02-13-2023, 06:16 PM
(This post was last modified: 02-15-2023, 12:04 AM by xenosthelegend. Edited 3 times in total.)
With the DSFL draft coming up and the S41 Prospect Bowl wrapping up, it's time to dive into some of the top defensive prospects from each position in the upcoming DSFL draft class!
Defensive Ends:
1. Bruce White
With almost unrivaled strength, mobility, and pass-rushing skills, White is set to make an immediate impact in the DSFL. With the freakish speed, power, and agility to play multiple positions, he should be a game-changer. White could be an impact starter and is sure to make a real difference to his team's defensive line.
White is an amazing athlete with an elite combination of speed and strength. Generates outstanding power for his size as a bull-rusher and drives offensive linemen backward. Has a number of nice countermoves off the bull rush. He Shows toughness to get under the pads of tackles to bull them, club them upfield to get the inside lane, or fight through blocks for secondary rush when the passer steps up. White can also win going speed-to-power, with the leg drive to push blockers back.
White has long arms and displays good power in his hands, which gives him the ability to slip off blocks. As a run defender, he has the speed to chase down ball carriers in pursuit.
Tends to play a bit tall and gets upright off the snap. Wins with upper-body strength and needs to focus on leverage.
Projected Round: 1st
2. Rodney Rosadino
Rosadino is an incredible athlete with a massive wingspan, elite agility, and change of direction skills with the speed to outmatch offensive tackles on a consistent basis. The only thing holding him back from being a first-round selection in the draft is his motor as he gets tired easily.
He's a fluid, fast, and aggressive tackling machine, an elite athlete considering his size. Rosadino can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level. He’s an explosive mover, and shows body control and flexibility as a pass rusher.
He can dip and bend around the corner, and he maintains speed while he does. He’s elite coming out of his stance, and he shows the ability to ward off blockers with quick, violent hands and possesses a massive wingspan.
His upper body is a lot more developed than his lower half leaving him at the mercy of smaller powerful blockers in the run game
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Rolud Onyxgut
Onyxgut is an elite prospect in this DSFL Draft class. His elite physical abilities, including explosiveness, lateral agility, length, power capacity, and a relentless motor, make him an ideal fit for any team. He has proven to be an effective pass rusher, showing outstanding pass-rushing and run stopping abilities. Although he has played nose tackle at times, he is most comfortable playing between the gaps at the next level. He however has room to improve his hand usage and leverage, but already has a strong age-adjusted hand usage arsenal and enough strength to hold up in run defense. His elite burst, power, and agility make him a potentially high pick.
On the downside, Onyxgut often plays upright and struggles with leverage - technique to shed or redirect blockers is not elite. Needs to do a better job of being the aggressor and tossing blockers aside
Projected Round: 4th
Defensive Tackles:
1. Dub Redd
Redd is an elite prospect, he's simply always been great - from dominating in high school to being a five-star prospect to becoming the best player on an outstanding defense. He's an elite athlete and his technique is almost equally impressive. He's one of the top defensive lineman in the draft and worthy of a top pick in the draft.
Has the strong core and powerful hands to shed blockers and shows excellent instincts with the ability to quickly locate the ball. Can make the impressive chest-to-chest bear hug tackle in the hole due to his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield. Redd is easily strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and he displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone booth, consistently getting blockers off-balance before powering them to the ground
Redd doesn't always play with a consistent pad level - leading to blockers getting into his chest
Projected Round: 1st
2. Billy Jor-El
Jor-El is strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone booth, consistently getting blockers off-balance before sending them to the ground.
He explodes off the line with a quick first step, with agile feet to counter inside and closing burst to finish plays. He’s strong at the point of attack against the run, able to hold his own when asked to play inside and battle double teams. Jor-El has outstanding lateral movement skills and is quick to slip blocks with the speed to cover a lot of ground in pursuit. Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. Run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
Stands up well against the run but is very pursuit-conscious and will take unneeded wide angles
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Jumbo Edward
Edward has heavy hands and uses them aggressively, rocking offensive linemen back. He shows the ability to disengage and out-grapple blockers in a phone booth.
