Defensive Tackles
1. Mason Graham, Michigan
2. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
3. Walter Nolen, Ole Miss
4. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
5. T.J. Sanders, South Carolina
Graham is the consensus #1 DT with good size, strength, and a high motor to get after the passer and even stop the run, some concerns of arm length. Grant is underrated in my opinion, playing next to Graham, as the Nose Tackle taking on the double teams and stopping the run with the quickness to get after the QB also. Nolen is a strong, athletic DT with good quickness to get after the quarterback and run stopping ability but needs to clean up his technique. Williams is a strong run stopping DT with good pass rush moves and quickness, but he needs to improve his technique. Sanders is a strong pass rushing DT who can also play the run, could play DE in the right scheme, needs to improve his footwork and technique.
Edge Rushers
1. Abdul Carter, Penn State
2. James Pearce Jr, Tennessee
3. Jalon Walker, Georgia
4. Mike Green, Marshall
5. Mykel Williams, Georgia
Carter is the consensus #1 Edge Rusher playing with good speed, strength, and athleticism to get around slower LT’s, he projects as a OLB due to his size with double-digit sack potential. Pearce was originally projected to go #1 before the season but his stock has fallen, he’s still my #2 ranked Edge Rusher who will need to move to OLB due to size but has all the talent to do so. He’s a lanky edge rusher with good athleticism, speed, and awareness. Walker is strong and athletic with good speed, but scouts wish he was 2-3 inches taller, so he projects best at LB, with MLB being best in my opinion. Green’s stock has risen due to the Senior Bowl, an athletic Edge Rusher with good quickness, pass rush moves, and a high motor coming off a 17-sack season. Williams is a strong, athletic prospect with a build that impresses NFL scouts, he’s solid at stopping the run, but may be position-less at 265lbs; he is projected a lot higher than this list.
