Posted in: NFL, Sports | Tagged: Derek Barnett, entertainment, Jordan Willis, Myles Garrett, nfl, sports, Taco Charlton, Takkarist McKinley

NFL Draft – The Top Defensive End Prospects

Published Sun, 23 Apr 2017 20:00:30 -0500

by Dan Wickline

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The second biggest need for teams overall in the draft is a pass rush. After you get your quarterback, you want to grab a guy who can mess with the other team's. And you can never have enough pressure coming from the d-line. Some teams use blitz packages to create that pressure, but you're taking away from coverage to make that happen. The best bet is to get that from your front four, if you're in a 4-3 defense. In a 3-4, then you expect it to come from your linebacking corps.

The majority of teams run a 4-3 and are looking for good, defensive ends who have that rare combination of size, speed and skill to get to the quarterback. And the consensus opinion is that the best player in the draft is a defensive end. So, let's jump into the top five starting with the one everyone seems to be in love with… and then the next four alphabetically.

Myles Garrett
6' 4.5" 272 lbs Texas A&M
Analysis: In 36 starts Garrett made 48.5 tackles for loss, 32.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. He has the size and speed that teams want and he's proven to be an elite pass rusher and disruptive force against the run. There are no off-field issues to concern teams either. As there are no elite quarterbacks this year, Garrett is everyone's favorite for the first pick. The only issue he had is durability, having to play five games in 2015 with a cast on his hand and missing two games in 2016 with a high-ankle sprain.

Derek Barnett
6' 3" 259 lbs Tennessee
Analysis: Barnett was a three-year starter with his production that included breaking Reggie White's sack record. Barnett finished with 52 tackles for loss and 33 sacks. He's not the physical freak that most teams are looking for, but his hand skills and burst to the quarterback may be the best in the draft. He can have an impact in both pass and rush defense and would be at home as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 or as a defensive end in a 4-3.

Taco Charlton
6' 5.5" 277 lbs Michigan
Analysis: Charlton is above average across the board, he can play both the run and pass well and is suited for a 4-3 defense. He played sparingly in his freshman year, but became a regular in 2014-2015 and finally a starter in 2016. In his final year he had 48 tackles, 13 for loss and a team high 9.5 sacks while only playing in 14 of 16 games because of injury. Charlton is a good, safe bet but doesn't project to be an elite player. He's the type that will be consistent, especially if put opposite of a beast who gets double-teamed.

Takkarist McKinley
6' 2" 250 lbs UCLA
Analysis: McKinley has a rough upbringing and signed with Cal coming out of high school, but failed to qualify and had to Contra Costa College before getting to UCLA in 2014. This has made him a very motivated player. He started 23 of 24 games (one missed due to groin injury), making 96 tackles, 25.5 for loss, 14.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and 10 pass break ups. He is geared to playing on the right end of a 4-man front. He would be limited to certain schemes on a 3-4.

Jordan Willis
6' 3.5" 255 lbs Kansas State
Analysis: Willis, a three-year starter, has been extremely durable making 39 consecutive starts to end his colligate career. He put up 26.5 sacks and 40.5 tackles for loss while at Kansas State. He also put up some impressive numbers at the combine. But his game tape shows he's inconsistent and only flashes his potential. With some work, he could become a strong outside presence in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, but isn't likely a day one starter.