NFL Draft Guide 2022

Interior Defensive Line

Matthew Butler Tennessee 6”4 295lbs

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Reps of explosive get-off

  • Arms are short for height

  • 5yr experience and took big production jump in 2021

Run Defense

  • Real ability to 2-gap and slide into many defenses

Pass Rushing

  • Best work jumping upfield as pass rusher

Role/Grade: Interior 1-3tech

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 4

Jordan Davis 6”6 340lbs NT

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Incredible combine showing (speed/movement ability)

  • Got in incredible shape for combine could have more 3 down upside

  • First step is versatile- can explode to the side of lineman, not just straight upfield (slant rushes)

  • Very rotational (stamina)- less impactful vs Alabama due to up tempo game-plan

Run Defense

  • Top level run defender/first step beats zone blocking scheme through gaps

  • Rarely moved when blocked 1on1 (built like a tank)

  • Motor sticks out/ chases down ball carriers

  • Consistently gets hands on early to win battles

  • Has reps of reading o-line and shooting run game holes (pulling lineman)

  • Doesn’t miss tackles/ reliable run defender

  • Alabama guard got in chest early to slow down movement

Pass Rushing

  • Power to push pocket early

  • Not a passing down preference

  • Limited pass rushing toolbox shown, few swims noted (can show active/early hands)

  • Motor not always hot pass rushing

Role/Grade: 0-3tech

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 1

Noah Ellis Idaho 6”4 346lbs

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Huge yet a great athlete/ worked out of sprinter stance

Run Defense

Pass Rushing

Role/Grade: Interior 1-3tech

Comp:

Proj:

Logan Hall Houston 6”6 275lbs DT

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Upper body strength/ mean streak (reps of tossing lineman) good length

  • Relentless effort vs run or pass

  • Experience all over line- played some edge reps and was solid against the run (not his best spot, moved inside)

  • Should add to frame for role (showed ability to add weight to big frame in college)

Run Defense

  • Good run defender/ length and explosiveness to shoot gaps

  • Could potentially 2 gap w/ length if adding little more mass

  • Double team blocks can force leverage to low to hold ground (still better than expected)

  • Edge get-off & bend is lacking/ not his best fit as pass rusher(did some work from edge at Houston & HS)/ lacked some agility to set edge

Pass Rushing

  • 3 down versatility/ pass rushing threat

  • Can sink and win leverage battle at towering height/ counters overtop

  • Stunt work inside to outside

  • Length is an issue for guards/ can walk back guards

  • Tall defender that can be forced to completely reset if overtop move fails

Role/Grade: 3tech could play 5tech/ should add some mass

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 2

Chris Hinton 6”4 310lbs Michigan

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Arm length to create space isn’t great (32 1/8)

Run Defense

  • Great knee bend to win leverage/ get under pads

  • Gets hands on chest quickly (2 gap potential)

  • Zone blocking scheme recognition- puts himself in gap (hop vs Washington)

  • Gets off the snap slower (natural reaction is slow)

Pass Rushing

  • Very useful interior stunt upside- low mover/ nice lateral mobility

  • Great leverage

  • Over swim/ hand swipe side-step, still not many pass rush moves

  • Awareness to get hands up- effecting pass lanes

  • Not natural get-off on the ball

Role/Grade: 2gap 3-5tech possibly more inside

Comp:

Proj: Rd.

Travis Jones UConn 6”5 333lbs NT

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Impressed in senior bowl one on ones

Run Defense

  • Could anchor interior of the defensive line

  • Best suited attacking upfield not on slants

Pass Rushing

  • Pass rush upside/ overwhelming strength- can dominate bull rush reps (length and punching power)

  • Can get predictable as pass rusher (OL adjusted)

  • Tendency to get high which derails pass rush consistency

Role/Grade: NT

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 3

Eric Johnson Missouri State 6”5 299lbs

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Great pre-draft process 4.87 40/1.7 10/20BP/7.58 3 cone

  • Moves laterally across the LOS plays on his toes- nice agile movement

  • Body control- loose lower body to close

  • Displayed more outside versatility in Senior Bowl (Over Tackle)

Run Defense

  • Quickly gets hands on offensive lineman- splits lineman w/ ease- Can pop off the line

  • Plays w/ low pad level throughout play, however first step can be a little short upfield

  • Wins w/ leverage and creates arm extension on offensive lineman under shoulder

  • Hand placement is consistent/ shucks lineman off

  • Feet can be knocked off balance vs double team or asked to hold gap (gets one legged)

Pass Rushing

  • Feet don’t stop on contact rushing the QB

  • Deadly spin in 1on1’s vs T Kinnard (Kentucky) shows body control and athlete

  • Not very impactful interior pass rush- no rush moves/ bull rush or used to open blitz lanes

  • Could improve ability to break at contact points (wrist)

Role/Grade: 3-4tech one gap defense

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 4

DeMarvin Leal Texas A&M DL/EDGE 6”4 290lbs

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Showed position-less versatility/worked from edge at 290

  • Agile and has nice open field speed (impressive movement skills)

  • High motor looks to get involved in every rep

  • Weird projection at size and role

Run Defense

  • Ankle flexion to slip down around blockers vs run

  • Quick hands

  • Not built to hold ground vs double teams, especially inside tackles

  • Has left edge setting responsibility getting restless

  • Reps of getting off high doesn’t help for interior

Pass Rushing

  • Showcase cyclone of a spin move (sparingly)

  • Will leave chest exposed reps getting stonewalled- no movement inside

  • Film left some pass rush to be desired in consistency w/ tools

Role/Grade: Best fit seems to be a 3tech 4-3 DT

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 2

Phidarian Mathis Alabama DL 6”4 312lbs

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Average all-around athlete

  • Motor runs hot

  • Good awareness and athleticism to bat passes at the line of scrimmage

Run Defense

  • 3-down ability w/ potential to 1 & 2 gap

  • Lot of upper body strength to disengage from blockers

Pass Rushing

  • Legs keep turning when pass rushing

  • Attacks half man well- w/ nice lateral movement for DL stunts- used to stunt to the outside

Role/Grade: 4-3 DT

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 3

Esezi Otomewo Minnesota 6”6 285lbs

Defensive Line

Athlete

Run Defense

Pass Rushing

Role/Grade: 3-4 DE

Comp:

Proj:

Perrion Winfrey Oklahoma 6”4 290lbs NT

Defensive Line

Athlete

  • Fun motor wants to battle and let you know about it (Senior Bowl)

  • Can deliver an explosive first step, just very inconsistent- many times the last player off the line

  • Played everywhere on the Oklahoma DL/ Saw long spurts not on the field

  • Impressive range from sideline to sideline

  • Flashes of dominance vs any competition

  • Cold spells due to lack of consistency

Run Defense

  • Fails to shoot arms early from time to time- caught leading w/ head (dangerous)

Pass Rushing

  • Physical tools for pass rush upside

  • Predictable pass rush strikes

  • Very unpolished as pass rusher and run integrity

Role/Grade: 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE

Comp:

Proj: Rd. 2