With the NFL combine coming to a close heres a look at some of the best defensive players based on their performances. Some players have lifted their stock and made scouts take notice, providing the potential to make this a very interesting draft.
1.Vic Beasley– Outside Linebacker [Clemson]
6-3
246 LBS
40 yard dash: 4.53
41 inch vertical
20 yard shuttle run drill time: 4.15
1010 inch broad jump
Three cone drill time 6.91
20 yard shuttle cone drill time 4.15
35 reps of 225 lbs bench press (second only to JJ Watt in combine history)
Clemson Career
35 games, 865 snaps, 64 tackles, 31tackles for a loss, 21 sacks, 20 QB pressures, 8 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles, 1 recovered fumble,
Credentials
ACC Defensive player of the year
Redshirted in 2010
Possible landing spots:
Jaguars, Raiders, Redskins, Falcons, Saints
Vic Beasley has moved up the ranks incredibly during this years combine. He was a track and basketball star in high school, who finished his Clemson career as the schools all-time sacks leader. He lacks the conventional pass rushing moves but is a 3-4 edge guy who can be seen as a WILL or SAM linebacker in 4-3 defenses. Most scouts agree he lacks a bit of an aggressive, competetive edge, but being touted as a “Bruce Irvin” style of player isn’t shabby.
2. Alvin Bud Dupree-Defensive End [Kentucky]
6-4
269 LBS
40 Yard Dash time: 4.56
11’6 broad jump
42 inch vertical
Kentucky Career
47 games, 247 tackles, 23.5 sacks, 37 tackles for a loss, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 5 pass defenses, 1 interception
Credentials
First team All SEC
Possible landing spots:
Saints, Texans, Bengals, Steelers, Cardinals, Cowboys
Dupree is a 3-4 defensive end with a basketball background. He may sometimes take poor angles to get too the ball. He is an explosive closer and can play zone. A strong athlete who lacks some skill as a rusher. Slow to get started coming off the edge and diagnosing plays. Should be drafted by a team that has a skilled coordinator to help develop Dupree as a pass rusher.
3. Owamagbe Odighizuwa– Defensive End [UCLA]
6-3
267 LBS
40 Yard Dash time: 4.62
39 inch vertical
107 inch broad jump
3 cone drill time: 7.36
20 yard shuttle cone drill time: 4.19
60 yard shuttle cone drill time: 11.75
UCLA Career
37 games, 136 tackles, 24.5 tackles for a loss, 12.5 sacks, 8 passes defended
Credentials
Second team All Pac 12
Possible landing spots:
Dallas Cowboys, Cardinals, Bengals, Texans, Saints
A pure athletic pass rusher who has violent hands when shedding blockers. He is very competitive, focused and adept at pass rushing.A versatile defensive end, Odighizuwa can lay in either the 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He will not dominate the edge during a game but his inside pass rushing moves more than make up for it.
4. Preston Smith [Mississippi St.]
4.74 40 YD
34 inch vertical
101 inch broad jump
7.07 3 cone
4.28 20 yard shuttle cone
11.70 60 yard shuttle cone
Mississippi St. Career
34 games, 134 total tackles, 27 tackles for a loss, 16 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 INT return TD, 5 forced fumbles
Credentials
N/A
Possible landing spots:
Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
A very good run stopper and always finishes his tackles. Can rush the passer from both sides of the line and is incredibly tough to block with some dangerous hands. His potential and combine numbers could be enough to bump him into the end of the first round.
These have put up huge numbers in all of the drills that they took part in so look for some of their draft stock to climb.
