NFL Draft: Breaking Down the Top Defensive Line Prospects

Minnesota Gophers defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman (99). USA Today-Sports photograph

TIER TWO

6. Ra’Shede Hageman, DL, Minnesota: 6-6, 310 (5.02)

Hageman possesses all of the physical tools to being an excellent 3-4 defensive lineman. He has the length, size, and strength to hold the edge as a two-gap end.

He’s also an explosive athlete who flashes brilliance on tape from time to time. However, work ethic concerns have been raised about Hageman’s game as his effort on the field hasn’t always been consistent.

Hageman’s production on the field doesn’t match what his physical ability would suggest, recording only 10 sacks as a three-year starter at Minnesota.

Despite these concerns, Hageman still seems to be the prototypical 3-4 defensive end and is still one of the more gifted defensive lineman in this draft.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2)

Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt (7). Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

7. Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame: 6-5, 305

There are many benefits to Tuitt’s game, and he could be an intriguing prospect for Green Bay to consider in the draft.

He has experience as a two-gap defensive end in Notre Dame’s 3-4 defensive scheme, and has the length and athleticism ideal for the position.

Tuitt still has some work to do as a traditional two-gap defensive end, especially holding the point of attack against the run game, but Tuitt’s ability as a penetrate and disrupt pass rusher makes him unique as a 3-4 end.

Tuitt offers a rare combination of size, strength, and quickness. Tuitt was dominant at times at Notre Dame, recording 18.5 sacks the past two seasons, but the athletic defensive end still needs to polish his game.

Some injury concerns have also hurt his draft stock.

(Draft Projection: Round 2)

Oregon State Beavers defensive end Scott Crichton (95). Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

8. Scott Crichton, DE, Oregon State: 6-3, 273 (4.84)

Crichton is an athletic defensive end with a lot of upside. He’s explosive off the edge, recording 22.5 sacks, 51 tackles for loss, and 10 forced fumbles in his career at Oregon State.

Crichton offers playmaking ability. Crichton may be versatile enough to play either end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but his natural fit seems to be as a penetrate and disrupt 4-3 defensive end.

Crichton has a lot of natural ability as a pass rusher, but his game still needs refinement. He needs to play with better pad level and can lose containment at times against the run.

(Draft Projection: Round 2)

Florida Gators defensive lineman Dominique Easley (2). Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

9. Dominique Easley, DT, Florida: 6-2, 288

Easley is one of the better disturb and disrupt interior defensive lineman in this draft. He possesses a quick burst which aides him in pressuring the quarterback or making plays against the run in the backfield.

Easley possesses the physical tools of a first-round talent; however, the Florida prospect has dealt with a litany of injuries, including two torn ACLs and a sprained meniscus.

In addition, some off-the-field concerns have been raised after Easley was involved in an altercation with a former teammate in 2011.

There are several red flags about Easley’s game, but his potential as an impact player at the next level may just be too great to pass up.

(Draft Projection: Round 2)

North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end Kareem Martin (95). Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

10. Kareem Martin, DE, North Carolina: 6-6, 272 (4.72)

Martin has a long frame and a quick burst off the line, which aids him in shedding blocks as a pass rusher.

In 2013, Martin was very disruptive off the edge, recording 11.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hurries.

Martin has the tools to develop into a very disruptive player at the next level. He does have the frame to gain weight and play the five-technique in a 3-4 defense, but it seems his skill set is better suited for a 4-3 defensive end.

His ability as a pass rusher would be wasted two-gapping as a 3-4 defensive lineman.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3)

Ball State Cardinals running back Jahwan Edwards (32) runs with the ball as Virginia Cavaliers defensive tackle David Dean (55) and Cavaliers defensive tackle Brent Urban (99). Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

11. Brent Urban, DE, Virginia: 6-7, 295

Urban is a highly underrated defensive prospect who could be a real steal on day two of the draft.

He has prototypical length and size as a potential 3-4 defensive end, and his ability to hold up against the run and two-gap is often overlooked.

Urban is a selfless defensive line prospect who could offer any 3-4 team tremendous value at the position.

Urban’s draft stock has taken a hit because of some reoccurring issues with his ankle and knee during the pre-draft process. Both injuries he suffered in his final season at Virginia.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3)

Arizona State Sun Devils defensive tackle Will Sutton (90). Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

12. Will Sutton, DT, Arizona: 6-0, 303 (5.36)

Sutton’s draft stock took a significant dip after a disappointing 2013 season.

In 2012, the Arizona defensive tackle was nothing short of impressive, posting 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. Sutton was explosive off the line and dominated at the point of attack.

After gaining a significant amount of weight, Sutton’s motor and effort was inconsistent on the field in 2013. He didn’t show the same burst off the line that was so key to his game as a junior.

Sutton needs to show better consistency going into the NFL, and demonstrate to teams that his outstanding 2012 season wasn’t a fluke.

(Draft Projection: Rounds 2-3)

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles (99) tackles LSU Tigers running back Kenny Hilliard (27). Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

13. Kelcy Quarles, DT, South Carolina: 6-4, 297 (5.03)

Quarles is an underrated defensive line prospect with some juice as an interior pass rusher. While Clowney gathered most of the headlines for the Gamecocks defense, Quarles quietly had an excellent season as a junior in 2013.

His 13.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks show just how disruptive he was behind the line of scrimmage. Quarles has good burst off the line and is quick enough to get by his guy and get after the quarterback.

Quarles does have the length and size to play as a five-technique end in a 3-4 defense, but he needs time to develop his ability to two-gap and hold the point of attack against the run. Quarles was washed out of plays too frequently against the run last season.

He may be a better fit as a 4-3 defensive tackle.

(Draft Projection: Round 3)