NFL Draft 400: Ranking the Draft's Top Edge-Rushers
Scouts and general managers have called the 2018 NFL draft class average, but we still have questions. Who is the best overall player? How about the best at each position?
The NFL Draft 400's goal is to figure that out.
We tracked, scouted, graded and ranked the top 400 prospects with help from scouting assistants Marshal Miller, Dan Bazal and Jerod Brown. Together, we viewed tape of a minimum of three games per player—the same standard NFL teams use. Oftentimes, we saw every play from a prospect over the last two years.
Strengths and weaknesses figured into the grades, with a pro-player comparison added to match the prospect's style or fit in the pros. The top 400 prospects will be broken down by position for easy viewing before the release of a top-400 big board prior to the April 26-28 draft.
In the case of a tie, players were ranked based on their overall grade in our top 400.
27. Davin Bellamy, Georgia
1 of 27
POSITIVES
—Productive pass-rusher with some versatility coming out of the Georgia program.
—Is agile enough to shake pass-blockers if he keeps his frame clean and uses his length to create space.
—High-motored player who will sacrifice his body in the run game.
NEGATIVES
—Small frame comes with below-average length (33 ¼” arms) and a lack of power at the point of attack.
—Hamstring injury limited his combine and pro day testing (no 40-yard dash).
—Doesn't show closing speed on film to match his frame. Smaller 'backers need to be explosive and he's not.
—Doesn't have ideal body control to set up counter moves or slip blockers.
—Offers nothing in the run game and will get pushed out of the way easily.
OVERALL
Davin Bellamy is a name most college football fans will recognize thanks to his ranking coming out of high school and his status on a top program, but the NFL wants size, athleticism and production, and he offers little of that. Bellamy is a priority free agent with limited athletic upside. He'll need to play special teams to make it.
GRADE: 5.30 (Priority Free Agent)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Cassius Marsh, San Francisco 49ers
26. Peter Kalambayi, Stanford
2 of 27
POSITIVES
—Turned heads with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
—Versatile athlete with speed, agility and burst that turns into production on film.
—First step was good enough to beat Pac-12 offensive tackles.
—Has experience playing in space and in coverage; could be a 4-3 or 3-4 outside 'backer.
—Shows a variety of pass-rush moves (spin, inside counter, rip) and has been well-coached.
NEGATIVES
—Play strength is below average and cannot shed blockers.
—Best season came in 2014 as a rotational pass-rusher and has seen his sack production drop every year since.
—Tested much better than he plays; impact was missing on tape. More of a splash player.
—Instincts look below average; slow to read and react.
—Doesn't wow with any traits and likely has limited upside given how his production regressed in college.
OVERALL
A bit of a workout warrior, Peter Kalambayi never looked as good at Stanford as he did at the combine. That should be a red flag for teams, but if they believe his 2014 tape is indicative of his potential, then he's worth taking a flier on late in the draft.
GRADE: 5.50 (Round 7)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Stansly Maponga, Denver Broncos
25. Trevon Young, Louisville
3 of 27
POSITIVES
—On the hoof, Young looks the part with a nice frame (6'4", 258 lbs) and length for a 3-4 outside linebacker.
—Agile with good body control and balance on the move.
—Dominated the bowl game with three tackles for loss and a sack against Mississippi State to close out his college career.
—Knows how to use his athleticism to set up blockers and counter with speed or agility.
—Uses his length (33 ¾" arms) well to create space.
NEGATIVES
—Banged up throughout his college career and never lived up to his athletic potential.
—Lacks play strength on the edge and can't handle blockers crossing his face.
—Scouts told us he's been red-flagged over 2015 hip injury; might be off boards.
—Doesn't have the power to be an asset in the run game; no bull rush.
—Finesse player who doesn't like attacking.
OVERALL
Trevon Young has the measurables and athleticism, but it won't matter if teams are concerned about his injury history; especially the hip injury from 2015. He ended his college career with strong performances but still looks like a developmental project for a 3-4 team.
