2020 NFL Combine Preview: DL and LB Preview

The 2020 NFL Combine is underway with prospects going through medicals, interviews, and all important on field drills. The offensive players have gone through the process and have left Indianapolis for the most part. Now, it’s the defensive guys to showcase their stuff. First up are the defensive linemen and linebackers this afternoon. Iv case you missed it, the previews for the offensive players are here and here. Note: I am listing these players as seen on the NFL.com tracker.

iDL

– Blacklock has been steadily rising up the boards amongst the community this offseason once everyone had a chance to watch his tape. He could be special in Indy. Projected 40: 4.7

2. Derrick Brown 6’4 326 Auburn Senior

– Brown is arguably the best interior defensive lineman in the past couple of years. He was a terror in 2018 but was somehow even better in 2019. Pretty much a guaranteed top 15 pick at this point. It’s very likely that he will test well at the Combine. Brown has Suh like potential. Projected 40: 4.6

3. Raekwon Davis 6’6 311 Alabama Senior

– Davis was talked about as a first round lock two seasons ago but since then, it has been a walking mystery as to why he’s been so inconsistent. He has been far from that potential in both 18 and 19. Not to mention the decision to skip the Senior Bowl for personal reasons. His stock is massively dropping. Projected 40: 4.8

4. Leki Fotu 6’5 330 Utah Senior

– The measurables are impressive. He has a developing pass rush arsenal. Very good explosion skills off the ball. Hand usage is very good. Well built upper half. He’s a space eater that frees up his linemates to go make plays. Was the key to that scary Utes defensive line. Projected 40: 4.8

5. Neville Gallimore 6’2 304 Oklahoma RS Senior

– Gallimore’s reputation precedes him. He’s one of the best defensive tackles in the class. He had an OK effort in the Senior Bowl so didn’t lose much stock there. His footwork and lateral agility should translate very well in Indianapolis. The tape just pops. Canadian native. Projected 40: 4.75

6. Javon Kinlaw 6’5 324 South Carolina Senior

– Kinlaw is a lock for a top ten selection. Enough said. He’s simply a freak of nature. Projected 40: 4.6

7. Justin Madubuike 6’2 293 Texas A&M RS Junior

– Madubuike is one of the fastest risers up the board at his position. He had an outstanding season for the Aggies. He has the potential to dominate the Combine later this afternoon. I really like his tape from this season. Projected 40: 4.7

8. Davon Hamilton 6’3 320 Ohio State RS Senior

– Hamilton was an underrated piece for the Buckeyes. He’s been getting a lot of love from the scouting world lately. Right now, he’s a solid fifth round pick for me. He is what he is i.e. a big nose tackle type with a little pass rush. Had an OK Senior Bowl. Projected 40: 4.9

9. Rashard Lawrence II 6’2 308 LSU Senior

-Lawrence was one of the two standout defensive tackles for the reigning champions. He has enough athleticism to play defensive end but fits better as a tackle in the NFL. Projected 40: 4.8

10. James Lynch 6’3 289 Baylor Junior

– Lynch has been rising up the boards in the offseason as he had a great 2019 season. He’s an undersized tackle / too heavy for end at this point. He was the key piece for a solid Baylor defense. I think he’s going to be a steal in the sixth round. Projected 40: 4.9

11. Jason Strowbridge 6’4 275 North Carolina RS Senior

– Strowbridge was pretty good in Mobile. He had multiple great reps every day. He also has the athleticism and size to play end. 275 is a bit light for a defensive tackle where he’s listed at. I like his tape a bunch after further review. He would be a solid fourth round selection. Projected 40: 4.75

EDGE

1. Bradlee Anae 6’3 257 Utah Senior

– Anae is perhaps the most heralded pass rusher in program history. He likely won’t test well at the Combine but the tape doesn’t lie (outside of the Oregon game). He dominated the Senior Bowl from start to finish. He’s very physical and relies on brute power to win. He also has a nice chop/swim move in his arsenal. Projected 40: 4.7

2. A.J. Epenesa 6’5 275 Iowa Junior

– Perhaps the most physically dominant EDGE not named Chase Young. It can be argued that he’s EDGE2 behind Young in the entire class. I expect him to test very well at the Combine today. He should be a top ten pick based on tape alone. Projected 40: 4.65

3. Trevis Gipson 6’3 261 Tulsa RS Senior

– Gipson had a really good week in Mobile. He’s on the radar now as a draftable prospect at EDGE. Projected 40: 4.7

4. Johnathan Greenard 6’3 263 Florida RS Senior

– Greenard was very good at the Senior Bowl and when he was on the field for the Gators. His medical history is scary though as he missed significant chunks of the 2019 season due to injury. Teams will pore over his records because of that. The former Louisville transfer had a great college career. Projected 40: 4.7

5. Yetur Gross_Matos 6’5 266 Penn State Junior

– YGM had a bunch of hype entering the season and finished the year on somewhat of a whimper relative to that hype. He’s still a borderline first round prospect, however. 82″ wingspan is just huge. The tape is just OK overall. Projected 40: 4.6

6. Alex Highsmith 6’3 248 Charlotte RS Senior

– Highsmith is a woefully underrated EDGE in this year’s class. He put on a show at Shrine Game this offseason. I really like him in the fifth round. Projected 40: 4.7

