The Top Defensive Building Blocks in the 2016 NFL Draft
Defense wins championships, which was true again as the Denver Broncos rode their dominant unit to a Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
Since the NFL is a copycat league, the Broncos' success likely renewed the interest in rebuilding on the defensive side of the ball for a number of struggling franchises.
Fortunately for them, this is a great year to be in need of a franchise cornerstone on defense.
Here's a look at eight defensive prospects who not only can make an immediate impact, but have the potential to be core building blocks for a championship-caliber defensive unit.
Joey Bosa, Ohio State
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Any edge-rusher capable of consistently getting to the quarterback is a player you can build around. And no one in this class is as disruptive as Joey Bosa.
Bosa took some heat last year for his drop-off in sacks, but his inability to finish with as much consistency was primarily due to seeing an increase in double-teams (and even triple-teams).
According to CFB Film Room, Bosa still generated 53 quarterback pressures in 2015, nearly double the total of any other Ohio State lineman.
Based on his production and the value of the position he plays, it would come as a mild surprise if Bosa were not the first defensive prospect off the board.
Myles Jack, UCLA
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Myles Jack is part of a new breed of linebackers who win with elite speed and athleticism rather than size and strength.
According to Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus, Jack finished with a strong grade in coverage in 2014 (plus-15) and versus the run over the past two seasons (plus-11.9). It's rare to find a college linebacker with such a well-balanced skill set.
NFL teams have been lukewarm about accepting this new breed of linebackers, but as more teams are favoring athleticism over size, the prospects are being bumped up in the draft.
In 2012, for example, Lavonte David was a second-round selection of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he has gone on to produce at a high level in their defense.
Likely due in part to David's success as an undersized linebacker, the Panthers selected the undersized Shaq Thompson 25th overall last year.
With these rangy coverage linebackers excelling in the NFL, it will be easier for a team to justify a high selection of Jack and view him as a critical building block on defense.
Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
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Noah Spence isn't the most complete defensive prospect in this draft class, but he may be the most explosive playmaker.
Spence has an elite burst off the snap and can fly into the backfield, creating instant disruption.
While others, such as his former teammate Bosa, can generate pressure in more ways, Spence's ability to create that instant disruption with his speed off the edge is a valuable trait.
His athleticism is similar to Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin, who contributed immediately in Seattle as a situational pass-rusher.
Like Irvin, Spence may not be a ready for a three-down role early in his career, but he impacts the game with arguably the most valuable skill set a defensive prospect can possess in this era of football.
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Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
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Jaylon Smith's recent knee surgery complicates the evaluation process for NFL teams, but he belongs on this list strictly from a talent standpoint.
Few linebackers enter the draft offering Smith's blend of pass-rushing ability on the edge and his elite range against the run.
In a 4-3 defense, Smith's well-rounded skill set would allow him to play any of the three linebacker positions. In a 3-4 scheme, he probably fits best on the inside, but he definitely has the pass-rushing ability to line up on the edge as well.
Prior to the 2015 season, NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah compared Smith to former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.
The Willis comparison is strong, especially due to the similar range both linebackers possess.
Smith has the tools to step into the middle of a defense and develop into a leader as Willis did in San Francisco.
Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
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Philosophically, it's tough to consider a defensive back a building block, which is the primary reason they're rarely among the first prospects off the board.
Jalen Ramsey made his presence felt at Florida State immediately after setting foot on campus, becoming the first freshman to start the Seminoles' season opener since Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
One of the reasons Ramsey is a special prospect is the fact he's already demonstrated elite versatility.
During his time at Florida State, Ramsey played at a high level at both cornerback and safety, which should ease concerns for teams considering investing a high pick in his services.
If Ramsey fails to pan out as an elite cornerback, he should make a smooth transition to safety.
Darron Lee, Ohio State
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Ohio State deployed Darron Lee in a variety of roles, and that versatility is what makes him such an intriguing building block.
Lee is listed at 6'2" and 228 pounds by Ohio State and might be slightly undersized by traditional standards. But his athleticism makes him a perfect fit for the new prototypical linebacker role.
In terms of his size and range, Lee compares favorably to Arizona Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington, who had emerged as a Pro Bowl linebacker before suspensions wiped out his past two seasons.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has called Lee "[the] perfect new-school linebacker."
A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
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This is an incredibly deep class of interior defensive linemen, which may dissuade some teams from targeting the position early in the draft.
However, any team looking to bolster its run defense should have Alabama's A'Shawn Robinson high on its wish list.
Robinson is a rare athlete for his size (6'4", 312 lbs), which makes him look like a young Vince Wilfork on the field.
Due to his size, Robinson could play a traditional nose tackle role, as Wilfork did in New England. He's also a strong enough athlete to play a more versatile role, shifting outside to 3-4 end, as Haloti Ngata often did during his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
Robinson has the tools to be a star in any of those roles, but the versatility certainly generates more interest in his draft stock.
DeForest Buckner, Oregon
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DeForest Buckner was among the most productive players in the nation in 2015 despite playing on the talent-deprived Oregon defense.
Much like Bosa, Buckner consistently had to battle through double-teams but continued to fight his way into the backfield.
At 6'7" and 300 pounds, Buckner may not be an ideal fit in a 4-3 defense—unless a team wanted to shift him inside to the 3-technique tackle position—but he is the prototypical 3-4 end.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein has compared Buckner to Cardinals lineman Calais Campbell.
Follow Ryan McCrystal on Twitter for more NFL and college football analysis.
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