Despite a bowling-ball build, Edward has good feet and agility, capable of working laterally down the line of scrimmage in pursuit. Has the ability to create a pile in the middle, even showing the ability to split the occasional double-team. However, is just as often blown off the ball due to his high pad level. A high-motor pass rusher, Edward has a compact but wide frame and long arms.
Projected Round: 4th
Linebackers:
1. DJ Maclean
Maclean is no doubt an elite edge prospect. He's a very rare prospect in having huge athletic talents - is super strong for his size and has dynamic quickness combined with outstanding technique and a non-stop motor. We really struggled in finding any serious negatives to his game. It's very likely his impressive college production as a pass rusher to carry over into the pro game.
Maclean is an edge-to-edge defender who plays the full sixty minutes. High character player with excellent football IQ. He has value as an inside blitzer as well, showing the initial burst to shoot through gaps and disrupt the backfield. Has the kind of turn-and-run fluidity to be used in man coverage as well, able to run with tight ends and running backs. He’s explosive off the line of scrimmage, showing the quickness that sets blockers back on their heels.
Could do with adding a wider array of pass-rushing skills - he's gotten away with athletic skills in college and won't be able to do so at the next level.
Projected Round: 1st
2. John Stark VIII
John Stark VIII is a top linebacker prospect in this DSFL draft class. His impressive physique belies his weight and he is highly versatile in coverage. He shows a burst to close. Flashes explosive hitting ability and good lateral and downfield pursuit.
Handles misdirection well with quick change-of-direction ability. Comes downhill quickly against the run when he has an open lane. Stark VIII will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ball carrier.
Projected Round: 1st
3. Loose Cannon
Cannon possesses the physical attributes necessary to make an immediate impact. He has the arm length, frame, explosiveness, and power that make him a great pass rusher. He's consistently put up outstanding pressure numbers
High-effort, thickly built defender with good strength and the leverage to create a pile. Locates the ball quickly and pursues with passion, showing good lateral agility while extending the play to the sideline. He's a savvy, versatile, and instinctive edge rusher who did a little bit of everything, he was especially effective getting to the quarterback. He has an explosive first step, long striding, and an athletic mismatch against guards.
Cannon isn't a natural bender and lacks fluid change-of-direction ability. Plays with inconsistent pad level and is often knocked backward off the snap.
Projected Round: 2nd
Cornerbacks:
1. Kadarius Claypool II
Claypool II is an outstanding pro corner, he's super aggressive without being particularly handsy, has the speed that allows him to stay with all but the fastest receivers, and most importantly the coverage instincts to blanket the best college players.
Easily enough foot speed and length to stay with slot receivers in four-wide sets on short patterns. Has both the length and speed to emerge as a starter quickly. Reads receivers' routes and anticipates throws at the first down marker. Reads the quarterback's eyes and sees the routes very quickly, then has straight-line speed to arrive with or just after the ball.
Projected Round: 1st
2. Bradley Welch Jr.
Welch Jr. is a super-talented cornerback who has improved each and every year at college where he played at an elite level. He brings a level of athleticism, has excellent physical traits, has an understanding of the nuances of the position, combined with schematic versatility and the overall skills that makes him a top prospect.
He has the fluidity, speed and quick feet to come down and defend slot receivers in man coverage. Welch Jr. also does a nice job breaking down in space as a tackler after the catch. Long and lean and a very fluid mover. He shows good route recognition and the ability to transition out of his backpedal and close on the ball fast.
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Ivan Baldwin
Baldwin has elite speed, quickness, and coverage skill. He has crazy upside and has the potential to be a lockdown corner, however, if he fails to develop he'll be a fringe starter - despite this risk
He’s tall-framed with long arms to match. With his powerful hands, straight-line speed, and fluidity in his hips, turning and chasing downfield shouldn’t be a problem.
