Risen Star
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The following is an early guess at the 23 defensive players that might fall among the first 55 players drafted. Last week, the top 32 offensive players were listed.
This projected Top 55 will serve as a run-up to my NFL Draft Series, which I’ve assembled annually since 1985. It will begin about 10 days before the draft, which is scheduled April 25-27.
Personnel people offered their assessments of players to me last month before the start of workouts at the Combine. Their comments were based almost exclusively on their exposure to players both in live looks and tape study.
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DEFENSE (23)
Defensive linemen (5)
Byron Murphy, Texas (6-0 ½, 297): Posted the third-fastest 40 time among the defensive linemen (4.87). “His athletic ability and quickness are amazing … off the charts,” one scout said. “Plays his *** off. He’s destructive. The two-gap stuff is not really his deal but he’ll drop a knee in there, he’ll hang in there. Pass rush, his power and explosiveness through the gap, that’s his deal. In this modern NFL, with all the throwing, he’s going to be a problem. I like him better than (Calijah) Kancey from last year, who was another undersized guy. Much better player. Stronger. Kancey kind of came on a little because he worked out like a phenom, but I don’t care how this guy worked out.” His vertical jump of 33 inches ranked second at the position. Bench-pressed 28 times. “Disciplined both run and pass,” another scout said. “Excellent straight-line power pass rusher. Thing that worries me is he’s going to be 6-0 and weigh only 300. You will have to team him up with a (much bigger) guy. Can Murphy play square? Yes, I think he can play square.” Arms were just 32 3/8 inches, hands were 10 ¼ inches. “High character,” said a third scout. “He’s sudden, flexible, plays on his feet. Hands and feet work well together. Got pass rush for an inside guy. He’s fairly strong for his size but he’s more of a movement-oriented scheme player, of which there are many nowadays. He’s the best one.”
Darius Robinson, Missouri (6-5, 285): Fifth-year senior dropped about 20 pounds entering the season to move from defensive tackle to defensive end/edge rusher. It resulted in easily his finest season (8 ½ sacks, 14 tackles for loss). “He can play left end in a 4-3 or 3-technique, and probably 5-technique,” one scout said. “He’s got no body fat at all. Looks like you want them to be. Knee bender, strong, really good with his hands, explosive, good feet for a big man. He is (stout). His stock is just rising now. No. 20 wouldn’t surprise me. Far less players have gone in that realm.” His subpar 40 of 4.95, however, probably results in him being categorized as a defensive lineman. “He’s so technique-oriented I’m not sure how explosive he is,” said a second scout. “Quick, active and has movement. He could play in a two-point stance, and he did play in a two-point stance. He played 7-technique sometimes. I think he’s more explosive than he shows because he’s so technique-oriented.” Impressed with vertical jump of 35. Long arms (34 ½), large hands (10 5/8). “I put him on the edge,” said a third scout. “I couldn’t see his body type as an inside guy. He’s a 3-4 (outside linebacker). Gives you effort. He can play but he doesn’t show you much distinguishing talent. He’d be in your rotation but I didn’t see starter talent.”
Braden Fiske, Florida State (6-0 ½, 292): Played five years at Western Michigan and another in Tallahassee. Had multiple injuries (bulging lumbar disc, shoulder surgery, elbow surgery) in high school and Kalamazoo. “You don’t want to like him because he doesn’t look awesome,” said one scout. “But this guy plays every down like he’s going to the firing squad after the down’s over. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody play this hard. The lack of length shows up as a pass rusher, but for his size he’s powerful and a penetrator. He gets behind the line of scrimmage. He can run. Really good athlete. He can bend. He’s going to be a really good player. It wouldn’t even surprise me to see him go ahead of Murphy. This guy’s a f------ buzzsaw.” Made 31 starts for the Broncos and 13 for FSU, finishing with 19 ½ sacks. “Has short arms but uses his hands well,” a second scout said. “Outstanding worker. Has to be kicked out of the weight room. Blue-collar pro mindset. More disruptive than productive as a rusher. Gets stuck on bigger and longer offensive linemen at times.” Paced the position in the 40 (4.78), vertical jump (33 ½) and broad jump (9-9). Had 26 reps on the bench and scored 24 on the Wonderlic. “He just goes all-out, all-out, all-out,” said a third scout. “The more you watch him the more you like him.” Had a big week at the Senior Bowl. Arms were just 31, hands were 9 3/8.
Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois (6-1 ½, 304): Was unable to work in Indianapolis after undergoing foot surgery in January. He reportedly played through the injury during the latter stages of 2023. “He’s neck and neck with Murphy,” one scout said. “He’s a little more stout than Murphy but not as athletic or as explosive. Has outstanding instincts, leverage. Explosive into gaps. Uses his hands great. Disruptive. Not an elite talent like Murphy. He’s a sturdy kind of playmaker.” Four-year player with 18 sacks. “Just an excellent football player,” a second scout said. “Strong, powerful, active, can rush the passer. Played defensive tackle for a bad team and had 7 ½ sacks this year. If he was playing at Michigan or Ohio State or Alabama everybody would be, like, ‘Wow, wow, wow.’ Only negative was his height, but he’s 295 and I think he can run. He’s Big Ten all-academic. I don’t know if that means anything but that conference prides itself on that. Blocked four kicks this year. He’s not only talented but he plays hard.” Arms were 32 3/8, hands were just 9 1/8. “There is something to him but he’s inconsistent, which is who he is as a kid, too,” a third scout said. “You like the athlete more than the player. He can get an edge. He’s got some inside rush. His motor is really up and down. Doesn’t play with power. Has to be a 3-tech in a four-man front. He’s a good athlete, not a superior athlete for (3-technique).”
T’Vondre Sweat, Texas (6-4 ½, 366): The Longhorns’ first unanimous All-America defensive tackle since Kenneth Sims in 1981. “You see these video games,” said one scout. “He just picks people up and tosses guys. He’s an athlete. He’s mobile. And for a big guy he played hard. At the Senior Bowl he must have weighed 400 pounds or something because he refused to step on the scale.” Came in at 366 a month later at the combine. “He’s going to go first round but he’s an overweight lazy (bleep),” a second scout said. “He is very talented. He’s always going to have a weight problem. You can take that to the bank. He played in spurts the last couple years. But the big, strong (bleep) is hard to move.” Compared by scouts to nose tackles such as Gilbert Brown, Sam Adams and Jordan Davis. “He’s been up to almost 400,” said a third scout. “He’s like 380 something in-season. His football character is terrible. For people that don’t care he’s got top-two round ability. He’s not quite the freak show that Jordan Davis was but for a big, fat guy he does some pretty impressive (bleep).” Statistically, his last of five seasons was his best. Clocked 5.27, vertical jump of 26 and broad jump of 8-2. Arms were 33 3/8, hands were 10 1/8.
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Edge rushers (7)
Laiatu Latu, UCLA (6-4 ½, 259, 4.64): Played at Washington, sat out 2020 with a neck injury and, in March 2021, the Huskies declared him as medically retired. Nine months later, Latu announced that he would attempt to resume his career at UCLA, which he did playing 25 games in 2022-’23. “I know he’s got all this medical stuff but as far as a player he is a menace,” one scout said. “He’s Top 5 as far just what he does in games. His rush feel, the moves, the spins, the instincts, the technique. He’s just a difference-maker. He reminded me of (Jaelan) Phillips when he came out of Miami. To me, he’s the best (edge). But I keep hearing about how bad his injury stuff is. You get into necks, that’s the thing that might get him.” Saved his best for last with 13 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2023. “Strictly a technician,” a second scout said. “He’s not an explosive guy. He is a very smart player. He’s a 3-4 ‘backer. Best as a pass rusher. Better on the right side than the left side. He can play in space. He does not play against the run well at all. Gets high, could be more physical. I think what you see is what you get with him.” Clocked 4.64 and his jumps were solid. “He’s just natural as a pass rusher,” said a third scout. “He’s got some off-field concerns. He’s a Top 15 guy depending on how you feel about the injury.” Arms were 32 5/8, hands were 9 5/8.