GRADE: 5.50 (Round 7)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Shilique Calhoun, Oakland Raiders
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24. Ola Adeniyi, Toledo
4 of 27
POSITIVES
—Aggressive, productive pass-rusher who broke out in 2017 with 20 TFL and 8.5 sacks.
—Shows an understanding of hand use and leverage; plays with power in his upper body.
—Looks at each snap as a street fight and attacks blockers with all he has.
—Can line up on or outside the tight end and shows some scheme versatility as an edge.
—Takes a clean set on the edge and doesn't waste motion or steps.
NEGATIVES
—Small (6'1", 248 lbs), short-armed (31 ¾") and could fall below NFL thresholds and end up off boards.
—Tested poorly for his size with a 4.83-second 40 and 7.21-second three-cone drill.
—Isn't developed as a pass-rusher and lacks the athleticism to to win against pro blockers.
—Dominated lower levels of competition and didn't see NFL talent across from him.
OVERALL
Ola Adeniyi's numbers look good on paper, but he doesn't have the agility, strength or athleticism to consistently battle NFL offensive tackles. A lack of speed could limit his ability to make a play as a special teams performer. His motor and aggression are great, but making a team will be an uphill battle.
GRADE: 5.50 (Round 7)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Carl Bradford, Cincinnati Bengals
23. Joe Ostman, Central Michigan
5 of 27
POSITIVES
—Highly productive at Central Michigan, posting 23 sacks and 34 TFL in last two years.
—Strong, violent, active pass-rusher who can win with a variety of moves.
—Uses his hands well and looks coordinated when ripping or swatting away the punch of a blocker.
—Leverage and body control are solid enough to allow him to maintain control.
—High-motored rusher who won't give up on reps.
NEGATIVES
—Ankle injury in 2015 had him miss nine games; also missed two games in 2017.
—Jacked frame but is very stiff and doesn't have fluid hips to bend.
—Wasn't invited to the combine and might be overrated by stats.
—Has weight room strength ("workout warrior" label was applied by more than one scout) but doesn't shed blockers well with 31-inch arms.
OVERALL
Joe Ostman was hard to miss on tape, but the NFL didn't think highly enough of him to send an invite to the combine. He's a fit as a 4-3 defensive end but lacks the agility to stand up in space in a 3-4. His motor and love for the game will get him drafted, but Ostman is a late-round project.
GRADE: 5.65 (Round 6)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Bryan Cox Jr., Carolina Panthers
22. Hercules Mata'afa, Washington State
6 of 27
POSITIVES
—Dominated on the interior of the Wazzu defensive line and was very disruptive as a pass-rusher.
—His motor is one of the best in the entire class. Loves the game and goes all-out every snap. Tough.
—Loves to hit and it shows when he squares up ball-carriers.
—First step was unstoppable by Pac-12 interior offensive linemen; shows lateral agility and straight-line speed in short areas.
—Team-first, locker room guy that everyone loves.
NEGATIVES
—Undersized (6'2 ¼", 254 lbs) and didn't run well (4.76) or show burst at the combine.
—Arm length is a major concern at 31 ½".
—Played interior defensive line at Washington State and was able to beat slower guards but can't hang there in the NFL due to size.
—'Tweener prospect that doesn't have the athleticism to play on the outside or the strength to play on the inside. His production doesn't translate.
—Will be a non-factor against the run in the NFL.
OVERALL
It's easy to fall in love with Hercules Mata'afa as a college player, but his traits don't project well to the NFL outside of a rotational spot. He could make a mark as a special teams player—where his motor and passion would be great—but he's not projected to see his stats in college carry over to the pros.
GRADE: 5.65 (Round 6)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Dee Ford, Kansas City Chiefs
21. Kylie Fitts, Utah
7 of 27
POSITIVES
—Athletic mover with impressive hips in space and the feet to confuse pass-rushers.
—Able to roll through the edge and can shake blockers with head moves and change of direction skills.
