DT:
1. Jordan Jefferson DT LSU
Height: 6 - 2 |Weight: 313 lbs |RAS: 8.32
After season's end Jefferson transferred to LSU where as a fifth year senior for the Tigers in 2023 Jefferson played 12 games and took part in 379 snaps for the Tigers. He also added 16 tackles, 17 assists, and 13 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 6 total pressures, which included 4 QB hurries, no QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
- Rarely goes to the ground, showing good balance from his high school wrestling days.
- His spin move is already NFL-caliber, and Jefferson displays a very good motor.
- Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked #71. He wrote "Jefferson squatted 695, power-cleaned 395, and benched 495 pounds. He also moved remarkably well, vertical-jumping 34 1/2 inches and clocking a 4.52 in his pro agility time."
- Jefferson has an excellent feel for working off blockers and knowing how and when to counter as the play goes on.
- Jefferson plays with leverage and brings good power, especially in his lower body, consistently holding up against double teams in the run game.
- Flashes enough quickness off the snap to threaten gaps at three-technique, especially when slanting.
- He’s extremely thick through the lower body, and he uses his natural leverage to win at the point of attack, often requiring a double team.
2. Gabe Hall DT Baylor
Height: 6 - 6 |Weight: 291 lbs |RAS: 9.25
Playing as a cog in the Bears' 3-4 defensive wheel, Gabe Hall executes his role as well as the team could ask. He's often playing as a big end in a 3-4 who looks to eat blocks, meaning he's not producing or flashing athleticism that makes him stand out. However, he had more impactful moments when he slid inside against guards as a 4-3 tackle.
Hall doesn't have the speed or flexibility to ever be a good pass rusher. But his energy and hustle levels are excellent, and he's strong enough to be a rotational run defender at the next level.
3. Logan Lee DT Iowa
Height: 6 - 5 |Weight: 281 lbs |RAS: 9.2
In 2023 as a senior Lee logged playing time in 14 games and logged a total of 749 snaps for the Hawkeyes. He also added 27 tackles, 17 assists, and 21 stops. As a pass rusher, he tallied 28 total pressures, which included 20 QB hurries, 6 QB hits, and 2 sacks on the season.
- With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, Lee is remarkably instinctive.
- A savvy, versatile and instinctive edge rusher who did a little bit of everything, he was especially effective getting to the quarterback.
- His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and consistently swats away blockers.
- As a pass rusher, he shows quickness off the line and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to bend the edge.
- Quick first step with fluid movements off the ball. Highly competitive and fierce, showing relentless effort to the pocket with a nonstop motor
- His motor is excellent, and he’s quick to locate the ball and make plays against the run.
DE:
1. Mohamed Kamara EDGE Colorado State
Height: 6 - 1 |Weight: 248 lbs |RAS: 7.99
While Kamara sometimes struggles because he's closer to 6'1" and lacks the ideal length to create space, he has the quickness to get into the chest of blockers before pivoting and changing directions.
Kamara is a good athlete who can fight through contact and bend past his blocker to disrupt quarterbacks. He's not overly powerful in the run game but can be respectable enough not to be a liability. NFL teams will care more about his disruptiveness.
With 28.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in his career, Kamara has to continue being a sack artist who overcomes his size to be drafted. His raw skills should certainly have him in the mix
2. Brennan Jackson EDGE Washington State
Height: 6 - 3 |Weight: 264 lbs |RAS: 8.42
At 6'4" and 265 pounds, Brennan Jackson has the ideal size for an NFL edge defender. He's produced well, totaling 22.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks over the course of 30 career games. Despite this, he's more of a moldable athlete than someone who is a reliable performer.
Jackson's pre-snap stance is often too far off the line of scrimmage, and he's asked to read run keys over attacking upfield. This zaps his speed, and he's unable to formulate a strong plan of attack with this disadvantage. He was more effective when he was given the green light to line up wide and be aggressive.