Chop Robinson, Penn State (6-3, 254): Third-year junior. “He hasn’t produced like the UCLA guy (Latu) and isn’t quite as big,” one scout said. “But he’s got some rare (bleep) in the tank as far as get-off, the ability to bend and get low, the ability to come out of the turn. He’s going to run in the 4.4s. If you’re going to knock him, he only had four sacks this year. He missed a couple games (with injury). He plays his *** off. He needs to get a little bit better finishing on extended plays.” Clocked 4.48 with jumps of 34 ½ (vertical) and 10-8 (broad). “You can’t find guys that can take off, explode and bend like this guy,” another scout said. “If you watched Myles Garrett when he came out he’s got the same first two steps. The amazing thing is he’s so flexible. But he doesn’t make plays. Talented, but a project. I question how tough and physical he is.” Compared by a third scout to Haason Reddick and Arnold Ebiketie. “You talk about coming off the ball and flattening the edge, whoa,” he said. “He’s more disruptive than his stats. He’s a little guy but he’s mean. In run support he’s more of a chase edge guy than coming right at ‘em.” Arms were 32 ½, hands were just 9 1/8.
Dallas Turner, Alabama (6-2 ½, 247): Third-year junior with three starts in 2021, 10 in ’22 and 14 in ’23. “He’s a playmaker,” said one scout. “His technique needs to improve but he’s got tools to be a force. He can set the edge versus tight ends and stretch plays. He can stress edges. Better pass rusher. Little undersized but he’s active and twitchy and has speed and close.” Played opposite Will Anderson in 2022. “They’re not even comparable,” a second scout said. “Anderson played hard, played tough against the run. This guy against the run, he just catches. Not a good tackler at all. … He can cover, too. But when you stick him as a 7-technique in a two-point stance he can rush the passer.” Made some money at the Combine with edge-leading efforts in the 40 (4.46) and the vertical jump (40 ½). “I can’t figure out what the big deal is,” a third scout said, obviously before Indy. “He’ll flash a play every so often when they stunt him and he comes free. He just doesn’t have much distinguishing talent and he’s not really productive. Off the edge he’s not really a silky-moving guy. They drop him a lot and I don’t know why because he’s not that kind of an athlete. Against the run he’s not really rugged. He’ll flash some stuff against tight ends. Overall, I don’t see much.” Very long arms (34 3/8), hands were 9 7/8.
Jared Verse, Florida State (6-4, 254): Played tight end in high school and had zero FBS offers. Spent three years at FCS Albany, gaining 40 pounds during the pandemic and moving to defensive end. Had 18 sacks in two seasons for the Seminoles. “He kind of plays like a guy that went to Albany,” said one scout. “Pissed off that’s where he went. He’s not the top three (edges) but he’s good. It wouldn’t surprise me of he went in the last few picks of the first but he’s probably more like a second-rounder. Not on the level physically as the others. More like bad ***. Strong. Tough ***.” Clocked 4.58, impressed in the jumps (35 vertical, 10-7 broad) and led on the bench press with 31. “He’s the most complete defensive end,” a second scout said. “Plays with really good technique, pad level and leverage against the run. He is stout against the run. Explosive pass rusher. He played hard play after play after play.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 9 7/8. “Not a top talent but I like the way he played,” said a third scout. “Got a lot of energy. As a pass rusher, he’s not really a guy trying to beat you off the edge with moves. He’s more, ‘I’m gonna keep coming with second effort.’ He brings it all the time and wears people out.”
Bralen Trice, Washington (6-3 ½, 245): Voted the Huskies’ defensive MVP two years in a row. “He’s a disciplined player with strength against the run and explosion against the pass,” one scout said. “I’d probably take him over Verse because he’s more explosive. But he misses tackles. He has all kinds of pressures but in eight games I watched he missed 14 tackles. I’m sure you can get the guy to break down.” Clocked 4.72. “He and Verse are kind of similar in that you just love the way they play,” a second scout said. “Strong at the point of attack. Works his hands really well. In space, he doesn’t have that top agility and explosiveness. More of a power dude. Just keeps working. Can play different positions along the line. He’s a solid player, not a difference-maker. He could sneak into the first.” Arms were 32 ½, hands were just 9. “Big thumper,” a third scout said. “Better run player than pass rusher. Fifth, sixth round.”
Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan (6-3, 267): Accumulated 12 ½ sacks and 149 tackles (28 for loss) in four Mid-American Conference seasons. “I was ready to throw him away: ‘Western Michigan, who’s he?’” confessed one scout. “You wonder why there wasn’t more production, but he’s got a ton of talent. He is really athletic. He has some explosiveness. When he moves around in space he looks like a linebacker. He has movement and feel. Plays hard. Second round.” Worked out well with a 40 of 4.75, a vertical of 35 ½ and a broad jump of 9-11. “He does play really hard,” said a second scout. “Looks better in one on one’s. He’s strong, violent. Got some stiffness. Not a great athlete or mover. Better football player than athlete. Good rotational player.” Arms were 34 ½, hands were 9 1/8.
Jonah Elliss, Utah (6-2, 248): Entered 2023 with just four sacks in two years before erupting for 12 in his finale. “He’s got to go to a 3-4 team so you can blitz him,” said one scout. “He’s not dominant (rushing) but he knows how to work his hands. His Dad was a coach, and that’s what he plays like. He’s got a spin move. Excellent on stunts. On the edge, he can beat tight ends real easy. He’s not really a guy to take on tackles. Good enough athlete with some explosiveness, quickness and speed.” His father, Luther, spent nine years of his 10-year NFL career as a defensive tackle with the Lions and made two Pro Bowls. He’s an assistant coach at Utah tutoring defensive tackles. “He should have gone back to school,” said a second scout. “Has a good takeoff. Really a nice athlete. They drop him and he plays well in space. Really a smooth, disciplined guy. I don’t know how much better the guy’s going to be.” Suffered a major shoulder injury late in the season and couldn’t work at the combine. Arms were 33, hands were 10 ½.
This projected Top 55 will serve as a run-up to my NFL Draft Series, which I’ve assembled annually since 1985. It will begin about 10 days before the draft, which is scheduled April 25-27.
Personnel people offered their assessments of players to me last month before the start of workouts at the Combine. Their comments were based almost exclusively on their exposure to players both in live looks and tape study.
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DEFENSE (23)
Defensive linemen (5)
Byron Murphy, Texas (6-0 ½, 297): Posted the third-fastest 40 time among the defensive linemen (4.87). “His athletic ability and quickness are amazing … off the charts,” one scout said. “Plays his *** off. He’s destructive. The two-gap stuff is not really his deal but he’ll drop a knee in there, he’ll hang in there. Pass rush, his power and explosiveness through the gap, that’s his deal. In this modern NFL, with all the throwing, he’s going to be a problem. I like him better than (Calijah) Kancey from last year, who was another undersized guy. Much better player. Stronger. Kancey kind of came on a little because he worked out like a phenom, but I don’t care how this guy worked out.” His vertical jump of 33 inches ranked second at the position. Bench-pressed 28 times. “Disciplined both run and pass,” another scout said. “Excellent straight-line power pass rusher. Thing that worries me is he’s going to be 6-0 and weigh only 300. You will have to team him up with a (much bigger) guy. Can Murphy play square? Yes, I think he can play square.” Arms were just 32 3/8 inches, hands were 10 ¼ inches. “High character,” said a third scout. “He’s sudden, flexible, plays on his feet. Hands and feet work well together. Got pass rush for an inside guy. He’s fairly strong for his size but he’s more of a movement-oriented scheme player, of which there are many nowadays. He’s the best one.”
