Upfront investment
Teams in need of line help will have plenty of options
In an NFL draft filled with top prospects on the lines, as many as six seem likely to be taken in the first round. That could begin with either Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson or Georgia’s Travon Walker. Safety might be the stronger position than cornerback for the opening round, but there is plenty of depth at both positions. Linebacker isn’t a deep spot in this crop.
Top defensive players available in the NFL draft, scheduled for Thursday through Saturday:
Edge rushers
Position outlook: This is the passrushers draft with as many as four top-10 selections and eight going in the first round.
Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
Breakdown: Relentless and efficient pass rusher with a good combination of technique and an assortment of moves. Overall athleticism is a notch below some elite pass rushers who have gone in the top five in recent years like the Bosa brothers. The Heisman Trophy runner-up is the odds-on favorite to be the the No. 1 overall pick Thursday, but it’s far from a lock.
Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
Breakdown: Pounces past blockers to make plays in the backfield with uncanny burst and length. Long, lean build doesn’t lend itself to adding weight. Thibodeaux could slip out of the top five, but probably not far.
Travon Walker (Georgia)
Breakdown: Speed and athleticism for his size and build are prototypical and he could probably add some weight without losing much of what makes him special. Pass-rush technique needs work. Walker is a top-five pick with No. 1 overall potential.
Jermaine Johnson II (FSU)
Breakdown: Plays with power, leverage and great effort, making him effective rushing the passer and against the run. After he only played full time one season, Johnson’s technique and fundamentals are underdeveloped. Johnson may slip out of the top 10.
George Karlaftis (Purdue)
Breakdown: Quick off the ball with strong hands to knock blockers off balance, but arms shorter than ideal and needs to finish more plays after 14 ½ career sacks in 27 games. Karlaftis should go around No. 20.
Cornerbacks
Position outlook: Two, maybe three top-15 picks and good depth into Day 2.
Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)
Breakdown: Tall, long-armed and fast. Moves his lanky frame smoothly and plays aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Not a lot of power in his game and he can get grabby, but the corner nicknamed Sauce was the definition of lockdown. It’s not out of the question Gardner goes at No. 2 overall.
Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
Breakdown: Strong man-to-man technique. Plays balanced to mirror receivers. Can get lost in zone coverage and in run support. He could be taken in the middle of the first round, which would be a steal for a player seemed destined to be top five as a freshman.
Trent McDuffie (Washington)
Breakdown: The latest in a recent line of tough and sound Washington cornees. Lacking length, had only two picks in 28 career games. McDuffie should go in the first half of the first round.
Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)
Breakdown: Smooth in coverage and physical in run support, but tends to give up plays in front of him when not in press coverage. He should be taken late in Round 1.
Other positions
Interior lineman (Jordan Davis, Georgia); linebacker (Devin Lloyd, Utah; Nakobe Dean, Georgia); safety (Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame; Lewis Cine, Georgia; Dax Hill, Michigan).