—Has well-developed tools with his hands and will work an inside move and counters like a spin or rip.
—High-motored against the run and will chase and pursue plays downfield and from the backside.
—Very little wasted motion.
NEGATIVES
—Will turn 24 years old during his rookie season.
—Injuries affected him throughout his college career, requiring scouts to look at 2015 tape to see his best football.
—Workout stud whose film doesn't show the same power and agility.
—Weak against the run for a 263-pounder. Has to better attack and anchor. Short arms affect this.
—Has a springy lower body but lacks power there.
OVERALL
Kylie Fitts' tape is really good when you can find games he was healthy for. Teams have to be cautious drafting a player who has missed so much time in the last two years and is already an older prospect. If he can stay on the field, Fitts' tools do project well for a third pass-rusher role.
GRADE: 5.70 (Round 5)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins
20. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma
8 of 27
POSITIVES
—Posted excellent production last two years at Oklahoma with 17 sacks.
—Able to get under the hands of blockers with natural leverage and good pad height.
—Excellent chase-and-tackle player who comes around the edge with body control and awareness.
—When left unprotected on the end of the line, he can be unstoppable.
—Initial quickness allows him to beat college blockers off the ball.
NEGATIVES
—Lacks ideal height, weight and timed speed (6'1 ⅝", 253 lbs, 4.77) for an edge-rusher and packed on 10 pounds for the combine.
—Tight-hipped and doesn't turn the corner or bend well.
—Played in a scheme that has generated stats for average players (Eric Striker).
—Has one move and cannot recover or reset if he's met by a blocker.
—Takes a lot of wasted steps and tries to be too cute. Finesse player.
OVERALL
The hype surrounding Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is confusing. He posted good production against bad talent in the Big 12 and lacks the athletic tools to succeed in the NFL. He's a role player at best who needs to be scheme-protected to make plays.
GRADE: 5.70 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Howard Jones, Chicago Bears
19. Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss
9 of 27
POSITIVES
—An athletic, fast, instinctive pass-rusher who can dominate unprepared offensive tackles.
—First step is dangerous and can give him the space he needs to bend and close on the quarterback.
—Work-ethic player who doesn't give up if a blocker gets hands on him.
—Plays with great balance and body control on the move. Can dip and bend.
—Has loose hips and fast feet. Might be able to make a move to a true outside linebacker role.
NEGATIVES
—Undersized (6'2 ⅜", 235 lbs) and may be off teams boards due to his small frame.
—Non-factor in the run game and doesn't have the traits to improve there.
—All upper body with no legs to anchor or produce burst from his stance.
—Might have to change positions to more of an off-ball linebacker to see the field in the NFL.
—Short-armed (33 ¼") and doesn't play with length to keep blockers off his frame. Tries to win with speed only and can run around blockers.
—Has one move: speed.
OVERALL
Marquis Haynes has been a productive, impactful defender for Ole Miss but lacks the size and strength to be more than a situational rusher in the NFL unless he makes a position change. In the right scheme he could have an impact on third down thanks to his speed rush, which is why he still carries a Round 5 grade.
GRADE: 5.75 (Round 5)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Dadi Nicolas, Kansas City Chiefs
18. Marcell Frazier, Missouri
10 of 27
POSITIVES
—Breakout season in 2017, posting 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
—Pro-day star posting a 4.63 40-yard dash at 6'4 ⅝" and 256 pounds.
—Plays with nice instincts and a motor that never stops. Can overwhelm blockers with relentless charge.
—Athletic and quick with the burst to get a jump on blockers.
—Ideal size for a 4-3 defensive end but enough juice to potentially line up as a 3-4 edge, giving him positional versatility.
NEGATIVES
—Broken forearm in spring of 2017.
—One-year wonder who didn't start until his redshirt senior season.
—Against the run he played with poor leverage and power. Doesn't look overly strong on the field.
—Tested better than he played, and coaches told us he was a walk-through All-American who didn't show up as big in games.
