2015 NFL Draft: Defensive Line

It may sound like a cliche, but games really are won in the trenches. Teams are always looking for talented performers on the defensive line, and this year's class has some elite performers as well as quality depth at the position.

This year's big name on the defensive line is USC's Leonard Williams. He can single handedly change a game. He is a phenomenal athlete at 6'5 302lbs, and can make plays in a variety of ways. He uses his quickness and athleticism as a tackle to blow by interior linemen and make plays in the backfield. Williams is a real threat as a pass rusher inside and the type of player that demands constant attention. That athleticism, quickness, and closing speed aids him on the edge as well. Williams is gifted enough to play end in a 4-3 and still apply pressure off the edge. He does a great job holding his ground against the run as well. He uses his long arms and natural strength to control offensive linemen while maintain his gap responsibility. Not to be outdone as a run defender and pass rusher, Williams also shows impressive range and can drop into coverage at times. He is a complete defender that can play in any defensive scheme and can play inside or out. He is a special talent with his combination of physical tools, toughness, and big play ability. The sky is the limit for Williams, and he is arguably the best player overall in this years draft.

DE RANKINGS Dante Fowler, Florida Shane Ray, Missouri Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA Preston Smith, Mississippi St. Mario Edwards, Florida St. Danielle Hunter, LSU Nate Orchard, Utah Trey Flowers, Arkansas Frank Clark, Michigan ZaĠDarius Smith, Kentucky

Florida's Dante Fowler brings tremendous versatility to the football field. He has been lined up all over the place for the Gators, playing end and tackle in a 43, as well as end and linebacker in a 34 defense. Fowler is just a football player and his toughness and willingness to do whatever it takes allows him to make plays. Fowler does not jump out at first glance, but he does possess solid physical ability. He has a shorter, more compact frame than most of the guys that project as first rounder. He stands about 6'3 261, but may be able to change his weight based on the position and scheme he is drafted to play. He plays with good strength and his motor allows him to make a lot of plays in the running game. He does not give up on the action and will battle through the play. He is a solid athlete that has good range, although it has not shown up in the sack column. The bouncing around and playing different roles has helped his versatility but it may have also stunted his development at one position. He projects best as a 43 defensive end, but can also play a 34 OLB. Fowler may not be a game changing playmaker, but his attitude, toughness, and versatility will make him a contributor in the NFL on a winning team.

True nose tackles that are difference makers are hard to find, but Washington's Danny Shelton is one such player. He has a massive frame, tipping the scales at 6'2 340lbs. That frame and the strength he displays make him very difficult to block. Shelton can eat up space and blockers, making it very difficult to run up the middle. He isn't just a space eater though, he is very active inside. He isn't content just eating up blokers, he wants to make plays. Shelton leads the team in tackles, showing the ability to clog running lanes, but also get off blocks and still bring down the ball carrier. He's always shown impressive quickness for such a large man, giving him the ability to get into the backfield and disrupt the action. This year however, he's showing improved pass rush ability. Shelton is getting into the backfield but also finishing plays off. He has 7.5 sacks at the moment and that ability to get upfield and impact the passing game as well has vaulted him up to a possible first round selection. Shelton is the premier nose tackle available this year and could have a big impact on whoever drafts him. His presence immediately upgrades run defense, and if his added pass rush ability carries over, he will be a special player at the next level.

Kentucky's Alvin Dupree is a versatile performer off the edge that could legitimately play in any defense. His blend of size, athleticism, and speed is top notch and gives him that flexibility. Dupree's agility and closing speed off the edge make him a real threat as a pass rusher, whether his hand is on the ground or if he's standing up. At 6'4 269 with long arms, he can fit in a 43 defense as an end. He will need to bulk up and get stronger, because he is washed out of a lot of plays. He isn't strong enough at the point of attack to shed blocks, and if he plays with his hand down, he must improve in this area. Kentucky's scheme is aggressive and he is able to be used in different roles to find a mismatch, which will aid him at the next level. He may fit best as a 34 OLB because of his ability to rush the passer, but he will be attractive to any team looking to upgrade its pass rush. He may ultimately add weight and outgrow that position but his physical tools are top notch and give him the potential to impact the game in a variety of ways. Dupree was expected to light up the combine, and he did not disappoint. He rana 4.56 40 with a 42 inch vertical jump and almost 270lbs. He's a freak and will be a hot commodity on draft day.

