2021 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings

2021 NFL Mock Draft

2021 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings includes a prospect ranking, a breakdown of scouting for the position, key questions about the position, and a link to learn more.

Defensive End Rankings:

  1. Jaelan Phillips, Miami
  2. Kwity Paye, Michigan
  3. Gregory Rousseau, Miami
  4. Jayson Oweh, Penn State
  5. Joe Tryon, Washington
  6. Carlos Basham, Wake Forest
  7. Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma
  8. Quincy Roche, Miami
  9. Payton Turner, Houston
  10. Patrick Jones II, Pittsburgh
  11. Ade Ogundeji, Notre Dame
  12. Jordan Smith, UAB
  13. Cameron Sample, Tulane
  14. Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt
  15. Thomas Booker, Stanford
  16. Tarron Jackson, DE, Coastal Carolina
  17. Isaiahh Loudermilk, Wisconsin
  18. Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State
  19. Xavier Thomas, Clemson
  20. Malcolm Koonce, Buffalo
  21. Daelin Hayes, Notre Dame
  22. Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma

2021 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings

  • Very tricky thing to do is first weed out guys that are defensive ends in college that will be 3-4 OLB’s in college.  We first try to identify a position, but often list both possibilities. If it is close, for example if a defensive end is a bit undersized, but moves really well in space, they very well might be an OLB in the NFL.
  • Most of the scouting reports we do on DE’s are for ends that have noticeable pass rush ability. There are some that are much more adept at stopping the run than getting into the offensive backfield, but that is not as much a premium type prospect trait.
  • The frame of the player is important. Looking for height and arm length. Many players are slowly growing into their build. Player could be 6-5 and only 250, but was 6-1 and 185 as a freshman. In the NFL, that player could grow even more.
  • How many sacks and TFL’s?
  • Can he “convert speed to power”. It is like ability to quickly build momentum to knock blockers back.
  • Long arms help with ability to defend against the run.
  • Have an array of pass rush moves? Some players just bull rush, but it is very important to have some other moves that they are developing such as the speed rush, rip, swim, etc.
  • Have some knocked down passes?
  • Does his motor run hot and cold? – This indicator most of the time carries over to the NFL, rarely fixed.
  • Able to chase down ball carriers?
  • Able to drop back into coverage.
  • For bigger guys, it is very valuable if they can move inside to tackle on 3rd down and obvious passing downs.
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