NFL DRAFT PREVIEW: DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
This year’s three-day draft begins April 27 in Philadelphia in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
April 27: Round 1, 7 p.m.
April 28: Rounds 2-3, 6 p.m.
April 29: Rounds 4-7, 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN, NFL Network
ON THE CLOCK
Thursday: Defensive backs
Friday: Linebackers
Saturday: Defensive linemen
Sunday: Offensive linemen
Monday: Wide receivers
Tuesday: Running backs
Wednesday: Quarterbacks
FIRST ROUND DRAFT ORDER
1. Cleveland
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago
4. Jacksonville
5. Tennessee
6. N.Y. Jets
7. L.A. Chargers
8. Carolina
9. Cincinnati
10. Buffalo
11. New Orleans
12. Cleveland
13. Arizona
14. Philadelphia
15. Indianapolis
16. Baltimore
17. Washington
18. Tennessee
19. Tampa Bay
20. Denver
21. Detroit
22. Miami
23. N.Y. Giants
24. Oakland
25. Houston
26. Seattle
27. Kansas City
28. Dallas
29. Green Bay
30. Pittsburgh
31. Atlanta
32. New Orleans
DL FOCUS: MYLES GARRETT, TEXAS A&M
NFL draftniks from coast to coast have Myles Garrett as the No. 1 overall player. The Browns — because they are the Browns — aren’t so sure.
Word is the Cleveland coaching staff wants the one-man Aggie Wrecking Crew. But the front office and owner Jimmy Haslem, who helped orchestrate the Johnny Football Debacle, want local-boy quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who started all of 13 games at North Carolina.
For his part, Garrett, who made a video lobbying the Cowboys to trade up for him (a pipe dream), now tells reporters he's good with the Browns because "they have the top pick and it would show I'm the top dog, at least from the beginning. But once I'm in the NFL, I can't hang my hat on that. I've got to keep rising."
Garrett’s combine numbers were as dynamic as his college production, and insiders point to a high ankle sprain to explain a drop-off in 2016 stats, which were still pretty darn good (8.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss).
Pro Football Focus, which doesn’t toss bouquets easily, raves about Garrett: “Has the burst to challenge the edge, and the power to put offensive tackles on skates. Quick first step, easy change of direction and agility allow him to disrupt in the backfield.”
So, Cleveland, do you want a defensive game-changer? You’re on the clock.
— KEVIN LYTTLE
WHO NEEDS A DL?
Browns (1, 12), 49ers (2), Bengals (9), Saints (11, 32), Cardinals (13), Colts (15), Bucs (19), Lions (21), Dolphins (22), Raiders (24), Cowboys (28), Packers (29), Falcons (31)
COWBOYS’ DL NEEDS
HIGH: Owner Jerry Jones is on record saying the team needs a "war daddy pass rusher." Damontrae Moore and Benson Mayowa were signed in free agency, but they are no war daddies. Some prospects who might be available at No. 28 include Missouri's Charles Harris, Michigan's Taco Charlton, UCLA's Takkarist McKinley and J.J. Watt's younger brother T.J. of Wisconsin.
TEXANS’ DL NEEDS
LOW: Speaking of J.J. Watt, he should be good to go after a full recovery from back surgery. With Jadeveon Clowney finally putting it all together, Houston might have the best bookend pass rushers in the game. Depth at DE and NT could be addressed with a late-round selection.
THE FOUR BEST DL PROSPECTS
1. Myles Garrett (Texas A&M): The Aggie racked up 31 sacks, 37 QB hits and 98 total pressures on 976 pass-rushing attempts over three years. In the SEC, no less.
2. Jonathan Allen (Alabama): If Garrett isn't your guy, then you want the best Alabama defender. That would be Allen, who amassed 13 sacks, 14 QB hits and 41 hurries in 463 pass-rush attempts last year. And he played DT, not DE.
3. Derek Barnett (Tennessee): Yes, there's a theme here — SEC linemen. Doesn't have the physique that Garrett or Allen has, but he threw down 34 sacks, 43 QB hits and 110 hurries in three years as a Vol.
4. Solomon Thomas (Stanford): There is a divergence of opinion here on the late bloomer with short arms, yet 10 sacks and 22 hurries last year were no accident. Some rate him a top-10 player.
OTHER BIG 12/STATE PROSPECTS
Jordan Willis (Kansas State): Poor man's Garrett. He actually outplayed the Aggie star in the Texas Bowl. Outstanding combine should get him into second round.
Daeshon Hall (Texas A&M): Bookend to Garrett with the Aggies. He's projected as a second-day selection. He's somewhat new to football. Pass rush isn't mature. Needs to add bulk.
DL: 2016 FIRST PICK
Player;Rd/Overall;Team;College
Joey Bosa;1/3rd;Chargers;Ohio State
After a contract holdout, Bosa led all rookies with 10.5 sacks in just 12 games. Posted two sacks in his debut and was a two-time NFL defensive rookie of the month.
DL: 2016 BEST VALUE PICK
Player;Rd/Overall;Team;College
Yannick Ngakoue;3;69th;Jaguars;Maryland
The former Terp turned it on early with a sack in four of his first five games. He finished with eight and four forced fumbles.