OVERALL
Marcell Frazier definitely looks the part and has nice upside as a pass-rusher. He was a standout player on a defensive line that's notable for producing NFL talent, but there will be questions about his limited impact prior to 2017.
GRADE: 5.80 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Owa Odighizuwa, Buffalo Bills
17. Ade Aruna, Tulane
11 of 27
POSITIVES
—Posted an eye-opening combine with a 4.6 in the 40, 38 ½" vertical jump, and a 10'8" broad.
—Long, athletic frame at 6'5", 262 pounds with 34" arms.
—Raw potential to be developed into a pass-rusher or 3-4 end thanks to his length and burst.
—Uses length well to create space and has the power to toss aside blockers or anchor.
—Scheme and position versatilility having played in both a 40 and 30 front.
NEGATIVES
—Only posted three sacks in 2017 with his career best (five sacks) coming in 2016.
—Very raw prospect in terms of technique and instincts. Needs to be completely built from the ground up.
—Doesn't show great aggression at the point of attack and can be timid.
—Won with size and speed at a low level of competition.
—Boom-or-bust player who may never develop.
OVERALL
Defensive coordinators looking for a Day 3 project to take on should consider Ade Aruna. He's big, athletic and has splash plays that wow you but does need at least a year to work on his technique and football IQ.
GRADE: 5.80 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: William Gholston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16. Leon Jacobs, Wisconsin
12 of 27
POSITIVES
—Dominated the combine with a 4.48 in the 40 and a 10'2" broad jump.
—Naturally gifted athlete who moves easily in space and was used in a variety of roles at Wisconsin.
—Burst off the ball can be scary good and combined with body control makes him dangerous if he's kept clean on the edge.
—Can run down ball-carriers and might even have the speed to match up with tight ends in coverage.
—Moldable prospect who could be crafted to fit into whatever role the defensive coordinator sees as his best fit.
—Has immediate special teams value.
NEGATIVES
—Undersized for the edge at 6'1", 245 pounds (was listed at 6'3", 230 lbs).
—Has to win with speed as a pass-rusher; hasn't developed hand use and struggles to use his length to create separation.
—One-year starter and more of a workout warrior than football player. Never made a huge impact on Saturdays.
—Hasn't learned the intricacies of the position and will need time to sit, watch and develop.
OVERALL
Leon Jacobs was the ultimate team player at Wisconsin, sitting behind studs like T.J. Watt and even playing some fullback before earning a starting gig in 2017. He's an athlete but doesn't have the size or technique to make an early impact as more than a rotational player.
GRADE: 5.85 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Keion Adams, Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Duke Ejiofor, Wake Forest
13 of 27
POSITIVES
—Well-built player (6'3 ⅜", 264 lbs) with fantastic length (34 ⅞").
—Has the power to bull rush, shed blocks and show up in the run game.
—Understands leverage and how to convert power to quickness (and vice versa).
—Holds his edge well and plays assignment football when asked to contain the corner.
—Has a variety of pass-rush moves and shows well-developed plans as a rusher.
NEGATIVES
—Bend and movement in space are below average.
—Instincts and awareness show up as issues, especially in the run game.
—Overall athleticism is lacking and doesn't pop off the tape. Wins with power and not quickness.
—Probably has to move inside as a situational pass-rusher due to lack of speed and twitch.
—Banged up throughout his career and toughness was questioned by scouts.
OVERALL
Duke Ejiofor is a solid prospect as a rotational defensive lineman but lacks the athleticism to project as more than a depth player. He best fits in a 4-3 scheme like the Atlanta Falcons or San Francisco 49ers that would put him into gaps where he can beat guards and centers but won't be asked to win with speed.
GRADE: 5.90 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Derrick Shelby, Atlanta Falcons
14. Jeff Holland, Auburn
14 of 27
POSITIVES
—Eye-opening production in 2017 with 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
—Aggressive, high-motored player who has natural leverage and power in his base.
