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: 04/25/2023

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
74

DE/ED
Terrance
Lang

6-7 290lbs 5.02
DE/ED
Colorado   Mascot
Colorado Mascot
290lbs 6-7 5.02 107 509.7
62.4
Sacks and pressures are product of hustle. Gives effort on every play. Holds the point with length and strong upper body. Plays with...
84

DL/ED
Jason
Lewan

6-6 305lbs 5.07
DL/ED
Illinois State   Mascot
Illinois State Mascot
305lbs 6-6 5.07 106 507
54.0
Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side...
24

DT
Gervon
Dexter Sr.

6-6 310lbs 4.88
DT
CHI   Mascot
CHI Mascot
310lbs 6-6 4.88 36 83.1
83.1
Gervon Dexter came out of high school billed as one of the top prospects in the nation and a no-brainer 5-star prospect. Considering...
3

DT
Bryan
Bresee

6-6 298lbs 4.86
DT
NO   Mascot
NO Mascot
298lbs 6-6 4.86 12 33.7
88.1
Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is an elite prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. His physical abilities, explosiveness, lateral...
91

DT
Rashad
Colson

6-6 330lbs 4.79
DT
Alabama A&M   Mascot
Alabama A&M Mascot
330lbs 6-6 4.79 114 526
45.0
Colson has an impressive blend of length and movement skills, capable of dominating shorter interior blockers as a penetrator and showing...
47

DE/ED
Ali
Gaye

6-6 263lbs 4.69
DE/ED
LSU   Mascot
LSU Mascot
263lbs 6-6 4.69 51 167.3
77.0
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...
88

DE/ED
Tavius
Robinson

6-6 257lbs 4.66
DE/ED
BAL   Mascot
BAL Mascot
257lbs 6-6 4.66 62 215.9
53.0
With his combination of length and flexibility, Robinson can bend and turn the corner around the edge, and he has the closing speed to...
43

DE/ED
BJ
Thompson

6-6 238lbs 4.61
DE/ED
KC   Mascot
KC Mascot
238lbs 6-6 4.61 67 242.3
78.4
Thompson has the classic frame and long arms with some explosion, power and ability to close. Made Bruce Feldman's Freak's List - ranked...
16

DE/ED
Zach
Harrison

6-6 274lbs 4.41
DE/ED
ATL   Mascot
ATL Mascot
274lbs 6-6 4.41 37 85
84.9
Ohio State has been a breeding ground for top-notch pass rushers - in particular, the Bosa brothers and Chase Young, and some scouts are...
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...
71

DL
Brett
Johnson

6-5 295lbs 5.00
DL
California   Mascot
California Mascot
295lbs 6-5 5.00 90 402
70.0
Combines excellent power with initial quickness, but one of his best attributes are his violent hands, which Johnson uses with impressive...
70

DL/ED
Nick
Figueroa

6-5 275lbs 4.84
DL/ED
USC   Mascot
USC Mascot
275lbs 6-5 4.84 93 441
70.4
Athletic for his size, with light feet and smooth movement skills. Possesses a loose body to redirect momentum, bend and play with...

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.