2015 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top 7 Defensive Linemen
The 2015 NFL Draft is creeping up on us with the NFL Combine here and free agency not too far behind. We continue our run through all of the positions, highlighting the top draft prospects by ranking and breaking down their talent and potential for the next level. This week brings us to the defensive line prospects, where we have a few that turn some heads with their sheer athletic ability and a couple others that were just too productive or rock solid in college to ignore.
We narrowed our top defensive linemen for this year’s draft down to our favorite seven. Take a look and see if you agree with our take and ranks:
1. Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Williams is without a doubt the consensus top player at defensive tackle and probably along the defensive line, in general. Furthermore, he’s viewed by many as a locked and loaded top-five pick and some even think he’s the best overall prospect coming into the 2015 draft class. It’s hard to argue against that, either, as he proved to be a monster against both the run and pass last year. Williams is just all over the place on the line and should bring the versatility and athleticism to be just as good, if not better, at the next level. Williams already has the size, strength and burst to be a real force against the run in the NFL, but if he can refine and add to his pass-rushing repertoire, he’ll be able to evolve into an elite two-way player. He projects well as a defensive end in a 3-4 or on the inside of a 4-3, making him quite the hot prospect for teams looking to beef up their defensive lines.
2. Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Right behind Williams is Gregory, who you could still easily argue is the top overall defensive lineman in this draft, but he’s at least without a doubt the best defensive end for a 4-3 system, is probably the top 3-4 outside linebacker prospect and is without a doubt the best pure pass rusher in this entire draft. He’ll need to bulk up a bit to work the end of a 4-3, but that might be where he’s best suited due to his fantastic size and array of pass rushing moves. Not only does he have length and elite athleticism, but Gregory is also an adept pass rusher thanks to an evolved skill-set. He knows how to pick his spots and when to use what moves, specific to who he’s taking on at the line of scrimmage. Gregory’s value ultimately does rest within his size and athleticism, which can afford him to be used as a linebacker in any scheme. He should be fine enough in coverage in a 3-4, but his ability in pass coverage is clearly his biggest question mark. Overall, there isn’t a whole lot to hate about Gregory, who is destined to be a top-five pick in this year’s draft.
3. Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Ray is the second best pure pass rusher entering this draft, and while he’s not quite as gifted or as versatile as Gregory, he ranks in right behind him. That’s not a bad spot to be in, while Ray fits the billing of a prototype outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He has the size and overall athleticism to fit in nicely as an edge rusher, but it’s possible he’s better suited for the end of the a defensive line due to a lack of top end speed. His lack of speed could give him problems in pass coverage at the next level, while his elite immediate burst might be better utilized off the line. He lacks the bulk and strength needed to handle the rigors of an NFL line, but he is highly skilled and has an array of moves that will make him a useful pass rusher from day one. His lack of strength and bulk also make him a liability against the run at the moment, though, so those will be two key areas of weakness he’ll want to work hard to improve going into 2015.
4. Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Shelton is arguably the second best defensive tackle prospect, but he slides down to the #4 spot due to a severe lack of versatility. He’s a gigantic force in the middle of the field, but really can only be a nose tackle at the next level. He’s also a little under-sized, which could be a problem for some NFL teams. That being said, Shelton uses his size and height to gain excellent leverage up the middle of the line, while his nimble feet and surprising athleticism make him a threat as a pass rusher, as well. He’ll need to work on his burst and quickness to break through in pursuit of the quarterback more consistently, but if an NFL team operating a 3-4 scheme wants a run defender to plug holes in the middle, Shelton is probably their guy.
5. Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
Fowler is a terrific pass-rushing prospect who can play on the line or in a 3-4 system as an outside linebacker. Right now he figures to be a defensive end due to his size, but if he trimmed down he appears to have enough speed and athleticism to properly fill a role as an edge rusher. At the moment, he’s still a fantastic defensive end prospect that knows how to get to the quarterback and create chaos around the line. Fowler probably needs to get a little stronger to improve in run defense, but he’s such a big impact player in rushing the passer, that teams will overlook this flaw in his game. He may never be an elite run defender, but he does have the initial burst and athleticism needed to get through the line and make plays on ball carriers. For now, teams will settle for his elite pass-rushing ability and hope he can develop into a more complete player down the road.
6. Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Goldman falls behind Shelton in the defensive tackle discussion, but he might be the better overall prospect due to his elite versatility across the line. Finding exactly where he fits in best at the next level might be Goldman’s only real issue, as he’s extremely physical and disruptive off the line and can probably make an impact in the middle of a 4-3 or on the outside of a 3-4. He might even be able to bulk up and handle the inside of a 3-4, making his versatility all the more impressive.
7. Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Armstead rounds out our favorite seven defensive line prospects this year, but he’s not a guy to look past as he brings elite size (he’s 6’8″) and is blessed with a great combination of speed and athletic ability. He’s really just a freak athletically, but he currently projects best on the outside of a 3-4 line. Armstead is unfortunately one of the more raw defensive line prospects, and teams will have to gauge his value based largely on his potential. He could shoot up the ranks in the coming months, but it’s not like he’ll be an unknown, either way.
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