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Draft Prospect Notes: Defensive Line

The writers of Patriots Football Weekly have done their homework on all the prospects in this year's NFL Draft. Now, you can download the actual notes they took on all the top players, broken down by position for your convenience. Today's report breaks down defensive line.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Rank Player School Ht. Wt. 40
1
Marcel Dareus Alabama 6-3 319 4.93
Notes:[Andy Hart] Big and quick. Changes direction well. Good athlete. [Erik Scalavino] Plays slow; compares to Gerard Warren. [Paul Perillo] Excellent quickness; Good inside pass rusher; Tenacious; Unblockable at time; Good athlete for position.
 
2
Nick Fairley Auburn 6-4 291 4.84
Notes:[Andy Hart] Big and quick. Finishes. Violent. Tries to inflict pain. Dirty at times. Stands up at times. [Erik Scalavino] Powerful inside push; talented, but a cheap-shot artist. [Paul Perillo] Immense talent, questions about drive; Could thrive as physical, inside mauler; Penetrates at will; Definite dirty player.
 
3
Muhammad Wilkerson Temple 6-5 305 4.96
Notes:[Andy Hart] Big and athletic. Read plays. Chases down the line. Ton of potential and upside. [Erik Scalavino] Looks slow, but manages to make plays in the backfield. [Paul Perillo] Athletic and raw; Gets upfield; Tenacious; Tough to move; Beat doubles; Pursues well.
4
Phil Taylor Baylor 6-3 334 5.26
Notes:[Andy Hart] Big. Strong. Holds up blocks. Moves laterally. Sideline to sideline nose tackle. Finishes plays. [Erik Scalavino] Athletic for his size; run stuffer; decent lateral movement; knack for batting passes. [Paul Perillo] As athletic an NT candidate as you'll find; Moves well laterally; Could play DE or NT in 3-4; Unblockable at times.
 
5
Corey Liuget Illinois 6-2 298 4.97
Notes:[Andy Hart] Versatile. Uses hands well. Pursues down line. Decent athlete with only OK size. Physical. [Erik Scalavino] 5-tech or 3-4 nose; known as a team leader. [Paul Perillo] Moves well for size; Has some position flexibility as possible 3-4 DE; Physical.
 
 
THE REST:
Player School Ht. Wt. 40
Stephen Paea Oregon State 6-1 303 5.15
Notes:[Andy Hart] Ties up blockers. Tough. Moves OK. Plays under control. 49 BP reps. [Erik Scalavino] Has some quickness, but tends to get lost in the mix; powerful, but needs to use it more effectively. [Paul Perillo] Fast; Strong; Penetrates; Tough; Definite space-eater.
Drake Nevis LSU 6-1 294 5.06
Notes:[Andy Hart] Penetrator. Shoots gaps and splits blockers. Plays low and finds ball well. [Erik Scalavino] Stout at the point of attack, despite smaller size. [Paul Perillo] Big space-eater; Run stuffer; Showed some two-gap ability even though he penetrated quite a bit.
Jurrell Casey USC 6-1 300 5.04
Notes:[Andy Hart] Short and stout with good burst. Good athlete. More penetrator. [Erik Scalavino] Young (just turned 21 in Dec); knack for finding his way into the backfield. [Paul Perillo] Real good interior pass rusher; Moves extremely well for size; Nice athleticism.
Cedric Thornton Southern Arkansas 6-3 305 5.25
Notes:[Andy Hart] Big, explosive dude who overmatched many OL he faced. Raw but impressive. Waterboy hits. [Erik Scalavino] Aggressive; refuses to be blocked; tenacious; plays faster than 40 time. [Paul Perillo] Overwhelmed his overmatches opponents; Fast, quick and physical; Big hitter who pursues well.
Marvin Austin North Carolina 6-2 312 4.96
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Terrell McClain South Florida 6-2 297 4.98
Notes:[Andy Hart] NT. Explosive, Athletic, Finishes. Seems like 4-3 guy. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Pursues well. Plays run. Big hitter.
Jarvis Jenkins Clemson 6-4 310 5.03
Notes:[Andy Hart] 3-4 end, Ty Warren type. . [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Big dude; Strong; Penetrates well; Tenacious and tough; Definite 3-4 DE candidate.
Kenrick Ellis Hampton 6-5 340 5.07
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Jerrell Powe Mississippi 6-2 335 5.25
Notes:[Andy Hart] Run stuffing, wide bodied, nose tackle type. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Another athletic-looking NT; Fast and quick for size.
Sione Fua Stanford 6-1 308 5.28
Notes:[Andy Hart] Creates piles. Played in 3-4. Good motor. Not real instinctive. [Erik Scalavino] Strong base, though not many moves; 3-4 system experience. [Paul Perillo] Played NT; Showed good mobility and ability to rush passer from inside; Plays hard.
Lawrence Guy Arizona State 6-5 300 4.90
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Ian Williams Notre Dame 6-2 305 5.17
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Colby Whitlock Texas Tech 6-2 295 4.97
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Ollie Ogbu Penn State 6-1 298 5.09
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Mike Blanc Auburn 6-3 298 5.03
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Anthony Gray Southern Miss 6-0 317 5.08
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Ted Laurent Mississippi 6-1 312 5.06
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Sealver Siliga Utah 6-3 300 5.04
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Damik Scafe Boston College 6-3 310 5.14
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
David Carter UCLA 6-5 297 4.96
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Adrian Taylor Oklahoma 6-4 302 4.96
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.

