2023 NFL DRAFT: Position Breakdown: DEFENSIVE FRONT
2023 EGDE/D-Line/Linebacker PROSPECTS
The strength of this
year’s draft lies on the defensive side of the ball. The class has a nice mix
of edge rushers, interior defenders and linebackers. There are several freak
athletes in this year’s class that used the combine to vault themselves into
the first round. The best and deepest position is the edge rusher. No matter
what scheme a team runs, there are plenty of prospect that can come in and help
the pass rush.
Will
Anderson-EDGE-Alabama
6’3”/253/33.88 arm
length/4.6 40 time
NFL Comp: Derrick Thomas/TJ Watt
PFF Grade: 83.6
17.5 sacks and 31
tackles for loss in 2021
10 sacks and 17
tackles for loss in 2022
Anderson is the best
all around player in this draft. Many thought he was better than the three
elite edge rushers from the 2022 draft class (Travon Walker, Aidan Hutchinson
and Kayvon Thibodeaux). He has everything one looks for in a prospect and has a
Hall of Fame ceiling like Derrick Thomas and TJ Watt. He is as close to a sure
thing as any in this draft.
Tyree
Wilson-EDGE-Texas Tech
6’6”/271/84.5
NFL Comp: Chandler Jones/Carlos Dunlap
PFF Grade: 75.1
7 sacks and 14 TFL
Wilson is a freakishly
long defensive end that can rush the passer and set the edge. He has the
potential to be an All Pro like Chandler Jones in the right system. He is also
a very safe prospect that would be an elite base end like Carlos Dunlap even if
he does not turn into a double-digit sack producer.
Jalen
Carter-DL3T-Georgia
6'3"/314/81.0
NFL Comp: Warren Sapp/Nick Fairley/Jerome Brown
PFF Grade: 92.3
7 TFL
Carter is the most
polarizing prospect in this year’s draft. He was the best player on the best
defense in college football last year. He is a pure disruptive force that is
almost unblockable in one on one situations. The questions for Carter concern
his maturity off the field and focus on his craft. He has been cited for
speeding multiple times and was charged with reckless driven and racing in
connection with a crash that killed his teammate and a staff member.
He’s actually from the
same hometown (Apopka, FL) as Warren Sapp and can become a superstar like Sapp
if he can stay on track. The red flags are there but the talent is undeniable.
Myles
Murphy-EDGE-Clemson
6’5”/258/33.75/25 reps
NFL Comp: Bradley Chubb/Justin Tuck
PFF Grade: 79.1
6.5 sacks and 11 TFL
Some prefer Murphy
over Wilson due to his athletic ability and upside. He is not as polished as
Wilson but offers versatility to play end or linebacker. Murphy was a sure fire
top ten prospect early in the draft process but now is 16th on the composite
big board rankings. He would be an absolute steal if he fell into the 20’s.
Lukas Van Ness-EDGE-Iowa
6'5"/273/34.0/4.58
NFL Comp: Sam Hubbard/Josh Sweat
PFF Grade: 80.2
6 sacks and 10.5 TFL
Van Ness has been
among the biggest risers during the draft season. He showed impressive speed
and quickness at the combine for his massive frame. He is very raw as he didn’t
start at Iowa. He played as a situational pass rusher on both the edge and at the
five technique. He will get drafted early but the team picking him will need to
be patient in his development.
Nolan
Smith-EDGE/SLB-Georgia
6'2"/238/4.39/41.5 vert, 128” broad jump
NFL Comp: Bruce Irvin/Vic Beasley
PFF Grade: 83.8
4.5 sacks and 8 TFL in
2021
Smith was the
defensive star of the combine. He is an elite athlete that was number one
player in the 2019 high school class. He only had 12.5 sacks in his four years
in college. He is as athletic as any defender but will need to be more
consistent at the next level.
Bryan
Bresee-DE/DL5T3T-Clemson
6’5”/298/78.13/22 reps
NFL Comp: Dean Lowry/Darnell Dockett
PFF Grade: 73.5
5.5 TFL
Like Nolan Smith,
Bresee was also the number one player coming out of high school in his 2020
class. Like Smith, Bresee also did not have elite and consistent production in
his three years at Clemson. He has overcome a lot of adversity dealing with
injuries and tragedy (his sister lost her battle to cancer). His best trait on
the next level may be his versatility as he can play anywhere from a 4-3 base
end to nose tackle.
