INTERIOR D-LINE
Illinois’ Newton headlines what looks to be an average IDL class, with multiple members of our top-ten slated to go day three. A top heavy class with a good mix of pure pass-rushers and brutish, physical run defenders, this IDL group has trended up as the draft comes closer, yet possesses only two or three true first round picks.
1. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois Univeristy
Illinois Athletics
+ Consensus No. 1 IDL all season long, and for good reason.
+ Extremely versatile off the snap, allowing him to penetrate and attack blocks.
+ Powerful swat and chop, along with an arsenal of battle-tested moves.
+ Speed allows Newton to run down runningbacks and chase quarterbacks out of the pocket.
+ Good angles in both arms and legs, plays similarly to Aaron Donald.
+ Confident, instinctive run defender with athletic ability to move in space and intelligence to not be trapped.
- Maxed out frame at 6-1, 300 raises worry about size in the NFL — albeit, Aaron Donald played “small,” didn’t he?
- Does not perform well as a nose-tackle, double-team eating defensive tackle.
2. Byron Murhpy II, University of Texas
Texas Athletics
+ Has climbed up draft boards due to combination of strength and quickness.
+ Quick off the snap, hard to grab onto due to acceleration.
+ Use of hands is adept; fakes, swats, chops, etc.
+ Leg drive/leverage is elite (best in this class).
+ Will hustle across or down the field to make a tackle.
+ Lightning in a bottle that seemingly never runs out of energy.
- Is bigger than Newton at 6-1, 308, yet plays smaller… perhaps a frame issue.
- Smaller wingspan will inevitably give him trouble against bigger IOL.
- Cannot realistically move outside or inside, more or less stuck at 3-T.
3. Kris Jenkins, Michigan University
+ Easy mover who can run in space.
+ Quick first step and hand movement.
+ Expert at squeezing between gaps and shrinking his 6-3, 298 frame.
+ Has the frame to slide outside and become a 3-4 defensive end.
+ Displays grit on the field.
- Not the heaviest defensive tackle (298).
- Never a true, three-down defensive tackle at Michigan.
- Is susceptible to double-teams at the next level due to lack of true size.
4. Maason Smith, Louisiana State University
Peter Nguyen; Reveille
+ A highly coveted prospect coming out of college and was a projected top-five pick before ACL injury in 2022.
+ Monstrous frame at 6-6, 315 allows Smith to churn up ground and eat away at distance.
+ Pop and punch is lethal due to arm length, physical specimen against even the highest level of competition.
+ Smith being a penetrator at 6-6 is rare.
+ Has been kicked out to the edge at times and has succeeded.
- Height can be a downside if he is rushing from the A-gap.
- Too much lean causes Smith to lose his balance frequently.
5. Leonard Taylor III, University of Miami
+ Long-framed defensive tackle is tempting for every NFL GM.
+ Identifier first and attacker second; diagnoses the play before rushing up-field.
+ Good tackler, especially when peeling off blocks.
+ When shoulders are square, is an elite run defender who uses athleticism to his advantage.
- Not a double-team defeater.
- Does not play with elite leverage with arms, hands, or legs.
- Plays more through athleticism than technique.
6. Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson University
Clemson Tigers
+ Excellent leg drive provides ample ability to become elite run defender at the next level.
+ Can move almost any IOL backwards in pass rush scenarios.
+ Has multiple moves at his disposal.
+ Fear-mongering ability once reaching the backfield.
+ Is able to convert pressures into sacks consistently.
- 6-4, 290 frame may lead to some difficulty stopping the run against thicker IOL.
- Does not move well laterally.
7. T’Vondre Sweat, University of Texas
+ Mountain of a man at 6-4, 362.
+ The prototype for a nose-tackle; best run defender off the snap in this class.
+ Scares teams away from running his way, a true redirector of the run game.
+ Rarely ever defeated by double teams.
+ Can deflect passes and hurt ball carriers when he lands on them.
- MAJOR character concerns have resulted in Sweat falling down most draft boards.
- Weight, albeit a trait of his excellent play in 2023, is a concern, as Sweat has gained over 45 pounds since his freshman year.
- Not effective in space at all.
8. Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State University
+ Good lower body player; can and will use leverage against an IOL.
+ Good extension with arms in pass rushing scenarios.
+ Can handle double-teams moderately well.
- Struggles against higher-tier guards, and has no true plan before the snap from the interior.
- Lacks overall consistency to merit high pick.
9. Braden Fiske, Florida State University
seminoles.com
+ Combine hero, bolstered draft stock immensely due to performance.
+ During his one year at FSU, Fiske provided a sense of energy and vigor to the Seminole defensive line.
+ Can shrink his frame and handle undisciplined guards with ease.
+ Good hand placement and pad level.
- Shortest wingspan of any player on this list.
- Struggles against bigger, thicker blockers.
- Isn’t a force in the run game.
10. Mekei Wingo, Louisiana State University
+ 6-0, 292 frame allows Wingo to have no problem squeezing under the pads of bigger offensive lineman and bullying shorter ones.
+ Is adept at disrupting the passing lane.
+ Good anchor for his frame makes him hard to move.
+ Good effort player.
- Played alongside Maason Smith all season, never was treated as a No. 1 rusher.
- Plays like a run defender, but isn’t bulky enough to be considered a true run defender.
- Very one-dimensional player that may be stuck in his role at the next level.