“This guy is such a stormin’, all-out football player. He absolutely gives every inch of his soul to the game,” said one scout about Ohio State’s Joey Bosa, the top-rated defensive end in the draft. Credit: Associated Press

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The Journal Sentinel’s Bob McGinn assesses the top defensive linemen in the NFL draft this week. Included is each player’s height, weight, 40-yard dash time and projected round.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

1. JOEY BOSA, Ohio State (6-5, 272, 4.82, 1): Third-year junior from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “This guy is such a stormin’, all-out football player,” one scout said. “He absolutely gives every inch of his soul to the game. He’s out of control at times but he bounces up. (Clay) Matthews is a little like that. He compares as closely to Matthews as anybody.” Finished with 150 tackles (50 ½ for loss) and 26 sacks. “He could stand up but I don’t know why you’d do that,” a second scout said. “He’s a 4-3 left end and in nickel he’s (inside). Great hands, great balance. He’s a glass-eater.” Scored 37 on the 50-question Wonderlic intelligence test, second at the position behind Penn State’s Carl Nassib (39). “Little bit of a loose cannon,” said a third scout. “I’ll call him a meathead. He also likes to go out and have a good time. Hell of a player. Plays hard.” Father, John, was a bust (seven sacks in three seasons) as a DE drafted with the 16th pick by Miami in 1987. “I did his father and he was kind of a stiff, straight-line guy,” said another scout. “This guy must have got the mom’s flexibility or something. Justin Smith is a pretty good comparison. He was so technique-oriented, too. He uses his hands like a third-year pro.”



2. DeFOREST BUCKNER, Oregon (6-7, 288, 5.04, 1): “He’s a huge, long, really ideal 5-technique (3-4 DE) with advanced hand use,” one scout said. “Not a speed off the edge guy but knows how to play.” Finished with 232 tackles (36 for loss) and 18 sacks, including 10 ½ in ’15. “I think he has enough strength,” another scout said. “Is that his main game? No. He’s a pretty good athlete, he goes hard, he’ll retrace on passes and chase things down. He’s got that length (34 3/8-inch arms) that you like.” His hands (11 ¾ inches) were the largest of any player at the combine. Improved from 9 to 15 on the Wonderlic. “The kid’s very intelligent,” a third scout said. “Great family. From a work standpoint and loving the game, he’ll do everything he can to succeed. His weight-room numbers (21 reps on the bench press) weren’t off the charts but the kid plays very stout.” From Waianae, Hawaii. “It’s more hype,” said a fourth scout. “Truth be told, I watched that (Jack) Conklin kick his (expletive) (Sept. 12). I don’t like him for the value where you have to select him.”



3. VERNON BUTLER, Louisiana Tech (6-3 ½, 325, 5.23, 1): Can play anywhere across the front. “He wore a single-digit jersey, No. 9, that really made him stand out in terms of his movement skills,” said one scout. “I wouldn’t classify him as a grinder type of D-lineman. He really relies on his athletic ability. He’s got a lot of potential.” Finished with 170 tackles (29 ½ for loss) and 5 sacks. “He’s got some quickness for a big man,” said a second scout. “He’s more of a nose but he has some movement skills. He can push the pocket and get an edge on occasion.” Long arms (35). From Summit, Miss. “His body balance, bend, acceleration is very good,” a third scout said. “He’s a big finesse athlete. This year, he used his hands much better and played with better strength. He’s a little bit of a goofball, in a good way. Not a bad kid. Athletic as hell. You need the right D-line coach and then coach the crap out of him.”



