Bob McGinn, who covers the Pack, does a draft series every year that's great, he talks to a lot of people, and does ratings based on what he hears. His coverage of the DL:
The Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn assesses the top defensive linemen in the draft this week. Included is each player's height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.
DEFENSIVE ENDS1. ARIK ARMSTEAD, Oregon (6-7, 290, 5.10, 1): Third-year junior from Sacramento, Calif. "If you're going to make him a 5-technique (DE in a 3-4) he's an obstacle," one scout said. "He will lay out to make plays. It's not every down, but when he gets in the league I suspect it will be every down. You've got to harness his talent. It's not ready-made." Started 19 of 39 games, finishing with 87 tackles (10 for loss) and 4 sacks. "Physical and strong," a second scout said. "Plays high. Has some lapses in his play. Power type rusher. Pretty good athlete." Scored 26 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, second highest among the top 12 DEs. "Put him at (offensive) left tackle," a third scout said. "Great athlete. Overrated. Plays when he wants to play."
2. MARIO EDWARDS, Florida State (6-2 ½, 279, 4.81, 1-2): Third-year junior. "He's a phenomenal athlete," one scout said. "He's similar to Sheldon Richardson coming out from a measurable standpoint. He ran better, he's taller, his arm length was a little better. It would not shock me if somebody took him late first (round) because of the upside." Played as heavy as 312. Some teams view him as a 3-technique (DT in a 4-3) while 3-4 teams see him as a 5-technique or OLB. Stood up on the right outside as "jack" LB in 2014. "He's a pretty looking racehorse but he never finishes the race," another scout said. "He plays lethargic. He's not long enough to be a 5-technique, and I don't think he has instinctive feel or passion for the game." Wore jersey No. 15 because his father Mario wore the same number at FSU before starting at CB for the Cowboys from 2001-'03. Started 28 of 36 games, finishing with 89 tackles (23 for loss) and 8 sacks. "Best thing he does is go up the field," a third scout said. "Once people put their hands on him he just stops and watches. Just kind of coasts and disappears." From Gautier, Miss.
3. OWA ODIGHIZUWA, UCLA (6-3 ½, 264, 4.59, 1-2):Compared by two scouts to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. "He'll be a 4-3 DE," one scout said. "Very fascinating player. Parents are first-generation immigrants (from Nigeria). Kid's got instincts and agility and strong hands. Question is, how much bigger is he going to get?" One-year starter at 5-technique after sitting out 2013 following two hip labrum surgeries. Finished with 128 tackles (24½ for loss) and 12 ½ sacks. "He's a tweener," another scout said. "Only chance he can play in our (3-4) scheme is an outside backer. He can set the edge. He's a physical player. He's a little stiff. Doesn't have great instincts but he has great speed." Just 6% body fat. Best vertical jump (39 inches) among linemen. Enormous hands (11 inches). "Little bit of a mechanical player," a third scout said. From Portland, Ore.
4. ELI HAROLD, Virginia (6-3, 247, 4.59, 2): Third-year junior. "Good athlete, not elite," one scout said. "Probably never reach double-digit (sacks) but you'll like him because he plays the run well and rushes the passer well. Just a solid, productive player." Played more down than up in 36 games (24 starts), finishing with 141 tackles (22 for loss) and 17 ½ sacks. "To me, he was disappointing," another scout said. "He had some sack production against bad teams. He's just a designated pass rusher for a 4-3 team, and he's not a special pass rusher. He does have good straight-line speed. Just an up-field speed guy." From Virginia Beach, Va.
5. PRESTON SMITH, Mississippi State (6-5, 272, 4.73, 2-3): Two-year starter. "He's got a big upside," one scout said. "He can play left end on run downs and then rush inside. Good chance he goes top 45." Finished with 134 tackles (27 for loss) and 16 sacks. "He's long and lanky with the bone structure for 290," another scout said. "Better player than athlete. He doesn't play with much twitch, but he's a strong guy against the run. He's not really a true 5-technique. It wouldn't shock me if someone took him in the second because they fell in love with him as a player and type of kid he is." "Fluid, high-cut athlete who wins with length (34-inch arms)," a third scout said. "Doesn't have the initial suddenness driving off the ball." From Stone Mountain, Ga.
