2015 Draft Edge Pass Rushers DE/OLB Rankings
The line between defensive ends and pass rushing outside linebackers is as blurry as ever and whether a player ends up as a standup linebacker or a hand on the ground defensive end depends on his skillset and the team he plays on. The other type of defensive end is the 3-4 defense kind like JJ Watt otherwise known as the five-technique and there are few of those in this draft too. The edge pass rusher might be the deepest position in this entire draft and there will be top quality well into the second round and probably into the third and possibly fourth round. Pass rushers are always at a premium and this year’s group could have some special players and while there is much versatility in many of these prospects they usually fit one position better than the other. I would list out the teams that need a pass rusher but every team needs pass rushers.
- Randy Gregory Sr. Nebraska DE
Gregory’s best position would probably be as a DE in a 4-3 defense but he’s athletic enough to line up at OLB if a team like the Titans takes him. He is a natural pass rusher and he would need work on the other aspects of the LB position but he is likely a top 3 pick and someone is going to get instant help getting after the QB. At 6’6 245 lbs. Gregory isn’t the stoutest DE prospect and he needs to add some weight in order to hold up to the rigors of the NFL but he has the frame to do so.
- Dante Fowler Jr. Florida OLB
Fowler might be the most versatile of all of these pass rushers as he could be a DE, an OLB or slide inside to DT on passing downs. At 6’2 261 lbs. Fowler is a different breed than most as he isn’t a long lean speed rusher he is more the short squatty power player with multiple moves. He doesn’t really look the part but he has good pass rushing instincts and can play from anywhere on the field. Fowler is relentless and never gives up on a play.
- Shane Ray Jr. Missouri OLB
A year ago no one knew the name Shane Ray as he sat behind Michael Sam and Kony Ealy for the Tigers. I’m always a little leery of one year wonders but he was blocked by two very good football players so it’s understandable. Ray lined up at DE but he’s built more like an OLB and I think he could transition to that position pretty well. He’s 6’3 245 lbs. so even though he is a bit light I think he could hold his own at DE given his speed and athleticism. Ray is just scratching the surface of his talent and he could be one of the better pass rushers from this draft when it’s all said and done.
- Vic Beasley Sr. Clemson OLB
Listing Beasley as an OLB is simply a product of his size at 6’2 235 lbs. He is the best pure pass rusher in the draft from either position and he could be used as a DE in a 4-3. As a DE his size might seem like a detriment but when he gets on the field he just makes plays. He reminds me of Elvis Dumervil simply because he has a remarkable first step and seems unblockable at times.
- Alvin “Bud” Dupree Sr. Kentucky DE
At 6’4 267 lbs. Dupree actually fits the traditional 4-3 DE position mold better than the guys above yet he actually possesses some skills that fit the OLB position. He isn’t bad dropping into coverage and his footwork is pretty solid. He has good moves and great burst as a pass rusher but he isn’t great when an offensive lineman gets his hands on him. He needs to work on disengaging from blockers but he’s a first round lock in this draft.
- Arik Armstead Jr. Oregon DE
Every 3-4 defensive team is looking for the next JJ Watt and while it is unlikely to find another one of him Armstead certainly looks the part. At 6’7 296 lbs. Armstead is big, physical and athletic and he’s the prototypical five-technique DE. Watt is the exception to the rule that 3-4 DEs don’t rush the passer very much and Armstead has some pass rushing skills he can use. He can also set the edge and hold his spot. It’s unlikely he would play 4-3 DE but with the number of teams running a 3-4 defense seemingly increasing every year he probably won’t have to worry about that.
- Owamagbe Odighizuwa Sr. UCLA DE
I’m glad this is a blog and not a podcast because I can look up how to spell this guy’s name and I don’t have to pronounce it. Odighizuwa is a power DE end with a muscular frame at 6’4 266 lbs. He doesn’t have the size of Armstead but he can be a five-technique DE if need be because of his sheer strength. He is more of a base DE than a pure pass rusher but from time to time he can get to the QB. UCLA played a multiple front defense so Odighizuwa has experience in many positions. He missed the 2013 season because of hip surgery so his combine medical check will be big for him.
- Danielle Hunter Jr. LSU DE
Hunter is tall and lean but he is stronger than he looks. He has the frame to really fill out as he gets older and he has long arms which makes him a hazard in the passing lanes. Unfortunately he isn’t a great natural pass rusher and once he fills out his frame he might be better suited as a base end or a five-technique player. Hunter looks the part he just doesn’t possess the natural skills but he is still young and with some good coaching he could be a good player in a few years.
- Eli Harold Jr. Virginia DE
Harold plays the game like his hair is on fire and that’s both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s good because he is relentless rushing the passer but it’s bad because he sometimes gets out of control and plays undisciplined. He has a quick first step and great up field burst and that helps him against strong offensive linemen regardless of the fact that Harold isn’t a very big DE. His size looks like an OLB at 6’4 235 lbs. but his skillset is built for the DE position.
