Does not possess a second gear in terms of speed or quickness.
Can get knocked off his path by aggressive blockers who are willing to meet him at the point of attack.
Does not always meet tackles head on, and gets caught working from bad angles.
May not have enough to make it at DE in the NFL, and may require work as an OLB in a 3-4 system.
Final Overview
Willis really came on during his last two seasons at K State, as he finished with over 32 TFLs. He has a knack for getting into the backfield, but he may be limited athletically to take on the DE job in the NFL. He may be a developmental project at this point with a necessary position change coming up, as he does not possess the frame or the moves to play at end on the next level. Still, h was productive enough to give a shot in the coming draft.
Carroll Phillips, Illinois
6-3, 242
Phillips is the nephew of former Miami Hurricane Luther Campbell. He attended Cincinnati out of high school, and did not play during his freshman season. He transferred to Copiah-Lincoln JC, and finished with 49 tackles and four sacks as a sophomore. He then transferred to Illinois as a junior.
He started three games for the Illini as a junior, and finished with 26 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two sacks.
As a senior, Phillips exploded, as he finished the year with 56 tackles, 20 TFLs, nine sacks, and three QB hurries.
He was named first team All-Big 10 as a senior.
The Good
Very disruptive in the backfield against the run, and works well with stunts.
Works for the tackle, and is solid in pursuit. Does not give up on the play.
Solid tackler who gets his guy.
A grade agility, moves fluidly.
Plays very well in space.
Possesses second gear to close in on tackles.
Solid pass rush attributes, knows how to get to the pocket and make a play on the QB.
The Bad
Very raw as a starter, with just one full season of experience in major college football.
Size is a limit, and he may have to kick out to play OLB.
Lacks lower body power, very thin legs with not much drive.
Gets knocked off course due to lack of core strength and anchor.
Poor hands.
Arms are all over the place, and he appears to be often out of sync.
Plays too high, does not use good pad level.
Straight line rusher who has one good shot to make the play, or he fails.
Final Overview
It is my belief that we were just starting to see the best of Phillips in 2016. He will slide down to the late third or early fourth round because of a lacking sample size on what he is mad eup of, and he also will likely need a position change. He could use some time as a developmental prospect to get some bulk on his frame, but he may be limited on the next level until he makes some changes to his technique. He is known as the "Wild Man", and plays wild sometimes, which is not always a good thing. If he slides to the fourth round, grab him for development, but do not reach early on this prospect.
Daeshon Hall, Texas A&M
6-5, 266
Hall was a four year player for the Aggies who had the benefit of lining up opposite Myles Garrett, the consensus number one pick in this draft. He had been playing at OLB before his frame filed out and he moved down to the line.
As a freshman, he finished with 29 tackles, three TFLs, three QB hurries, and an INT. As a sophomore, he totaled 29 tackles, six TFLs, 4.5 sacks, an five QB hurries.
As a junior, Hall played in 13 games, and totaled 54 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and seven sacks. He also added two PBUs, four QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He returned for his senior season, and finished with 50 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 4.5 sacks to go with one PBU, 12 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Has a long frame that can handle adding more bulk.
Versatile, and can line up all over the place.
Solid run defender who gets behind the line to make plays.
Has the ability to get through double teams.
Strong motor, never quits on plays.
Gives max effort.
The Bad
Still very raw, and has only played at DE for one season, and does not project well at OLB.
Does not have rock solid core strength and can get bounced around.
Plays too high, and does not yet understand pad level for playing on line.
Still learning how to use his hands, and has limited moves down low.
Has added some bulk, and it has slowed him down.
Still learning, and may need some developmental time on the next level.
Has not become a stellar pass rusher, but does get behind the line to make plays in the run game.
May be limited to a two down DE until he has developed more.
Final Overview
Hall is heavy on potential, but he is very raw at this point, and the trap would be to draft him on a reach because of the potential alone. He is a make it or bust player, who has the motor and drive to succeed, but he has a very long way to go to become a major starter on a good football team as a pro. He will likely have to have his entire game worked over to become ready, so expecting much of him in year one would be a major mistake.