3. Jalyx Hunt EDGE Houston Christian
Height: 6 - 3 |Weight: 252 lbs |RAS: 9.22
In 2023 as a junior Hunt played in 10 games and contributed on 532 snaps. He recorded 29 tackles, 6 assists while making 29 stops. In coverage Hunt chalked up 2 pass breakups, one interception, and an
elite QB rating when targetted of 42.9. As a pass rusher, he produced 32 total pressures, which included 19 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and
an excellent 8 sacks on the year.
LB:
1. Tommy Eichenberg LB Ohio State
Height: 6 - 2 |Weight: 233 lbs |RAS: 7.87
Tommy Eichenberg exploded in 2022 with 120 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pick, and three pass deflections. Now, he's projected as one of the top LB prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In similar fashion to his statistical ascent, Eichenberg is just as explosive on the field. At 6'2", 235 pounds, he can erupt through gaps and closing ground easily in pursuit, and he plays with a red-hot motor from snap to whistle.
2. Edefuan Ulofoshio LB Washington
Height: 6 - 0 |Weight: 236 lbs |RAS: 9.67
In 2023 as a fifth year senior Ulofoshio logged playing time in 13 games and logged a total of 533 snaps for the Huskies. He also added solid 67 tackles, 14 assists, and 34 stops. While in coverage Ulofoshio made 2 pass breakups, one interception, and QB rating when targetted of 59.6. As a pass rusher, he tallied 9 total pressures, which included 6 QB hurries, no QB hits, and 3 sacks on the season.
- Has the combination of size and athleticism worthy of development.
- Ulofoshio has an explosive first step and has the fluidity, flexibility and core strength to chase through traffic and make plays.
- He has the kind of turn-and-run fluidity to be used in man coverage as well, able to run with tight ends and running backs.
- He’s at his best in coverage. He’s a fluid mover capable of turning and running with tight ends or mirroring backs coming out of the backfield.
- Good closing speed with long arms to drag down quarterbacks and running backs.
- He’s an instinctive and active chase-and-tackle 4-3 Will, with the speed to go sideline to sideline. He takes excellent angles. Ulofoshio also has an innate sense for shooting gaps as a run defender.
3. Jordan Magee LB Temple
Height: 6 - 1 |Weight: 228 lbs |RAS: 9.6
In 2023 as a senior Magee logged playing time in 11 games and logged a total of 557 snaps for the Owls. He also added decent 54 tackles, 20 assists, and 41 stops. While in coverage Magee made 2 pass breakups, no interceptions, and QB rating when targetted of 83.2. As a pass rusher, he tallied 20 total pressures, which included 11 QB hurries, 3 QB hits, and 6 sacks on the season.
- Magee may not be a top-end mauler, but Magee has some unique traits in the run game and could probably transition to a guard spot if necessary.
- In the run game, he explodes off the line of scrimmage and consistently gets out to the second level to do damage.
- Shows excellent awareness when presented with stunts and blitzes, and he works well with teammates on combo blocks
- Anchors against larger defenders in the middle; resets hands to maintain distance. Athletic enough to help on nose tackle then pick up twist or late blitzer. Mirrors quick interior rushers. Looks to help the center when uncovered.
- Good natural athleticism, knee bend and fluid lateral movement to mirror college defensive ends.
CB:
1. Elijah Jones CB Boston College
Height: 6 - 1 |Weight: 185 lbs |RAS: 8.97
In 2023 as a super senior he put up a standout season that secured him a spot on the All-ACC First Team in 2023, with an Honorable Mention the previous year.
- Jones's length and keen instincts disrupt offensive plays, leveraging his height effectively at the catch point.
- Outstanding ball skills, evidenced by his ability to intercept and bat down passes, positioning him as a defensive threat.
- Fluid movement and agility enable quick transitions and the capacity to promptly close gaps with receivers.
- Leverages his height and impressive vertical jump to dominate in contested catch situations and excel in pass defense.
