Defensive Line Rankings 2023 NFL Draft

Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) hits Samford Bulldogs quarterback Michael Hiers (10) during the first half at Sanford Stadium.  Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) hits Samford Bulldogs quarterback Michael Hiers (10) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

DEFENSIVE LINE RANKINGS 2023

The 2023 defensive line class is impressive especially as we’ve included both defensive tackles and defensive ends. It contains three players we consider elite and potentially worthy of a top ten pick.

Jalen Carter looks to us like a can’t miss prospect, he’s got ideal size combined with long arms and has amazing pass rush skills for an interior player. Carter currently is in contention to be a top-five pick. Bresee who will likely be viewed as a three-tec at the pro level – has immense strength and dominated offensive lineman with regularity during 2021 and will, unless he suffers a major fall from grace not last past the mid-point of round one of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Clemson’s Mile Murphy a junior DE displays supreme power and at 275 lbs is equally able as both a run stuffer and pass rusher he will likely start from day one as a pro and dominate.
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LAST UPDATED: 04/20/2023

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
82

DL
Jeffery
Johnson

6-2 312lbs 5.61
DL
Oklahoma   Mascot
Oklahoma Mascot
312lbs 6-2 5.61 103 495
58.2
His hand use is excellent; he’s strong in the upper body and consistently swats away blockers. Short, stumpy build so Johnson typically...
58

DT
PJ
Mustipher

6-4 320lbs 5.41
DT
Penn State   Mascot
Penn State Mascot
320lbs 6-4 5.41 76 315.3
74.0
Possesses the length and power to ward off offensive tackles. Delivers a strong punch and uses his hands to shed blocks to make plays in...
67

DL
Dion
Bergan Jr.

6-1 294lbs 5.39
DL
Wake Forest   Mascot
Wake Forest Mascot
294lbs 6-1 5.39 87 386.5
72.2
His motor is excellent, and he’s quick to locate the ball and make plays against the run. Agile run-stopper at end, extends to grab backs...
13

DL
Siaki
Ika

6-3 335lbs 5.39
DL
CLE   Mascot
CLE Mascot
335lbs 6-3 5.39 31 69.2
85.2
Siaki Ika is a huge classic prototypical nose tackle possessing all the size and strength you hope to see in the position. He is a serious...
55

DT
Robert
Cooper

6-2 307lbs 5.38
DT
Florida State   Mascot
Florida State Mascot
307lbs 6-2 5.38 79 321
74.1
He’s very instinctive when it comes to countering and solid with overall hand usage. Played with good leverage, even on the nose, despite...
37

DT
Brodric
Martin

6-5 337lbs 5.36
DT
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
337lbs 6-5 5.36 54 177.5
79.9
Big-bodied rusher with very good upper-body strength. Strong and stout at the point of attack with the measurables to occupy multiple...
78

DL
Brandon
Pili

6-3 345lbs 5.36
DL
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
345lbs 6-3 5.36 110 514.7
60.0
Pili shows impressive burst and enough quickness to occasionally threaten the edge as a pass rusher. Played with good leverage, even on...
36

DL
DJ
Dale

6-1 302lbs 5.26
DL
Alabama   Mascot
Alabama Mascot
302lbs 6-1 5.26 63 221.7
80.0
He’s a high-motor player, and Dale shows good enough hand use, as well as a tight spin move, to win as an edge rusher. Combines strength...
30

DT
Jerrod
Clark

6-4 334lbs 5.25
DT
Coastal Carolina   Mascot
Coastal Carolina Mascot
334lbs 6-4 5.25 53 176.3
81.2
Delivers a strong punch and uses his hands to shed blocks to make plays in the hole or outside the box. Uses lower-body strength to anchor...
28

DL
Keondre
Coburn

6-2 332lbs 5.22
DL
KC   Mascot
KC Mascot
332lbs 6-2 5.22 48 133.8
82.2
Coburn has a compact build, but Coburn is a crafty edge player who is very good against the run. He sets the edge and effectively wards off...
89

DL
Ami
Finau

6-2 283lbs 5.21
DL
Maryland   Mascot
Maryland Mascot
283lbs 6-2 5.21 112 521
50.0
He’s quick to react and locate the ball, and Finau shows enough speed to succeed in backside pursuit. Finau plays with excellent balance...
56

DL/ED
Devonnsha
Maxwell

6-3 301lbs 5.19
DL/ED
Chattanooga   Mascot
Chattanooga Mascot
301lbs 6-3 5.19 78 320
74.0
Maxwell is strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and Maxwell displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone...

2023 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.

2023 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.