NFL Draft Rankings: "Edge" and DT

Instead of trying to combine OLB/DE/DL positions into one top 10, we decided to split the categories. Edge rushers are highlighted first below, with the second group being interior linemen or lineman who will almost always have a hand on the ground.

"Edge" Rushers

Greg:

1.     Dante Fowler Jr.

2.     Vic Beasley

3.     Shane Ray

4.     Bud Dupree

5.     Hau’Oli Kikaha

6.     Eli Harold

7.     Preston Smith

8.     P.J Dawson

9.     Nate Orchard

10.  Kwon Alexander 

 
Andrew:

1.    Dante Fowler Jr.

2.    Vic Beasley

3.    Alvin “Bud” Dupree

4.    Randy Gregory

5.    Shane Ray

6.    Eli Harold

7.    Owa Odighizuwa

8.    Nate Orchard

9.    Preston Smith

10.  Hau’Oli Kikaha

We agree on the top 2, in order, and essentially the top 4 overall. Greg did not include Randy Gregory in his Top Ten because he would not be on his draft board. Any player who fails a drug test at the NFL combine after having a history of using that drug without access to money is not draft able, thus not on his board. Andrew has Owa Odighizuwa at #7 on his board, but he is not in Greg’s top 10. Dante Fowler, Jr. is the consensus top edge rusher as his combination of speed and size, we believe, is a step above everyone else in this draft.

Interior Linemen

Greg:

1.    Leonard Williams

2.    Danny Shelton

3.    Malcom Brown

4.    Arik Armstead

5.    Carl Davis

6.    Eddie Goldman

7.    Mike Bennett

8.    Jordan Phillips

9.    Grady Jarrett         

10.  Mario Edwards, Jr.

Andrew:

1.    Leonard Williams

2.    Arik Armstead

3.    Danny Shelton

4.    Malcom Brown

5.    Eddie Goldman

6.    Jordan Phillips

7.    Michael Bennett

8.    Mario Edwards Jr.

9.    Carl Davis

10.  Xavier Cooper

Again, we agree on the top 4 in a slightly different order, and only have two different names in our top 10’s. Greg included Grady Jarrett as a DT, while Andrew included Xavier Cooper.  Leonard Williams is probably the best player in the draft and is an easy pick at #1 overall here. The difference between the top 4, I think is more scheme dependent, as Andrew’s players are listed with pass rushing more in mind, while Greg’s players are listed with stopping the run being favored.

Stay tuned for more draft updates...

By: the Sports Guys