Darius Robinson, Missouri (6-5, 285): Fifth-year senior dropped about 20 pounds entering the season to move from defensive tackle to defensive end/edge rusher. It resulted in easily his finest season (8 ½ sacks, 14 tackles for loss). “He can play left end in a 4-3 or 3-technique, and probably 5-technique,” one scout said. “He’s got no body fat at all. Looks like you want them to be. Knee bender, strong, really good with his hands, explosive, good feet for a big man. He is (stout). His stock is just rising now. No. 20 wouldn’t surprise me. Far less players have gone in that realm.” His subpar 40 of 4.95, however, probably results in him being categorized as a defensive lineman. “He’s so technique-oriented I’m not sure how explosive he is,” said a second scout. “Quick, active and has movement. He could play in a two-point stance, and he did play in a two-point stance. He played 7-technique sometimes. I think he’s more explosive than he shows because he’s so technique-oriented.” Impressed with vertical jump of 35. Long arms (34 ½), large hands (10 5/8). “I put him on the edge,” said a third scout. “I couldn’t see his body type as an inside guy. He’s a 3-4 (outside linebacker). Gives you effort. He can play but he doesn’t show you much distinguishing talent. He’d be in your rotation but I didn’t see starter talent.”
Braden Fiske, Florida State (6-0 ½, 292): Played five years at Western Michigan and another in Tallahassee. Had multiple injuries (bulging lumbar disc, shoulder surgery, elbow surgery) in high school and Kalamazoo. “You don’t want to like him because he doesn’t look awesome,” said one scout. “But this guy plays every down like he’s going to the firing squad after the down’s over. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen anybody play this hard. The lack of length shows up as a pass rusher, but for his size he’s powerful and a penetrator. He gets behind the line of scrimmage. He can run. Really good athlete. He can bend. He’s going to be a really good player. It wouldn’t even surprise me to see him go ahead of Murphy. This guy’s a f------ buzzsaw.” Made 31 starts for the Broncos and 13 for FSU, finishing with 19 ½ sacks. “Has short arms but uses his hands well,” a second scout said. “Outstanding worker. Has to be kicked out of the weight room. Blue-collar pro mindset. More disruptive than productive as a rusher. Gets stuck on bigger and longer offensive linemen at times.” Paced the position in the 40 (4.78), vertical jump (33 ½) and broad jump (9-9). Had 26 reps on the bench and scored 24 on the Wonderlic. “He just goes all-out, all-out, all-out,” said a third scout. “The more you watch him the more you like him.” Had a big week at the Senior Bowl. Arms were just 31, hands were 9 3/8.
Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois (6-1 ½, 304): Was unable to work in Indianapolis after undergoing foot surgery in January. He reportedly played through the injury during the latter stages of 2023. “He’s neck and neck with Murphy,” one scout said. “He’s a little more stout than Murphy but not as athletic or as explosive. Has outstanding instincts, leverage. Explosive into gaps. Uses his hands great. Disruptive. Not an elite talent like Murphy. He’s a sturdy kind of playmaker.” Four-year player with 18 sacks. “Just an excellent football player,” a second scout said. “Strong, powerful, active, can rush the passer. Played defensive tackle for a bad team and had 7 ½ sacks this year. If he was playing at Michigan or Ohio State or Alabama everybody would be, like, ‘Wow, wow, wow.’ Only negative was his height, but he’s 295 and I think he can run. He’s Big Ten all-academic. I don’t know if that means anything but that conference prides itself on that. Blocked four kicks this year. He’s not only talented but he plays hard.” Arms were 32 3/8, hands were just 9 1/8. “There is something to him but he’s inconsistent, which is who he is as a kid, too,” a third scout said. “You like the athlete more than the player. He can get an edge. He’s got some inside rush. His motor is really up and down. Doesn’t play with power. Has to be a 3-tech in a four-man front. He’s a good athlete, not a superior athlete for (3-technique).”