Carl Lawson, Auburn
6-2, 261
Lawson played in 14 games as a freshman, and was named as a freshman All-American after collecting 20 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, four sacks, seven QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He missed his entire sophomore campaign after he tore a knee ligament in the spring.
He returned the following season, with expectations that he would be healthy and functional, but again, he missed several games with a hip injury. He recorded just 17 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack in seven games played.
He returned last season, and managed to stay healthy for 13 games. He finished with 30 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, nine sacks, 24 QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
The Good
Works with solid arm extension to push his way around the edge.
Solid work with his hands.
Can aggressively pursue kick out plays to the sideline.
Can play up or down.
Very explosive off of the snap and aggressive.
Takes the narrow direct path to the QB in the pocket, does not get pushed outside.
Has very intriguing power/speed combo.
Has played inside at DT and at ILB as well.
The Bad
He has missed a ton of games in college.
May be to oshort to play at DE, and lacks requisite size to play inside at DT. May have to move to LB.
Tends to get tied up by blockers with size.
Will not shed tackles. Rides the wave.
More powerful in his upper half than his lower.
Does not change direction quickly, and can get taken out of a play.
Tends to apply pressure to QBs, but rarely finished the play with a sack.
Not a great tackler.
Not exactly the most athletic guy on the field, and plays tight.
Final Overview
Lawson is a guy who is all potential and not enough production. He has lost a lot of time to injuries during his college career, and really never gelled as an athlete. He is lacking enough size to play down line on defense, and lacks enough athleticism to move to ILB, which is where he would generally translate to. Without really knowing what you would do with him, I would take a pass on him in this draft.
Trey Hendrickson, Florida Atlantic
6-4, 266
Hendrickson was a four year player for the Owls, with his last two seasons being very productive in terms of what you are looking for.
As a freshman, he finished with six tackles and 1.5 sacks. As a sophomore, he finished with 30 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and five sacks.
He really started to bloom as a junior, as he finished with 39 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 13.5 sacks. He also added five forced fumbles to his resume.
As a senior, Hendrickson totaled a career high 50 tackles, 15 TFLs, and 9.5 sacks. He added two PBUs as well.
Hendrickson was third team All-Florida out of high school, and finished first team All-CUSA as a junior and as a senior.
The Good
Uses his hands as a weapon while working off of the edge.
Gets good speed coming off the edge and can throw some punch behind it as well.
Solid arm extension into blockers.
Footwork is a plus, and adds an excellent spin move to his cache of weapons.
Excellent ability to force fumbles and get at the ball.
kick blocking specialist who blocked four total kicks in his senior season.
The Bad
Not a great run defender, mainly a late down or long yardage backup type guy for the next level.
Does not think quickly, waits for plays to develop rather than attacking off of the snap.
Plays too high. Does not exhibit good pad level.
Can get bounced around when he does not get a good first step.
Can get beaten by lessor athletes.
Does not always get a straight line to the QB, and can be forced wide. Has to go through layers to get to his target.
Final Overview
Hendrickson will serve a team well as a pass rush backup DE and special teams demon who can get to the football with athleticism and decent speed. He does not look like a first two downs end, and wil lhave to develop into that role on the next level. I can see him sliding into the third day of the draft, while teams find a role for him, but he is not a lock to make a roster out of this draft. He is going to have to work for his spot and show value in roles.
5th-7th Round
Tarell Basham, Ohio: Freshman All-American, and MAC Defensive POY in 2016. Will need to develop some kind of pass rush to be worthy of a job in a few years.
Deatrich Wise, Arkansas: Was not great in 2016. Pure power player with a lack of athleticism or finesse.
Josh Callaway, TCU: Pass rush specialist who lacks a nasty streak. May have to be an edge LB on the next level as he lacks bulk to be a down lineman.
Keionta Davis, Chattanooga: A small school tweener who lacks skills to play DE in standard defense. Not sure where he fits.
Derek Rivers, Youngstown State: Three time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick. Dominant on FCS level, but may need to kick out to OLB or find a level of specialty to stick. Solid diamond in the rough.