4. KEVIN DODD, Clemson (6-5, 274, 4.82, 1): Five scouts said they all preferred Dodd to Shaq Lawson, his teammate. “He’s more sudden as an athlete,” one scout said. “He was a small-town (Taylors, S.C.) guy, 215 to 220 pounds when he came in. Everything hit like they thought it would this year. He was sitting behind some really good players when he was developing. As long as his work ethic stays the way it is, he’s got a big upside.” His career stats of 82 tackles (26 ½ for loss) and 12 ½ sacks included 62 (24) and all 12 ½ sacks in ’15. Fourth-year junior who was raised by his great grandmother. Wonderlic of 12. “I went in there in August and I didn’t hear one peep about Kevin Dodd,” another scout said. “I went back in November and he’s kicking (expletive) and taking names. He’s a one-year wonder there.” And that concerns some teams. “He can do that (play outside LB) but he’s going to be a moving-forward player,” a third scout said. “He’s a fluid, athletic guy. Wins on quickness. Not a powerful guy.”



5. EMMANUEL OGBAH, Oklahoma State (6-4, 275, 4.62, 1-2): Fourth-year junior from Houston. “Prototypical 4-3 defensive end,” said one scout. “Got a high ceiling and he’s made of the right stuff. Just starting to figure out how good he can be. He’s a pretty darn good total package.” Best vertical jump (35 ½ inches) and longest arms (35 ½) of the DEs. “That Big 12 is like Arena football,” a second scout said. “It’s no huddle, and these pass rushers are asked to mush rush because they’ve got these quarterbacks that can slip through there. That’s an old (Bill) Belichick word. It slows down the rush. It’s hard to show pass rush. Emmanuel Ogbah, I love him.” Finished with 133 tackles (35 ½ for loss) and 26 ½ sacks. “He’d be better standing up,” a third scout said. “One of those guys with phenomenal height, weight, speed. Tested tremendously well. But he doesn’t play hard all the time, he’s stiff and he’s not naturally instinctive. There’s probably a 65% chance he busts and a 35% chance he’s a double-digit sack guy. Boom or bust type.”



6. SHAQ LAWSON, Clemson (6-2 ½, 271, 4.66, 1-2): Third-year junior from Central, S.C. “I don’t think he struck a lot of fear into his opponents,” one scout said. “I didn’t get a sense of urgency in the way he played. With a hand down I’m not sure he’s going to be much of a point-of-attack player. You put him in a two-point and let him play in space and use his athleticism, you’ve got a different cat.” Finished with 123 tackles (45 1/2 for loss) and 20 sacks. “You really like him because he just works and works and works,” said another scout. “Active, aggressive, tenacious. He might be one you move outside in a 3-4 because he is a good athlete.” Shortest arms (32 ¾) of the top 15 DEs. Wonderlic of 10. One team said he needs shoulder surgery. “More hype than reality,” said a third scout. “Strictly a speed rusher. Once you get him you’ll probably have to sew him up (post-surgery). He was at the (medical combine) recheck and said he would not be getting a shoulder surgery this year. He wants to play. He’s saying that so he gets drafted high. That’s a concern.”



7. JIHAD WARD, Illinois (6-5, 298, 5.10, 2): Two years of junior college followed by two years (25 starts) for the Illini. “From North Philly. I don’t know how he made it out,” one scout said. “It’s not really natural to him but I can see the growth in the kid. There’s a guy who will give you everything he’s got. He made a play against Iowa where he ran 50 yards down the field and knocked the quarterback out of bounds. I’m taking that kid in the second. He’s a 5-technique with 3-technique nickel rush.” Finished with 104 tackles (12 1/2 for loss) and 4 ½ sacks. Calls Green Bay’s Julius Peppers his favorite player. “Little bit between an end and a tackle,” a second scout said. “He’s got all the physical stuff you look for but you don’t see enough on tape. His ability to learn it and take it to the field and produce ... maybe they’ve moved him around too much and he’s not capable of doing that.”



8. JONATHAN BULLARD, Florida (6-3, 284, 4.92, 2): Considered coming out a year ago. “He was smart,” said one scout. “He had a heck of a year for them. Played his (expletive) off. He can play 3- or 5-technique. Is he a great player? No. Solid rotational player.” Finished with 175 tackles (34 for loss) and 12 sacks. Described as an “overachiever” by a second scout. “More of a strength than finesse player,” a third scout said. “He does not have the explosiveness or twitch that you’d like shedding blocks. His pass rush has no personality or power. His only source of quarterback harassment was a collapsing power rush. He’s not around the ball like he should.” From Shelby, N.C.