Missouri's Shane Ray and Clemson's Vic Beasley both may classify as defensive linemen because of their role in college, but both project to 34 linebackers in the NFL. Both are explosive athletes and pass rushers, but also only weigh in the 245lb range, limiting their ability to play with their hand on the ground. Both players should be first round selections, but project to stand up at the next level.

Texas Junior Malcolm Brown is a gifted defensive tackle with tremendous upside. He has the ability to play inside in a 43 defense or as an end in a 34 alignment. He plays like a 320lber should, using his size and strength to hold his ground and control gaps for the Longhorns. He can absorb blocks and release to make the tackle. Brown also shows good mobility for such a large man and can get upfield to disrupt the action in the backfield. His game has continued to develop and he appears to be much more stout this year against the run. Just a true junior, there may be more physical growth left in him. Brown has the potential to help against the pass and run, and that ability will get him selected in the first round of the draft.

DT RANKINGS Leonard Williams, USC Danny Shelton, Washington Arik Armstead, Oregon Malcolm Brown, Texas Eddie Goldman, Florida St. Michael Bennett, Ohio St. Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma Carl Davis, Iowa Grady Jarrett, Clemson Marcus Hardison, Arizona St.

Oregon's Arik Armstead is one of the more intriguing first round prospects this year. His on field production is nowhere near first round material. He has physical tools that jump out at you as soon as you see him play. Armstead is 6'7 292lbs, with very long arms. He could've been an all American left tackle if he chose that side of the ball. Along with that length, he is a tremendous athlete. He can fire off the line, and has the quick feet to change direction and cover a lot of ground. Armstead also has tremendous natural strength. He can manhandle blockers, driving them backwards or pushing them aside. There is a tremendous amount of upside to his game because of his physical tools, and the growth he's shown during his time at Oregon. There are some flaws, however. He height can be a detriment to him at times, because it is very difficult for him to stay low and gain leverage on blockers. He's gotten by on his natural gifts up to this point, but he will have to play low and refine his technique at the next level. Despite the athleticism and movement skills, he has not produced much as a pass rusher. Armstead is raw as a player, but has gotten better every year in college and the physical tools are off the charts. He could play inside or out in a 43 and as an end in a 34 but may need some time to hone his skills and live up to his potential.

Eddie Goldman of Florida State was a highly touted recruit and is finally began living up to the hype as a junior. He has great size at 6'4 336, is strong, and a good athlete. He played defensive end as a sophomore, but is thriving in his role inside, replacing Timmy Jernigan. Goldman is a force against the run, eating up blocks and controlling his gaps. He can absorb the block and disengage the blocker. He can be dominant at times, controlling the line of scrimmage from his inside position. He shows good quickness at times to get into the backfield and apply pressure on the quarterback. He is the second best nose tackle prospect in the draft, and his experience at end gives him some versatility up front. The combination of power and athleticism will also allow him to play inside in a 43 alignment. Goldman needs to make plays more consistently, but the size, strength, and upside will make him a first round pick.

Ohio State's Michael Bennett is the exact opposite of Danny Shelton. Shelton is the space eater, the classic nose tackle. Bennett is the quick, penetrating tackle that can shoot the gaps to make plays. He possesses an excellent first step, which he relies on to get up field and wreak havoc in the backfield. Once he gets that step, he is hard to stop. He's built low to the ground and moves very well that blockers have a hard time squaring him up. Bennett is relentless and will battle through the whistle to make a play. He plays with excellent awareness, being able to read the play quickly and locate the ball on the fly. Bennett is on the light side at about 290lbs, and that lack of bulk and strength is apparent against bigger, more physical interior linemen. He can be overpowered at times, but he does have enough power in his hands and upper body to get leverage initially. He just won't bull rush or knock linemen backwards. Bennett is a very good interior linemen and will be attractive to 43 teams looking to upgrade their pass rush on the interior line.

DE's to keep an eye on: Owamagbe Odighizuwa(UCLA), Preston Smith(Mississippi St) Nate Orchard(Utah), Lorenzo Mauldin(Louisville), Eli Harold(Virginia), Danielle Hunter(LSU)

DT's to keep an eye on: Carl Davis(Iowa), Jordan Phillips(Oklahoma), Grady Jarrett(Clemson), Marcus Hardison(Arizona St.)

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