As many as five defensive ends could go in the first round round in what is a top heavy class at this position.
Here are our top twenty defensive ends.
1. Bradley Chubb, N.C State, 6-4 269
2. Marcus Davenport, USTA, 6-6 264
3. Harold Landry, Boston College, 6-2 252
4. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State, 6-5 270
5. Arden Key, LSU, 6-5 238
6. Lorenzo Carter, Georgia 6-5 251
7. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Oklahoma, 6-2 253
8. Josh Sweat, Florida State, 6-5 261
9. Trevon Young, Louisville, 6-4 258
10. Dorrance Armstrong, Kansas 6-3 257
11. Chad Thomas, Miami (Fla), 6-5 281
12. Marcel Frazier, Auburn, 6-5 261
13. Jeff Holland, Auburn, 6-1 249
14. Kylie Fitts, Utah, 6-4 263
15. Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State, 6-3 269
16. Marcus Haynes, Ole Miss, 6-2 235
17. Kemoko Turay, Rutgers, 6-5 253
18. Ebenezer Ogundeko, Tenn State, 6-3 255
19. Ade Aruna, Tulane, 6-5 252
20. JaVon Rolland-Jones, Arkansas State, 6-2 253
Thoughts on the Class
– The Class is top heavy with Bradley Chubb, Marcus Davenport, Harold Landry and Sam Hubbard. All four could go in the first round.
– Bradley Chubb is scheme versatile in that he can play in a 30 or 40 front. Chubb is explosive off the ball and plays with good pad leverage. He moves well down the line of scrimmage and good closing burst when making a tackle.
– Marcus Davenport is an elite talent at this position. He has an explosive first step, loose hips and quick hands. He needs to play with a lower pad level but Davenport has shown he can get to quarterback as a speed and power rusher.
– Ohio State’s Sam Hubbard is one of my favorite players in this draft. He is strong at the point against the run but he can also get off the ball and get to the quarterback. Hubbard is effective as a speed rusher but he can bull and rip through a blocker with power. I like his motor. Hubbard plays full time all the time.
– Boston College’s Harold Landry is an explosive edge rusher who plays with good lean and leverage. Landry is a pure speed rusher but he needs to refine his pass rush skills and prove he can hold up against the run. He struggles to disengage from blockers consistently. Landry is also injury prone which will affect his draft stock.
– Arden Key is one of the mystery players in this draft. A year ago, he was projected as a top fifteen pick. After not playing at LSU last season and having a litany of issues, one has to wonder if Key will get drafted before day two.
– Florida State’s Josh Sweat has the length and the first step quickness coaches want out of a five technique defensive end. I’d like to see more consistency on film but the ability to anchor down C gap and consistently rush the passer is there.
– Georgia’s Lorenzo Carter was a force last season. He has good length and the ability to close quickly on ball carriers. Carter has good hands and uses them effectively as a pass rusher and to defeat blockers. Carter has some strength issues at the point of attack because he plays light but the upside is there
– Undersized is a theme at this position in this year’s draft. Guys like Dorrance Armstrong, Marcus Haynes and Jeff Holland are all undersized but they are explosive off the ball and are capable of making plays all along the line of scrimmage. All three could make an impact as rookies in a situational pass rusher role.
– Sleeper Alert: JaVon Rolland Jones will be a steal for someone. He is a refined pass rusher who wins with speed and hand fighting. He transitions easily into secondary moves and is seemingly always in the back field. Jones finished with 19.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks last season.