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Kelvin Kuo/Associated Press

The hybrid nature of modern NFL defenses requires players to do more than ever, and defensive ends are no exception. It's the rare 4-3 end who stays in one place for every snap of a game, let alone every snap of a season. Now, they may line up in two-end sets to one side, forcing guards to act like tackles and causing all kinds of confusion along the offensive line.

More prominently, defensive ends, trained as edge-rushers, must become conversant with the idea of moving inside on obvious passing downs when teams move to nickel and dime defenses. Not only do you need to bend the edge and trap offensive tackles with your inside counter, but you must also time gaps and use your bull rush as a pass-rushing tackle.

With the passing game as indispensable as ever, the need to pressure quarterbacks is equally crucial. No defense is complete without at least one elite end, and the need for two has become more apparent.

NFL1000 defensive line scout Justis Mosqueda watched every 4-3 defensive end all season, and these are his final grades. Scores are based on the following:

Pass Rush: 30 points. An end's entire pass-rushing skill set, from looping around tackles to performing stunts to gap versatility.

Run Defense: 20 points. How complete is this end? Can he put the brakes on and adjust to become a positive force against the run to his side?

Snap Quickness: 20 points. Reading and reacting to line calls is perhaps the most important aspect of the pass rush. How well and how often does this player get off the snap with a sense of anticipation?

Tackling: 20 points. Can this player complete the stop with form-tackling fundamentals?

Position Value: 8/10. The value of the player's base position versus other positions.

Make sure to check out all of the NFL1000 rankings from the 2017 season.