9. SHILIQUE CALHOUN, Michigan State (6-4 ½, 250, 4.84, 2): Three-year starter, two-time captain. “He’s kind of got a little Michael Oher situation in his background,” one scout said. “Surrogate parents. He’s a good kid, no character issues, but they spoiled him a little bit. I think they overdid it and made him too soft. I just wanted to see the killer instinct. I just want to see a little more toughness.” From Middletown, N.J. Finished with 131 tackles (44 for loss) and 27 sacks, second in Spartans’ history. “In that body is a pretty good football player if he was able to put it in gear,” another scout said. “Questionable urgency. Stays on blocks too long and kind of watches things. More of a slippery, finesse type run defender.” Ran a disappointing 40 at the combine. “I don’t think he has a heart,” a third scout said. “I’ve been burned too many times by guys that don’t play hard.”



10. BRONSON KAUFUSI, Brigham Young (6-6 ½, 284, 4.84, 2-3): Father, Steve, is BYU’s D-line coach. “Real effort player,” one scout said. “He’s smart (Wonderlic of 32), alert, instinctive. But he’s not an explosive player. He has enough strength. He knew his weaknesses and compensated well. He’s a thinking player and he has length (34 ½ arms).” Finished with 167 tackles (44 for loss) and 26 ½ sacks. Will be a 25-year-old rookie because he served a two-year Mormon mission to New Zealand. “They just think the world of him there,” another scout said. “He’s going to be a big surprise for somebody. He’s just going to get better. He’s got takeoff and speed to the corner.” From Provo, Utah.



OTHERS: Ronald Blair, Appalachian State; Charles Tapper, Oklahoma; Carl Nassib, Penn State; Shawn Oakman, Baylor; Matt Judon, Grand Valley State; James Cowser, Southern Utah; Jason Fanaika, Utah; Ufomba Kamalu, Miami; Alex McCalister, ex-Florida; Giorgio Newberry, Florida State; Sterling Bailey, Georgia; Ron Thompson, Syracuse.

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

1. JARRAN REED, Alabama (6-3, 309, 5.16, 1): Played two years of junior college and started two years for Crimson Tide. “Probably the best run defender in the draft,” said one scout. “Excellent hands, leverage. It’s textbook, training-reel tapes.” Finished with 112 tackles (11 for loss) and 2 sacks. “He could play nose,” another scout said. “Had a hell of a Senior Bowl game. He’s all ball when it’s on the field. All those kids at Alabama, Reed’s the one guy they respect in terms of playing ball. (Character) is documented on him. He’s got some demons.” Admitted to several failed drug tests. “He’s just a mean guy, and that’s a good thing,” said a third scout. “There are a lot of nice guys nowadays. He was the guy that the other players didn’t screw with.” Wonderlic of 15. From Goldsboro, N.C. “He’s charismatic,” said a fourth scout. “He’s not going to give you much as a pass rusher. He’s still a (pocket) pusher. I don’t think he’ll scare the top-tier guards as a rusher. But he’s got a strong anchor. He’s all power.”



2. KENNY CLARK, UCLA (6-2 ½, 312, 5.07, 1): Third-year junior, two-year starter. “He can use a four-point stance and he’ll two-gap the center,” said one scout. “He keeps his balance and doesn’t get rolled up real easy. But you can move him over a man and he drops that back leg and he has some quickness. I don’t know that he’s a star but he’s a good player.” Was able to maintain separation despite short arms (32 1/8). “I think the wrestling background helps when it comes to his leverage,” said a second scout. “Space eater. He’s about leverage.” Finished with 159 tackles (20 for loss) and 6 ½ sacks. “He’s innately tough, strong and mature,” a third scout said. From San Bernardino, Calif. “I think he can rush passer,” said a fourth scout. “He is an outstanding defensive tackle. He can handle the doubles and invert the nose. Does it all the time.”



