Defensive Line Rankings 2021 NFL Draft

DEFENSIVE LINE PROSPECT RANKING 2021 NFL DRAFT

If any NFL teams are desperate for help and need top-level talent across the defensive front, they will need to look elsewhere because this year's class doesn't possess any obvious instant Plug'n'Play NFL superstars. Our latest mock doesn't have defensive linemen picked until #14, which will buck a recent trend of early selections for them.

The likely first pick will be Gregory Rousseau from Miami who's a raw but exciting talent who posted some very impressive numbers in 2019 (19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks) before he opted out of the 2020 season for covid reasons.

Michigan's Kwiry Paye is a similar raw prospect with intriguing potential and impressive physical ability. Showed a lot of improvement over the 2020 season. He is a quality pass rusher - which means that there will always be a demand for his services on draft day. Christian Barmore from Alabama, who recently produced Quinnen Williams is the top rating defensive tackle prospect. Capable of playing at a number of spots along the lines. Big and powerful but without a lot of experience there are gaps to his game but an impressive amount of potential.

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LAST UPDATED: 04/07/2021

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
6

DE
Jayson
Oweh

6-5 252lbs 4.36
DE
BAL   Mascot
BAL Mascot
252lbs 6-5 4.36 11 66.3
87.0
A raw prospect (many have questioned whether he might not have been better served returning to the Lions for another season) he has the...
48

DE/ED
Shaka
Toney

6-3 252lbs 4.51
DE/ED
WSH   Mascot
WSH Mascot
252lbs 6-3 4.51 34 169.3
59.0
Versatile enough to drop and could be viewed as a 3-4 linebacker. Vision to locate the ball and recognize cut blocks. Can rip past...
4

DE/ED
Kwity
Paye

6-4 272lbs 4.52
DE/ED
IND   Mascot
IND Mascot
272lbs 6-4 4.52 2 16.4
89.0
Raw prospect with intriguing potential and impressive physical ability. Showed a lot of improvement over the 2020 season. Hardworking with...
3

DE/ED
Jaelan
Phillips

6-5 266lbs 4.56
DE/ED
MIA   Mascot
MIA Mascot
266lbs 6-5 4.56 7 54.6
90.0
Jaelen Phillips did not have the most direct path to the 2021 draft. A top ranked recruit in 2017 injuries and an off field accident led to...
30

DE/ED
Patrick
Johnson

6-3 255lbs 4.59
DE/ED
PHI   Mascot
PHI Mascot
255lbs 6-3 4.59 41 189.2
66.0
Flashes strength at the point of attack with active, violent hand use. Forceful with his upper body to defeat blocks. Strong hustle...
9

DE
Carlos
Basham Jr.

6-5 285lbs 4.64
DE
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
285lbs 6-5 4.64 8 55.1
84.0
After enjoying a breakout season in 2019 Carlos proceeded to have a decent 2020 which has prevented him from pushing his way to the top of...
94

DE
Quincy
Roche

6-3 245lbs 4.64
DE
PIT   Mascot
PIT Mascot
245lbs 6-3 4.64 24 116
51.0
Versatile enough to drop and could be viewed as a 3-4 linebacker. Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside....
1

DE/ED
Gregory
Rousseau

6-6 260lbs 4.68
DE/ED
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
260lbs 6-6 4.68 3 16.6
91.0
A raw but exciting talent who posted some very impressive numbers in 2019 (19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks) before he opted out of the...
78

DE/ED
Tarron
Jackson

6-2 260lbs 4.68
DE/ED
PHI   Mascot
PHI Mascot
260lbs 6-2 4.68 48 217.2
54.0
Aggressive with good awareness to track the ball and attack. Tenacious, tough, competItIve and versatile. Plays with leverage at the...
31

DE/ED
Jonathon
Cooper

6-4 257lbs 4.69
DE/ED
DEN   Mascot
DEN Mascot
257lbs 6-4 4.69 63 271.3
66.0
He wins with all-out hustle, second and third effort and will contribute in the NFL. Flashes strength at the point of attack with active,...
79

DL/ED
Michael
Pitts

6-3 230lbs 4.69
DL/ED
Western Kentucky   Mascot
Western Kentucky Mascot
230lbs 6-3 4.69 189
53.0
Fast in a straight line. Excellent wide and .bull rushes when he's first off the snap. Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands....
11

DE/ED
Ronnie
Perkins

6-3 247lbs 4.71
DE/ED
NE   Mascot
NE Mascot
247lbs 6-3 4.71 16 88
82.0
Offers some versatility, rushing from a two-and three-point stance with the playing speed to stand up in space. Flashes strength as a...

2021 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

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.

2021 NFL Draft Athleticism Chart - Defensive Line

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.