DL Rookie Rankings - 2020
Posted: Thu May 07, 2020 7:41 pm
Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around much. Crazy life stuff! Right off the bat, I have done very little film watching on this year's class so far, so admittedly I am almost purely going off of guys whose opinions I trust (TDN, and Brett Kollman as well) combined with the situations that they landed in, and what I know about the players already there.
Ok, so this draft pretty much blows for IDP, at least as of RIGHT NOW (Remember back when the 2017 class was loaded with 1st round Edge talent?
)
Obviously we have one top-tier stud, some really quality LBs, and I think ONE sure-fire strong safety darling. In a DT-Premium league, a little more sex appeal there too.
Here are my rankings!
Defensive Linemen
1. Chase Young - Not much to say, but I'll tell you right now even in a STACKED offensive class, I'm going to look at taking him in the top-8. Knowing the RB and WR names in the top 8, that's saying a lot.
MASSIVE TIER BREAK
2. Javon Kinlaw is my DL2 - He fits the profile I'm looking for in IDP, that of the 6'5/6'6, 290-310 LB game-wrecker in the mold of Fletcher Cox, DeForest Buckner, Chris Jones, etc. Plus, I absolutely love that he will be rushing the passer next to Nicky Bosa.
3. Derrick Brown - if you want to take him over Kinlaw, I'm not saying you're wrong. I think he offers a higher career floor for sure, as a proven NFL-level asset, but I don't know if you are going to get anything more than the type of numbers we have seen from guys like Grady Jarrett (last couple years at least), Kenny Clark, or Kawann Short. Those guys have all had really nice seasons, and make for GREAT DT2s, but I think Kinlaw could be a top-2 or top-3 DT in the NFL, reaching double-digit sacks in multiple years and 55+ combined tackles.
TIER BREAK
4. Yetur Gross-Matos - Should be a high-floor DE career-wise, in the mold of a Trey Flowers or Jabaal Sheard in terms of statistical ceiling. I think he will split starting reps with Weatherly right off the bat, and maybe be a 70% guy by season's end.
5. K'Lavon Chaisson is ranked a spot lower than he would be IF we knew Yannick was gone for sure (which does seem like the logical conclusion, but you never know), thus opening up a spot across from 2nd year freak Josh Allen, and also IF we had certainty that he will get the DE tag. With his tweener size, there's a chance he plays as a 4-3 rush LB, a la Bruce Irvin. There's also the factor of Chaisson having a very underwhelming career in college from a production standpoint, for a variety of reasons. High ceiling though, theoretically.
TIER BREAK
6. Darrell Taylor checks in here, largely because of a huge opportunity in Seattle for playing time. He's an older prospect, and doesn't have crazy high draft pedigree (for being my 4th ranked DE, that is), but is well worth the gamble that he sticks in the starting rotation for the Seahawks (y'all know I have never thought Collier was good).
7. AJ Epenesa may be ranked 2-3 spots too low. I may be getting totally swayed by some bad combine numbers (how's that working out for Dalvin Cook and DK Metcalf?). Some concerns with him, beyond the post-combine draft fall, are that he may be a guy who gets the DE tag but plays largely inside, and also the intense rotation Buffalo often puts their DL through.
8. Ross Blacklock could be the missing penetrator that Houston needs next to Watt and Mercilus. If he went to a 4-3 front, and was guaranteed the DT tag, Id be tempted to bump him up a spot.
Sadly, I would have to be pretty deep in a draft to consider Marlon Davidson, Raekwon Davis, Julian Okwara, or Anfernee Jennings. Mostly just watch list or taxi squad guys. I see Davidson as a run-stuffer for ATL, and Raekwon is a classic "looks great getting off the bus" kind of guy, but will he stick in the League?
Josh Uche, IF MFL labels him as a DE (doubtful), is worth a spot at #9 in my ranks. I think he will play a large role even as a rookie, playing off the edge and also some stand up, as NE replaces Van Noy.
Ok, so this draft pretty much blows for IDP, at least as of RIGHT NOW (Remember back when the 2017 class was loaded with 1st round Edge talent?
)Obviously we have one top-tier stud, some really quality LBs, and I think ONE sure-fire strong safety darling. In a DT-Premium league, a little more sex appeal there too.
Here are my rankings!
Defensive Linemen
1. Chase Young - Not much to say, but I'll tell you right now even in a STACKED offensive class, I'm going to look at taking him in the top-8. Knowing the RB and WR names in the top 8, that's saying a lot.
MASSIVE TIER BREAK
2. Javon Kinlaw is my DL2 - He fits the profile I'm looking for in IDP, that of the 6'5/6'6, 290-310 LB game-wrecker in the mold of Fletcher Cox, DeForest Buckner, Chris Jones, etc. Plus, I absolutely love that he will be rushing the passer next to Nicky Bosa.
3. Derrick Brown - if you want to take him over Kinlaw, I'm not saying you're wrong. I think he offers a higher career floor for sure, as a proven NFL-level asset, but I don't know if you are going to get anything more than the type of numbers we have seen from guys like Grady Jarrett (last couple years at least), Kenny Clark, or Kawann Short. Those guys have all had really nice seasons, and make for GREAT DT2s, but I think Kinlaw could be a top-2 or top-3 DT in the NFL, reaching double-digit sacks in multiple years and 55+ combined tackles.
TIER BREAK
4. Yetur Gross-Matos - Should be a high-floor DE career-wise, in the mold of a Trey Flowers or Jabaal Sheard in terms of statistical ceiling. I think he will split starting reps with Weatherly right off the bat, and maybe be a 70% guy by season's end.
5. K'Lavon Chaisson is ranked a spot lower than he would be IF we knew Yannick was gone for sure (which does seem like the logical conclusion, but you never know), thus opening up a spot across from 2nd year freak Josh Allen, and also IF we had certainty that he will get the DE tag. With his tweener size, there's a chance he plays as a 4-3 rush LB, a la Bruce Irvin. There's also the factor of Chaisson having a very underwhelming career in college from a production standpoint, for a variety of reasons. High ceiling though, theoretically.
TIER BREAK
6. Darrell Taylor checks in here, largely because of a huge opportunity in Seattle for playing time. He's an older prospect, and doesn't have crazy high draft pedigree (for being my 4th ranked DE, that is), but is well worth the gamble that he sticks in the starting rotation for the Seahawks (y'all know I have never thought Collier was good).
7. AJ Epenesa may be ranked 2-3 spots too low. I may be getting totally swayed by some bad combine numbers (how's that working out for Dalvin Cook and DK Metcalf?). Some concerns with him, beyond the post-combine draft fall, are that he may be a guy who gets the DE tag but plays largely inside, and also the intense rotation Buffalo often puts their DL through.
8. Ross Blacklock could be the missing penetrator that Houston needs next to Watt and Mercilus. If he went to a 4-3 front, and was guaranteed the DT tag, Id be tempted to bump him up a spot.
Sadly, I would have to be pretty deep in a draft to consider Marlon Davidson, Raekwon Davis, Julian Okwara, or Anfernee Jennings. Mostly just watch list or taxi squad guys. I see Davidson as a run-stuffer for ATL, and Raekwon is a classic "looks great getting off the bus" kind of guy, but will he stick in the League?
Josh Uche, IF MFL labels him as a DE (doubtful), is worth a spot at #9 in my ranks. I think he will play a large role even as a rookie, playing off the edge and also some stand up, as NE replaces Van Noy.