- Nate Orchard Sr. Utah DE
Orchard played DE and OLB in college rushing the passer from both spots but his future is at DE. He went to the Senior Bowl and played well at DE while not looking at all comfortable at OLB. Orchard has natural pass rushing instincts which make up for his lack of elite speed and strength. He doesn’t have very good hand usage and he has virtually no bull rush to speak of because he just doesn’t have the power. He will be a useful pass rusher who needs a NFL strength program to get him where he needs to be physically.
I said this draft class was deep and I wasn’t kidding. Outside of the top 10 I’ve listed above there are at least seven other DE/OLB pass rushers that could go in the first two rounds and should certainly be off the board before the end of the third.
OLB Hau’oli Kikaha (Washington) – Relentless speed rusher. Intelligent, versatile player.
OLB Lorenzo Mauldin (Louisville) – Won’t go as high as his teammate from last year’s draft surprise 1st rounder Marcus Smith (Eagles) but I think he could be a better player.
DE Markus Golden (Missouri) – The other defensive end from Mizzou is shorter and more compact than Ray but he will find a place because of his overall skills and versatility.
DE Mario Edwards (Florida St.) – A base DE or a five-technique player Edwards is a powerful player that isn’t an elite pass rusher but he’s exactly what a lot of teams need.
OLB Kwon Alexander (LSU) – Doesn’t have the frame his teammate Hunter has at 6’2 227 lbs. but he can get to the QB and play LB more naturally.
DE Trey Flowers (Arkansas) – 6’2 268 lbs. is a short and squatty DE but Flowers brings strength and an ability to collapse the pocket.
DE Preston Smith (Mississippi St.) – A big DE who could play as a rush end, a base end or grow into a five-technique and bring something to each one of those potential positions.
2015 Draft Linebacker Prospect Rankings (Non pass rushing group)
After combining the pass rushing LBs with the DE position and just calling them edge rushers I’m not left with a lot of LB prospects to go over so I’m combining them as most are versatile enough to either play outside or middle in a 4-3 defense or inside in a 3-4 defense. Some could rush the passer and one very special one could even be a strong safety. It’s a short but talented list.
- Shaq Thompson Jr. Washington
Thompson is the single most versatile player in the entire draft because he could be strongside LB in a 4-3, he could be a weakside LB in a 4-3, he might be able to play middle LB in a 4-3, he could certainly play inside LB in 3-4, NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock has Thompson rated as the second best safety in the draft and if all else fails his NFL team could do what they did at Washington and play him at running back. Thompson is a special athlete who has yet to focus on one position and once he does he’s going to be electric. I think he ends up playing on the outside for a 4-3 team but he might end up being a Kam Chancellor type SS for someone and he could probably make the Pro Bowl. He is everything you want in a defender and depending on which team gets him he will probably be my pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Every team that passes on him is going to regret it.
- Benardrick McKinney Jr. Mississippi St.
McKinney was that guy in on every defensive play Mississippi St. made during their fantastic year. He’s tall and a little lanky at 6’4 249 lbs. but he makes it work. He isn’t a smooth athlete and he’s probably best suited at ILB in a 3-4 where his athletic deficiencies can be somewhat covered up. McKinney has some scheme versatility but he isn’t going to be playing free safety or tailback. He always seems to be in the action and he’s a solid tackler.
- Eric Kendricks Sr. UCLA
Kendricks will end up at either ILB or MLB for whoever is lucky enough to draft him. He has versatility because UCLA plays multiple front defenses and Kendricks has been in that defense for quite some time. He could end up at weakside LB because of his lack of size at just 6’0 230 lbs. and his sideline-to-sideline chase ability would work there but I think he can add some good weight and play in the middle. He’s a good tackler and there are not enough of those in the NFL these days.
- Paul Dawson Sr. TCU
At 6’2 230 lbs. Dawson is long and lean and he isn’t stout enough to play on the inside but he’s an aggressive downhill player on the outside of a 4-3 defense. Dawson is slippery and that’s what makes him so hard to block and why he can so easily get into an opponent’s backfield and disrupt an offense. Even when blockers get their hands on him he is very good at disengaging even though he doesn’t use power to do so. There is a report that Dawson has “character issues” but there doesn’t seem to be much to that report other than innuendo and teams will have a chance to interview him at the combine. Until there is confirmation of actual incidents I’m not willing to downgrade him.
- Denzel Perryman Sr. Miami
Perryman is the old school thumper that most teams have gone away from in recent years but with the proliferation of power running backs in the NFL every team should have one like him. At 5’11 244 lbs. he’s built like a fire hydrant and he is a two-down MLB and special team’s player only. He plays with a toughness that you want out of a MLB when he’s facing down Marshawn Lynch or Eddie Lacy but he has no business on the field during passing down. Perryman is a leader and a grinder and while he lacks versatility and is a bit of a one-trick pony he’s exceptionally skilled at that one trick.
