Clelin Ferrell, Clemson – Derrick Morgan

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Highly productive 4-3 defensive end with prototypical size, length and strength to offer early help against both the run and pass. Playing next to NFL talent in all three years certainly made things easier for Ferrell, but his edge-setting and rush plan improvements are self-made. His rush can be leggy and gradual and might not get home as often in the pros, but NFL coaching might further unleash his physical traits and turn him into a star. Ferrell is a complete defender and steady talent who could start early for a 4-3 stop unit.

Nick Bosa, Ohio State – Michael Bennett

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: High-motor defensive end prospect possessing NFL play strength on a well-muscled, compact frame. Bosa uses forward lean, smart hands and impressive upper-body power to pry open edges against the run and pass. He can defeat single blocks and fits as an end in both 4-3 and 3-4 fronts with the ability to reduce inside as a rusher. His lack of fluidity in space could prevent him from becoming an elite rusher, but he understands how to play and should become an early starter and future Pro Bowler.

Josh Allen, Kentucky – Anthony Barr

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: True hybrid linebacker with elite physical traits who has the ability to float between coverage and pass rush duties. Allen's diverse skill-set could offer a creative defensive mind a fun toy to deploy around the field, but his NFL value will rest in his ability to menace the pocket as 3-4 rush linebacker. He's fine-tuned a couple of go-to rush moves but will need to continue to diversify his rush portfolio as a pro. He's not a glass-chewer and doesn't always impose his will at the point of attack, but the tools to become dominant as a run defender and pass rusher are all at his disposal.

Rashan Gary, Michigan – Ezekiel Ansah

Zierlein's Scouting Report: Five-star defensive end prospect coming into Michigan who leaves with those same five-star traits and loads of potential but a lack of development in key areas. Gary is a face-up rusher who seems content to hit tackles with bull-rush attempts rather than working the edges. He's explosive out of the blocks and in closing to the quarterback, and is just waiting for hand development and additional rush moves. His size, strength and motor could make him a plus run defender in short order. He has elite potential if a defensive coordinator can harness the energy and focus his approach.

Montez Sweat, Mississippi State – Danielle Hunter

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Some will see Sweat as a leggy edge prospect with average play strength and a lack of refinement in his pass rush. I see a talent, similar to Danielle Hunter out of LSU, with above-average length and a prospect who should continue to grow into his frame, allowing him to unleash his rush flashes into a consistent attack. His transition as an NFL rusher will take some time, but like Hunter, he should come out on the other side as a good, impact starter as an every-down edge defender.

Brian Burns, Florida State – Leonard Floyd

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Long, thin pass-rush specialist who possesses elite get-off and stride length to simply outrun overmatched tackles around the rush arc and into the backfield. Burns' edge speed and varied rush approach should translate to the league, but his skinny frame and lack of play strength are absolutely concerns moving forward. While some view him as a pass rusher only, it might be a waste not to utilize his blue-chip athletic ability in space as a hybrid linebacker.

Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech – Marcus Davenport

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Extremely productive edge defender with an NFL-caliber frame that continues to take shape. Ferguson plays with good toughness at the point of attack and became a much more disruptive run defender as the season progressed. He appears to have average athletic traits but benefits from an instinctive pass-rush approach. His pro day was somewhat disappointing and he'll need to maintain better lean muscle mass. He'll likely be targeted as an even-front defensive end with potential to become a good NFL starter.

D'Andre Walker, Georgia – Dee Ford

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Slightly undersized 3-4 outside linebacker prospect with edge burst and slippery upper body to slide around blocks and find pathways to the quarterback. Walker is a linear mover who can be clunky in space, but he's productive in the impact categories that can help sway games. He needs to improve his play strength and technique to handle run responsibilities, but he could find early work as a rotational edge-bending rush specialist until he's ready to take over as a starter.

Christian Miller, Alabama – Samsum Ebukam

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Long, lean rush backer with above-average athletic traits that could serve him well as a pass rusher. Teams could be a little gun-shy with Miller considering the talent he played alongside and his solo season of production. What will be hard to ignore are his long arms, ability to attack the edge with speed and footwork to manufacture dangerous inside counters. He's talented enough to earn his keep chasing quarterbacks, but he'll have to gain strength and prove he can handle run duties in order to play every down.

Chase Winovich, Michigan – Markus Golden

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Physical edge defender who plays the game like he has zombie blood pumping through his veins. Winovich is relentless, determined and takes no plays off, but his lack of physical traits and explosiveness as a rusher could limit his upside. Scheme fit could determine his role as 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 rush linebacker, but his football character and physicality improve his odds for success as an eventual starter.

Oshane Ximines, Old Dominon – Trey Hendrickson

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Edge defender who needs to prove himself as run defender, but he could earn early reps as a nickel rush option. Ximines played as an even front end, but 3-4 teams could still have him on their radar depending on his athletic testing. His fully furnished repertoire of rush tactics could get him a look on Day 2 (Rounds 2-3) and give him a good chance to become an eventual starter in either a 4-3 or 3-4.

Shareef Miller, Penn State – Andre Branch

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Projection based defensive end who with good size and athletic traits but a lack of functional skill at this point. Miller doesn't play with early, aggressive hands in the run game or as a rusher and that severely limits his consistency in both areas. His lack of instincts as a rusher is a concern, but improving his approach at the top of the rush should be coachable. He's a rangy edge defender with moldable traits, but until he'll be stuck in a holding pattern of "potential" until he develops his fundamentals.

Jalen Jelks, Oregon – George Selvie

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Long-limbed edge worker who might be best suited as a 3-4 outside linebacker unless he can add much needed strength and mass. As a junior interior defender, Jelks was often physically outmatched, but he showed the tenacity and talent to still be productive and disruptive. Some teams will struggle with where he fits from a position standpoint, but he could challenge for reps early in his career as a designated pass rusher along the interior in sub-packages.

Jachai Polite, Florida – Damontre Moore

**Zierlein’s Scouting Report**: Just one year of big-time production, but he's an instinctive rusher with natural feel for attacking the pocket. Polite's frightening speed to the edge on tape was missing in his pre-draft workouts as he showed up much heavier and with purported hamstring issues during all of his testing. The game tape shows an ability to rush the pocket with a fluid, diverse attack, but he might not have the grit necessary to play the run as a 3-4 outside linebacker on early downs. His troubling post-season that included bad combine interviews, bad workouts and additional weight around the midsection has substantially clouded his draft standing into the boom-or-bust category.