Defensive Line Rankings 2021 NFL Draft

DEFENSIVE LINE PROSPECT RANKING 2021 NFL DRAFT

If any NFL teams are desperate for help and need top-level talent across the defensive front, they will need to look elsewhere because this year's class doesn't possess any obvious instant Plug'n'Play NFL superstars. Our latest mock doesn't have defensive linemen picked until #14, which will buck a recent trend of early selections for them.

The likely first pick will be Gregory Rousseau from Miami who's a raw but exciting talent who posted some very impressive numbers in 2019 (19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks) before he opted out of the 2020 season for covid reasons.

Michigan's Kwiry Paye is a similar raw prospect with intriguing potential and impressive physical ability. Showed a lot of improvement over the 2020 season. He is a quality pass rusher - which means that there will always be a demand for his services on draft day. Christian Barmore from Alabama, who recently produced Quinnen Williams is the top rating defensive tackle prospect. Capable of playing at a number of spots along the lines. Big and powerful but without a lot of experience there are gaps to his game but an impressive amount of potential.

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LAST UPDATED: 04/07/2021

Player Rankings - Defensive Line

# Player Pos H/W/S Team Weight Height 40YD AVG POS RANK AVG OVR RANK Rating Summary
1

DE/ED
Gregory
Rousseau

6-6 260lbs 4.68
DE/ED
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
260lbs 6-6 4.68 3 16.6
91.0
A raw but exciting talent who posted some very impressive numbers in 2019 (19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks) before he opted out of the...
2

DT
Christian
Barmore

6-5 310lbs 4.93
DT
NE   Mascot
NE Mascot
310lbs 6-5 4.93 4 29.8
90.0
Not in the same sort of class as previous Crimson Tide DT Quinnen Williams, Barmore is nevertheless one of the highest rated defensive...
3

DE/ED
Jaelan
Phillips

6-5 266lbs 4.56
DE/ED
MIA   Mascot
MIA Mascot
266lbs 6-5 4.56 7 54.6
90.0
Jaelen Phillips did not have the most direct path to the 2021 draft. A top ranked recruit in 2017 injuries and an off field accident led to...
4

DE/ED
Kwity
Paye

6-4 272lbs 4.52
DE/ED
IND   Mascot
IND Mascot
272lbs 6-4 4.52 2 16.4
89.0
Raw prospect with intriguing potential and impressive physical ability. Showed a lot of improvement over the 2020 season. Hardworking with...
5

DT
Daviyon
Nixon

6-3 305lbs 5.15
DT
CAR   Mascot
CAR Mascot
305lbs 6-3 5.15 9 55.7
89.0
Nixon is a powerful presence on the line. He has had a really impressive season (being a finalist for both the Outland Trophy and...
6

DE
Jayson
Oweh

6-5 252lbs 4.36
DE
BAL   Mascot
BAL Mascot
252lbs 6-5 4.36 11 66.3
87.0
A raw prospect (many have questioned whether he might not have been better served returning to the Lions for another season) he has the...
7

DT
Levi
Onwuzurike

6-3 288lbs 5.07
DT
DET   Mascot
DET Mascot
288lbs 6-3 5.07 5 53
85.0
Explosive defensive tackle, Levi Onwuzurike is long and rangy. He has good technique and is athletic (as can be seen on run...
8

DE/ED
Patrick
Jones II

6-5 260lbs 4.83
DE/ED
MIN   Mascot
MIN Mascot
260lbs 6-5 4.83 10 59.6
85.0
Aggressive with good awareness to track the ball and attack. Tenacious, tough, competItIve and versatile. Has fluid footwork to...
9

DE
Carlos
Basham Jr.

6-5 285lbs 4.64
DE
BUF   Mascot
BUF Mascot
285lbs 6-5 4.64 8 55.1
84.0
After enjoying a breakout season in 2019 Carlos proceeded to have a decent 2020 which has prevented him from pushing his way to the top of...
10

DE
Joe
Tryon

6-5 262lbs 4.78
DE
TB   Mascot
TB Mascot
262lbs 6-5 4.78 13 83
84.0
Tyron is a pass rusher that can play as an OLB or as a DE - and that sort of versaatility is coveted. He has good size and build and a nice...
11

DE/ED
Ronnie
Perkins

6-3 247lbs 4.71
DE/ED
NE   Mascot
NE Mascot
247lbs 6-3 4.71 16 88
82.0
Offers some versatility, rushing from a two-and three-point stance with the playing speed to stand up in space. Flashes strength as a...
12

DE/ED
Daelin
Hayes

6-3 270lbs 4.71
DE/ED
BAL   Mascot
BAL Mascot
270lbs 6-3 4.71 38 178.7
79.0
Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either...

2021 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.

2021 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.