A look at some of the top defensive line prospects available in the upcoming NFL draft (x-denotes early entrant):
EDGE RUSHERS/ENDS
Position outlook: Beyond Bradley Chubb, most of the best potential pass rushers have question marks that could keep them out of the first round.
Bradley Chubb, 6-foot-4, 269 pounds, North Carolina State
Strengths: Rushes with a good combination of power and speed, and varied moves. Holds his ground well against the run.
Weaknesses: Not quite the elite athleticism of a player such as Myles Garrett, which could limit his upside.
Fact: Wore No. 9 at N.C. State the last two seasons for former Wolfpack defensive end and No. 1 overall pick Mario Williams.
Gone by: Pick No. 5 or 6.
Marcus Davenport, 6-6, 264, UTSA
Strengths: Long, fast and explosive athlete with maybe even more upside than Chubb.
Weaknesses: Instincts and reaction are a work in progress, limiting his speed and quickness.
Fact: Former high school sprinter who gained 30 pounds during his college career.
Gone by: Pass rush potential like this generally doesn’t last past top 15.
Harold Landry, 6-3, 252, Boston College
Strengths: Long arms, fast hands and nicely developed pass-rush moves.
Weaknesses: Needs to play stouter against run and could be limited to 3-4 outside linebacker.
Fact: Limited to nine games last season by an ankle injury.
Gone by: Top 35.
x-Arden Key, 6-6, 238, LSU
Strengths: Big-time pass-rush potential, combining size, range and agility.
Weaknesses: Production comes and goes, and he did not show much last season after returning from a shoulder injury.
Fact: Set LSU single-season record with 12 sacks in 2016.
Gone by: Day 2 though first round is definitely possible.
Sam Hubbard, 6-5, 265, Ohio State
Strengths: Strength and technique allow him to get rid of blockers effectively.
Weaknesses: Lacks fast first step.
Fact: Elite lacrosse player in high school who had a scholarship offer to Notre Dame.
Gone by: Top 45.
Others to watch
- Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
- Uchenna Nwosu, USC
- x-Rasheem Green, USC
- Kemoko Turay, Rutgers
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Position outlook: Could be no defensive tackles taken in the first 15 or 20 picks, but a handful or more between 20 and 45.
x-Da’Ron Payne, 6-2, 311, Alabama
Strengths: Massive and powerful with quick hands. Run stuffer.
Weaknesses: His pass rush is almost all power.
Fact: Caught a touchdown pass against Clemson in a College Football Playoff victory last year.
Gone by: Middle of second round.
x-Vita Vea, 6-4, 347, Washington
Strengths: Athleticism and quickness for his size outstanding.
Weaknesses: Production and playmaking inconsistent.
Fact: Played some wildcat quarterback as a 270-pound high schooler in San Jose, California.
Gone by: Top 20.
x-Taven Bryan, 6-4, 291, Florida
Strengths: Explodes off the ball and can make plays up and down the line.
Weaknesses: Holding point of attack. Could end up sliding outside.
Fact: Son of a U.S. Navy Seal.
Gone by: Early second round.
Maurice Hurst, 6-2, 282, Michigan
Strengths: Relentless and quick off the ball and into the backfield.
Weaknesses: Undersized for an interior lineman, which could relegate him to certain schemes.
Fact: Diagnosis of a heart condition kept him out of the combine, but has been cleared since.
Gone by: Middle of second round.
Harrison Phillips, 6-4, 307, Stanford
Strengths: Broad, active and highly productive.
Weaknesses: Odd build. Top-heavy for an interior defensive lineman.
Fact: Led Stanford in tackles last season with 103.
Gone by: End of second round.
Others to watch
- x-Tim Settle, Virginia Tech
- Derrick Nnadi, Florida State
- x-B.J. Hill, North Carolina State