6. ZA'DARIUS SMITH, Kentucky (6-4 ½, 272, 4.78, 2-3): Compared by one scout to Bears OLB Pernell McPhee. "That's the toughest guy maybe at D-end in the whole draft," one scout said. "Left end only. Also can play 5-technique. He may go second round." Former junior-college player who finished with 120 tackles (14 for loss) and 10 ½ sacks. "He's strong enough to anchor as a 5-technique and he has some rush ability," one scout said. "Had a good year, got excited about football. He was going to come out a year ago." From Greenville, Ala.
7. DANIELLE HUNTER, Louisiana State (6-5, 251, 4.56, 3): Third-year junior was told by the NFL Advisory Committee to stay in school but declared anyway. "Overrated," one scout said. "Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. No instinct." Started 23 of 38 games at DE, finishing with 142 tackles (21 for loss) and 4½ sacks. "There's not a lot of production as a rusher, which obviously you'd like," another scout said. "But the stuff he does is rare. He gets his hands on balls and runs running backs down from behind. At times he is (tough). God doesn't give everything to everybody. He's a better athlete than (Barkevious) Mingo, but I can see the comparison." Long arms (34 ¼), jumps of 36 1/2 (vertical) and position-best 10-10 (broad jump). "I'm probably stronger than he is," a third scout said. "If Mingo's having problems (in Cleveland)...he's not even close to Mingo. He just is not physical. I don't know what you're going to do with him." From Katy, Texas.
8. HENRY ANDERSON, Stanford (6-6, 292, 4.99, 3): Three-year starter from Atlanta. "More of a base end but he does have some pass-rush ability," one scout said. "Five-technique is his base and he moved inside on passing downs. Quick into gaps. Sheds OK. He's quick but not explosive, and he runs upright with some hip tightness." Finished with 138 tackles (32 for loss) and 17 sacks. "He's unappreciated," said another scout. "Really good player." Wonderlic of 36.
9. MARKUS GOLDEN, Missouri (6-2 ½, 258, 4.80, 3-4): Former junior-college player. Rotated behind Michael Sam in 2013 before notching 10 of his 16 ½ sacks in '14. "He's built like Jason Worilds," said one scout. "He doesn't run like Worilds did. I really like him but there is some learning he has to do. It's not because he can't learn. It's how they played him. They reduced him, put him in a four-point stance and he got covered up inside. He's basically a rusher. There's potential there." Hard-charger worked out poorly. Finished with 143 tackles (33 for loss). "He does lack length (31 1/8 arms) but he freaking plays so hard," a second scout said. "Like him. Extremely high effort. Hard-nosed." From St. Louis.
10. DARIUS PHILON, Arkansas (6-1½, 298, 4.92, 4):Renounced final two seasons to enter draft as third-year sophomore. "He has some pass-rush ability," one scout said. "He has talent. Just so inconsistent." Started for 1 ½ seasons, finishing with 93 tackles (20 ½ for loss) and 7½ sacks. Might be too short for 5-technique and too small for nose tackle. Medical reject by one team for unspecified injury. "He was beefed up at the combine (298), but he always played around 280," another scout said. "He's not a fit in a 3-4. He's a 4-3 3-technique. He'll fit more of a Dallas Cowboys' type defense." From Mobile, Ala.
OTHERS: Marcus Hardison, Arizona State; Frank Clark, Michigan; Trey Flowers, Arkansas; Ryan Russell, Purdue; Corey Crawford, Clemson; Cedric Reed, Texas; B.J. DuBose, Louisville; Tavaris Barnes, Clemson; Anthony Chickillo, Miami; Deion Barnes, Penn State.
DEFENSIVE TACKLES1. LEONARD WILLIAMS, Southern California (6-4 ½, 303, 4.95, 1): Third-year junior from Daytona Beach, Fla. "Leonard's just the whole thing," one scout said. "He has speed, good pad level, leverage, arm extension, separation, shed, pass-rush quickness, low-block conscious, swim move. He reminds me of (Ndamukong) Suh. He's probably quicker but not as powerful. He won't be a bust." Played 5-technique for the Trojans. "The world doesn't know what he's going to be because he played that tight 3-4 position," another scout said. "He did a great job controlling blockers and playing gap to gap. He likes to play it, but he's a legitimate guy who will find out how much better he can be as a 3-technique." Started 35 of 39 games, finishing with 218 tackles (36 ½ for loss) and 21 sacks. "He has so much ability it's almost scary," a third scout said. Wonderlic of 22. Tied Carl Davis for longest arms (34 5/8) among top DTs. "He's not a gigantic guy," a fourth scout said. "He's not Suh. But he's athletic and moves good."
