Onwuzurike, Barmore top D-line prospects
EDITOR’S NOTE: Fifth in a series looking at each Broncos position group heading into the NFL draft.
Teams looking for elite, NFLready defensive linemen in this year’s draft will find those prospects in short supply. Besides Levi Onwuzurike and Christian Barmore, no one else is highly rated, although there’s a number of intriguing tackles and ends who might have major upside if they land with the right team.
The top 10
1. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, 6-2, 290, Washington: The Huskies star opted out of the 2020 season but did participate in the Senior Bowl, where a strong showing boosted his draft stock. Equipped with a quick first step and explosive athleticism, Onwuzurike is a disruptor who will be solid against the run in the NFL.
2. Christian Barmore, DT, 6-5, 310, Alabama: Barmore epitomizes old-school, smashmouth football as someone who can toss blockers around at the line of scrimmage — when he’s motivated. The knock on Barmore is his inconsistent effort and lack of focus, as demonstrated by a poor pro day showing. But his upside is high.
3. Daviyon Nixon, DT, 6-3, 305, Iowa: Nixon earned AllAmerican honors as a redshirt sophomore in 2020, anchoring the Hawkeyes’ D-line and leading the Big 10 with 13 tackles for loss. He has a good feel for snap rhythms and can also close on the quarterback.
4. Dayo Odeyingbo, DE, 6-6, 280, Vanderbilt: A four-year letterman, Odeyingbo has the frame to be an effective end in the NFL against both the pass and run. But he sustained a torn Achilles in pre-draft workouts. The injury will no doubt hurt his draft stock, but once healthy, he has the potential to grow into an NFL regular.
5. Jay Tufele, DT, 6-3, 315, USC: He opted out of the 2020 season but had solid production in 2019, when he tallied 41 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, as well as 3.5 sacks.
However, questions remain about his physicality at the point of attack and whether his hands are good enough to shed blocks in the NFL.
6. Carlos Basham, DE, 6-5, 275, Wake Forest: Basham has demonstrated a consistent ability to be disruptive behind the line of scrimmage, as evidenced by his streak of 23 consecutive games with a tackle for loss. He projects as a starting base end in the NFL.
7. Tedarrell Slaton, DE, 6-5, 343, Florida: A good fit for either a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme, Slaton finished his collegiate career on a high note by starting all 12 games for the Gators in 2020. The nose tackle can stuff runs as well as get a good push going against the pass.
8. Ta’Quan Graham, DE, 6-4, 294, Texas: Graham made a tangible impact over four seasons in Austin and his potential as an NFL regular is high as well. A fit for a 4-3 or 3-4, Graham’s pass-rushing statistics (six career sacks) leaves something to be desired, but his frame and athleticism should allay those concerns for teams that are interested.
9. Tyler Shelvin, NT, 6-3, 346, LSU: The athletic nose tackle opted out of the 2020 season, but he still projects as a late-round pick for teams in need of a run-stuffing force in the middle of the line. He is athletic for his weight, and often occupied — and beat — double teams during the Tigers’ undefeated run to the national title in 2019.
10. Jared Goldwire, DT, 6-6, 305, Louisville: Goldwire upped his draft stock with a strong 2020 that saw him record 35 total tackles and a couple of sacks. He could be a day three pick for teams that are looking for someone who can stop the run and has a knack for batting down passes.
Stock rising
Jonathan Marshall, Arkansas Projected as a 4-3 defensive tackle, Marshall started only one year for the Razorbacks, making 35 tackles (6 1/2 for loss). But at his Pro Day last month, he lifted the 225-pound bar a whopping 36 times and ran a sub-4.8-second 40.
Stock falling
Marvin Wilson, Florida State Wilson opted to return to FSU for his senior year and his tackle total dropped from 44 to 17 and his sack total from five to one. His unimpressive 2020 numbers in six games have moved him down to Day 3 consideration.
Friday: Quarterbacks.
Broncos position outlook
2020 review: No Broncos defensive lineman played more than 14 games because of injuries and illness. … DE Dre’Mont Jones overcame a Week 2 knee injury to lead the line with 14 1/2 pass-rush disruptions (6 1/2 sacks — third on the team), including 10 1/2 in the season’s second half, in 560 snaps. … DE Shelby Harris missed time with COVID-19, but had 13 disruptions (2 1/2 sacks) and 32 tackles in 441 snaps. … NT Mike Purcell was limited to six games because of a foot injury. … DE DeShawn Williams took advantage of his opportunity to play 436 snaps.
In-house offseason moves: Hours after the free-agent negotiating window opened March 13, Harris agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract.
Additions: DT Shamar Stephen signed following his release by Minnesota and NT Isaiah Mack signed in mid-February.
Departures: DE Jurrell Casey was released, DE DeMarcus Walker was allowed to leave in free agency and signed with Houston and NT Sylvester Williams remains a free agent.
Under contract: Jones (DE), Stephen (DT), Purcell (NT), Mack (NT), DeShawn Williams (DE), Shelby Harris (DE), Jonathan Harris (DE), Deyon Sizer (DE) and McTelvin Agim (NT).
Outlook: The Broncos ideally want six available linemen for each game and the starting lineup of Jones, Purcell and Shelby Harris is a good launch point.
Jones is a good pick for breakout defensive player, Purcell is solid against the run and Harris was having a career year when he was derailed by coronavirus.
The depth leaves something to be desired, though. Stephen will fill one of those spots, but Agim — after mostly watching as a rookie — needs to show he has added strength and can hold up against guards and centers.
Need scale (1-10) – 4. The draft isn’t top-heavy with defensive linemen — Alabama’s Christian Barmore may be the only one selected in the first round — but the Broncos could find value in rounds 2-7 and could target one who has interior pass-rush potential and can rotate with Jones and Shelby Harris on third down.