Rylie Mills DL Notre Dame | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Rylie Mills DL Notre Dame
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| SUB-POSITION: DT 3-TECH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.79 seconds (79%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SUB-POSITION: DT 3-TECH | |
| Last Updated: 09/20/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.79 seconds (79%*) | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 83.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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75% |
| Pass Rush: |
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85% |
| Run Defense: |
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73% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#110
Position rank:
#24
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| College Games: 56 College Snaps: 1665 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#141
Pos Rank:
#15
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 93/100
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| Ovr Rank: #12 Pos Rank: #5 | ||
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Keion White - Georgia Tech |
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84% |
| Zacch Pickens - South Carolina |
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77% |
| Isaiah McGuire - Missouri |
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76% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Rylie Mills, a defensive lineman from Notre Dame, hails from Lake Forest, Illinois. The former four-star recruit made an immediate impact for the Fighting Irish, appearing in nine games as a freshman before working his way into a starting role. Mills steadily improved his production each season, culminating in a breakout senior year where he started all 13 games.Mills' journey at Notre Dame saw him evolve from a rotational piece to a key cog in the defensive front. His sophomore campaign showcased his pass-rushing potential with 3.0 sacks, while his junior year demonstrated improved consistency. As a senior, Mills put it all together, racking up 47 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, cementing his status as a disruptive force.
Off the field, Mills garnered attention for his exceptional athleticism, earning the No. 10 spot on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List." His impressive combine numbers, including a 4.79 40-yard dash, underscore the rare blend of size and explosiveness that has NFL scouts intrigued. Mills' development trajectory and physical tools paint the picture of a prospect with significant upside at the next level.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional athleticism for his size, with a 4.79 40-yard dash time that puts him in the 79th percentile among defensive linemen
- Versatile defender capable of lining up at multiple positions along the defensive front, offering valuable scheme flexibility
- Displays impressive strength at the point of attack, consistently holding his ground against double teams
- Quick first step off the snap allows him to penetrate and disrupt plays in the backfield
- Shows good hand usage and leverage when engaging blockers, helping him shed and make plays
- Demonstrated steady improvement throughout his college career, indicating potential for further growth
- High motor player who pursues plays from the backside and doesn't give up on rushes
- Solid tackler with the ability to wrap up and bring down ball carriers effectively
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Still developing consistency in his pass rush plan, sometimes relying too heavily on his athleticism rather than technique
- Can struggle to disengage from blocks quickly when his initial move is stonewalled
- Needs to improve his awareness in diagnosing screens and misdirection plays
- Despite his athleticism, doesn't always translate his explosiveness into dominant play on a snap-to-snap basis
- Could benefit from expanding his repertoire of pass rush moves to become a more complete edge defender
Scouting Report: Summary
Mills' skill set aligns with the evolving demands of NFL defensive fronts. His 4.79 40-yard dash time at 296 pounds hints at an above-average first step, crucial for creating interior pressure. This athleticism, combined with his experience in multiple techniques, makes him a candidate for sub-package interior rusher on passing downs.In base formations, Mills projects as a 5-technique in 3-4 fronts or a strong-side end in 4-3 schemes. His ability to anchor against the run while offering pass rush upside fits the profile of a rotational defensive lineman with starter potential. However, his inconsistent hand usage and occasional struggles to disengage suggest he may need time to refine his technique before becoming a three-down player.
Mills' draft positioning will likely hinge on how teams view his athletic upside versus his current production. Clubs prioritizing scheme versatility and developmental traits in the middle rounds will find Mills an intriguing option, particularly those with established veteran defensive lines where he can be gradually integrated into the rotation.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (IND-FBS)
How other scouting services rate Rylie Mills (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
130.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
32.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.