Calijah
Kancey-DL3T1T-Pittsburgh
6’1”/281/4.67
NFL Comp: Geno Atkins/Ed Oliver
PFF Grade: 91.8
7.5 sacks and 14.5 TFL
Kancey was the combine
stud with his 40 record. He uses his lower center of gravity and elite speed to
get off the line as well as anyone. He is obviously very small for the position
at only 281 pounds so he will need to play next to an elite space eating nose
tackle for ideal results.
Will McDonald-EDGE/SLB-Iowa St
6'4"/239/34.88
NFL Comp: Kyle Van Noy/Arden Key
PFF Grade: 79.2
3 year AVG: 9 sacks and 11.2 TFL
McDonald is a long
pass rusher that had good production every year. In the NFL he will need to
play more outside backer due to his lack of bulk. He should turn into a very
nice pass rush specialist like Arden Key
Drew
Sanders-LB-Arkansas
6’4”/235/32.13
NFL Comp: Clay Matthews Jr/Bryce Paup
PFF Grade: 79.2
9.5 sacks and 13.5 TFL
Sanders has proven
that he can play both as an edge rusher and inside backer. His versatility will
be an asset to a creative defensive coordinator.
Felix
Anudike Uzomah-EDGE-KSU
6'3"/255/33.5
NFL Comp: Carl Lawson/Harold Landry
PFF Grade: 74.6
11 sacks and 14.5 TFL
in 2021
8.5 sacks and 11 TFL in 2022
The Kansas St product
is a refined pass rusher that lack elite speed or length. He reminds me of
Lawson coming out of college and should be a similar disruptive force.
BJ
Ojulari-EDGE-LSU
6'2"/248/34.25
NFL Comp: Uchenna Nwosu/Yannick Ngakoue
PFF Grade: 76.3
7 sacks and 12 TFL in
2021
5.5 sacks and 8.5 TFL in 2022
Ojulari is short in
height yet has long arms and very large hands. He has the ability to play down
on the line but is at his best as a stand-up edge player. His best trait is his
pursuit ability on both quarterbacks and ball carriers/
Trenton
Simpson-LB-Clemson
6’3”/230/25 reps/4.43
NFL Comp: Ryan Shazier/Mike Peterson
PFF Grade: 68.7
6.5 sacks and 12.5 TFL
in 2021
Simpson is an elite
athlete that plays fast no matter where he lines up. He is 230 but moves like a
sub 200-pound DB. He has shown ability as a blitzer, in coverage and in the
open field.
Keion
White-DL5T/LDE-GA Tech
6'5"/285/34.0/30
reps/4.65
NFL Comp: Jason Hatcher/Malik Jackson
PFF Grade: 72.5
7.5 sacks 14 TFL
White is a huge physical player that is developing as a pass rusher. He has versatility to play on the inside or outside.
Jack Campbell-ILB-Iowa
6’5”/249/4.65
NFL Comp: Karl Mecklenburg/Leighton Vander Esch
PFF Grade: 91.7
Campbell combines the
old school game and mentality with new school size and athletic ability. He project
perfect as a Mike backer in any scheme
Mazi Smith-DL1T-Michigan
6'3"/323/33.75/34
reps
NFL Comp: BJ Raji
PFF Grade: 79.9
Smith is the prototypical
run stuffing nose tackle. He is as strong as an ox and has good length to take
on double team blocks.
Isaiah
Foskey-EDGE-Notre Dame
6'5"/264/4.58/22
reps
NFL Comp: Preston Smith
PFF Grade: 77.2
10.5 sacks and 13.5
TFL
Foskey is another
long, athletic pass rusher that was very productive at South Bend. He would be
a first round lock if this draft class wasn’t so deep
Derick Hall-EDGE/LB-Auburn
6'3"/254/34.5/4.55
NFL Comp: Devon Kennard
PFF Grade: 71.2
9 sacks and 12.5 TFL
in 2021
6.5 sacks and 11.5 TFL
in 2022
Hall has elite speed and
uses leverage well coming off the edge. He also uses his quickness dropping
into coverage and could fit as a full time outside backer.
