Defensive End Rankings 2023 NFL Draft

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Clemson Tigers defensive end Myles Murphy (98) rushes against the Boston College Eagles during the second quarter at Alumni Stadium. Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Tigers defensive end Myles Murphy (98) rushes against the Boston College Eagles during the second quarter at Alumni Stadium. Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE END RANKINGS 2023 NFL DRAFT

Categorizing positions for the front seven in the NFL has become difficult of late. There used to be a clear separation between defensive tackle, defensive end, and outside linebacker – now DEs and OLBs are often lumped into a general non-specific EDGE category. We have in an attempt to provide some clarity over the position split the EDGE players into DEs and OLBs.

With this in mind, this lists prospects who are classified as defensive ends and edge players and excludes any obvious LBs. It has three players that stand out from the rest, Clemson’s Mile Murphy, Isaiah Foskey from Notre Dame, and BJ Ojulari from LSU.

Murphy a junior DE displays elite power and at 275 lbs is equally able as both a run stuffer and pass rusher. Foskey possesses similar traits and could easily be selected in the top half of the draft if he continues in the same vein as 2021.

Brother of Giants edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, BJ is a bit of a tweener at 245lbs - officially listed as a defensive end but has more linebacker traits. Despite this, he has impressive upside as a pass-rusher and will likely not make it passed the first day of the draft.
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LAST UPDATED: 04/29/2023

Player Rankings - Defensive End

All DL
DEF Tackles Only
EDGE Only
# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
12
Tyler Lacy Oklahoma State Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Tyler
 Lacy

6-4 279lbs 5.11
DE
JAX Mascot
JAX Mascot
279lbs 6-4 5.11 52 167.6
79.6
MORE>>
 He’s very good with his hands, a technician with the violence, quickness, and the long arms to ward off blockers. Lacy has a great motor...
23
Randy Charlton Mississippi State Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Randy
 Charlton

6-3 286lbs 5.06
DE
Mississippi State Mascot
Mississippi State Mascot
286lbs 6-3 5.06 100 484.7
60.5
MORE>>
 Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase. His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and...
16
Desjuan Johnson Toledo Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Desjuan
 Johnson

6-3 267lbs 5.03
DE
LAR Mascot
LAR Mascot
267lbs 6-3 5.03 69 258.7
77.0
MORE>>
 Johnson shows impressive burst and enough quickness to occasionally threaten the edge as a pass rusher. He’s very instinctive when it...
21
Terrance Lang Colorado Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Terrance
 Lang

6-7 290lbs 5.02
DE
Colorado Mascot
Colorado Mascot
290lbs 6-7 5.02 107 509.7
62.4
MORE>>
 Sacks and pressures are product of hustle. Gives effort on every play. Holds the point with length and strong upper body. Plays with...
7
Tuli Tuipulotu USC Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Tuli
 Tuipulotu

6-3 266lbs 4.97
DE
LAC Mascot
LAC Mascot
266lbs 6-3 4.97 30 62.8
84.3
MORE>>
 Tuli Tuipulotu is a solid prospect who put up elite numbers in 2022 while dominating PAC 12 offensive lines. He's got an excellent...
20
Brock Martin Oklahoma State Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Brock
 Martin

6-3 243lbs 4.82
DE
Oklahoma State Mascot
Oklahoma State Mascot
243lbs 6-3 4.82 94 443
66.0
MORE>>
 Flashes nimble feet to chase running backs and mobile quarterbacks to the sideline when lined up at end. Spins off blocks to get back into...
26
Nate Matlack Pittsburgh Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Nate
 Matlack

6-5 245lbs 4.82
DE
Pittsburgh Mascot
Pittsburgh Mascot
245lbs 6-5 4.82 76 511
54.0
MORE>>
 Matlack has prototypical size, with a little more room on his frame to add weight. He shows impressive quickness at the snap and plays at a...
19
Marcus Valdez Boston College Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Marcus
 Valdez

6-0 256lbs 4.81
DE
Boston College Mascot
Boston College Mascot
256lbs 6-0 4.81 101 485
73.0
MORE>>
 Valdez has decent enough flexibility to bend the edge, and Valdez shows a good closing burst. He has a high motor and does a solid job...
22
Nick Tarburton Penn State Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Nick
 Tarburton

6-3 269lbs 4.80
DE
Penn State Mascot
Penn State Mascot
269lbs 6-3 4.80 97 470.3
61.5
MORE>>
 He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and Tarburton shows enough speed to succeed in backside pursuit. Tarburton plays with excellent...
9
Colby Wooden Auburn Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Colby
 Wooden

6-4 273lbs 4.79
DE
GB Mascot
GB Mascot
273lbs 6-4 4.79 41 103.7
83.5
MORE>>
 As a pass rusher, Wooden shows quickness off the line and has the fluid athleticism and flexibility to bend the edge. Combines excellent...
18
Isaiah Mullens Wisconsin Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Isaiah
 Mullens

6-4 303lbs 4.76
DE
Wisconsin Mascot
Wisconsin Mascot
303lbs 6-4 4.76 83 375
73.0
MORE>>
 Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side...
11
Ochaun Mathis Nebraska Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Ochaun
 Mathis

6-5 250lbs 4.74
DE
LAR Mascot
LAR Mascot
250lbs 6-5 4.74 57 191
80.8
MORE>>
 His spin move is already NFL-caliber, and Mathis displays a very good motor. Mathis shows impressive speed and overall athleticism when...

2023 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive End

We've compared players post combine 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.

For a much improved viewing experience (with more players) please view on a larger screen.

2023 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive End

We've compared players 40 times and weight and charted them on the scatter chart below. You'll find the 40 time on the Y-axis and on the X-axis the weight in pounds.
The exceptional athletic freaks (determined by the combination of speed vs weight) will be found at the top right of the chart while the less impressive athletes will be sitting towards the bottom left.