T’Vondre Sweat, Texas (6-4 ½, 366): The Longhorns’ first unanimous All-America defensive tackle since Kenneth Sims in 1981. “You see these video games,” said one scout. “He just picks people up and tosses guys. He’s an athlete. He’s mobile. And for a big guy he played hard. At the Senior Bowl he must have weighed 400 pounds or something because he refused to step on the scale.” Came in at 366 a month later at the combine. “He’s going to go first round but he’s an overweight lazy (bleep),” a second scout said. “He is very talented. He’s always going to have a weight problem. You can take that to the bank. He played in spurts the last couple years. But the big, strong (bleep) is hard to move.” Compared by scouts to nose tackles such as Gilbert Brown, Sam Adams and Jordan Davis. “He’s been up to almost 400,” said a third scout. “He’s like 380 something in-season. His football character is terrible. For people that don’t care he’s got top-two round ability. He’s not quite the freak show that Jordan Davis was but for a big, fat guy he does some pretty impressive (bleep).” Statistically, his last of five seasons was his best. Clocked 5.27, vertical jump of 26 and broad jump of 8-2. Arms were 33 3/8, hands were 10 1/8.
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Edge rushers (7)
Laiatu Latu, UCLA (6-4 ½, 259, 4.64): Played at Washington, sat out 2020 with a neck injury and, in March 2021, the Huskies declared him as medically retired. Nine months later, Latu announced that he would attempt to resume his career at UCLA, which he did playing 25 games in 2022-’23. “I know he’s got all this medical stuff but as far as a player he is a menace,” one scout said. “He’s Top 5 as far just what he does in games. His rush feel, the moves, the spins, the instincts, the technique. He’s just a difference-maker. He reminded me of (Jaelan) Phillips when he came out of Miami. To me, he’s the best (edge). But I keep hearing about how bad his injury stuff is. You get into necks, that’s the thing that might get him.” Saved his best for last with 13 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 2023. “Strictly a technician,” a second scout said. “He’s not an explosive guy. He is a very smart player. He’s a 3-4 ‘backer. Best as a pass rusher. Better on the right side than the left side. He can play in space. He does not play against the run well at all. Gets high, could be more physical. I think what you see is what you get with him.” Clocked 4.64 and his jumps were solid. “He’s just natural as a pass rusher,” said a third scout. “He’s got some off-field concerns. He’s a Top 15 guy depending on how you feel about the injury.” Arms were 32 5/8, hands were 9 5/8.
Chop Robinson, Penn State (6-3, 254): Third-year junior. “He hasn’t produced like the UCLA guy (Latu) and isn’t quite as big,” one scout said. “But he’s got some rare (bleep) in the tank as far as get-off, the ability to bend and get low, the ability to come out of the turn. He’s going to run in the 4.4s. If you’re going to knock him, he only had four sacks this year. He missed a couple games (with injury). He plays his *** off. He needs to get a little bit better finishing on extended plays.” Clocked 4.48 with jumps of 34 ½ (vertical) and 10-8 (broad). “You can’t find guys that can take off, explode and bend like this guy,” another scout said. “If you watched Myles Garrett when he came out he’s got the same first two steps. The amazing thing is he’s so flexible. But he doesn’t make plays. Talented, but a project. I question how tough and physical he is.” Compared by a third scout to Haason Reddick and Arnold Ebiketie. “You talk about coming off the ball and flattening the edge, whoa,” he said. “He’s more disruptive than his stats. He’s a little guy but he’s mean. In run support he’s more of a chase edge guy than coming right at ‘em.” Arms were 32 ½, hands were just 9 1/8.
Dallas Turner, Alabama (6-2 ½, 247): Third-year junior with three starts in 2021, 10 in ’22 and 14 in ’23. “He’s a playmaker,” said one scout. “His technique needs to improve but he’s got tools to be a force. He can set the edge versus tight ends and stretch plays. He can stress edges. Better pass rusher. Little undersized but he’s active and twitchy and has speed and close.” Played opposite Will Anderson in 2022. “They’re not even comparable,” a second scout said. “Anderson played hard, played tough against the run. This guy against the run, he just catches. Not a good tackler at all. … He can cover, too. But when you stick him as a 7-technique in a two-point stance he can rush the passer.” Made some money at the Combine with edge-leading efforts in the 40 (4.46) and the vertical jump (40 ½). “I can’t figure out what the big deal is,” a third scout said, obviously before Indy. “He’ll flash a play every so often when they stunt him and he comes free. He just doesn’t have much distinguishing talent and he’s not really productive. Off the edge he’s not really a silky-moving guy. They drop him a lot and I don’t know why because he’s not that kind of an athlete. Against the run he’s not really rugged. He’ll flash some stuff against tight ends. Overall, I don’t see much.” Very long arms (34 3/8), hands were 9 7/8.
