The Most Productive Defenders in the 2015 NFL Draft

When studying draft prospects in an attempt to predict their success at the next level, there’s obviously no substitute for film. Film should always be paramount in the scouting process.

However, you can also creatively use other bits of data to help fill in gaps that film might not reveal unless you watch every game of a prospect’s career. When used properly, analyzing production can supplement your film study in a useful way.   

College production at times can be deceiving, but it can also provide a valuable window into a player’s ability to impact his team and provide evidence for critical character traits that do carry over into the NFL. This helps to give insight into a player’s physical and/or intangible assets that can be factored into the evaluation process.

As you will see in the slides, college production can be a reliable indicator of future success—especially on defense.  

Explanation

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In order to compare the college production of each position group, both on a per-game and career basis, I created a system several years back that weights certain stats higher than others and then combines them to create a single production grade.

The stats that were factored for this system include the following:

• Games played
• Touchdowns
• Interceptions
• Forced Fumbles
• Sacks
• Passes Broken Up
• QB Hurries
• Tackle for Loss
• Solo Tackles
• Blocked Kicks

As I just mentioned, the grades can then be broken down into “production per game” grades and “career production” grades, which are based on the relative production of their positional peers. So, an edge-rusher with the lowest per game or career score, for example, is given the lowest grade for that category, while the edge-rusher with the highest score is given the highest grade.

Seems straightforward, right?

After the grades are tallied for "production per game" and "career production," those two grades are then averaged together for an overall production grade. This is what was used to determine who is the most productive at each position.   

Note: Only Division I prospects who attended the NFL Scouting Combine were factored in these results. All stats for this study were taken from CFBStats.com. 

Cornerbacks

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1. Quandre Diggs, CB, Texas

Though Quandre Diggs ranks as one of the least athletic cornerbacks in this draft class, he still happens to be one of the game’s biggest playmakers.

Diggs excels in two areas when it comes to his approach between the lines. He’s consistent and has incredible instincts for the game.

According to CFBStats.com, Diggs has played in 52 games during his time at Texas and finished second at his position in passes breakups (36) and forced fumbles (four), third in interceptions (11) and first in sacks (5.5).

Clearly, he has had a productive career, but nobody is taking about him in draft circles because he’s too small (5’9”, 196 lbs), too slow (4.56 second 40-yard dash) and just doesn’t project well at the next level.  Regardless, sometimes you just have to keep an eye out for guys who understand how to play the game.  

2. Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: He finished second in production per game behind Miami of Ohio’s Quinten Rollins.

3. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon: He led all draft-eligible Division I cornerbacks in career passes broken up and solo tackles.

2014 Top CB Producers

1. Bradley Roby
2. Ross Cockrell
3. E.J. Gaines

2013 Top CB Producers

1. Johnthan Banks
2. Tyrann Mathieu
3. Leon McFadden

Safeties

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1. Derron Smith, S, Fresno State

Fresno State’s Derron Smith flashes quickness and impressive awareness on film, but his body seems underdeveloped and thin for the next level. This is just an impression of his tape. In terms of measurables, Smith is a respectable 200 pounds, which is standard for an NFL safety these days.

Smith has had a long and productive college career, so much so that he ranked first in career production through 56 games and third in production per game. He led his position group of draft-eligible safeties in career interceptions (15) and sacks (four) and finished second in solo tackles with 221.

Smith is likely to be one of the first safeties taken in the draft this year, though his pro-day results on March 12 will likely affect his overall value.

2. Clayton Geathers, S, UCF: He led the safety position in solo tackles (227) and finished second in passes broken up (30).

2014 Top S Producers

1. Deone Bucannon
2. Jimmie Ward

2013 Top S Producers

1. Johnathan Cyprien
2. Bacarri Rambo

Edge-Rushers

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1. Hau’oli Kikaha, Edge, Washington

The Washington Huskies aren’t having their pro day until April 2. That leaves a lot of time for critics to continue the speculation about Hau’oli Kikaha’s overall speed, explosiveness or ability to change directions and operate in space.