Adetomiwa Adebawore-DL-Northwestern
6'2"/282/33.75/27
reps/4.49
NFL Comp: Dre'Mont Jones
PFF Grade: 73.8
5 sacks and 9 TFL
Adebawore is actually
faster than Kancey but is not quite the player that Kancey is. His physical
tools are evident. What is not known is what position he will play in the NFL as
he is end/tackle tweener that lacks the size on the interior and length to play
base end.
Keeanu Benton-DL1T3T-Wisconsin
6'4"/309/33.88
NFL Comp: Bilal Nichols
PFF Grade: 73.6
7 sacks and 12 TFL in
2021
Benton was mainly
used as a nose tackle in college but has the length and quickness to play the 3
tech at the NFL.
Daiyan Henley-LB-WSU
6’1”/225/4.54
NFL Comp: Matt Milano
PFF Grade: 73.3
6.5 sacks and 12.5 TFL
in 2021
Henley fits as the modern
day ultra-athletic weakside backer. He is fast enough to cover receivers and
tight ends and strong enough to be a factor in the run game.
Tuli
Tuipulotu-EDGE-USC
6'3"/266
NFL Comp: Trey Hendrickson
PFF Grade: 82.1
13.5 sacks and 22 TFL
Tuli was a super
productive no matter where he lined up at USC. In the NFL he projects best as a
4-3 base end.
Gervon
Dexter-DL3T/5T -Florida
6'6"/310
NFL Comp: Montravius Adams
PFF Grade: 65.7
Dexter has a great combination
of size, power, length and speed. He was high level recruit but struggled with
consistency at Florida.
Siaki
Ika-DL1T-Baylor
6'3"/335
NFL Comp: DJ Reader
PFF Grade: 74.4
One of Ika, Mazi Smith
or Keeanu Benton will be the first nose tackle drafted. Ika is just as good as
a player but a step slower than Smith and Benton/
Zach Harrison-DL5T/EDGE-Ohio St
6'5"/274/85.5
NFL Comp: Deatrich Wise
PFF Grade: 86.1
Harrison is a solid
base end but did not have great production as a pass rusher in college. Many scouts feel he could be a more productive professional.
Byron
Young-EDGE-Tennessee
6'2"/250/32.5/4.43/38.0
vert
NFL Comp: Samson Ebukam
PFF Grade: 63.6
7 sacks and 12 TFL
Young is among the
fastest players at his position. Right now, he looks like a situational pass rusher
at the next level.
Jaquelin Roy-DL3T-LSU
6'3"/305/32.75/30
reps
NFL Comp: Justin Jones
PFF Grade: 89.6 in 21, 71.4 in 22
7 sacks and 12 TFL in
2021
Roy is a pretty safe
pick in the third round. He doesn’t do any one thing great but he is a consistent
player against the pass and run.
Andre
Carter-EDGE-Army
6'6"/256
NFL Comp: Mathias Kiwanuka
PFF Grade: 77.1
14.5 sacks and 17 TFL
in 2021
Carter was projected to be a first round lock after being very productive at West Point. However, he may drop into the 3rd or 4th round after a subpar combine. He also battled injureis this past season and as not the same player as 2021