3. A’SHAWN ROBINSON, Alabama (6-3 ½, 310, 5.16, 1): Third-year junior. “He’s basically a man,” one scout said. “At the end of the day he’ll be a solid starter. Will not be a dynamic pass rusher. He’s just a big ol’ guy that gets in the way and clogs the middle.” Started at NT in 2014 and DE in ’15. “He’s not a nose tackle,” said another scout. “He’s not that type of a physical player. He could play 5- or 3-technique. Little bit of a momma’s boy.” Turned 21 last month. “He looks 30 years old in the face and he’s 21,” said another scout. “If he goes back to Tuscaloosa he would have doubled his sack number (3 ½) if not tripled it next year and been a top-10 pick. You’re betting on the rise a bit with him. He’s got a ton of ability in his body. He’s played in a disciplined scheme.” Finished with 133 tackles (22 for loss) and 9 sacks. From Fort Worth, Texas. “Overrated,” said a fourth scout. “Just a big guy that doesn’t really play hard. They rotate him out. He’ll flash some run stop.”



4. SHELDON RANKINS, Louisville (6-1, 302, 5.00, 1): Started 28 of 45 games, the last 26 in a 3-4. “Love him,” said one scout. “Little compact guy. Very productive. Smart (Wonderlic of 26), leader. He’ll probably get overdrafted because his intangibles are so high. I would take him over (former Bear DT) Tommie Harris. He had better pass rush and quicker twitch than Rankins but this guy is high character.” As an undersized, quick 3-technique, comparisons to the Rams’ Aaron Donald are inevitable. “He’s a penetrator,” said another scout. “He can get off blocks. He can do lots of stuff.” Finished with 133 tackles (31 ½ for loss) and 18 sacks. “If you put him at nose and don’t move him, you’re going to be wasting him,” a third scout said. “He wouldn’t be a good nose. He’s a move guy. He can run.” Led DTs in the broad jump (9-10). From Covington, Ga.



5. ANDREW BILLINGS, Baylor (6-0 ½, 311, 5.01, 1-2): Probably the best of the pure 3-4 NTs. “He doesn’t have that size you’re looking for but he plays very good football,” said one scout. “Strong as hell. Solid kid. This is one you can rely on.” Broke all kinds of records in the Bears’ weight room. “Stumpy and wide-bodied,” said another scout. “He does have pretty long arms (33) for a guy 6-foot. He’s a good point-of-attack run defender but he doesn’t have much of a pass rush. Definitely a two-down player.” Two-year starter with 106 tackles (30 for loss) and 7 ½ sacks. “They rant and rave about how strong he is but he doesn’t play that way all the time,” a third scout said. “He has what it takes to be a good player but he’s not Casey Hampton.” From Waco, Texas.



6. AUSTIN JOHNSON, Penn State (6-4 ½, 312, 5.29, 1-2): Fourth-year junior and two-year starter. Played much better than he worked out. “He’s kind of like Reed,” one scout said. “He can control the point of attack. He’s got power-rush ability.” Led DTs on the Wonderlic with 34. Probably played more 3-technique than NT for Nittany Lions. “He’s a true nose,” another scout said. “Little stiff in the hips and high-cut, but he is physical, strong and plays hard. He just doesn’t give you much pass rush. Doesn’t have a lot of twitch or penetration. Good, solid player. Not great.” Finished with 154 tackles (24 for loss) and 8 ½ sacks. All-state prep basketball player from Galloway, N.J.



