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
79

DL/ED
Dom
Peterson

6-0 299lbs 5.08
DL/ED
Nevada   Mascot
Nevada Mascot
299lbs 6-0 5.08 111 518.3
58.6
Can make the impressive chest-to-chest bear hug tackle in the hole due to his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield. He’s very...
40

DL
Jonah
Tavai

6-0 290lbs 5.06
DL
San Diego State   Mascot
San Diego State Mascot
290lbs 6-0 5.06 68 250.8
79.0
Tavai can set the edge in the run game with his stout build and strong core, and Tavai has the powerful arms to shed blockers. Delivers a...
87

DL
Thomas
Gore

6-0 270lbs 5.02
DL
Georgia Tech   Mascot
Georgia Tech Mascot
270lbs 6-0 5.02 109 513
54.0
He’s a high-motor player, and Gore shows good enough hand use, as well as a tight spin move, to win as an edge rusher. Gore can set the...
65

DT
Elijah
Chatman

6-0 291lbs 4.90
DT
SMU   Mascot
SMU Mascot
291lbs 6-0 4.90 84 376
72.8
With a powerful lower body and the ability to hold up at the point of attack as a run defender, Chatman is remarkably instinctive. Lower...
54

DL/ED
Jaxon
Player

6-0 299lbs 4.88
DL/ED
Baylor   Mascot
Baylor Mascot
299lbs 6-0 4.88 89 401.7
74.2
Player shows impressive burst and enough quickness to occasionally threaten the edge as a pass rusher. Player has an excellent motor and...
63

DE/ED
Marcus
Valdez

6-0 256lbs 4.81
DE/ED
Boston College   Mascot
Boston College Mascot
256lbs 6-0 4.81 101 485
73.0
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...
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...
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...
4

DL
Calijah
Kancey

6-1 281lbs 4.67
DL
TB   Mascot
TB Mascot
281lbs 6-1 4.67 10 30.4
87.8
Calijah Kancey will predictably be viewed as the second coming of Arron Donald coming from Pittsburgh and playing the same position....
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...
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...
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...

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.