HHONORABLE MENTION
SORTED BY POSITION
|
EDGE |
Ht |
Wt |
Grade |
Sack |
TFL |
|
Nick
Herbig-EDGE/SLB-Wisconsin |
6'2'' |
240 |
87.4 |
11 |
15.5 |
|
Isaiah McGuire-EDGE-Mizzou |
6'4'' |
268 |
81.1 |
7.5 |
9 |
|
KJ Henry-EDGE-Clemson |
6'4'' |
251 |
83.1 |
3.5 |
9 |
|
Nick Hampton-EDGE/LB-APP St |
6'2'' |
236 |
84.3 |
9 |
13.8 |
|
YaYa
Diaby-EDGE-Louisville |
6'3'' |
263 |
74.2 |
9 |
14 |
|
DJ Johnson-EDGE-Oregon |
6'4'' |
260 |
66.4 |
6 |
8.5 |
|
Brenton Cox Jr-EDGE-Florida |
6'4" |
250 |
67.3 |
8 |
14.5 |
|
Ochaun
Mathis-EDGE-Nebraska |
6'5" |
250 |
74.8 |
4.5 |
7 |
|
Ali Gaye-DE/EDGE-LSU |
6'3'' |
263 |
62.99 |
2.5 |
6 |
|
Robert
Beal-EDGE/SLB-Georgia |
6'4" |
247 |
68.4 |
6.5 |
7.5 |
|
Viliami Fehoko-EDGE-San Jose St |
6'4'' |
276 |
90.9 |
9 |
19 |
|
Durell
Nchami-EDGE-Maryland |
6'4" |
260 |
67.3 |
6 |
20 |
|
Yasir
Abdullah-EDGE/SLB-Lousiville |
6'1'' |
237 |
84.2 |
9.5 |
14.5 |
|
Thomas
Incoom-EDGE-Cent Mich. |
6'2" |
265 |
86.4 |
11.5 |
19 |
|
Jose Ramirez-EDGE-E
Michigan |
6'2" |
242 |
88.3 |
12 |
19.5 |
|
Habakkuk Baldonado-EDGE-Pittsburgh |
6'4'' |
251 |
70.3 |
9 |
12 |
|
Isaiah Land-SLB-FAMU |
6'3" |
236 |
74.2 |
13.5 |
18.75 |
|
Lonnie Phelps-EDGE-Kansas |
6'2" |
244 |
74.5 |
7 |
11.5 |
|
Tyrus
Wheat-EDGE-Miss St |
6'2" |
269 |
69.1 |
6 |
10.5 |
|
Tavius Robinson-EDGE-Ole
Miss |
6'6'' |
257 |
69.7 |
6 |
7 |
|
Ikenna Enechukwu-EDGE-Rice |
6'4" |
264 |
74.7 |
4.5 |
9.5 |
|
Dylan
Horton-EDGE-TCU |
6'4'' |
257 |
75.9 |
10.5 |
15 |
|
Eku
Leota-EDGE-Auburn |
6'3'' |
252 |
82.1 |
7 |
10 |
|
Andre
Jones-EDGE-Louisiana |
6'4'' |
248 |
77.2 |
7.5 |
8.5 |
|
Caleb
Murphy-EDGE-Ferris St |
6'3'' |
254 |
NA |
21.5 |
39 |
|
BJ Thompson-EDGE-SFA |
6'5'' |
238 |
86.8 |
5 |
5 |
|
Derek
Parish-EDGE-Houston |
6'2" |
245 |
5 |
12 |
|
INTERIOR |
Ht |
Wt |
Grade |
Sack |
TFL |
|
Zacch Pickens-DL5T-S. Carolina |
6'4'' |
291 |
67.3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Kobie
Turner-DL-Wake Forest |
6'2" |
288 |
92.2 |
2 |
10 |
|
Colby Wooden-LDE/5T-Auburn |
6'4'' |
273 |
72.1 |
6 |
11.5 |
|
Karl Brooks-DL5T-Bowling
Green |
6'3'' |
303 |
93.1 |
10 |
18 |
|
Keondre
Coburn-DL1T-Texas |
6'2" |
332 |
77.1 |
2.5 |
4 |
|
Byron Young-DL3T-Alabama |
6'3'' |
294 |
78.3 |
4 |
5.5 |
|
Moro
Ojomo-DL5T-Texas |
6'3" |
292 |
90.6 |
3 |
5.5 |
|
Jalen
Redmond-DL-3T-Oklahoma |
6'2" |
291 |
69.3 |
4 |
10 |
|
Jerrod Clark-DL1T-Coastal Carolina |
6'4'' |
334 |
79.1 |
3.5 |
10 |
|
Mike Morris-LDE/5T-Michigan |
6'5'' |
275 |
83.8 |
7.5 |
11 |
|