Closing speed and willingness to make the big hit make him one of the more versatile safeties in the class. Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of press and off coverage.
Projected Round: 3rd
Safeties:
1. Rico Savage
Savage can do it all -- he has the perfect size and agility for the position combined with nice coverage skills, hard tackling, and an amazing instinct for the game You can make the case that he is the best player in the entire draft. He will likely be an impact safety in the DSFL and ISFL and has the potential to be one of the elite defenders in the league.
He possesses a tall, long frame almost perfect for the position. Talented all-around athlete with excellent playing speed and range. Very nice tackler with impressive range who wraps up nicely and rarely overruns the ball carrier.
Savage has good ball skills to locate and the long arms and catch radius to attack the ball in the air. Really excellent range in the running game - able to bring down runners like a Linebacker and he has good body control and balance to redirect and break down in the open field.
Projected Round: 1st
2. Mary Marie
Marie is a quality pro prospect who can play all over the defensive backfield. Marie possesses good speed and quickness combined with disciplined tackling and an instinct in coverage that he could be considered a lockdown DB at the next level.
Super versatile can play in the box as a strong safety, corner, nickel or even deep free safety. Outstanding tackler who is a physical run supporter in the Antoine Winfield mold with short-area explosiveness to leave his mark on ball carriers.
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Brian Vincent-Vega
Vincent-Vega is an outstanding pro prospect who has excellent overall athletic ability, good speed, and tackles like a linebacker. He'll need to put on some weight especially if he'll be playing his best position of strong safety where he may flourish in a hybrid safety linebacker role.
Very smart player who is a student of the game. Knows what to look for in coverage and could be a coach on the field. Can play in the box and is a tough, reliable tackler who knows how to wrap up. Tracks the ball well downfield and has the innate feel for high-point passes. He’s willing to come up and fill against the run and seems to take pride in delivering violent hits in run support.
Projected Round: 4th
Defensive Ends:
1. Bruce White
With almost unrivaled strength, mobility, and pass-rushing skills, White is set to make an immediate impact in the DSFL. With the freakish speed, power, and agility to play multiple positions, he should be a game-changer. White could be an impact starter and is sure to make a real difference to his team's defensive line.
White is an amazing athlete with an elite combination of speed and strength. Generates outstanding power for his size as a bull-rusher and drives offensive linemen backward. Has a number of nice countermoves off the bull rush. He Shows toughness to get under the pads of tackles to bull them, club them upfield to get the inside lane, or fight through blocks for secondary rush when the passer steps up. White can also win going speed-to-power, with the leg drive to push blockers back.
White has long arms and displays good power in his hands, which gives him the ability to slip off blocks. As a run defender, he has the speed to chase down ball carriers in pursuit.
Tends to play a bit tall and gets upright off the snap. Wins with upper-body strength and needs to focus on leverage.
Projected Round: 1st
2. Rodney Rosadino
Rosadino is an incredible athlete with a massive wingspan, elite agility, and change of direction skills with the speed to outmatch offensive tackles on a consistent basis. The only thing holding him back from being a first-round selection in the draft is his motor as he gets tired easily.
He's a fluid, fast, and aggressive tackling machine, an elite athlete considering his size. Rosadino can be used as a rangy run defender inside, instinctive when it comes to locating the ball with the quickness to get to it before blockers can react at the second level. He’s an explosive mover, and shows body control and flexibility as a pass rusher.
He can dip and bend around the corner, and he maintains speed while he does. He’s elite coming out of his stance, and he shows the ability to ward off blockers with quick, violent hands and possesses a massive wingspan.
His upper body is a lot more developed than his lower half leaving him at the mercy of smaller powerful blockers in the run game
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Rolud Onyxgut
Onyxgut is an elite prospect in this DSFL Draft class. His elite physical abilities, including explosiveness, lateral agility, length, power capacity, and a relentless motor, make him an ideal fit for any team. He has proven to be an effective pass rusher, showing outstanding pass-rushing and run stopping abilities. Although he has played nose tackle at times, he is most comfortable playing between the gaps at the next level. He however has room to improve his hand usage and leverage, but already has a strong age-adjusted hand usage arsenal and enough strength to hold up in run defense. His elite burst, power, and agility make him a potentially high pick.
