Scouting Blog
2021 NFL Draft Defensive Linemen
DE
Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
-Redshirt Sophomore
-6’7, 253lbs
-sat out of 2020
-had 15.5 sacks in 2019
-1st team All-ACC in 2019
-3-star recruit out of high school
-converts speed to power very well as a pass rusher
-good technique as a pass rusher
-gets off blocks decently well in the run game
-average run stopper
-has a good get off or first step at the line of scrimmage
-likes to try to speed rush around the arc
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
-Senior
-6’4, 272lbs
-four years of production
-showed improvement throughout his career
-3-star recruit out of high school
-great twitchy athlete getting off blocks
-speed rusher around the edge who is often too quick for his counterparts
-sometimes a little undersized getting off blocks in the run game
-gets consistent pressure from the edge with his quickness and speed
-is excellent moving laterally in the run game
Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
-Redshirt Junior
-6’5, 266lbs
-three years of production
-transfer from UCLA who sat out 2019
-5-star recruit out of high school
-rushes standing up
-converts speed to power well as a pass rusher
-has sneaky good quickness off the line of scrimmage
-I like his persistence to make the tackle in the backfield
-his explosion coming out of a three-point stance is elite
Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State
-workout warrior
-Redshirt Sophomore
-6’5, 252lbs
-three years of production
-4-star recruit out of high school
-doesn’t hold the point of attack well in the run game
-needs quicker hands to shed blocks
-decent explosion from a 3-point stance
-is more of a speed rusher
-flashes a lot of natural athleticism as a run defender at times
Carlos Basham Jr., 3-4 DE, Wake Forrest
-Redshirt Senior
-6’3, 285lbs
-4 years of production
-Senior Bowl Participant
1st team all-ACC in 2019
-3-star recruit out of high school
-has good power as a pass rusher
-willing to be aggressive and go after double-teams in the pass game
-gets regular pressure as a pass rusher
-more athletic, but does have some power too
-needs a quicker first step
Rashad Weaver, 3-4 DE, Pittsburgh
-6’5, 270lbs
-Redshirt Senior
-three years of production
-Senior Bowl Participant
-3-star recruit out of high school
-gets off blocks very well in the run game
-kind of has a slow first step off the line of scrimmage in the pass game
-doesn’t have the speed to win as a speed rusher
-does have the presence of mind to get his hands up to tip passes
-best fit as a 3-4 DE, but played 4-3 DE at Pitt
Joe Tryon, DE, Washington
-Redshirt Junior
-6’5, 262lbs
-two years of production
-did not play in 2020 because of the pandemic
-2nd team all-Pac 12 in 2019
-drew double teams in the pass game
-excellent strength to get off blocks and hold the point of attack in the run game
-good footwork as a pass rusher but needs to work on his upper body strength
-I like his hand fighting as a pass rusher
-very good at tackling in space for a defensive end
Dayo Odeyingbo, 3-4 DE, Vanderbilt
-True Senior
-6’6, 276lbs
-four years of production
-could be a 3-4 or 4-3 DE
-tore his Achilles in pre-draft workouts
-3-star recruit out of high school
-needs to get off blocks better in the run game
-draws double teams in the run game
-very quick for a guy his size
-good body control and awareness for a guy his size
-I love his motor and the way he hustles to the football
Payton Turner, DE, Houston
-6’6, 270lbs
-Senior
-4 years of production
-Senior Bowl Participant
-needs to get his pad level down
-I like his relentless pursuit of the ball carrier in the run game
-maybe could improve his hand fighting as a pass rusher
-needs to diversify his pass rush moves, loves to attack the OT’s shoulder
-needs to work on his punch as a pass rusher
-average in his explosion from a 3-point stance
Cameron Sample, 3-4 DE, Tulane
-6’3, 280lbs
-True Senior
-four years of production
-Senior Bowl Invitee
-2-star recruit out of high school
-excellent push coming from the edge
-shows elite core strength
-good nose for the ball in the run game
-uses his power to beat the blocker to the edge
-I like his run defense
-nest fit as a 3-4 DE
Janarius Robinson, DE, Florida State
-Redshirt Senior
-6’5, 260lbs
-4 years of production
-4-star recruit out of high school
-good player on a bad team
-very good at getting off blocks and getting into the backfield in the run game
-wins his matchups in the run game
-might be the best 4-3 DE run defender in this draft
-holds the point of attack well as well
-has decent explosion from a three-point stance as an edge rusher
Malcolm Koonce, DE, Buffalo
-6’3, 250lbs
-True Senior
-four years of production
-Senior Bowl Participant
-two-star recruit out of high school
-tries to win up the arc but is not quite quick enough
-needs to get off blocks better
-good tackler in run defense
-needs to hand fight better in the run game
-good body control as a pass rusher
Elerson Smith, DE, Northern Iowa
-6’7, 252lbs
-four years of production
-Senior
-1st team all-MVFC in 2019
-Preseason All-American
-Not ranked as a high school recruit