Avery Moss, Youngstown State: Had some character concerns and got kicked off Nebraska football team. He has all of the skills necessary to compete, and production to boot. If he can get himself together, he has a shot.
Garrett Sickles, Penn State: Lacks physicality at point of attack, but finds a way to the backfield. Could be a cndidate for a move to LB on the next level, but his motor is unquestionable.
Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh: Has a worrisome injury history, but when he is healthy, he is very hard to stop. Could be a little bit on the short side to play DE in the NFL.
Ken Ekanem, Virginia Tech: Not the most athletic or physical prospect in the bunch, but has a solid motor, smarts, and hand work to make it somewhere. He is a developmental project at this point, but we may have already seen everything he has to give.
Defensive Tackles
Jonathon Allen, Alabama
6-3, 286
Allen was a four year player at Alabama who won the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Nogurski Award in 2016. He was the Gatorade Defensive Player of the Year coming out of high school in Virginia.
As a freshman, he totaled 15 Tackles, three TFLs, 0.5 sacks, a QB hurry, and a forced fumble. As a sophomore, Allen recorded 32 tackles, 11 TFLs, five sacks, one PBU, and seven QB hurries.
As a junior, he finished with 36 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, four PBUs, six QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
He returned for his senior season, and finished with 69 tackles, 16 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, two PBUs, 15 QB hurries, and two TDs on fumble returns.
The Good
Has been well coached, and receives said coaching like a pro.
Can line up at DE as well as DT, and could start at either spot.
Explodes of the snap and uses excellent hand work to get past the point of attack quickly.
Has an apartment in opposing backfields.
He can come at you with a wide range of weapons.
Very disciplined player, and high football IQ.
Numbers improved every season in college.
As strong against the run as he is against the pass.
Feet are always churning.
A real team leader. Like having an extra coach on the field.
Plays with violence and a nice nasty streak.
The Bad
Lack of supreme height may limit him at end, and he may be forced full time to tackle.
He may have to increase bulk to play inside.
Limited against double teams.
Does not have great pursuit speed, and can get left behind.
40 time is really not good.
Had his deficiencies buried and hidden by being surrounded by great talent all of the time.
Final Overview
Allen is a sure fire first round draft pick, but he does not come without warts. He will need to bulk up and play DT on the next level, because he lacks certain intangibles to play at DE. He is a super productive, high motor player, who leads by example, and is not afraid to get loud on the practice field. If I am an NFL GM, I find a use for him, and make the pick.
Caleb Brantley, Florida
6-3, 307
Brantley was a former first team All-Florida selection out of high school. He spent three years in the Gators program before declaring early.
As a freshman, he collected 21 tackles, four TFLs, and three QB hurries to go with two forced fumbles.
As a sophomore, he finished with 29 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and three sacks. He also added two QB hurries.
He finished his career after a junior year in which he totaled 31 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 2.5 sacks. He also added three QB hurries and one forced fumble.
The Good
Powerful player with a spark plug frame.
Has a motor, and plays with a fire in his belly.
Has had success against double teams, and is very difficult to move.
Has quickness off of the snap, and can blow up a play up the middle.
Solid body control, and plays with decent leverage at times.
Good hand usage.
The Bad
He takes a straight line to plays, and it doesn't always work out.
Confidence borders on arrogance and ignorance.
Very slow in the open field, and shows general lack of athleticism.
Numbers in college do not jump off the page.
Sack and hurry numbers are very pedestrian.
All power and violence, with very little finesse. Lacks combo moves. One trick pony.
Can get drawn off sides.
Was more of a rotation guy than a full timer.
Narrow tackle radius.
Final Overview
Brantley is a solid middle man in the field, but he has never had to go three downs in his college career. The numbers are really very limited for me, and I am thinking he could have used another year in school. His grades show him as a first round talent, but effectively, you could probably wait until later and get better value. He is very confident in himself to the point of myopia, and that is a bad thing. For what he does, there is just better value out there.
Malik McDowell, Michigan State
6-6, 295
McDowell was a three year player for the Spartans, and was a top 50 high school recruit out of the Detroit Metro area. He was named second team All-Big 10 for both of his final two seasons in East Lansing.
As a freshman, he finished with 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and two QB hurries.