Jared Verse, Florida State (6-4, 254): Played tight end in high school and had zero FBS offers. Spent three years at FCS Albany, gaining 40 pounds during the pandemic and moving to defensive end. Had 18 sacks in two seasons for the Seminoles. “He kind of plays like a guy that went to Albany,” said one scout. “Pissed off that’s where he went. He’s not the top three (edges) but he’s good. It wouldn’t surprise me of he went in the last few picks of the first but he’s probably more like a second-rounder. Not on the level physically as the others. More like bad ***. Strong. Tough ***.” Clocked 4.58, impressed in the jumps (35 vertical, 10-7 broad) and led on the bench press with 31. “He’s the most complete defensive end,” a second scout said. “Plays with really good technique, pad level and leverage against the run. He is stout against the run. Explosive pass rusher. He played hard play after play after play.” Arms were 33 ½, hands were 9 7/8. “Not a top talent but I like the way he played,” said a third scout. “Got a lot of energy. As a pass rusher, he’s not really a guy trying to beat you off the edge with moves. He’s more, ‘I’m gonna keep coming with second effort.’ He brings it all the time and wears people out.”
Bralen Trice, Washington (6-3 ½, 245): Voted the Huskies’ defensive MVP two years in a row. “He’s a disciplined player with strength against the run and explosion against the pass,” one scout said. “I’d probably take him over Verse because he’s more explosive. But he misses tackles. He has all kinds of pressures but in eight games I watched he missed 14 tackles. I’m sure you can get the guy to break down.” Clocked 4.72. “He and Verse are kind of similar in that you just love the way they play,” a second scout said. “Strong at the point of attack. Works his hands really well. In space, he doesn’t have that top agility and explosiveness. More of a power dude. Just keeps working. Can play different positions along the line. He’s a solid player, not a difference-maker. He could sneak into the first.” Arms were 32 ½, hands were just 9. “Big thumper,” a third scout said. “Better run player than pass rusher. Fifth, sixth round.”
Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan (6-3, 267): Accumulated 12 ½ sacks and 149 tackles (28 for loss) in four Mid-American Conference seasons. “I was ready to throw him away: ‘Western Michigan, who’s he?’” confessed one scout. “You wonder why there wasn’t more production, but he’s got a ton of talent. He is really athletic. He has some explosiveness. When he moves around in space he looks like a linebacker. He has movement and feel. Plays hard. Second round.” Worked out well with a 40 of 4.75, a vertical of 35 ½ and a broad jump of 9-11. “He does play really hard,” said a second scout. “Looks better in one on one’s. He’s strong, violent. Got some stiffness. Not a great athlete or mover. Better football player than athlete. Good rotational player.” Arms were 34 ½, hands were 9 1/8.
Jonah Elliss, Utah (6-2, 248): Entered 2023 with just four sacks in two years before erupting for 12 in his finale. “He’s got to go to a 3-4 team so you can blitz him,” said one scout. “He’s not dominant (rushing) but he knows how to work his hands. His Dad was a coach, and that’s what he plays like. He’s got a spin move. Excellent on stunts. On the edge, he can beat tight ends real easy. He’s not really a guy to take on tackles. Good enough athlete with some explosiveness, quickness and speed.” His father, Luther, spent nine years of his 10-year NFL career as a defensive tackle with the Lions and made two Pro Bowls. He’s an assistant coach at Utah tutoring defensive tackles. “He should have gone back to school,” said a second scout. “Has a good takeoff. Really a nice athlete. They drop him and he plays well in space. Really a smooth, disciplined guy. I don’t know how much better the guy’s going to be.” Suffered a major shoulder injury late in the season and couldn’t work at the combine. Arms were 33, hands were 10 ½.