7. ROBERT NKEMDICHE, Mississippi (6-3 ½, 295, 4.89, 1-2): Third-year junior from Loganville, Ga. “He’s definitely a top-10 talent,” one scout said. “But he’s got character (issues) so he’ll slide.” Among DEs, he posted the fastest 40 and best vertical jump (35), and his hands tied for the biggest (10 ¾). “I compared him to Chester McGlockton,” one scout said in reference to the DT drafted 16th by Oakland in 1992 whose play didn’t always match his rare ability. “He’s just a great talent. He can do anything he wants to do. But he kind of picks his spots and takes time off.” Three-year starter with 98 tackles (19 for loss) and 7 sacks. “Since his freshman year you’ll see plays where he’ll bull right through the guard,” a third scout said. “Biggest issue I have with him is he’s the same guy now. You wonder why he’s not more developed and not more productive.” Wonderlic of 18. “He’s a different breed,” a fourth scout said. “He marches to his own drummer. When he had the (drunken) fall at the hotel it confirmed a lot of suspicions that people had. Last week, he talked about having a panther as a pet. It’s strictly personality. You wonder, ‘Is he a true football player? Is he dedicated to his craft? Or is he just out in la-la land somewhere?’<TH>”



8. CHRIS JONES, Mississippi State (6-5 ½, 311, 5.01, 1-2): Quintessential underachiever. “Boom or bust,” said one scout. “Yeah, he’s talented as hell, but his whole makeup is very, very limited. He shows everything you want in flashes, but it’s just so hit or miss. Our area guy hates him, but I bet him someone will take him in the first.” Tied for the longest arms (34 ½) and biggest hands (10 ¾) of any DT. “He’s got talent but he’s a mess as a kid,” said another scout. “He really flashes but has character concerns.” Started 16 of 39 games as a third-year junior, finishing with 102 tackles (18 for loss) and 8 ½ sacks. “He’s 6-6, he’s gonna be 320, he’s got really good feet,” a third scout said. “But he’s got two things going against him: he’s a junior from Mississippi State, and he’s not too smart (Wonderlic of 15). He’s country. He’s a bad (expletive) but he has to be more consistent.” From Houston, Miss. Added a fourth scout: “How much dog does he have in him I guess is the old phrase. They’re the same questions about Albert (Haynesworth) when he came out. At some point you figure the maturity will kick in and he’ll say, ‘You know what, this is what I want to do for a living.’ If he can get the right (coach) in his ear he can do whatever he wants to do.”



9. MALIEK COLLINS, Nebraska (6-2, 309, 5.00, 2-3): Third-year junior, two-year starter primarily at NT in a 3-4. “He’s a 3-technique,” said one scout. “He’s quick and can shed. Gets bounced around some. Does get covered up and plays a little high at times. Has some twitch.” Finished with 86 tackles (23 for loss) and 8 sacks. More effective rushing in 2014. “He didn’t have as good a year as he could have had,” another scout said. “He has yet to live up to his measurables and consistently harass the quarterback. Not an underachiever. He just seemed a little bit lost.” State champion wrestler from Kansas City. Wonderlic of 24. “He’s a little guy,” said a third scout. “He just plays small. Has to be a penetrator.”



10. HASSAN RIDGEWAY, Texas (6-3 ½, 305, 5.01, 2-3): Fourth-year junior, two-year starter. “He’s a very talented athlete who is slowly on the come,” one scout said in early April. “He’ll be a fast riser in the next three weeks. He can play nose, 3- and 5-technique. He’s going second round.” Playing in a one-gap scheme, finished with 92 tackles (18 ½ for loss) and 9 ½ sacks. “Doesn’t play hard all the time,” said another scout. “Has early second-round talent but he’s not as good as Malcom Brown. He’s not as tough as Malcom Brown.” From Mansfield, Texas. “There’s a guy that’s overrated,” a third scout said. “I don’t know why he was at the combine. I definitely don’t like (University of) Texas football players. He’s weak, doesn’t get off blocks, not a glass-eater, not a pass rusher. I don’t know what anybody saw in this guy.”



OTHERS: Adolphus Washington, Ohio State; Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State; Quinton Jefferson, Maryland; Adam Gotsis, Georgia Tech; Willie Henry, Michigan; Sheldon Day, Notre Dame; D.J. Reader, Clemson; Vincent Valentine, Nebraska; Matt Ioannidis, Temple; Lawrence Thomas, Michigan State; Nile Lawrence-Stample, Florida State; Connor Wujciak, Boston College.