As a sophomore, he totaled 41 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, eight QB hurries, two forced fumbles, a blocked kick, and an INT that was returned for a score.
As a senior, he wrapped his career by totaling 34 tackles, seven TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He played in just nine games due to an ankle injury.
The Good
Solid frame with good arm length.
Can be very athletic when he wants to be.
Very strong lower body, helps power through blocks.
Hands are quick and to the point.
Has a decent swim move.
Has enough athletic ability to chase and pursue.
Very good tackle radius.
Has worked at End as well as DT.
The Bad
Footwork is a mess.
He can play very much out of control at times.
Has been considered as being lazy at times.
Fairly new as a tackle, will need time to learn.
Can get beat up by double teams.
Needs better pad level.
Plays too upright at times.
Stays with the blocker, rides the wave.
Has not been a vocal leader, just does his thing and goes home.
Final Overview
McDowell is a frustrating player in that he has dominant traits, and has the ability to be a big time player, but he doesn't always give the effort. He needs to be constantly motivated, and that could get old for a coaching staff. He has to decide whether he is going to be a star one day, or just a complete wash out. There is no gray for him when it comes to this.
Montravius Adams, Auburn
6-4, 304
Adams was a top five national Defensive Tackle recruit out of high school in Georgia before attending Auburn. He earned third team All-SEC as a junior, and was named second team All-SEC as a senior. He spent four years with the Tigers.
As a freshman, he played in 13 games and recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack. He also added seven QB hurries.
As a sophomore, He totaled 43 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, 12 QB hurries, and intercepted one pass.
As a junior, he finished with 44 tackles, three TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one PBU, six QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
As a senior, he recorded 44 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, two PBUs, 15 QB hurries, one forced fumble, and two blocked kicks. He also returned an INT for a score, and returned a fumble for a score as well.
The Good
Very quick and explosive off of the snap.
Busts the gap with ease.
Very disruptive, and forces QBs to make mistakes.
Very powerful lower half.
Has enough quickness to be effective in pursuit.
Plays with solid pad level, uses pads as a battering ram off of the snap.
The Bad
Has not always played with a consistent motor. Seems to turn it on and off.
Junior year was a real letdown.
Comes into contact with his head down too often.
Hand work is not good enough at this level.
Does not always use his arm extension, lets blockers get into his body.
Rides the wave too often, and is slow to disengage.
Final Overview
Adams is another frustrating player that does not always play to his potential. He tried to coast through his junior season, and it blew up in his face, and he did not flip the switch again because he wanted to, but because he had to. Still, he is a disruptive enough force to be able to make some plays at the next level, but he has to stay motivated, and coaches do not like players that they constantly have to get a fire under. Either he will want it and succeed, or he won't and he will fail.
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
6-3, 316
Johnson was a five year player in the Iowa program, including a redshirt year in 2012.
As a freshman, he collected just one tackle in seven games. As a sophomore, he finished with 11 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and a sack.
As a junior, Johnson really got into a starting role, and finished with 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, one PBU, and six QB hurries.
As a senior, he finished with 55 tackles, 10 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, two PBUs, and five QB hurries.
The Good
Johnson has good short range quickness, and can explode off of the snap at times.
Has plenty of power at the point of attack when taking on first wave blockers.
Solid bull rush artist, with solid arm extension as a weapon.
Disengages blocks quickly.
Solid technique and decent body control in space.
Smart player, uses his brain as much as his body to make plays.
Has a nasty streak, and charges with violence.
Has very good change of direction ability for a guy his size.
The Bad
Plays too upright, and has uneven pad level.
Can get blocked out of a play when he does not get that first step down.
If he gets hit head on, he is out of the play.
Lacks expected core strength, and does not play up to his size at all times.
Does not put up a ton of numbers, and could get mitigated to NT, where he is responsible for moving bodies, not necessarily making plays.
Does not always show good understanding of what an offense is doing.
Good quickness in short bursts, but slow on longer plays, and does not have solid pursuit ability. A little bit plodding at times.