2. DANNY SHELTON, Washington (6-2, 338, 5.61, 1):Three-year starter led leading DTs on bench press with 34 reps. "You watch him roll through things and get people off his feet and run to the sideline," one scout said. "I never, ever would have thought that (5.61) would be his 40. He's one of those old San Diego Charger defensive tackles like Louie Kelcher (1975-'83) that just stands in there and mauls you." Gregarious personality from Auburn, Wash. "I wanted to just hate him because of his measurables," another scout said. "His shuttle times and all that were just awful. But I couldn't believe how good he plays. Fundamental football player. He strikes with his hands and controls blockers, not in his territory but in their territory. He's not going to be leaping on piles 25 yards downfield but from tackle to tackle he dominates." Started 40 of 52 games, finishing with 203 tackles (24 for loss) and 11 ½ sacks. Wonderlic of 23. "If he doesn't maintain his weight, he could be a bust," a third scout said. "If he does, he's got a chance to be like a Vince Wilfork guy."
3. EDDIE GOLDMAN, Florida State (6-4, 336, 5.28. 1): Third-year junior. "Peaks and valleys player," one scout said. "When he wanted to he could take it over. Other times he wasn't (a factor). He has the movement, the strength. He can two-gap and control inside. Would have liked to see it in longer stretches." Started 27 of 37 games, finishing with 62 tackles (12 for loss) and 6 sacks. "Overrated," another scout said. "Average athlete. Not a great pass rusher. Plays high. He can do that (eat up blocks). (B.J.) Raji's better than Goldman." Played LE in 2013, DT in '14. "People are going to like him because of his size," a third scout said. "He doesn't make any plays. He's never going to be a pass rusher. Not a real instinctive guy. He'll get blocked by the same blocking scheme three or four times in a row and not react to it." From Washington, D.C.
4. MALCOM BROWN, Texas (6-2 ½, 321, 5.07, 1): Third-year junior. "Tough, smart (Wonderlic of 19), strong (26 bench-press reps)," one scout said. "Play the 1-technique, play the 3-technique. He's got great character. He's not going to be all-world but he's going to be a good contributor." Started 26 of 39 games, finishing with 165 tackles (29 for loss) and 8 ½ sacks. "He's got excellent athletic ability," another scout said. "He's quick, got some strength. He's disruptive. He penetrates." Married with two daughters. "At times he plays hard," a third scout said. "Then he floats around at times. He's not a great technician as a rusher but still ended up with 6 ½ sacks (in '14). He's got some rush ability inside. Just needs to be more consistent." From Brenham, Texas.
5. JORDAN PHILLIPS, Oklahoma (6-5 ½, 328, 5.18, 1-2): Fourth-year junior from Towanda, Kan. "He has the most upside of everybody in the group, but he just doesn't play hard all the time," one scout said. "He's just really a nice kid. He has that understated, soft-spoken demeanor. He doesn't come across as an (expletive)-kicker type guy, and you wish you'd see more of that. Extremely light on his feet. He's a 330-pound guy who can do a front flip backward." Played just four games in 2013 before undergoing back surgery for a disc problem. The back limited his lifting (squats, power cleans) and is viewed cautiously by some teams. "You talk about him in the first or second round," another scout said. "Are you kidding me? What has he done? One-fourth of his tackles were made in a bowl game against Clemson and they got beat, 45-0 (actually 40-6). He's more physically impressive than those other top guys, but he doesn't play like them. Stands straight up. Near the end of the year they started taking him out in passing situations because he wasn't getting any penetration." Played extensively as a 5-technique. Started 17 of 28 games, finishing with 58 tackles (9 for loss) and 3½ sacks. "He doesn't have the tape, he's 30% body fat, and I don't know if he loves football," a third scout said.