Though these questions are valid for a guy who is on the verge of becoming a top-50 selection, they still don’t shine light on what makes him so special. Kikaha uses the combination of hands and instincts better than anyone in this draft, which is how he managed to generate more career sacks (35.5) than anyone in school history, despite only playing in 43 games.

In addition, Kikaha’s sack total exceeds any Division I prospect from any year I’ve calculated, regardless of position—which goes back to 2012.

2. Vic Beasley, Edge, Clemson: Beasley had the second-most career sacks (33) in three years of prospect data—behind only Kikaha. He also led this draft class in tackles for loss (52.5).

3. Randy Gregory, Edge, Nebraska: He could have been ranked higher but only played in 25 games at Nebraska, which hurt his overall grade. Gregory still had the highest production-per-game score among edge-rushers.

2014 Top Edge Producers

1. Khalil Mack
2. Kyle Van Noy
3. Jackson Jeffcoat

2013 Top Edge Producers

1. Jarvis Jones
2. Chase Thomas
3. Jamie Collins

Interior Defensive Linemen

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1. Leonard Williams, DL, USC

For all intents and purposes, Leonard Williams was graded as an interior defensive lineman, which is a position he played often while at USC and one many NFL teams have projected him to be at the next level. Either way, he would have graded out high when paired up against either position share.

Sometimes a guy’s tape doesn’t translate to the NFL despite his incredible statistics—this is not the case with Williams, who is still just 20 years old. He brings the complete package to the table, which is why so many draft experts have him as one of their top-ranked prospects. Bleacher Report’s Lead Draft Analyst Matt Miller ranks him second overall, behind Jameis Winston.

It only took Williams 39 games to be the most productive interior defensive lineman in this draft in terms of career numbers. He led his positional group with 20 sacks, a number that would rank him sixth in terms of edge-rushers as well. His four forced fumbles were second at his position, and he also led in passes broken up.

I’ve said this a few times this year, but it’s worth repeating: Williams is the most exciting draft prospect in this draft class.   

2. Mike Bennett, DL, Ohio State: Bennett’s seven forced fumbles led all Division I interior linemen in this draft. He also finished second in sacks behind only Williams (18).

2014 Top DL Producers

1. Aaron Donald
2. Will Sutton

2013 Top DL Producers

1. Kawann Short
2. Sharrif Floyd

Non-Rush Linebackers

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1. Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA

The reason Eric Kendricks ranks as the most productive linebacker in this draft class is because he has played consistently well for a long time while at UCLA. He has played in 52 games at UCLA and ranks at or near the top in every major category.

Leonard Floyd of Georgia is the only non-rush LB to have more production per game than Kendricks this year, but he only played in 25 career games.

Out of 22 linebackers who were analyzed, Kendricks ranks first in interceptions (five), solo tackles (310) and blocked kicks (two). He also finished second in touchdowns (third) and tied for third in sacks (10).

Like Williams, Kendricks is more than just a guy with nice college stats; his game should translate well at the next level. He is the best example of a sideline-to-sideline player in this draft and my top-rated non-rush LB overall.

2. Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan: Ryan was by far the leader in tackles for a loss among the non-rush linebackers (46). He was also tied for first with Jeff Luc of Cincinnati with eight forced fumbles.

3. Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami: Perryman finished second in solo tackles (238) among the LBs.

4. Ben Heeney, LB, Kansas: Heeney might have missed a lot of tackles during his college career, but he also made a ton. He finished third in solo tackles behind Kendricks and Perryman with 214.

2014 Top LB Producers

1. Ryan Shazier
2. Chris Borland
3. Johnathan Brown
4. Yawin Smallwood

2013 Top LB Producers

1. Khaseem Greene
2. Manti Te’o
3. Sio Moore
4. Sean Porter

Ryan Riddle is a former NFL player who writes for Bleacher Report.