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: 04/25/2023

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
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...
15
Ali Gaye LSU Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Ali
 Gaye

6-6 263lbs 4.69
DE
LSU Mascot
LSU Mascot
263lbs 6-6 4.69 51 167.3
77.0
MORE>>
 Gaye has long arms and displays good power in his hands, which gives him the ability to slip off blocks. As a run defender, Gaye has the...
27
Tavius Robinson Ole Miss Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Tavius
 Robinson

6-6 257lbs 4.66
DE
BAL Mascot
BAL Mascot
257lbs 6-6 4.66 62 215.9
53.0
MORE>>
 With his combination of length and flexibility, Robinson can bend and turn the corner around the edge, and he has the closing speed to...
13
BJ Thompson Stephen F. Austin Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
BJ
 Thompson

6-6 238lbs 4.61
DE
KC Mascot
KC Mascot
238lbs 6-6 4.61 67 242.3
78.4
MORE>>
 Thompson has the classic frame and long arms with some explosion, power and ability to close. Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked...
6
Zach Harrison Ohio State Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Zach
 Harrison

6-6 274lbs 4.41
DE
ATL Mascot
ATL Mascot
274lbs 6-6 4.41 37 85
84.9
MORE>>
 Ohio State has been a breeding ground for top-notch pass rushers - in particular, the Bosa brothers and Chase Young, and some scouts are...
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...
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...
1
Myles Murphy Clemson Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Myles
 Murphy

6-5 268lbs 4.53
DE
CIN Mascot
CIN Mascot
268lbs 6-5 4.53 62 17.2
90.7
MORE>>
 With almost unrivaled mobility and pass-rushing skills, Murphy is set to make an immediate impact in the NFL. With the freakish speed,...
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...
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...
14
Ikenna Enechukwu Rice Thumbnail - NFLDraftBUZZ.com

DE
Ikenna
 Enechukwu

6-4 264lbs 4.70
DE
Rice Mascot
Rice Mascot
264lbs 6-4 4.70 75 313
77.3
MORE>>
 Sacks and pressures are product of hustle. Gives effort on every play. Holds the point with length and strong upper body. Enechukwu shows...

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.