—Shows up as a hitter who loves to put pads on ball-carriers and can create fumbles.
—Gets underneath blockers' hands and has some shoulder dip to his game.
—Smart, aware player who looks to disrupt the play if he can't get to the quarterback.
NEGATIVES
—Tight-hipped and struggles to unlock as a pass-rusher.
—Short and small (6'1 ⅜", 249 lbs) limits him to a stand-up rush role.
—Timed at 4.79 in the 40-yard dash; average for all edge-rushers but poor for his size.
—Soft-bodied and needed to rework his frame for the combine.
—Limited athleticism and size makes him a sub-package or rotational player, which affects his value.
OVERALL
Jeff Holland was a blast to watch on film with his nonstop motor and punishing hits, but he simply lacks the tools to be more than a role player in the pros. He could carve out a nice career playing on third down but is mostly a projected fourth pass-rusher.
GRADE: 5.99 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Nate Orchard, Cleveland Browns
13. Jalyn Holmes, Ohio State
15 of 27
POSITIVES
—Excellent size and strength at 6'5", 283 pounds to play head-up on blockers or in gaps.
—Uses his hands very well to set up and disengage from blockers.
—Can drop his pads and bull rush with very good power and speed to stun a blocker.
—Versatile enough to line up all over the defensive line and has experience in multiple roles.
—Wasn't used in his best role at Ohio State and could be a player whose best football is ahead of him.
NEGATIVES
—Lost in the rotation at Ohio State and often played as the third or fourth pass-rusher. Was never a full-time starter.
—'Tweener who doesn't fit as a true 4-3 end or tackle. Might be a sub-package player only.
—Doesn't do any one thing particularly well and will struggle to win with speed in the pros.
—Goes to his spin move too often.
—More of a one speed player who has to beat blockers with effort moves instead of athleticism.
OVERALL
Jalyn Holmes might be seen as a potential project to move inside once in an NFL defense, but he's listed as an edge defender now since that was his primary role at Ohio State. His size, quickness and hand use make him a sleeper starter as a rookie.
GRADE: 5.99 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Kevin Dodd, Tennessee Titans
12. Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
16 of 27
POSITIVES
—An effort pass-rusher who wins with power and leverage at the point of attack.
—Thick-bubbled lower body with nice power base and burst.
—Hand technique is well developed and allows him to counter pass-blockers.
—Somewhat scheme-versatile with his powerful frame; has lined up inside as an interior rusher.
—Quickness is good enough that he can get into the body of tackles off the snap then use hands/length to win.
NEGATIVES
—Lost in the rotation at Ohio State and often played as the third or fourth pass-rusher.
—Doesn't hold up against the run and can get pushed off his spot too easily by tackles.
—Average agility in space and doesn't show the balance or light feet to execute a speed game.
—Can be overwhelmed by athletic tackles and doesn't always open his toolbox of moves.
—Might never be more than a rotational end, which was his role at Ohio State.
OVERALL
The Ohio State defensive end group was the best in the country the last two seasons, but that cost Tyquan Lewis playing time. He still produced when he was on the field, but scouts will definitely bring up his lost reps when evaluating his case.
GRADE: 5.99 (Round 4)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Adrian Clayborn, New England Patriots
11. Josh Sweat, Florida State
17 of 27
POSITIVES
—Special athlete with rare movement skills and speed for his size (6'4 ¾", 251 lbs) and dominated the combine.
—Uses his 34 ⅝" arms well to create space and has the agility to dip and bend around the edge.
—Scheme-versatile and could fit in as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end/situational rusher.
—Plays with power and strength that you don't expect from a leaner edge player.
—Hips and feet are fluid; can drop into space or bend the corner as a rusher.
—Closing speed looks like he's in fast-forward.
NEGATIVES
—Multiple knee injuries in his past, including one that almost caused an amputation in his senior year of high school.
—Doesn't play to his speed. His first step should be much better.
—Thin-legged and doesn't anchor well against the run. He's on skates often.
