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After talking about the best quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight-ends and offensive linemen, we now switch to the defensive side of the ball. First off, we have the edge rushers, meaning 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers primarily.
We basically have a 1A and 1B at the top and a bunch of talented guys who could creep into the top five as the year goes along. As I have said with all the offensive guys, I am judging them as college players (not necessarily NFL prospects) based on the tape they have put out to this point and the potential I see for 2019.
So check back later on to read up on my top interior defensive linemen, off-ball linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties.
#1 Chase Young, Ohio State
This guy stepped in as a sophomore once Nick Bosa decided to focus on his draft preparation and eventually being drafted number two overall by the 49ers.
The 6’5”, 265 pounds immediately earned first-team All-Big Ten honors due to 76 total pressures, 14.5 tackles for loss and five passes knocked down at the line. Young is a speed rusher first, who gets off the ball with some explosion and has the ankle flexibility to turn the corner, which he combines with different hand-swipes to avoid contact.
He rushes with outstanding effort and hunts down scrambling quarterbacks on several occasions. While it might not always lead to sacks, he influences the play and how the ball comes out.
I want to see him do a better job of playing with extension in the run game to read through the blocker and I would like to see him work on turning a shorter corner by converting speed to power late.
Young will be the most feared defender on that Buckeye defense and he will probably see more chips and slides coming his way this season.
#2 A.J. Epenesa, Iowa
The highest recruit by Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, Epenesa has a freakish body at 6’6”, 280 pounds. His play last season reflected that, as he recorded 10.5 sacks, 16.5 TFLs, four forced fumbles and won 25.4 percent of his pass-rush opportunities.
The Hawkeye standout holds his ground in the run game with ease and can pull blockers off himself when the ball-carrier is around. His length is a weapon not only when locking out blockers, but also when it utilizing his immense power on bull rushes and swim moves to win late on plays. He doesn’t even know yet how good he can be, but you already see him toss around 300+ pounders as if they’re kids and open a direct lane to the QB.
What I think he needs to improve on is keeping that outside arm free instead of just locking horns with offensive linemen and revving up that motor to chase down plays from behind and fighting through holds. A lot has been lost on that Iowa defense through the last two years, but they have a superstar talent upfront that could make up for that if he continues to develop.
#3 Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
This former walk-on turned All-American was named the Big Ten Defensive Linemen of the Year despite those two guys ahead of him competing in that conference. The 6’4”, a 260-pound defensive end put up 72 QB pressures and 41 total defensive stops in 2018, while recording the highest overall grade among all edge defenders in the Big Ten heading into 2019 according to PFF.
Willekes displays violent hands and pushes his blocker inside if the run is called in-between the tackles. He also does a good job closing down space to his tackle on the back-side of zone run plays as the unblocked defender and even gambles on some plays to shoot through the B-gap when he feels the run coming and he has somebody covering up for him.
Willekes has excellent snap anticipation and he loves the up-and-under combined with double-hand swipes or club-swims to knock away the hands of his tackle. This young man might just be the hardest-playing guy with the pursuit he showcases on ever snap and with how quickly he recognizes slip screens, he often is the first to show up at the recipient.
The reason he’s not number one is that he simply doesn’t have the elite burst or bend to just beat tackles around the corner consistently.
#4 Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
This guy saw very limited action his freshman season after a redshirt year before establishing himself as a key member of that Bama front in 2017.
Jennings put together a strong stretch late but unfortunately missed the National Championship game that year. Last season he got the job done consistently, recording 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception, Jennings might have never put up any huge numbers, but he can put pressure on the opposition and have an impact on games.
At 6’3”, 260 pounds Jennings such an incredible amount of natural power that he just toys with tight-ends in the run game and doesn’t give up any ground to anybody.
As a pass-rusher, the Bama outside linebacker wins with his ability to read pass sets and counter them accordingly. He has an impressive arm-over swim-move and a devastating club to throw guys off balance.
Moreover, Jennings has a unique gift of realizing when to put his hands up to knock down balls, leading to 11 batted passes in 2018. Unfortunately, he isn’t as flexible or twitched up of an athlete as some of these other guys around the country, but I’m pretty sure he’s one of the least favorite ones to face because of his physical style.
#5 Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State
At 6’5”, 265 pounds, Gross-Matos has the athletic tools to be a high first-round pick next April and he already is a major impact player at the collegiate level. The Penn State D-end had a crazy 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks, in addition to forcing a couple of fumbles In 2018.
He displays very sudden movements and has the flexibility to dip under tackles. At the same time, he has the flat out speed to chase running backs down on outside plays from the backside and slips some blocks to shoot up the B-gap, which mostly works out for him.
In the pass-rush department his burst and ability to twist his body make him a tough target to put your hands on. He heavily utilizes the up-and-under and counters back outside of that, while also having some experience sliding inside over guards on passing downs.
With that being said, his spin move is so predictable and badly executed when used as a counter and he allows big tackles to get into his frame and wash him down the line at times in the power run game.
Just outside: Xavier Thomas (Clemson), Bradlee Anae (Utah), Curtis Weaver (Boise State), Julian Okwara (Notre Dame) and Mike Danna (Michigan)
