Meet the Prospects: Top 10 notable defensive players
Get to know the top prospects for the 2018 NFL Draft ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine, which takes place from March 2-5 in Indianapolis.
Offense | Defense
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
Age: 19 Height: 6-5 Weight: 236 lbs.
2017 stats: 108 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Edmunds is one of the most exciting prospects in the 2018 draft. Just 19 years old, the linebacker possesses unique versatility as an off-ball defender and edge rusher. He also has a rare blend of size, length, and speed for his position, which led to a productive career at Virginia Tech. Edmunds tackles with incredible efficiency and has the potential to be an impact player in any defensive scheme. Due in part to his age, the former Hokie does rely on his athleticism at times, leading to lapses in coverage and slow play recognition. But while his instincts are average, they could be fine-tuned by NFL coaches. If Edmunds reaches his potential, he could be an All-Pro defender at the next level.
Bradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina State
Age: 21 Height: 6-4 Weight: 275 lbs.
2017 stats: 72 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 1 forced fumble
Bradley Chubb checks all of the boxes for scouts. He has great size, length, and athletic ability, possesses a great motor, has quick hands, and enjoyed a productive collegiate career. Chubb is extremely disruptive on the edge, actively looking to strip ball-carriers and consistently blowing up opposing running plays. Versatility is an underrated part of his game, as he can play a variety of positions along the defensive line (think Philadephia's Brandon Graham) and is dangerous anywhere he lines up. Chubb's main knock is that he plays with a high pad level at times, which leads to inconsistent balance while being blocked. Regardless, he's one of the top players in this class.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama
Age: 21 Height: 6-1 Weight: 201 lbs.
2017 stats: 60 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble
This former Alabama defensive back is fun to watch. A versatile chess piece, Fitzpatrick excels whether he's manning cornerback, dime linebacker, or high safety. He plays with tremendous intensity and wants the ball at all costs, as evidenced by his nine career interceptions and 24 passes defensed. The former four-star recruit is a fast and reactive player who's strong in zone coverage, but still has some work to do in man-to-man schemes. Meanwhile, don't underestimate his skills as a blitzer. Fitzpatrick's aggressiveness is a staple of his game, but it sometimes led to missed tackles and receivers finding separation out of breaks during his college career.
Vita Vea, DT, Washington
Age: 23 Height: 6-5 Weight: 344 lbs.
2017 stats: 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 batted passes
Vea flashes star potential on tape. Few college players in recent years were as dominant as the former Washington star who weighs in at 344 pounds. Vea wins countless one-on-one matchups, overpowering lighter interior linemen with ease. He's already a dominant run defender, consistently moving the line of scrimmage backward even while double-teamed. His pass-rush technique, however, is somewhat raw. Vea displays sloppy footwork at times and hits the ground as a result. He's also a heavy-stepper who prefers to win with brute force, but has serious bull-rush ability. If he can develop secondary pass-rush moves as a pro, look out.
Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
Age: 20 Height: 5-10 Weight: 191 lbs.
2017 stats: 37 tackles, 15 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
Denzel Ward is not the tallest cornerback prospect in this year's class, but he can cover with the best of them. After being stuck behind Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley in 2016, Ward had an excellent final season at Ohio State in 2017, earning first-team All-American honors. Blessed with blazing speed and exceptional athletic ability, the defensive back uses quick feet and strong balance to mirror his opponents in man coverage. He also has ideal recovery and closing speeds, allowing just 32 percent of passes to be completed over last two years. There are concerns over Ward's slender frame and lack of strength, but the former Buckeye will be a Day 1 starter at nickel corner. Some teams will question his fit as a boundary defender, but he could have a Chris Harris-type impact in the slot.
Derwin James, S, Florida State
Age: 22 Height: 6-3 Weight: 211 lbs.
2017 stats: 84 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 11 passes defensed, 2 interceptions
A former five-star recruit, Derwin James lived up to the hype during his career at Florida State. Much like Fitzpatrick, James is a versatile weapon who makes an impact all over the field. The former Seminole possesses the mental makeup and competitive attitude to lead an NFL defense, while he's a fast, strong, and athletic tackler who's also effective when blitzing. His 2016 knee injury may frighten some teams, but James worked tirelessly to improve on and off the field the following season. Although the safety is extremely talented, he's often cautious against the run, absorbing blocks rather than initiating contact. The best NFL fit for James will likely be an attacking role near the line of scrimmage, where coaches can use him to create mismatches in multiple phases of the game.
Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia
Age: 20 Height: 6-1 Weight: 225 lbs.
2017 stats: 137 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries
Smith is everything scouts look for in a modern-day linebacker. What the former Georgia Bulldog lacks in size, he makes up for in intelligence and elite athleticism. Smith is a true sideline-to-sideline defender, as his closing speed and pursuit both rival Luke Kuechly's coming out of Boston College. Once he diagnoses a play, opposing offenses must accept failure. In coverage, Smith is best at patrolling the middle of the field in a zone scheme, as his tape does show the odd lapse in man coverage. He must also learn how to take on blocks more effectively, as larger linemen can dominate if he's unable to slip from their grasp. Overall, Smith has All-Pro potential if placed in a scheme that utilizes his strengths.
Da'Ron Payne, DT, Alabama
Age: 20 Height: 6-2 Weight: 308 lbs.
2017 stats: 53 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception
With incredible run-stuffing skills and two-gap discipline, Payne has every chance to succeed early on in his NFL career. He has ideal strength, build, and athleticism for the position, as few players in college football possess the former Crimson Tide defender's blend of size and movement skills. For these reasons, scouts are perplexed as to how Payne's natural abilities did not lead to more production at Alabama. Part of the reason is his lack of pass-rush prowess, as the defensive lineman is often stonewalled when his first move is blocked. However, Payne's dangerous bull rush and continually improving technique are reasons why many pundits are intrigued by his untapped potential.
Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
Age: 21 Height: 6-1 Weight: 192 lbs.
2017 stats: 48 tackles, 18 passes defensed, 8 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Describing Jackson with one term is quite simple: ball hawk. He led the NCAA with 26 combined interceptions and passes defensed in 2017, displaying advanced coverage skills for a young player. The former Iowa cornerback offers ideal size for the position and possesses off-the-charts instincts. NFL teams will be concerned with his lack of playing time (14 career starts) and deficiencies in run defense, but the former Hawkeye made more impact plays last season than most corners in this class made during their collegiate careers. Some analysts also question his long speed, so if Jackson runs well at the combine, his name will assuredly be called within the first 15 picks this April.
Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio
Age: 21 Height: 6-6 Weight: 259 lbs.
2017 stats: 5 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
Davenport possesses the ideal height and length for an NFL edge rusher, flashing dominance during his career at UTSA. He uses a multitude of pass-rush moves to beat offensive tackles, often wrapping up ball-carriers with ease. The Senior Bowl standout has all the tools to succeed, but is still considered a raw prospect. He struggles to diagnose plays and his height results in rushing with high pad levels. Slipping incoming blockers in run defense is another concern, but Davenport is a student of the game who improved every year during college. He fits well into both 4-3 and 3-4 schemes, increasing his value to potential suitors.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)