—Effort is very inconsistent and might point to his timing issues at the snap.
—Can pull up or play soft at the point of attack.
OVERALL
Josh Sweat has first-round athleticism but his medicals will be huge in determining where he is drafted. If teams focus on his tools, he could hear his name called well ahead of our projection. That said, if they get hung up on medicals or his uneven production, he might be a Day 3 player.
GRADE: 6.00 (Round 3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Jordan Willis, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Uchenna Nwosu, USC
18 of 27
POSITIVES
—Safety-turned-linebacker-turned-edge-rusher thanks to injuries at USC; team player.
—Has experience dropping into coverage and can match up well in zone and man situations.
—Good hitter with solid wrap-up technique and some pop in his pads.
—Gets upfield quickly as a pass-rusher and has a relentless motor.
NEGATIVES
—Not enough height and short-armed for an edge player at 6'2", 251 pounds with 33 ⅝" arms. Small hands (9").
—Lacks play strength to press blockers off his frame when stacked up in the run game.
—One-move pass-rusher who has to win with quickness off the ball.
—Too slow to read and react in the run game.
—Jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type who has never developed at any one position.
—Scouts are concerned he's "just a good college player" with no real NFL position.
OVERALL
Uchenna Nwosu won't appeal to every team but has the tools to carve out a role as a situational pass-rusher or potentially as an off-ball linebacker. He was a bit of a one-year wonder at USC, which could either point to a high ceiling or a lack of impact.
GRADE: 6.00 (Round 3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: John Simon, Indianapolis Colts
9. Dorance Armstrong, Kansas
19 of 27
POSITIVES
—Long-armed (34 ¾") edge-rusher with impressive burst and agility on a frame (6'4", 257 lbs) that can be built up.
—Raw athlete with the tools to be developed into a special edge-rusher. Smooth, twitchy mover.
—Excellent burst out of his stance; can beat blockers with his length or his first step.
—Uses his hands well to create space or redirect blockers; has a great stiff arm.
—Shows a variety of pass-rush moves and doesn't have to win with just speed. Likes to work inside or spin off blockers.
NEGATIVES
—Light for a 4-3 defensive end and may have to play in space.
—Needs to continue adding size and strength.
—Only recorded 1.5 sacks in 2017.
—Combine and pro-day athletic testing did not match what we saw on him. His 40 time (4.87) was disappointing.
—Lacks the power to set the edge in the run game.
OVERALL
Dorance Armstrong is a tough projection because his tape didn't match his workouts, and his production dropped in 2017. He requires a bit of imagination to see what he could develop into, but that adds risk to his profile.
GRADE: 6.10 (Round 3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Aaron Lynch, Chicago Bears
8. Lorenzo Carter, Georgia
20 of 27
POSITIVES
—Excellent height/length/speed guy at 6'5", 250 pounds with an 82" wingspan and a 4.5-second 40.
—Experienced playing both as a stand-up and hand-down rusher.
—First-step quickness is nice, and he can stun off the edge with speed to get upfield.
—Versatility is a major plus because he can rush from multiple stances and play as a 4-3 off-ball linebacker.
—Uses his length well to set the edge and is dangerous as a spy on quarterbacks in the run-pass option game.
NEGATIVES
—Lean, lanky frame that allows blockers to get under his pads and drive him in the run game.
—Lacks strength at the point of attack and can play soft in the run game.
—More of a clean-up tackler than aggressor.
—Didn't stand out on film and is being pushed more on athleticism than production.
OVERALL
Lorenzo Carter is a true boom-or-bust prospect. Teams will fall in love with his measurables but have to look at his lack of production at Georgia (14 sacks in four years) and discern why he wasn't more impactful. He needs to get stronger and fill out his frame, but his potential as a speed rusher is impressive.
GRADE: 6.20 (Round 3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Kyler Fackrell, Green Bay Packers
7. Chad Thomas, Miami (FL)
21 of 27
POSITIVES
—Versatile enough to play all over the defensive line with the size (6'5", 281 lbs) to play a true 4-3 defensive end.