Final Overview
Johnson is a solid candidate to be placed at NT in the NFL, but do not expect him to make a ton of plays behind the line. It is largely his job at this point to move blockers out of the way, clearing a path for his teammates to make big plays. He is a little bit plodding at times, and although his motor never gives out, he just is not going to give you much in terms of outright play making ability. Services have graded him in the second round based on what people believe he can do, not necessarily on what he actually has done.
Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
6-6, 315
Jones was a high school offensive tackle while in high school in the Miami area, but moved to defense once he arrived at Notre Dame. Jones redshirted in 2012, and then missed two games as a sophomore to a foot injury. He missed the entire regular season in 2015 with an MCL tear. He played in 12 games as a senior, but started only six games total.
As a rs freshman, he collected 20 tackles, with one sack, one QB hurry, one forced fumble, and two blocked kicks.
He finished with 40 tackles as a sophomore, and added 7.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. He also added seven QB hurries, and two more blocked kicks.
He missed his junior season, and as a senior, he recorded 45 tackles, 11 TFLs, two sacks, three PBUs, and blocked another two kicks.
The Good
Played basketball in high school, and has retained that athleticism.
Plays with a solid burst in space, and displays solid body control.
Long arms gets him into position to block kicks on special teams.
Can get past the point of attack with a good deal of quickness.
Can play NT, or either DT spot in the gap technique.
The Bad
Plays with poor pad level, and is upright too often.
Hands are not a finished product just yet.
The injury history has to be a concern. Once he returned as a senior, he had basically lost his full time starting job.
Very raw in some areas.
Does not always seem to be aware of what the offense is doing.
Has a limited work ethic during the season and during the off-season.
Not a real leader, and tends to loaf.
Has to ask himself if he wants this.
Will have to constantly be motivated.
Final Overview
He has displayed enough in short bursts, but long term, he just does not seem to want to be doing this. He has some serious skills when he applies himself, but the question is about whether or not he will stay self motivated, and so far it seems that he is not. He does not condition well during the off-season, and that could be a major problem down the road. He has enough raw ability that someone will not do their homework and pick him in the mid rounds, and he could really end up disappointing someone.
Charles Walker, Oklahoma
6-2, 310
Johnson left the Sooners midway through the 2016 season while recovering from his third concussion of his career. He left the team to "prepare for the draft".
Walker was only in the program for three seasons, and left only four games into his junior season.
As a rs freshman, he finished with 10 tackles and one TFL. He missed five games with a knee injury.
As a sophomore, he finished with 36 tackles, 10 TFLs, and six sacks. He did not start a game, and missed one game.
He only played in four games as a junior, and totaled just seven tackles.
The Good
Can get at the point of attack quickly, and works through gaps with ease, when he plays.
Solid upper body power to get a good push.
Shows agility and athleticism in the open field.
Solid pursuit speed.
Excellent tackle radius.
Balanced player, with good hand/foot coordination.
The Bad
The injury history is too much to ignore.
Really jilted the Oklahoma program by leaving when and how he did.
Three concussions already, and you know there will be more.
His effort is on a switch.
Questionable character, and really disrespected his coaches.
Did nothing on the field in 2016.
Will ride the wave on blockers, and will not disengage in a timely manner.
Already has a child, meaning that his focus has not always been where it should be at this stage of his life.
Final Overview
I am still questioning how the scouting services have basically given this guy a blind second round grade. He showed one season of decent play, but there are several more deserving players in this class than him. He showed no loyalty to the Oklahoma program, showed limited effort, and really has flashed nothing that says that he will be a first rate impact player at all. I just do not understand, and he has three concussions and a knee injury already to boot. I would steer very clear from this player at any point in the draft, and it would not shock me one bit to see him fall completely out of the draft when all was said and done. Of course, there are fools born every minute, so someone may very well take him based on potential, but I just don't see it.
Carlos Watkins, Clemson
6-3, 309
Watkins was a five year player for the Clemson Tigers, having received a medical redshirt for the 2013 season after he was involved in a massive one car wreck that killed his cousin, who happened to be the driver.
As a freshman, he played in nine games, and recorded 13 tackles and one TFL. He also added two QB hurries.