-needs a better arsenal of pass rush moves
-great length
-average at one on ones in the run game
-weak hand fighter
-looked overmatched when he played Iowa State
-needs better instincts against the run
Jonathon Cooper, DE, Ohio State
-Redshirt Senior
-6’4, 257lbs
-five years of production (one of those is redshirt)
-played at the Senior Bowl
-4-star recruit out of high school
-good see to do against the run
-can flash some explosion as a speed rusher
-needs to win more as a pass rusher with power & finess
-needs to hold the point of attack better in the run game
-doesn’t pass rush well on stunts
Adetokunbo Ogundeji, DE, Notre Dame
-Senior
-6’4, 268lbs
-three years of production
-had trouble getting on the field earlier in his career because of the talent ahead of him on the depth chart
-three-star recruit out of high school
-I like his effort in the run game
-has decent power as a pass rusher
-very average pass rusher
-can flash some explosion off his 3-point stance
-needs to work on his bend as a pass rusher
Chauncey Golston, 3-4 DE, Iowa
-6’5, 270lbs
-Redshirt Senior
-three years of good production
-pretty consistently a 3-sack guy since his sophomore year
-3rd team all Big 10 in 2019
-3-star recruit out of high school
-uses his size to his advantage as a pass rusher
-I really like his rip moves with his hands
-uses his heavy hands well to shed blocks in the run game
-I would like him to be quicker to the edge as a pass rusher
-played 4-3 DE at Iowa, but is probably better suited as a 3-4 DE
Osa Odighizuwa, 3-4 DE, UCLA
-Senior
-6’2, 279lbs
-4 years of production
-older brother Odi plays in the NFL
-1st team all-Pac 12 in 2020
-holds the point of attack well in the run game
-wins his matchups from the interior
-I like the strength he shows getting off blocks
-best fit is as a 3-4 DE in the NFL
-core strength is good as a pass rusher. Has the bull rush to play the 5 tech.
Malik Herring, DE 3-4, Georgia
-True Senior
-6’3, 280lbs
-4 years of production
-tore his ACL at the Senior Bowl
-4-star recruit out of high school
-has great power to get to the quarterback as a pass rusher
-definitely is more of a fit as a 3-4 DE
-needs to get off blocks better in the run game
-good hand fighter as a pass rusher
-has heavy hands and a good punch which makes him hard to block
DTs
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
-Redshirt Sophomore
-6’5, 310lbs
-two years of production
-there is some question about his willingness and ability to take direction
-4-star recruit out of high school
-sometimes a little overmatched in the run game
-needs a quicker first step off the line of scrimmage
-does move well for an interior defensive lineman
-relies a lot on his athleticism as a pass rusher
-can hold the point of attack in the run game
-consistency in the run game is a problem
Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
-Junior
-6’3, 305lbs
-two years of production
-1st team All-American in 2020
-has good core strength on the bull rush
-has a quick first step for a 300lb guy
-is elite in holding the point of attack and getting off blocks
-has excellent explosion and acceleration for a guy his size
-understands the leverage game well when taking on blockers in the run game
Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
-Senior
-6’3, 288lbs
-3 years of production
-opted out of the 2020 season
-1st team all-Pac 12 in 2019
-4-star recruit out of high school
-his explosion out of the three-point stance is elite
-sometimes draws double teams as a pass rusher
-has a relentless motor
-his power is average as a pass rusher
-holds the point of attack in the run game
Alim NcNeil, NT, NC State
-Junior
-6’2, 320lbs
-three years of production
-probably a nose tackle in the NFL
-played the nose and 2 gap on some downs for the Wolfpack
-very good at getting off blocks and getting into the backfield
-definitely a run stuffer in the middle
-has some strength to push the pocket but is slow getting off the line of scrimmage in pass
-is a guy who consistently wins matchups against the center
-size limits his movement ability in space, but moves well for a guy weighing 320
Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh
-Redshirt Junior
-6’2, 290lbs
-two years of production
-did 40 bench press reps at Pitt pro day
-opted out of the 2020 season to help his family financially
-3-star recruit out of high school
-needs to use his core better when holding the point of attack
-loses his matchups in the run game
-is kind of a combine warrior
-does flash in his pursuit of the QB as a pass rusher
-shows strength and flashes heavy hands at times
Tyler Shelvin, NT, LSU
-Redshirt Junior
-6’3, 346lbs
-two years of production
-opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the draft
-4-star recruit out of high school
-uses that big body to hold the point of attack very well
-his pad level and technique are very good
-does win his matchups but isn’t going to collapse the pocket in the pass game
-surprisingly good lateral movement to stop the run
-does a really good job of getting off blocks late and still making the play in the run game. That is a huge strength for him as a nose tackle.
Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
-Junior
-6’2, 300lbs
-three years of production
-used his bench press to help raise money for charity
-4-star recruit out of high school
-holds the point of attack decently well
-can really get up and under the OG to push the point of attack and stuff the run
-moves well for a guy his size
-average motor
-average pass rusher
Jay Tufele, DT, USC
-Redshirt Junior
-two years of production
-6’3, 305lbs
-opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the draft
-first team all-Pac 12 in 2019
-four-star recruit out of high school
-has a very strong rip move
-good punch as a pass rusher but not an elite pass rusher
-moves well on stunts
-holds the point of attack very well in the run game
-good at getting off blocks but could be better at it
Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
-True Senior
-6’5, 305lbs
-four years of production
-first team All-ACC in 2019
-five-star recruit out of high school
-needs better awareness in run defense
-gets off blocks well
-better pass rusher than run stopper
-his upper body strength helps him as a pass rusher
-average in one on ones in run defense
Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
-Redshirt Junior
-6’3, 305lbs
-4 years of production but not much production his redshirt year in 2017
-four-star recruit out of high school
-only 21 years old
-1st team all-Pac 12 in 2020
-gets a little outmanned in the run game
-knows how to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher
-average see to do against the run
-good quickness as a pass rusher for a DT
-converts speed to power well for a DT
Tedarrell Slaton, NT, Florida
-True Senior
-6’5, 340lbs
-four years of production
-was suspended for not living up to the Gator standard
-four-star recruit out of high school
-average pass rusher from the interior
-below average run stopper
-gets blown off the line by offensive guards
-wasn’t winning one on one battles on tape
-flashes in run defense when he brings the lumber
Bobby Brown III, NT, Texas A&M
-6’4, 325lbs
-Junior
-three years of production
-wants to enter the draft for Mother’s brain illness
-4-star recruit out of high school
-pushes the pocket as a pass rusher
-sometimes needs to hand fight better as a pass rusher
-moves well on the screen for a 325lb guy
-could function well at the nose or DT
-able to use his power to collapse the pocket in the run game as well
Darius Stills, DT, West Virginia
-True Senior
-6’1, 285lbs
-4 years of production, but two years of good production
-great bloodlines; Dad played 12 years in the NFL
-1st team All-Big 12 in 2019
-3-star recruit out of high school
-draws double teams in the pass game
-has good speed as a pass rusher from the interior
-holds the point of attack, but needs to get off blocks better in the run game
-very good see to do in the run game
-has the core strength to make a play when he attacks the opponent’s shoulder
-aggressive punch and can be physical with offensive linemen
Austin Faoliu, DT, Oregon
-Senior
-6’3, 300lbs
-4 years of production
-only Oregon player with six tackles in 3 consecutive games in 2019
-3-star recruit
-I like his quickness as a pass rusher
-converts speed to power well as a pass rusher
-very quick and compact punch
-can hold the point of attack but needs to get off blocks better in the run game
-decent motor from the interior
Jack Heflin, NT, Iowa
-Senior
-6’4, 312lbs
-4 years of production
-transfer from NIU
-two-star recruit out of high school
-played DE for NIU which had a 3-4 front
-holds the point of attack well and gets off blocks well in the run game
-physical in hand fighting when taking on blockers
-doesn’t quite have the speed to bring pressure as a 3-4 DE
-consistently wins his matchups from the interior
Carlo Kemp, DT, Michigan
-redshirt Senior
-6’3, 286lbs
-four years of production
-had a key fumble recovery against Illinois
-four-star recruit out of high school
-average pass rusher
-sometimes draws double teams in the pass game
-mobile enough to execute stunts
-can stop the run from the nose when called upon
-has good pad level and technique
Khyirus Tonga, NT, BYU
-Senior
-6’4, 321lbs
-four years of production
-2-star recruit out of high school
-pushes the pocket with force as a pass rusher
-nose tackle
-able to get his hands up to block balls
-gets beat more in the run game
-very quick first step for a nose tackle
-athletic for his size
Naquan Jones, NT, Michigan State
-redshirt Senior
-6’4, 340lbs
-four years of production
-four-star recruit out of high school
-was part of that infamous 2016 Michigan State recruiting class
-physical hand fighter
-saw him get pancaked pretty bad on a run play
-good swim move as a pass rusher
-I like him as a pass rusher
-needs a better anchor in the run game
-good open field tackler for an interior DL
Quinton Bohanna, NT, Kentucky
-True Senior
-6’4, 357lbs
-4 years of production
-three-star recruit out of high school
-had a weaker 2020 statistically
-losing matchups against smaller linemen is not a good sign
-holds the point of attack, but needs an earlier release
-has a very good swim move
-needs better core strength when taking on blockers
-size draws double teams especially in an odd front
-below average motor but does flash on plays
Lorenzo Neal, DT, Purdue
-Redshirt Senior
-6’3, 325lbs
-four years of production
-son of star fullback Lorenzo Neal
-3-star recruit out of high school
-powerful nose tackle
-average at getting off blocks
-slides pretty well in the run game
-has decent athleticism as a pass rusher
-can help with tackling in the run game
-decent run stuffer