On the downside, Onyxgut often plays upright and struggles with leverage - technique to shed or redirect blockers is not elite. Needs to do a better job of being the aggressor and tossing blockers aside
Projected Round: 4th
Defensive Tackles:
1. Dub Redd
Redd is an elite prospect, he's simply always been great - from dominating in high school to being a five-star prospect to becoming the best player on an outstanding defense. He's an elite athlete and his technique is almost equally impressive. He's one of the top defensive lineman in the draft and worthy of a top pick in the draft.
Has the strong core and powerful hands to shed blockers and shows excellent instincts with the ability to quickly locate the ball. Can make the impressive chest-to-chest bear hug tackle in the hole due to his ability to wreak havoc in the backfield. Redd is easily strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and he displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone booth, consistently getting blockers off-balance before powering them to the ground
Redd doesn't always play with a consistent pad level - leading to blockers getting into his chest
Projected Round: 1st
2. Billy Jor-El
Jor-El is strong enough in the lower body to hold up at the point of attack, and displays a good feel as a grappler in the phone booth, consistently getting blockers off-balance before sending them to the ground.
He explodes off the line with a quick first step, with agile feet to counter inside and closing burst to finish plays. He’s strong at the point of attack against the run, able to hold his own when asked to play inside and battle double teams. Jor-El has outstanding lateral movement skills and is quick to slip blocks with the speed to cover a lot of ground in pursuit. Challenges inside with quickness and strong hands. Run-and-chase defender who can leave a mark.
Stands up well against the run but is very pursuit-conscious and will take unneeded wide angles
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Jumbo Edward
Edward has heavy hands and uses them aggressively, rocking offensive linemen back. He shows the ability to disengage and out-grapple blockers in a phone booth.
Despite a bowling-ball build, Edward has good feet and agility, capable of working laterally down the line of scrimmage in pursuit. Has the ability to create a pile in the middle, even showing the ability to split the occasional double-team. However, is just as often blown off the ball due to his high pad level. A high-motor pass rusher, Edward has a compact but wide frame and long arms.
Projected Round: 4th
Linebackers:
1. DJ Maclean
Maclean is no doubt an elite edge prospect. He's a very rare prospect in having huge athletic talents - is super strong for his size and has dynamic quickness combined with outstanding technique and a non-stop motor. We really struggled in finding any serious negatives to his game. It's very likely his impressive college production as a pass rusher to carry over into the pro game.
Maclean is an edge-to-edge defender who plays the full sixty minutes. High character player with excellent football IQ. He has value as an inside blitzer as well, showing the initial burst to shoot through gaps and disrupt the backfield. Has the kind of turn-and-run fluidity to be used in man coverage as well, able to run with tight ends and running backs. He’s explosive off the line of scrimmage, showing the quickness that sets blockers back on their heels.
Could do with adding a wider array of pass-rushing skills - he's gotten away with athletic skills in college and won't be able to do so at the next level.
Projected Round: 1st
2. John Stark VIII
John Stark VIII is a top linebacker prospect in this DSFL draft class. His impressive physique belies his weight and he is highly versatile in coverage. He shows a burst to close. Flashes explosive hitting ability and good lateral and downfield pursuit.
Handles misdirection well with quick change-of-direction ability. Comes downhill quickly against the run when he has an open lane. Stark VIII will always try to plow into the largest piles and has a good knack of ending up glued to the ball carrier.