As a sophomore, in 2013, he played in three games before the injuries, and recorded five tackles, with 1.5 TFLs.
He returned as a rs sophomore in 2014, and played in 11 games. He finished with Eight tackles and two TFLs.
He was finally handed a starting job as a junior, and collected 34 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks.He added three PBUs, and two QB hurries. He also picked off a pass and returned it for a score.
He could have left after his junior season and was given a second round grade, He chose instead to return and try to win a national title, showing great selflessness and commitment to something bigger than himself. He finished with 50 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, four PBUs, four QB hurries, and a blocked kick.
The Good
Watkins has a solid build, and actually has room to add to his frame.
Explosive off of the snap.
Works very well in space, and is very fluid.
Has the ability to generate power from his legs.
Plays with solid balance.
Handles double teams well.
Has the ability to pick up pace in pursuit.
The Bad
Has had limited development, and never really blew up until his senior season.
Plays too high at times, and fails to regulate pad level.
Lunges for tackles too often, even though he knows better.
Stays with his blocker too long, rides the wave.
Does not excel in pass rush.
Final Overview
Watkins looks like a rotational tackle right now, as he needs more time for development. He fits in either a 4-3 front or a 3-4 as a nose tackle, but he is still lacking in some fundamentals to be impactful right away. He did show some major loyalty by returning for his senior season when he did not have to, and that is to be commended. He has enough skill to be a solid rotational guy with potential long term starter potential. He will likely go in the late second to early third round.
Davon Godchaux, LSU
6-4, 299
Godchaux missed all but one game of his senior season in high school, and still LSU kept by their offer. He ended up being a three year player in their program.
As a freshman, he recorded 42 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, three QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore, he totaled 41 tackles, nine TFLs, six sacks, one PBU, four QB hurries, and one forced fumble.
He finished his career after a junior season in which he totaled 62 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, one PBU, and three QB hurries.
The Good
Explodes out of the snap and starts work immediately.
Gets his pads down and plows into people.
Extends arms early, and uses hands to work off blockers.
Eagerly takes on double teams to create plays for his teammates.
Excellent swim move.
He can sniff out screens, and has decent pursuit ability in lateral plays.
The Bad
Does not play every snap, and may be limited to two down duty, or being a third down specialist.
Limited ability as a pass rusher.
Seems to play more in a physical role than a mental role. Does not seem to be able to read blocking schemes well.
Stays with the blocker too long.
Had his better games against lesser competition.
Final Overview
Godchaux is a solid run defender who lacks overall skills as a pass rusher. He may be limited to two down duty as a rotational tackle, and that may be what some teams are looking for. He already received his degree from LSU, so that is an excellent reason to leave after three seasons. Godchaux has been through a lot, but it seems like brighter days are ahead of him. Look for him to go in the mid to late third round, but he has a solid shot on the next level, as his issues can be coached up.
Vincent Taylor, Oklahoma State
6-3, 304
Taylor and his family were victims of Hurricane Katrina, and relocated to San Antonio, where football became an outlet for him. He graduated as a first team All-Texas selection, which is huge.
As a freshman, he finished with 13 tackles and one TFL. As a sophomore, he totaled 48 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, and five sacks, to go along with one PBU, one QB hurry, and one blocked kick.
As a junior, he finished with 51 tackles, 13 TFLs, and seven sacks. He added one PBU, two QB hurries, and two forced fumbles.
The Good
Fires off the snap, and wins the battle in the trenches.
Solid upper body strenght, which allows him to create a push into the backfield.
Plays well in the gap, and slides through to the backfield.
Long arms, and gets extension.
Can get to the QB.
The Bad
Does not have a ton of lower body power.
Has short area speed bursts, but long game is limited.
Can get knocked off his route to the play with a narrow base.
Plays too high, needs to level pads better.
Does not play with any real lateral ability.
Final Overview
Taylor does not have a ton of balance or anchor in the middle of the line, which is tough for him. He plays with a narrow base, and does not push as much as he could. He played well as a college player, but it is doubtful if he can be more than a rotational or back end guy on the next level.