—34 ½" arms show up on film as they keep tackles separated from him. Length and hand use is well developed.
—Bends well for his size and has excellent flexibility. He's athletic enough to convert speed to power and can overwhelm blockers.
—Naturally athletic and looks easy and comfortable moving in space closing on the quarterback.
—Has a variety of pass-rush moves to set up and work blockers.
NEGATIVES
—Can play too high and stand up out of his snap, surrendering his frame.
—Angles to the ball could be sharper and cleaner.
—Never had breakout production at Miami and is more solid than special.
—Lets his chest get over his toes and can be seen lunging into blockers.
—Is too big to disappear in the run like he does.
OVERALL
As a true 4-3 defensive end prospect, Chad Thomas will have a ton of value for teams who want a strong-side end who could line up inside for sub-packages. His versatility and athleticism are his calling cards, but a lack of production keeps his stock lowered.
GRADE: 6.40 (Round 3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Mario Edwards, Oakland Raiders
6. Kemoko Turay, Rutgers
22 of 27
POSITIVES
—An explosive, twitchy edge-rusher with range to run down ball-carriers.
—Has a nice frame for an outside linebacker at 6'5" and 253 pounds.
—Wrap-up tackler who uses his length well to secure runners.
—Is still relatively new to football after only playing two years in high school. His best ball is ahead of him.
—Was excellent in Senior Bowl practices, which caused a re-evaluation of his tape.
NEGATIVES
—Had two surgeries on his right shoulder in 2016.
—Best production was as a redshirt freshman (7.5 sacks).
—Can be shut down if a blocker gets hands on him due to his lack of strength and extra pass-rush moves.
—Doesn't have the hips to drop into coverage and can be tight turning the edge as a rusher.
—Disappears in the run game.
OVERALL
Kemoko Turay looked like a future first-rounder after his redshirt freshman season, but injuries took him off the radar for two years. A healthy 2017 showed he still has the traits to provide potential day-one impact as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
GRADE: 6.50 (Round 2-3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Bruce Irvin, Oakland Raiders
5. Arden Key, LSU
23 of 27
POSITIVES
—Natural talent is obvious with his speed and agility. Moves well in space.
—Posted 12.5 sacks in 2016.
—Easy transition to a stand-up outside linebacker position where he can explode from a sprinter's stance.
—Has the speed and quickness to stun blockers and win off the first step but also shows a countermove.
—Has the length (33 ½" arms) scouts dream about for an edge-rusher and uses it well to keep tackles off his thin frame (6'5", 238 lbs).
—He's shown he can work tackles with speed and then counter with an inside move.
NEGATIVES
—Has struggled to maintain weight. Team sources told us he was up to 280 pounds but came to the combine at 238. Ideally would play around 255.
—Left the program in spring of 2017 for undisclosed reasons and, per team sources, had shoulder surgery without consulting team doctors.
—Played in just eight games last season due to finger and shoulder injuries.
—Can be soft at the point of attack and doesn't use his length well.
—Off-field concerns are the major reason Key is no longer seen as the top-10 talent he was thought to be before the 2017 season.
OVERALL
Arden Key is no doubt talented, but it is concerning to see his production and impact drop in his final season. Add in to that rumors from scouts of failed drug tests, injuries and his struggles with weight control, and a former top-tier prospect is now a gamble.
GRADE: 6.50 (Round 2-3)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
4. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
24 of 27
POSITIVES
—Relentless pass-rusher who wins with length, technique and discipline.
—Uses his length (33 ⅛" arms) well to separate from blockers in the run game.
—Has the closing speed on the edge to get into the backfield.
—Projects as a 4-3 defensive end.
—Ohio State coaches gave awesome reviews of his character, football IQ and work ethic.
—Was a high school safety and lacrosse standout; has built his frame up (6'5", 270 lbs) and has great strength.