Projected Round: 1st
3. Loose Cannon
Cannon possesses the physical attributes necessary to make an immediate impact. He has the arm length, frame, explosiveness, and power that make him a great pass rusher. He's consistently put up outstanding pressure numbers
High-effort, thickly built defender with good strength and the leverage to create a pile. Locates the ball quickly and pursues with passion, showing good lateral agility while extending the play to the sideline. He's a savvy, versatile, and instinctive edge rusher who did a little bit of everything, he was especially effective getting to the quarterback. He has an explosive first step, long striding, and an athletic mismatch against guards.
Cannon isn't a natural bender and lacks fluid change-of-direction ability. Plays with inconsistent pad level and is often knocked backward off the snap.
Projected Round: 2nd
Cornerbacks:
1. Kadarius Claypool II
Claypool II is an outstanding pro corner, he's super aggressive without being particularly handsy, has the speed that allows him to stay with all but the fastest receivers, and most importantly the coverage instincts to blanket the best college players.
Easily enough foot speed and length to stay with slot receivers in four-wide sets on short patterns. Has both the length and speed to emerge as a starter quickly. Reads receivers' routes and anticipates throws at the first down marker. Reads the quarterback's eyes and sees the routes very quickly, then has straight-line speed to arrive with or just after the ball.
Projected Round: 1st
2. Bradley Welch Jr.
Welch Jr. is a super-talented cornerback who has improved each and every year at college where he played at an elite level. He brings a level of athleticism, has excellent physical traits, has an understanding of the nuances of the position, combined with schematic versatility and the overall skills that makes him a top prospect.
He has the fluidity, speed and quick feet to come down and defend slot receivers in man coverage. Welch Jr. also does a nice job breaking down in space as a tackler after the catch. Long and lean and a very fluid mover. He shows good route recognition and the ability to transition out of his backpedal and close on the ball fast.
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Ivan Baldwin
Baldwin has elite speed, quickness, and coverage skill. He has crazy upside and has the potential to be a lockdown corner, however, if he fails to develop he'll be a fringe starter - despite this risk
He’s tall-framed with long arms to match. With his powerful hands, straight-line speed, and fluidity in his hips, turning and chasing downfield shouldn’t be a problem.
Closing speed and willingness to make the big hit make him one of the more versatile safeties in the class. Has the change-of-direction ability to mirror underneath but did solid work out of press and off coverage.
Projected Round: 3rd
Safeties:
1. Rico Savage
Savage can do it all -- he has the perfect size and agility for the position combined with nice coverage skills, hard tackling, and an amazing instinct for the game You can make the case that he is the best player in the entire draft. He will likely be an impact safety in the DSFL and ISFL and has the potential to be one of the elite defenders in the league.
He possesses a tall, long frame almost perfect for the position. Talented all-around athlete with excellent playing speed and range. Very nice tackler with impressive range who wraps up nicely and rarely overruns the ball carrier.
Savage has good ball skills to locate and the long arms and catch radius to attack the ball in the air. Really excellent range in the running game - able to bring down runners like a Linebacker and he has good body control and balance to redirect and break down in the open field.
Projected Round: 1st
2. Mary Marie
Marie is a quality pro prospect who can play all over the defensive backfield. Marie possesses good speed and quickness combined with disciplined tackling and an instinct in coverage that he could be considered a lockdown DB at the next level.
Super versatile can play in the box as a strong safety, corner, nickel or even deep free safety. Outstanding tackler who is a physical run supporter in the Antoine Winfield mold with short-area explosiveness to leave his mark on ball carriers.
Projected Round: 2nd
3. Brian Vincent-Vega
Vincent-Vega is an outstanding pro prospect who has excellent overall athletic ability, good speed, and tackles like a linebacker. He'll need to put on some weight especially if he'll be playing his best position of strong safety where he may flourish in a hybrid safety linebacker role.
Very smart player who is a student of the game. Knows what to look for in coverage and could be a coach on the field. Can play in the box and is a tough, reliable tackler who knows how to wrap up. Tracks the ball well downfield and has the innate feel for high-point passes. He’s willing to come up and fill against the run and seems to take pride in delivering violent hits in run support.
Projected Round: 4th