DEFENSIVE END

Rank Player School Ht. Wt. 40
1
Robert Quinn North Carolina 6-5 268 4.64
Notes:[Andy Hart] Fits Pats OLB standards. Great pass rush. Great athlete. Stout vs. run? Huge upside. [Erik Scalavino] Ideal 3-4 OLB; can drop into coverage; solid pass rusher. [Paul Perillo] This is where Andy won't allow me to say anything other than he's the best player in the draft.
 
2
Da'Quan Bowers Clemson 6-3 280 4.8
Notes:[Andy Hart] Good at point of attack. Decent athlete. Finishes. Slow off snap at times. Not a pure pass rusher. [Erik Scalavino] Explosive burst at the snap; moves well for his size; injured knee remains a question. [Paul Perillo] Looks the part of 4-3 DE; Lots of penetration; Gets upfield but not as fast off ball as you'd like; Shoots gaps.
 
3
Adrian Clayborn Iowa 6-3 281 4.79
Notes:[Andy Hart] Good size, strength, athleticism combo. 4-3 guy as well rounded end. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Good motor; Plays hard; Fits best as 4-3 DE but has versatility to play in 3-4.
 
4
Cameron Jordan California 6-4 287 4.74
Notes:[Andy Hart] 3-4 end at Cal. Better vs. run than pass rusher. Can run a little and make plays. Needs to improve power. [Erik Scalavino] Always finds a way to get involved in the play, even when apparently shut down; very quick; difficult to block 1-on-1. [Paul Perillo] Experience as 3-4 DE; Long, angular athlete; Moves well; Plays run; Needs to fill out.
 
5
Aldon Smith Missouri 6-4 263 4.74
Notes:[Andy Hart] Lean build. More potential than finished product. Upside. Closes and finishes. Rushes inside at times. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Showed versatility by rushing from inside and out; Big hitter; Quicker than fast; Interesting potential.
 