6. CARL DAVIS, Iowa (6-4 ½, 320, 5.08, 1-2): "He's probably the most talented, even with Leonard Williams," one scout said. "You get about one play out of every 10 with that guy. He's lazy. He has the chance of being an all-pro and the best chance of being a bust." Two-year starter with 92 tackles (14 ½ for loss) and 3 ½ sacks. "If Carl had (Louis) Trinca-Pasat's intensity level he'd go in the first round," another scout said, referring to Iowa's other DT. "He doesn't. He plays like he is, a nice guy. His character is impeccable. He scares the hell out of me." Went to the Senior Bowl and tore it up, enhancing his draft prospects. "He could be somebody like (Haloti) Ngata," a third scout said. "Dominated the Senior Bowl. Very good explosion, very good strength." From Livonia, Mich. "You talk about an underachiever," a fourth scout said. "Damn good kid. Doesn't love football. Doesn't grind in the weight room. Doesn't know what it takes. Got a basketball mentality." Long arms (34 5/8), huge hands (11).
7. XAVIER COOPER, Washington State (6-3, 293, 4.85, 2-3): Fourth-year junior from Tacoma, Wash. "Quick 3-technique dude," one scout said. "Very athletic. Gets on the edges with his feet and lateral quickness. He can get off on the snap and create havoc. The whole thing will be, does he have enough arm length (31 ½) to separate himself from the bigger blockers? He can be stout." Started 34 of 36 games, finishing with 121 tackles (31 ½ for loss) and 13 sacks. "Kind of a jack of all trades, master of none," another scout said. "Had a really good pro day. Needs to win with quickness. Needs to get stronger."
8. MICHAEL BENNETT, Ohio State (6-2, 295, 5.03, 2-3): Finished with 111 tackles (31 ½ for loss) and 18 sacks in 49 games (29 starts). "Athletic 3-technique," one scout said. "He'll be a starter eventually. The Lovie Smith-Rod Marinelli defenses will love him." Posted a remarkable Wonderlic score of 43 after notching 30 in his first attempt a year ago. "You've got to be careful with some of these short, undersized guys," another scout said. "Then they try to gain weight and it screws them all up." Improved down the stretch in '14 after a sluggish start. "Not sure if he's quick enough for a smaller guy to win on a consistent basis," a third scout said. "He's not as talented as Jurrell Casey. He's not even close to Aaron Donald." From Centerville, Ohio.
9. GRADY JARRETT, Clemson (6-0 ½, 301, 5.08, 3-4): Son of former Falcons MLB Jessie Tuggle, a five-time Pro Bowl player. "He is an exceptional run defender," one scout said. "Really, really quick. He got a couple cleanup sacks, but he can't rush the passer. You've got a two-down player. There's no question he's a good college football player. I have trouble getting excited about guys that can't rush the passer." Smart (Wonderlic of 31), athletic and productive. Finished with 137 tackles (29 ½ for loss) and 5½ sacks in 48 games (37 starts). "He's a runaround guy but he plays hard," a third scout said. "He's a little undersized but they don't have to play every down like they do in college. You're playing 30 plays a game, not 75 like in college." From Conyers, Ga.
10. LEON ORR, Florida (6-5, 320, 5.14, 4-5): Got into a spat with Gators coach Will Muschamp about playing time before Nov. 8 game at Vanderbilt and was sent home from Nashville on a Greyhound bus after leaving team. "Wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole," one scout said. Had a checkered past even before that during five years in Gainesville. Started 10 of 39 games, finishing with 65 tackles (13 for loss) and 4 ½ sacks. "He made a mistake, an emotional mistake, but it can be overcome," said another scout. "I do think he's a good kid, which is why he was allowed to work back at pro day. He's got a lot of talent. He has to work on being more of a brute." From New Port Richey, Fla.
OTHERS: Angelo Blackson, Auburn; Christian Covington, Rice; Deon Simon, Northwestern State (La.); Derrick Lott, Tennessee-Chattanooga; Ellis McCarthy, UCLA; Joey Mbu, Houston; Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Southern Mississippi; Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa; L.T. Walton, Central Michigan; Gabe Wright, Auburn; Louis Trinca-Pasat, Iowa.