Eddie Vanderdoes, UCLA
6-3, 305
Vanderdoes began his college career by committing to Notre Dame before changing his mind after enrollment, and he then transferred to UCLA because of a desire to be somewhat closer to home and family.
He began his career at UCLA by being named freshman All-American after collecting 37 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a rushing score, and an 18 yard reception on offense.
As a sophomore, He collected 50 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, two sacks, and another rushing score.
As a junior, Vanderdoes was injured in his first game, and played most of that game with a serious knee injury before realizing how hurt he was. He collected eight tackles and two TFLs, most of which came after he had gotten hurt.
He was given a medical redshirt, and returned in 2016 to collect 27 Tackles and 1.5 sacks, but was a shell of his former self.
The Good
He looks very much bigger than he measures, but was extremely athletic before the injury in 2015.
Plays with solid, churning feet, and has lateral quickness. Displays solid change of direction.
Can play at the nose, or either tackle spot.
Powerful first punch, and he gets rid of blockers rather quickly.
Hungers for double teams, and works through them.
Very tough, and has a nasty streak.
Bull rush ability is solid.
Smart. Worked with the staff while injured to help better understand coaching and how to better read film.
The Bad
Seemed to have lost some steam after he came back from injury.
Looks a little flabby sometimes.
Does not explode off of the snap at all times, and can play a little slow.
Did not post great numbers in either TFL or sack categories.
Pad levels are inconsistent.
May only be able to play as a first two down tackle, and does not show the conditioning to be an every down guy.
May have been a first round pick before injury, but has slid due to concerns.
Final Overview
Vanderdoes has some serious ability that was firmly on display before his injury. After the injury, he was not the same guy, and still has work to do to fully return to being himself. He came back heavier, and it worked against him. If he can drop his weight back down, he can be a real talent, and because he has fallen to possible 4th round or later, he may present solid value if he is anywhere near the talent that he was before being injured.
Dalvin Tomlinson, Alabama
6-3, 310
Tomlinson was a four year player for the Crimson Tide, and was yet another player poached by the staff from the State of Georgia
He redshirted his first season at Alabama, as he had torn his ACL while playing soccer his senior season of high school.
He played in one game as a rs freshman, and totaled four tackles in that effort.
As a sophomore, he finished with 22 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, a sack, and two QB hurries.
As a junior, he finished with 34 tackles, six PBUs, and four QB hurries.
He blew up a bit as a senior, with 62 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, four PBUs, and seven QB hurries.
The Good
Super smart young man with excellent academics.
Has been through adversity, as both of his parents have passed away. This is what drives him to succeed.
Solid arm length, which he uses to his advantage.
Eats up double teams.
Sheds blocks quickly.
Finds the ball and targets the carrier very efficiently.
Knows how to read an offense, and is not fooled by misdirection.
Has played inside and out.
High motor guy, Wants in on the action.
Solid hand work, and can get to balls in the air.
The Bad
Only had one season where he was used as a full time starter.
Does not always explode off of the snap.
Does not possess a ton of moves, and is fairly straight forward.
Does not have a history of getting to the QB. May be a first two down run tackle.
Final Overview
While not the most athletic guy out there, Tomlinson has a major brain for the game and for life, and will be an instant character guy for your locker room. He is one of the smartest players in the draft, and will always get after the play, and his motor should carry him a long way. He is extremely coachable, and do whatever it takes, and the league has plenty of room for guys like this. He is a solid get in the mid rounds of this draft.
Elijah Qualls, Washington
6-1, 313
Qualls was a three year player for the Huskies, and was actually a RB in high school. He was a five star prospect out of the California high school ranks and escaped the state to head to the northwest and play for Washington.
As a freshman, he finished with 13 tackles, two TFLs, and a QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he missed three games with an ankle injury, but finished with 26 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He added two QB hurries.
As a junior, he wrapped up his career with 38 tackles, five TFLs, and three sacks. He also added another three QB hurries.
The Good
Plays with enough leverage to control the point of attack and work into the gaps.
Has solid power in upper body, and gets his hands working right away.
Very athletic for a guy his size, as he is a former FB.
Pursuit speed is top shelf, and he finishes his tackles with a good deal of violence.
Body control in space is excellent.