NEGATIVES
—Tested better athletically at the combine than he looks on film.
—Only posted 17 sacks in college.
—Doesn't win with first-step quickness and is likely limited to playing with his hand down.
—Is more agile than fast and won't beat tackles off the ball with speed.
OVERALL
Sam Hubbard is a good player who doesn't have an elite trait to hang his hat on. He's strong and smart, and his motor runs hot, which is enough to get him inside the draft's top 50 picks. Teams running a 4-3 that want a strong-side end will like him more than 3-4 defenses.
GRADE: 6.99 (Round 2)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals
3. Harold Landry, Boston College
25 of 27
POSITIVES
—Entered the season as the top-ranked senior in the draft class after posting 16.5 sacks in 2016.
—Excellent first step with the hips to bend the edge and flexibility to drop his shoulder to get under blockers.
—Uses arm length (32 ⅞") well and will long-arm offensive tackles.
—Twitchy and agile. He operates well in space but takes tight turns when rushing off the edge.
—Plays with a high football IQ. Will look to create fumbles.
—Has the athleticism to operate standing up and has experience with zone coverage.
NEGATIVES
—Ankle injury cut short 2017 season to nine games.
—Doesn't have the power to recover if a blocker gets hands on him.
—Short and light for a defensive end (6'2", 252 lbs).
—Has to beat blockers around the edge; no bull rush and won't go through anyone.
OVERALL
Harold Landry's injury history might scare off some suitors, but he's an excellent fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 pass-rusher. He's not for everyone with his size and speed game, but in the right system he could be an instant contributor.
GRADE: 7.00 (Round 1)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Vic Beasley, Atlanta Falcons
2. Marcus Davenport, Texas-San Antonio
26 of 27
POSITIVES
—Exceptional height, length and speed (6'6", 264 lbs, 33 ⅝" arms, 4.58 40). His combine numbers compare to those of Jadeveon Clowney.
—Can whip offensive tackles with first-step quickness. Explodes off the ball.
—Is still filling out his frame and learning the game. His best football could be ahead of him.
—Has been a stand-up rusher but has put on the weight to play with his hand down. He has versatile positionally.
—Aggressive, tough defender who might be an athlete but isn't a finesse player.
—Showed marked improvement every day at the Senior Bowl, which points to his ability to tap into potential.
NEGATIVES
—Raw player who has never faced top-tier competition.
—Must continue to add strength.
—Still developing secondary pass-rushing moves.
—Boom-or-bust talent.
OVERALL
Marcus Davenport has rare potential, but that's a scary word for a player who will likely be drafted in the top 15. If he develops his hand usage and keeps getting stronger, he'll be a force for offensive tackles to deal with. If he doesn't, he won't be able to get onto the field.
GRADE: 7.00 (Round 1)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Leonard Floyd, Chicago Bears
1. Bradley Chubb, North Carolina State
27 of 27
POSITIVES
—Prototypical size (6'4", 269 pounds, 34" arms) with excellent agility, speed, strength and flexibility.
—Pass-rusher with a plan. Uses his hands like a boxer and keeps blockers from latching on.
—Nonstop motor. Awesome work ethic.
—Awesome production with 10 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.
—Wrecks offenses with his combination of size, power, speed and effort.
—2017 Ted Hendricks and Bronko Nagurski Award winner.
—Has the physical traits to play all over the defensive line and can stand up as an edge.
—Complete athlete who brings special traits to go with a high football IQ.
NEGATIVES
—Can be overaggressive and doesn't always play with balance and poise.
—Agile blockers in the running game can reach him, and he'll struggle to shed from an angle block.
—When teams run at him, he can tire quickly. Notre Dame did this well.
OVERALL
Bradley Chubb is the best pass-rusher in the 2018 draft class and on par with former top edges like Clowney, Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett in terms of grade. He does have room for improvement but walks into the NFL with the tools to be a consistent double-digit sack artist.
GRADE: 7.95 (Top Five pick)
PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Terrell Suggs, retired
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