By Bates Crowther & Jake Ruppert
1. Nick Bosa – DE, Ohio State
Unlike many top prospects in this year’s draft, Bosa is not a physical freak, but the 266-pounder is a polished edge rusher with a variety of pass rushing moves and counter moves. Nick is strikingly similar to his older brother, Chargers’ Joey Bosa, and he should work very well as a 4-3 DE. Arguably the safest prospect in the draft.
MEASURABLES:
6-3 6/8ths, 266 pounds
Hand Size: 10 ¾ inches
Arm Length: 33 inches
STATS:
2017: 34 tackles, 16 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 1 FF, 2 PD
2018: 14 tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks, 1 FR, TD (3 games played)
2. Quinnen Williams – DT, Alabama
Williams played sparingly in 2017 but really blew up as a redshirt sophomore in 2018 with increased playing time. Many experts call the Bama product’s tape the ‘most dominant’ they’ve ever seen from an interior prospect. Quinnen Williams could work as a DT or a DE in a 3-4 set, but regardless of scheme fit, Williams should be able to wreak havoc, creating interior pressure for years to come.
MEASURABLES:
6-3, 303 pounds
Hand size: 9 ⅝ inches
Arm Length: 33 ¼ inches
STATS:
2017: 20 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 2 sacks
2018: 71 tackles, 19.5 TFL, 8 sacks, 1 PD (15 games played)
3. Josh Allen – LB/Edge, Kentucky
Allen decided to pass on the draft last year in order to build his resume, and it paid off for him big time. With 21.5 TFL and 17 sacks as a senior in the SEC, Allen has proven that he deserves to be considered as the top edge rusher in this draft. An ideal fit as a 3-4 OLB or a 4-3 DE, Josh Allen should be causing QBs fits for awhile in the league.
MEASURABLES:
6-4 7/8ths, 262 pounds
Hand Size: 8 ¾ inches
Arm Length: 33 ½ inches
STATS:
2017: 66 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 7 sacks
2018: 88 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 17 sacks, 5 FF (13 games played)
4. Ed Oliver – DT, Houston
Oliver is a blue chip prospect who has been considered a top NFL prospect for some time now. His stock has dropped due to his statistical production (lack of sacks), but this can be most likely attributed to being misused as a nose tackle on the Houston defense. Some scouts have claimed him as being undersized as a DT, but his size (6-1, 287 lbs), agility (4.19 short shuttle time), and general athletic ability have warranted comparisons to Aaron Donald.
MEASURABLES:
6-1 7/8ths, 287 pounds
Hand Size: 9 ¼ inches
Arm Length: 31 ¾ inches
STATS:
2017: 73 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF
2018: 54 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 FF, 2 PD (8 games played)
5. Devin White – LB, LSU
Mike linebacker and former Butkus award winner, White fits the build of a modern day off ball linebacker in today’s NFL, but also comes with the lead dog mentality necessary to captain a defense. A little short (6-0) but has the speed (4.42 40 time) to cover running backs and tight ends sideline-to-sideline in today’s NFL. White would be a near-perfect comparison to Atlanta Falcons LB Deion Jones with a couple more inches.
MEASURABLES:
6-0, 247 pounds
Hand Size: 9 ¾ inches
Arm Length: 32 ⅛ inches
STATS:
2017: 133 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT
2018: 123 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 sacks, 2 FF, 6 PD (12 games played)
6. Kyler Murray – QB, Oklahoma
Heisman winner and the ninth overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, Kyler Murray is obviously a phenomenal athlete who possesses crazy potential at the QB position. He had 4,000 passing yards and a 1,000 rushing yards as a redshirt junior, complimented by a 199.2 QBR. If developed and utilized correctly, Kyler Murray will be a scary weapon that opposing defensive coordinators will have trouble planning for.
MEASURABLES:
5-10, 207 pounds
Hand Size: 9 ½ inches
Arm Length: 28 ½ inches
STATS:
2017: 18/21 completions (85.7%), 359 passing yards (17.1 yards per attempt), 3 passing touchdowns (276.5 QBR), 142 rushing yards (10.1 avg.) (7 games played)
2018: 260/377 completions (69%), 4361 passing yards (11.6 yards per attempt), 42 passing touchdowns, 7 interceptions (199.2 QBR), 1001 rushing yards (7.2 avg.), 12 rushing touchdowns (14 games played)
7. Jawaan Taylor – OT, Florida
While this draft may not have a prized offensive tackle prospect, Taylor is arguably the best of the group. Taylor is a powerful man and a people pusher, making him a natural fit as a right tackle. This former gator is entirely capable of clearing running lanes for ball carriers, and we expect him to perform at a high level into the next decade.
MEASURABLES:
6-5, 312 pounds
Hand Size: 10 inches
Arm Length: 35 ⅛ inches
STATS:
2017: 13 games played
2018: 13 games played
8. Montez Sweat – DE, Mississippi State
Sweat was recruited out of high school to Michigan State as a TE before moving to defense. He was then suspended and enrolled into a JUCO school before Mississippi State extended him an offer. He had a great two years at MSU, recording 10+ sacks and achieving first-team all-SEC both years, but really boosted his stock at the combine with a 4.41 40 yard dash. While he’s still a work in progress, Sweat shouldn’t be too far off from terrorizing NFL edges in the near future.
MEASURABLES:
6-6, 260 pounds
Hand Size: 10 ½ inches
Arm Length: 35 ¾ inches
STATS:
2017: 48 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks
2018: 53 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 12 sacks, 1 FF (13 games played)
9. Rashan Gary – DL, Michigan
Former no. 1 recruit in the class of 2016, Gary is an athletic freak of nature but is very underdeveloped. He’s a load physically, measuring in at 6-4, 277 lbs, but Gary doesn’t move like your average interior brawler (4.58 40 yard dash). He possesses immense potential as an EDGE in the NFL, but, as stated before, a defensive coordinator will need to help him develop proper pass-rushing techniques in order for Gary to reach his full potential.
MEASURABLES:
6-4 3/8ths, 277 pounds
Hand Size: 9 ⅝ inches
Arm Length: 34 ⅛ inch
STATS:
2017: 58 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 FF
2018: 38 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks (9 games played)
10. Devin Bush Jr. – LB, Michigan
Bush was the Big Ten’s Defensive player of the year in 2018 as the captain of Michigan’s stout defense. He is viewed as an undersized mike linebacker (5-11, 234 lbs) but most certainly does not play like it. Bush has the athleticism (4.43 40 yard dash) and leadership mentality to not only just fit the mold of a modern off-ball linebacker, but also become the unquestioned leader of a vaunted defense. He may be better suited as a will linebacker, but Bush should produce at the next level no matter where he lines up.
MEASURABLES:
5-11, 234 pounds
Hand Size: 9 ⅝ inches
Arm Length: 32 inches
STATS:
2017: 95 tackles, 10 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 int, 7 PD
2018: 66 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 4 PD (12 games played)