2015 Draft Cornerback Prospect Rankings
Great CBs are at a premium in the NFL and every team is trying to find the next great one. This year could be a huge disappointment. There are some solid prospects but two of the best were waylaid by serious character questions and a late season injury. There is some nice raw talent and a number of players from smaller schools that could make a move during the combine or individual workouts. The only consensus I can see amongst the scouting world is that there is no consensus past Trae Waynes being the top player. Oh and that consensus is built around the fact that he’s not the headache Marcus Peters might be.
- Trae Waynes Jr. Michigan St.
Waynes former Spartan teammate Darqueze Dennard was the third CB taken in last year’s draft at #24 overall and this year Waynes may be the first CB taken but it might not be much higher than 24th overall. Waynes isn’t an elite prospect that we are used to seeing go in the top 10 of the draft. He has good size at 6’1 but he likes to put his hands on WRs too much and in the NFL he’ll get flagged for it even more than he did in college. He matches up better with taller WRs because he doesn’t flip his hips well enough to keep up with smaller shiftier WRs. Waynes has a lot to work with in terms of raw ability but he isn’t stepping into a starring role for any defense.
- Marcus Peters Jr. Washington
On talent alone Peters is the top CB in this draft and probably a top 12 pick so the fact that he might last until the last 8-10 picks of the first round should tell you something about the character questions. When you are an immense talent like Peters and your coach kicks you off the team in the middle of the season alarms sound all around the NFL. He was suspended for a game for an outburst during a game and eventually booted for multiple run-ins with the coaching staff, he isn’t what you would describe as coachable. It’s too bad because his raw skills are excellent and he can flip his hips and run as well as anyone. He has prototypical CB size and with good coaching he could be one of the best in the NFL. Peters is immature and hotheaded and if someone can get his emotional state in order he’s the best CB in this draft.
- PJ Williams Jr. Florida St.
Williams is a fantastic deep cover corner with the ability to turn and run and keep up with anyone. He has great instincts and anticipation on deep throws and seems to rise to the occasion when put on the spot. Williams sometimes focuses too much on the deep throw and gets beat by the comeback or back shoulder throw and he isn’t as good covering short routes or in zone coverage. He’s a fantastic athlete who should just get better with time.
- Quinten Rollins Sr. Miami (OH)
The rawest prospect with enormous upside Rollins played basketball for four years at Miami (OH) and then decided to play football and he was very good. He has great foot speed and ability to change directions from his years on the hardwood. Despite his inexperience he seems to play the game very physically and is one of the better CBs at supporting the run and actually tackling. He likes to look for the big play and gambles sometimes and his lack of technique and experience leaves him open to double moves so he can be beat. His upside is incredible and while he probably doesn’t step in as a starter right away a good secondary coach could turn him into a top CB in a few years.
- Jalen Collins Jr. LSU
Collins is a raw prospect with great height and athleticism and he has the size to matchup with bigger WRs. He struggles with smaller quicker WRs and he probably isn’t going to want anyone to watch his tape against Alabama’s Amari Cooper. He’s willing to get physical in run support but isn’t as physical at the line when jamming a WR. He plays too tall and he doesn’t sink his hips well enough when backpedaling but that’s a teachable trait. Collins needs some time but he has the tools to be a good CB.
The Injury Exception – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu Sr. Oregon
Ekpre-Olomu was one of the best CBs in college football the last two seasons and then he tore up his knee during practice before the Rose Bowl. If he was healthy he would probably be 3rd on this list but he is most likely going to miss the 2015 season because of his rehab. The medical testing done at the combine and in individual team visits will be crucial to Ekpre-Olomu’s draft stock. If it is just an ACL tear that isn’t devastating news given the advancements in rehabbing that particular injury but if it’s more severe that will hurt. If he has to take a “redshirt” year in 2015 that’s not ideal but he’s still worth having for down the road. He is arguably the best all-around CB in this draft and even though he doesn’t have ideal size he has never let that hinder him in any way.
There are a couple of other players from schools outside the Power 5 conferences to go along with Quentin Rollins that could be very solid prospects; Jacoby Glenn (Central Florida) and DJoun Smith (Florida Atlantic). There are two prospects from Power 5 schools but not traditionally strong football schools; Steven Nelson (Oregon St.) and Kevin Johnson (Wake Forest). Finally there are five guys from major football schools that are solid prospects but they probably aren’t difference makers right away; Alex Carter (Stanford), Kevin White (TCU), Ronald Darby (Florida St.), Josh Shaw (USC) and Senquez Golson (Ole Miss).
2015 Draft Safety Prospect
- Landon Collins Jr. Alabama
There is only one safety prospect of note at this point and it is Collins. Shaq Thompson might be a safety but I see him as a LB and Cody Prewitt of Mississippi and Anthony Harris of Virginia just don’t quite do it for me yet. Collins is a very good prospect when used correctly and by correctly I mean as an intimidating SS in the middle of a defense. Collins is good enough in coverage but he makes his money destroying everything in front of him. He played a little heavy in 2014 and if he lost a little bit of weight I think he would be more effective. That might scare teams because he could lose his punch but I think he could make up the lost weight with gained velocity because he would be faster. Collins is at least a round better than the next best safety and that might push his value up.
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