Jonah Tavai-DL3T-San Diego St |
6'0'' |
290 |
92.1 |
10.5 |
14 |
|
Desjuan
Johnson-DL-Toledo |
6'2" |
267 |
88.1 |
5.5 |
16.5 |
|
Dante
Stills-DL5T-West Virginia |
6'3" |
286 |
85.7 |
7 |
15 |
|
Tyler Lacy-DL5T-Oklahoma |
6'4'' |
279 |
81.1 |
3.25 |
10 |
|
DJ Dale-DL3T-Alabama |
6'1'' |
302 |
80.5 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
|
Jacob
Slade-DL3T-Michigan St |
6'4" |
315 |
77.9 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
MJ Anderson-DL5T-Iowa St |
6'2'' |
269 |
76.1 |
3.5 |
9 |
|
Brodric Martin-DL1T-WKU |
6'5'' |
337 |
71.9 |
2 |
3 |
|
Nesta Jade Silvera-DL1T-Arizona St |
6'2'' |
304 |
69.3 |
1.5 |
4.5 |
|
Cory Durden-DL1T/3T-NC St |
6'4" |
305 |
66.4 |
3.5 |
4.5 |
|
Cameron Young-DL1T-Miss St |
6'3'' |
304 |
65.4 |
1 |
2 |
|
Robert Cooper-DL1T-FSU |
6'2" |
335 |
60.7 |
0.5 |
4.5 |
|
PJ Mustipher-DL1T-Penn St |
6'4'' |
320 |
54.6 |
1 |
3 |
|
Scott
Matlock-DL5T-Boise St |
6'4'' |
267 |
7 |
8.5 |
|
|
Taron Vincent-DL3T-Ohio St |
6'1" |
305 |
1 |
3.5 |
|
LINEBACKERS |
Ht |
Wt |
Grade |
Tackles |
TFL |
|
Noah
Sewell-ILB-Oregon |
6'1'' |
246 |
71.4 |
114 |
8.5 |
|
Henry To'o To'o-LB-Alabama |
6'1'' |
227 |
70.4 |
94 |
8 |
|
DeMarvion
Overshown-WLB-Texas |
6'3" |
229 |
71.5 |
96 |
10 |
|
Owen Pappoe-WLB-Auburn |
6'0" |
225 |
69.5 |
91 |
3 |
|
Dorian
Williams-LB-Tulane |
6'1" |
228 |
83.3 |
132 |
8.5 |
|
Ivan Pace Jr-LB-Cincinnati |
5'10'' |
231 |
93.2 |
136 |
20.5 |
|
SirVocea
Dennis-LB-Pittsburgh |
6'0" |
226 |
90.6 |
94 |
12 |
|
Mohamoud Diabate-LB-Utah |
6'3" |
229 |
66.3 |
58 |
13.5 |
|
Dee Winters-LB-TCU |
5'11'' |
227 |
53.4 |
79 |
14.5 |
|
Cam Jones-LB-Indiana |
6'1" |
226 |
78.1 |
54 |
3 |
|
Aubrey Miller Jr.-LB-Jackson St |
5'11'' |
229 |
85.1 |
65 |
4 |
|
Isaiah Moore-LB-NC St |
6'2'' |
233 |
84.2 |
82 |
15 |
|
Ryan Greenhagen-LB-Fordham |
6'1" |
245 |
81.9 |
113 |
20 |
|
Drake Thomas-LB-NC St |
6'0" |
228 |
80.5 |
101 |
19 |
|
Mikel
Jones-LB-Syracuse |
6'1" |
224 |
76.9 |
109 |
12 |
|
Troy Brown-LB-Ole Miss |
6'2'' |
218 |
71.9 |
93 |
2.5 |
|
Shaka Heyward-SLB-Duke |
6'3'' |
235 |
70.9 |
93 |
6 |
|
Micah Baskerville-LB-LSU |
6'0" |
221 |
70.7 |
89 |
4.5 |
|
Anfernee
Orji-LB-Vandy |
6'1" |
230 |
69.7 |
106 |
6.5 |
|
Ventrell Miller-LB-Florida |
6'0" |
226 |
68.4 |
74 |
8.5 |
|
Bumper Pool-LB-Arkansas |
6'2'' |
232 |
67.6 |
125 |
7.5 |
|
Charlie
Thomas-WLB-GA Tech |
6'2'' |
207 |
65.2 |
112 |
10.5 |
|
Ben
Vansumeren-LB-Michigan St |
6'2'' |
237 |
64.3 |
81 |
3 |
|
Carlton Martial-LB-Troy |
5'7'' |
210 |
51.1 |
135 |
3.5 |
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