 
THE REST:
Player School Ht. Wt. 40
Ryan Kerrigan Purdue 6-4 263 4.82
Notes:[Andy Hart] Fits Pats OLB mold. More effort guy than elite athlete. But proven production. Play moving backwards? [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Can get after passer off edge; Has tools to be 3-4 OLB; Not overly athletic.
J.J. Watt Wisconsin 6-6 292 4.87
Notes:[Andy Hart] Only couple years as defensive player. Good athlete. Tests well. High motor guy. Effort. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Cameron Heyward Ohio State 6-5 294 4.95
Notes:[Andy Hart] 3-4 end. Some versatility. Finishes plays. More of a run player than a pass rush option, but 14 sacks in college.. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Big hitter; Quick, Tough; Versatile.
Jabaal Sheard Pittsburgh 6-3 264 4.68
Notes:[Andy Hart] Second tier Pats OLB option. Not elite first step, but rush moves. Good length. [Erik Scalavino] Knifes through the gap, but often too late. [Paul Perillo] Raw athlete; Showed ability to rush off edge; Good size.
Allen Bailey Miami 6-3 285 4.71
Notes:[Andy Hart] Versatile, but not ideal for any NEP starting spot. Sub rusher. More FB player than position fit. [Erik Scalavino] Plays faster than he looks. [Paul Perillo] Edge guy but not fast enough to play OLB here; Lumbers.
Christian Ballard Iowa 6-4 283 4.75
Notes:[Andy Hart] Tweener, grow into 3-4 end? More athlete than player. 3-year starter. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Another guy too big for OLB; Athletic.
Pernell McPhee Mississippi State 6-3 278 4.91
Notes:[Andy Hart] Good strength and hustle. Played on 2 feet a little. Nothing ideal or special. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] Quick; strong; Pursues well; Leader/Captain; Mid-round option?
Sam Acho Texas 6-2 262 4.67
Notes:[Andy Hart] Versatile against run and pass. Effort pass rusher. Not super quick or powerful. Makes some plays and closes. [Erik Scalavino] Fights through double-teams; relentless pursuit; can hold his ground. [Paul Perillo] Lumbers a bit but plays run well; Lacks burst.
Pierre Allen Nebraska 6-4 273 4.78
Notes:[Andy Hart] Good length. Solid all around. Some coverage. Not super quick or powerful. Fights through blocks. Cunningham type. [Erik Scalavino] Tough to handle 1-on-1; effective in backside pursuit; uses strength to advantage. [Paul Perillo] Showed ability to play in coverage; Plays run and gets edge on PR; Versatile; Definite mid-round OLB possibility.
Greg Romeus Pittsburgh 6-5 270 4.79
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Brandon Bair Oregon 6-6 276 4.92
Notes:[Andy Hart] Needs to add size/strength as potential developmental 3-4 end. Great length. Can beat or control blocks. [Erik Scalavino] Shoots the gap instinctively. [Paul Perillo] Good tenacity; Collapses pocket; Not a pure pass rusher.
Cliff Matthews South Carolina 6-4 257 4.81
Notes:[Andy Hart] Not overly quick or explosive. Stiff. More like 4-3 end. [Erik Scalavino] Hard worker; good speed off the corner. [Paul Perillo] Good motor but so-so athletically; Showed ability to get the edge.
Ricky Elmore Arizona 6-4 255 4.88
Notes:[Andy Hart] Not an elite athlete or pass rusher. No real moves. Doesn't flash. Good motor and production. [Erik Scalavino] Might not have the speed, but seems to win most 1-on-1 battles. [Paul Perillo] Thin frame; Good off edge; Quicker than fast; Played some with hand down.
Markus White Florida State 6-4 262 4.69
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Ugo Chinasa Oklahoma State 6-5 256 4.74
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Ryan Winterswyk Boise State 6-4 269 4.96
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Eddie Jones Texas 6-3 260 4.75
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Lazarius Levingston LSU 6-3 280 4.85
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Karl Klug Iowa 6-3 273 4.79
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Cheta Ozougwu Rice 6-2 252 4.73
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.
Steven Friday Virginia Tech 6-4 250 4.66
Notes:[Andy Hart] No Comments. [Erik Scalavino] No Comments. [Paul Perillo] No Comments.

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