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Scouting Blog - Defensive Linemen (2021 NFL Draft) - NFL Draft Blitz

Scouting Blog – Defensive Linemen (2021 NFL Draft)

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