Lets talk DE and DT for the 2021 NFL Draft: Who is the best prospect? Who is under the radar?

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

The top guys for defensive line and defensive end, per ESPN and CBS Sports top 50 list:
DEFENSIVE LINE

Christian Barmore - Alabama - 6'5 - 310 pounds
Levi Onwuzurike - Washington - 6'3 - 288 pounds
Kwity Paye - Michigan - 6'4 - 272 pounds
Jaelan Phillips - Miami - 6'5 - 266 pounds

DEFENSIVE END

Carlos Basham Jr - Wake Forest - 6'5 - 285 pounds
Patrick Jones - Pittsburgh - 6'5 - 260 pounds
Jayson Oweh - Penn State - 6'5 - 253 pounds
Gregory Rousseau - Miami - 6'7 - 265 pounds
Joe Tryon - Washington - 6'5 - 262 pounds

 

[Clayton]

The two best pass rushers might actually be linebackers.

But lots of starting level talent. Just no stars except for probably Phillips. Phillips quit football because of concussions but I'd take him before any running back on the off chance that Phillips might play to a second contract.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

The two best pass rushers might actually be linebackers.

But lots of starting level talent. Just no stars except for probably Phillips. Phillips quit football because of concussions but I'd take him before any running back on the off chance that Phillips might play to a second contract.

Paye, Barmore, and Tryon are the my favorites out of the bunch.

I can do linebackers next week.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Paye, Barmore, and Tryon are the my favorites out of the bunch.

I can do linebackers next week.

I would love to land Barmore.

 

[ducky]

The two best pass rushers might actually be linebackers.

But lots of starting level talent. Just no stars except for probably Phillips. Phillips quit football because of concussions but I'd take him before any running back on the off chance that Phillips might play to a second contract.

Easily the best DL in the class. He‘s not Bosa or Young. But in this draft he would have a shot at the top 5 if it wasn’t for the injury history.

 

[PDay8810]

Easily the best DL in the class. He‘s not Bosa or Young. But in this draft he would have a shot at the top 5 if it wasn’t for the injury history.

Pass on the Miami guy...Not sure he likes football
Give me Barmore outta this group. Where is he being mocked? Top 20?

 

[Clayton]

Pass on the Miami guy...Not sure he likes football
Give me Barmore outta this group. Where is he being mocked? Top 20?

Top 20 sounds right although he might sneak higher if the WRs and LBs drop like they often do in drafts.

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Pass on the Miami guy...Not sure he likes football
Give me Barmore outta this group. Where is he being mocked? Top 20?

he usually goes #25 to the Jags, but a lot of talk about the Jags actually trading up to land one of the top OTs to protect lawrence. So as of right now looking like late 20's.

Of course all of this will change in a month.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Man this class is so weak on the DL front... I still think Rousseau is the best choice. Yah the bust chance is high but the boom chance is also very high. I mean let's be honest, most DL in the draft (early on anyway) bust, might as well just go all out if you're drafting anywhere near the top 10.

 

[Clayton]

Man this class is so weak on the DL front... I still think Rousseau is the best choice. Yah the bust chance is high but the boom chance is also very high. I mean let's be honest, most DL in the draft (early on anyway) bust, might as well just go all out if you're drafting anywhere near the top 10.

Top 10 Edges: Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Dion Jordan, Ansah, Mingo, Clowney, Mack, Fowler, Beasley, J Bosa, Garrett, Chubb, N Bosa, Ferrell, C Young
Top 10 Interiors: Suh, McCoy, Alualu, Dareus, Leo Williams, Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Q Williams, Oliver, D Brown

JJ Watt pick 11. Donald pick 13.

Overall I'd say the NFL is better at drafting DL than most positions tbh.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Top 10 Edges: Von Miller, Aldon Smith, Dion Jordan, Ansah, Mingo, Clowney, Mack, Fowler, Beasley, J Bosa, Garrett, Chubb, N Bosa, Ferrell, C Young
Top 10 Interiors: Suh, McCoy, Alualu, Dareus, Leo Williams, Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Q Williams, Oliver, D Brown

JJ Watt pick 11. Donald pick 13.

Overall I'd say the NFL is better at drafting DL than most positions tbh.

lol wut?

Maybe I misunderstood your post but a number of the players you named were absolutely shit and contributed nothing for the team they were drafted by.

Clayton you're a good poster, so I'm assuming I'm not getting what you're driving at here.

 

[Clayton]

lol wut?

Maybe I misunderstood your post but a number of the players you named were absolutely shit and contributed nothing for the team they were drafted by.

Clayton you're a good poster, so I'm assuming I'm not getting what you're driving at here.

My point would be that if you did the list for other positions I'm going to guess that it looks worse.

Top 10 WRs: AJ Green, Julio Jones, Tavon Austin, Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, Amari Cooper, Kevin White, Corey Davis, Mike Williams, John Ross.

 

[wazzu31]

The two Huskies are going to do their Husky thing and bomb

 

[Clayton]

Easily the best DL in the class. He‘s not Bosa or Young. But in this draft he would have a shot at the top 5 if it wasn’t for the injury history.

Kollman compared Phillips to being halfway between JJ Watt and TJ Watt which is pretty high praise.

The thing a lot of youtubers seem to be pointing out is that he is smack dab in the middle of the position as a textbook DE. Except that he has a boatload of moves. Can bend. Seems relatively strong. Chased down Trevor Lawrence from behind and forced a fumble. At some point 'balanced' becomes 'good'

He'd be off the board at pick #4 if it wasn't for the injury history, quitting football, etc. I'm not sure how much that hurts him in a draft where almost all of the talented guys have missed a year. Cowboys and Giants seem like teams that play by their own rules when it comes to drafting. I know historically the Chargers have been a team that have taken risks on guys before. Miami seems like a team that could get him with their second pick. I suspect he'll get picked in that 10-17 range. If not then he is probably off a lot of draft boards for awhile.

 

[WNY_FOOTBALL_DUDE]

DE Prospects:

 

[ducky]

Phillips at his pro day ran a 4.56 40, measured in at a true 6-5 260, 4.12 shuttle, 36" vert, 21 bench.

Rosseau 6' 6.5" 266lb ran a 4.68, , 4.45 shuttle, 30" vert, 21 bench.

Unbelievable.

Rosseau had an 83.25" wing span.....and still got up 21 reps.

Man this is really turning out to be a GREAT draft. One of the most athletic classes ever. The numbers coming out all over the place are just unreal.

I still think Phillips is the better prospect....but if Rosseau goes to the right system that can teach him actually to play football correctly and get off the LOS, he could be scary good too.