- His speed, showcased by a 4.44 40-yard dash time, and exceptional leaping ability (42.5″ vert jump) make him a more than a match for even the tallest receivers and a force in pass breakups.
2. Jarvis Brownlee CB Louisville
Height: 5'11 |Weight: 185 lbs |RAS: N/A
Jarvis Brownlee Jr. is a scrappy defender with multiple seasons of starting experience. Brownlee started at cornerback for Florida State in 2021 before transferring to Louisville in 2022. He has shown the ability to play both outside and as a slot defender.
Brownlee lacks the ideal length and size to be an outside cornerback, but he has the aggressiveness and tenacity to compete. Best as a zone defender, he does a great job of playing with leverage and route recognition. His vision and awareness are his top skill sets, which help him play the quarterback's eyes and react to the ball in air.
Brownlee does a very good job of showing off his lateral movement in press coverage, where he is quick to get in position and uses his hands to control and make it difficult for receivers to work downfield. When in off coverage, he often shows slow and choppy transitions with his footwork. Brownlee lacks the top-end and recovery speed to carry receivers deep.
3. Nehemiah Pritchett CB Auburn
Height: 6 - 0 |Weight: 190 lbs |RAS: 7.79
Culminating his Auburn career as a fifth-year senior in 2023, Pritchett took the field in 9 games, recording 20 tackles, 4 assists, 8 stops, 3 pass breakups, and an interception, achieving an elite quarterback rating when targeted of 54.8. His progression from a highly-touted high school prospect to a seasoned collegiate player garnished with the title of Team Defensive Back of the Year in 2022, not only underscores his readiness for the professional ranks but also solidifies his legacy at Auburn.
- Fluid mover with decent speed and his length allows him to cover effectively downfield
- Versatile coverage abilities, adept in both man and zone, allowing seamless adaptation to varied defensive schemes.
- Exemplary press-man technique, enabling effective trailing of receivers and disruption of catch points.
- Outstanding football IQ, evidenced by strategic play and efficient route mirroring.
S
1. Tykee Smith S Georgia
Height: 5 - 10 |Weight: 202 lbs |RAS: 7.43
In 2023 as a fifth year senior Smith saw action in 13 games while playing 594 snaps. He logged decent 51 tackles, 14 assists, and made 26 stops. In coverage Smith had 2 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and surrendered an outstanding QB rating when targetted of 52.7. He also chalked up 9 total pressures, and 2 sacks on the season
- Good strength to tackle. Plays with high energy and is a tough-minded overachiever.
- Aware in the red zone, stays on the back line to take away fade throws. Capable of making quarterbacks pay for late throws.
- Flashes some physicality as a hitter.
- Physical run supporter in the Antoine Winfield mold with short-area explosiveness to leave his mark on ballcarriers.
- Good instincts and anticipation reads and reacts with discipline. Dangerous with the ball in his hands.
2. Mark Perry S TCU
Height: 6 - 0 |Weight: 211 lbs |RAS: 9.6
A competitive defender who has experience as a true free safety, Mark Perry sees the field developing and anticipates throws effectively. He's supportive in the run game but not someone likely to be a box defender, as he was mostly a coverage option either in deep zones or as a slot safety. He's undersized in coverage as well, putting him in somewhat of a schematic box at the next level.
Perry can stand to improve his ability to hold up in man coverage and ball-hawking instincts while in coverage
3. Dominique Hampton S Washington
Height: 6 - 2 |Weight: 215 lbs |RAS: 9.46
Entering his sixth season with the program, Dominique Hampton is one of the dwindling super-seniors left on rosters. Hampton came into his own more last season, producing a career-high 42 tackles and four pass breakups. At 6'2" and 220 pounds, he stands out due to his great size.
He's not been overly productive beyond tackles, but he's impressively fast and capable of lining up against slot receivers and tight ends. He's highly competitive at the catch point and as a tackler.