7. Julian Okwara 6’4 252 Notre Dame Senior

– Okwara was one of the best EDGEs in the nation until he was injured during the latter half of the year. Insane physical attributes with 34″ arms and a 81″ wingspan. Really athletic. Projected 40: 4.65

8. Kenny Willekes 6’3 264 Michigan State Senior

– Athleticism isn’t the name of his game. He gets by with football IQ and instincts for the EDGE position. Fundamentally sound as a pass rusher. He won’t test well today (probably). Had an OK Senior Bowl week. Projected 40: 4.8

9. Kendall Coleman 6’2 257 Syracuse Senior

– Coleman has had a pretty good offseason thus far. He really stood out at the Shrine Game and should’ve been called up over teammate Alton Robinson. Had a good 2019 on tape as well. Projected 40: 4.7

10. Marlon Davidson 6’3 303 Auburn Senior

-Davidson was well on his way to having a great Senior Bowl week before getting injured on Day 1. He was a monster off the edge next to Derrick Brown. I like his tape for a third rounder before the medical testing. Projected 40: 4.6

OLB

1. Josh Uche 6’1 245 Michigan RS Junior

– Uche was a monster every day of Senior Bowl week. He dominated the game as well. 6’1 with an 80” wingspan? Yes, please. I love his tape. He has athleticism for days. Weighed in very well at 245. Look for him to test well today. Projected 40: 4.5

2. Markus Bailey 6’0 235 Purdue RS Senior

-Bailey needs a good Combine week after suffering a knee injury in 2019. His medical is kinda rough. Not the best athlete on top of that so he will need to test very well to stay on the radar. Might be better off used as a pass rusher in certain packages. Projected 40: 4.7

3. Zack Baun 6’2 238 Wisconsin RS Senior

-Listed as a linebacker, I personally prefer him as an EDGE. He has the athleticism to play at outside linebacker but not the instincts. He had a middling Senior Bowl effort. Is versatile enough to play inside on certain downs. Probably the third best overall EDGE in the Big Ten. Projected 40: 4.7

4. K’Lavon Chaisson 6’3 254 LSU RS Sophomore

– The next great pass rusher from the Bayou. Chaisson has shown little aftereffects of a torn ACL that happened in the 2018 opener. He’s probably the most athletic edge rusher in the country. He’s that good. Chaisson should be a first round pick when it’s all said and done. Should run well today at the Combine. Projected 40: 4.55

5. Terrell Lewis 6’5 262 Alabama RS Junior

-When healthy, Lewis could be the best EDGE not named Chase Young. The only problem? His health. It hasn’t been the greatest with multiple games missed. He’s a bigger EDGE at 6’5 262 so versatility might be an issue. Some team will fall in love with his tape and take him in the second round. Projected 40: 4.6

6. Anferenee Jennings 6’2 256 Alabama RS Senior

-Jennings isn’t the most athletic of EDGE rushers but has a ton of power in his game. He holds up well in run defense. The leader of the Crimson Tide front seven. He had an OK Senior Bowl effort that showed his strengths and weaknesses in his overall game. I like him as a Day 3 steal. Projected 40: 4.7

7. Khaleke Hudson 5’11 224 Michigan Senior

-Hudson is projected to play a hybrid safety / outside linebacker role due to his limited athleticism at safety. He was the Wolverines’ starter at strong safety for years. The pass defense is a major weakness. Maybe he can make an impact in a Mark Barron type of role. Projected 40: 4.7

8. Isaiah Simmons 6’3 238 Clemson RS Junior

-Simmons could be the most versatile athlete in this year’s class. He can play outside linebacker, safety, and even some corner. He shouldn’t escape the top five in the draft. Simmons has a chance to blow up the Combine with off the chart numbers. Derwin James. Projected 40: 4.45

9. Davion Taylor 6’0 228 Colorado Senior

– Taylor improved greatly as a senior under the guidance of now Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker. He’s a track star so the 40 will be very good. Fundamentally still a little weak but he’s improving in that aspect. He did very well at the Senior Bowl. Projected 40: 4.5

10. Curtis Weaver 6’2 265 Boise State RS Junior

– Weaver has a ton of workable talent. He was the star of the show in Boise. He wins with football IQ instead of athleticism. Likely won’t test well at the Combine. I have him projected in the third round at this point. Projected 40: 4.7

ILB

1. Francis Bernard 6’0 234 Utah RS Senior

-Bernard is a former running back so he plays the linebacker with very good instincts against the run. The leader of the Utes linebacker room. He’s inconsistent as a tackler but is generally in position for the most part. There are times where is too aggressive for his own good, though. Projected 40: 4.75

2. Patrick Queen 6’0 229 LSU RS Junior

-Queen has been rising up the boards after a late season surge in 2019. However, he’s still raw as a prospect. Expect him to test well this afternoon. Projected 40: 4.6

3. Troy Dye 6’3 231 Oregon Senior

-Dye has been a four year starter for the Ducks. He’s a bit undersized for the inside linebacker position so it might be better fit outside. Played through a torn meniscus and a broken thumb to finish the 2019 season so toughness cannot be questioned. He’s been getting a lot of love from the community recently. It remains to be seen if he tests at the Combine. Projected 40: 4.5

4. Kenneth Murray 6’2 241 Oklahoma RS Junior

-Athletic as heck. He flies around the field making play after play. However, he’s still a bit raw but improved immensely under the direction of first year DC Alex Grinch. Led a revival of some sorts under Grinch. I like his tape a bunch. Projected 40: 4.5