1. Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

21
6’2″, 304lbs

“Johnny” played all 4 years of his collegiate career at Illinois, he led the FBS with a school record 4 blocked kicks in 2023. He had a stellar final season as a Fighting Illini recording 7.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.

Strengths
– Smaller but explosive defensive lineman.
– Violent and strong with his hands and pass rushing moves.
– Really good get off on the line of scrimmage, puts offensive linemen on their back heels.
– When his plan of attack doesn’t succeed, he contains the quarterback well.
– Great closing speed to the quarterback.
– Unleashes some huge hits on quarterbacks letting go of the ball.

Weaknesses
– Sometimes loses his assignment and can open up gaps at the front of the line.
– Doesn’t have the bull rush you would expect for someone as compact as him.
– Can get excited with the quarterback in his headlights and get burnt outside.

Jer’Zhan Newton should be 1 of 2 defensive linemen that get selected in the middle of the first round. Look out for the Jaguars at 17 to select him if other pieces they are eyeing up fall off the board.

2. Byron Murphy II, Texas

21
6’0.5″, 297lbs

Murphy never had an extremely productive career at Texas, however, in his senior year he recorded 1 rushing touchdown, 1 receiving touchdown, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. The explosive ball of muscle will look to continue to reek havoc amongst offensive lines at the NFL level.

Strengths
– Super fast get off on the snap of the ball.
– Gets penetration early, and has great play recognition.
– Sheds blockers with ease thanks to his quick hands.
– Has the golden ratio of size, strength, and speed.
– A variety of different moves in his arsenal to beat blockers.
– Ferocious at the snap of the ball, and never stops moving in his rush.

Weaknesses
– A little undersized as an interior defensive linemen, and doesn’t have much more room to fill out his frame.
– Lacks ideal arm length.
– Size is his biggest concern as larger guards can pin him down.

Murphy is projected to be either the first or second defensive linemen off the board this year. More likely to go in the middle of round 1, Murphy would be a good landing spot for teams searching for a disruptive undersized tackle. Look out for the Rams (19) to pick up Murphy.

3. T’Vondre Sweat, Texas

22
6’4.5″, 366lbs

Sweat had a 5 year career as a Texas Longhorn. In 2023 he was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year thanks to his disruptive playstyle. In his final 2 years at Texas he played 27 games, in those 2 years he recorded 8 pass deflections and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Strengths
– An absolute monster on the defensive line that helps open up gaps for teammates as he attracts double teams.
– Super hard to move off his rushing point, and gets an impressive rush down once he gets going.
– Makes everybody’s job on the defense easier.
– Looks to get in the passing lane once he realizes his rush is up.
– Makes plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet.

Weaknesses
– Not as explosive off the snap of the ball as you would have liked.
– Going to have a limited snap count at the pro level.
– At the max size of his frame.
– Arrested for a DUI a month before the draft.

Sweat is projected as a top 100 selection in the NFL Draft. A team looking to amplify their run defense with a sturdy nose tackle could take Sweat somewhere in round 2. Teams to look out for are the Texans (59), and the Ravens (62).

4. Braden Fiske, Florida State

24
6’4″, 292lbs

Braden Fiske played 4 out of 5 of his years of college at Wester Michigan before transferring for his senior year at Florida State. A true play disrupter, Fiske tallied 6 sacks and 9 tackles for loss in his lone year as a Seminole.

Strengths
– One of the quickest guys off the snap of the ball this year.
– Motor runs hot the whole game, always grinding every play of the game.
– Quick short strides that allow him to close gaps quickly and exert his force on blockers.
– Relentless at the point of attack, continuously tries to fight off blockers and get an angle to the quarterback.
– One of the biggest risers on draft boards thanks to a superb combine performance.

Weaknesses
– Lacks ideal size and length.
– Tends to get dominated in the double team.
– Longer offensive linemen have a way with him as he is unable to escape their grasp.
– Could look to fill out his base more, especially in his bottom half to help with the run game.

Fiske is a draft board riser thanks to the NFL Combine. He is projected to have his name called late round 2, or mid day round 3. Teams to potentially select Fiske are the Dolphins (55), and the 49ers (63).