The Bad
Has played with excess weight, which limits his play.
Very stubby for a defensive lineman.
He will not not make many big plays, and is better suited for eating blocks rather than being a part of the play.
Will never beat the edge.
Rides the wave and does not shed blocks well.
Takes plays and games off.
Does not necessarily display any special traits that make him stand out on film.
Final Overview
Qualls is a guy who used to be a better athlete than he is now, and probably could have used another season at Washington to get into better shape and really blow up on the scene. As of now, he is a guy who looks like a former athlete that has physically just given up. His work ethic has been questioned, and his weight is getting out of control for his frame. Had he taken that extra year to get better prepared, he would have made himself some money, but all he is now is a two down run specialist.
Tanzel Smart, Tulane
6-1, 296
Smart was from Baton Rouge, and was first team All Louisiana in high school, but was under recruited and ended up at Tulane.
As a freshman, he collected 14 tackles, a PBU, and a QB hurry.
As a sophomore, he finished with 47 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, two sacks, a PBU, and a forced fumble.
As a junior, he wrapped with 62 tackles, 15 TFLs, two sacks, a QB hurry and a forced fumble,
As a senior, he finished with a career high 67 tackles, 18.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, two QB hurries, and a forced fumble.
The Good
Very productive player, and is a first rate run stuffer.
Loves the game, and is hungry to be on the field and in the action.
Knows how to time the hard count and jump the snap.
Sheds blocks efficiently, works well with his hands and tracks the ball from point of attack.
Smart player with enough athleticism to react to screen plays.
Excellent pad level, and gets into the frame of a blocker to move past quickly,
The Bad
A bit stubby. Short and stocky.
Does not possess enough talent when it comes to changing direction.
Very narrow tackle radius.
Is more quick and finesse than powerful.
Can be pushed out of the way and knocked off course.
Final Overview
Smart has enough tenacity and the numbers to garner a solid look on day three. He could be a very nice diamond in the rough find for a team with a staff that is willing to work with him and find a scheme that he fits into as a player. I like him late in the draft as a developmental run stop guy with some extra pass rush skill. If a team can get a little more out of him in the right scheme, we may have a late draft steal here.
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte
6-3, 305
Ogunjobi is the son of Nigerian immigrants who did not pick up football until his sophomore year of high school. He showed enough in a short time to earn a shot at a new program at Charlotte.
He had a big season in year one as an FBS member, as he collected 62 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, three QB hurries, and a blocked kick.
In 2016, he finished with 65 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, three sacks, two PBUs, and 10 QB hurries.
The Good
Very good power through his middle body.
Quick hands, and he gets them into a blocker like lightning.
Fores out of the snap impressively.
Solid athletic ability, and gets to the ball quickly.
Very disruptive in the backfield.
Tackles well and with violence.
Gets to the QB at an increasing rate through his career.
Plays with leverage, and stays on his feet.
Gets solid power in his bull rush technique.
Very smart player and person, strong academically.
The Bad
Still raw and is still learning parts of the game.
May be better off moving to DE, as he may not have enough bulk for the middle as a pro.
Does not have the required arm length.
Has been known to over pursue the runner at times.
Can get knocked off his path.
Needs better control.
Final Overview
Ogunjobi is a rock solid project with smarts and solid athleticism, but he needs more time on the vine to ripen. With solid coaching, he can be worked into a rotation on raw athletic ability alone, but he definitely needs more discipline to play more within himself. He is doing good things, and that should continue, as he has high intelligence, and high character marks. He is a let draft steal, who can work himself into being a very good player down the line.
5th-7th Round
Isaac Rochelle, Notre Dame: Long, thin DT who cannot play DE, and is not much use as a pass rusher. Will be a two down tackle, if his work effort carries him to that point.
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan: Run stop specialist who provides no value as a pass rush guy. Will be a third day draft pick based on toughness and ability to compete.
Chunky Clements, Illinois: Short on technique and overall size. Has some value as a pass rush specialist, but little else at this point.
Josh Augusta, Missouri: Last started in 2015, but has some intriguing traits. If he can slim down and speed up, he may have value for someone as a run stop specialist.
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