Remember in looney toons, the coyote would paint a tunnel on a wall and the road runner would run through it? That was the Patriots defensive line in 2021. Even with Barmore, they needed Danny Sheldon. I compiled a list of names I think will help the Patriots. The downside is it maybe a bit longer because finding if players declared wasn't easy as it should be. Here are 26 early defensive line prospects that the Patriots could acquire.
41 games - 90 tackles - 11.5 TFL - 7 sacks - 1 PD
2 carries - 2 yards - 1 TD
Harris TDN "He displays the positional versatility to play any of the interior defensive line positions. He also shows the schematic versatility to play in an even or odd front scheme."
Phidarian Mathis Alabama 6'4" 312 LBS
46 games - 129 tackles - 16 TFL - 10.5 sacks
5 PD - 3 FF - 3 FR
Bleacher Report "However, in his current state, he will be a good NFL run defender with enough tools to be an effective complementary pass-rusher. Combine that with his ability to be effective all over the interior defensive line, and it's easy to see how he should be a quality starter right away."
Devonte Wyatt Georgia 6'3" 315 LBS
42 games - 113 tackles - 12 TFL - 5 sacks - 3 PD
2 FF - 2 FR
TDN "Wyatt is a very versatile player, showing an ability to align at various spots on the defensive front. He wins playing 1-technique, 3-technique, and even lines up in a two-point stance playing 7-technique rushing from the edge."
Travis Jones Connecticut 6'5" 333 LBS
33 games - 134 tackles - 19 TFL - 8.5 Sacks
1 FR
Bleacher Report "Travis Jones is one of the better true nose guards in this class. At 6' 4" and 333 pounds, he primarily played over or on either side of the center in UConn's defense."
Thomas Booker Stanford 6'4" 310 LBS
41 games - 159 tackles - 20.5 TFL - 9.5 Sacks
1 INT - 8 PDs - 1 FF - 2 FR
Draft Dive "Booker isn’t just stuck on the outside, he has the ability to play inside as a defensive tackle. This could become extremely important for Thomas, as I believe that his skill set is probably better suited for a defensive tackle position at the professional level."
Neil Farrell LSU 6'4" 319 LBS
48 games - 143 tackles - 22 TFL - 7.5 sacks
4 PDs - 1 FF
John Vogel "His body makeup, run defending ability, and gap penetration projects him as the perfect fit as a 1-tech in a 3-4 defensive front at the next level, potentially a low-end starter on day one..." "That being said, he’s capable of playing as a 3-tech as well and could potentially push out as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 gap scheme."
John Ridgeway, Arkansas 6'6" 325 LBS
41 games- 119 tackles - 13 TFL - 3 sacks - 2 PDs
1 FF - 1 - FR- 1 INT
Bleacher Report "He generally does well to control blocks and maintain his balance, even showcasing the ability to rip blockers off of him and cover a decent amount of open grass to make tackles."
Jayden Peevy Texas A&M 6'6" 295 LBS
49 games - 137 tackles - 19 TFL - 6.5 Sacks
1 INT - 7 PDs - 1 FF - 2 FR
NFL Draft Buzz "Delivers a strong punch and uses his hands to shed blocks to make plays in the hole or outside the box. Uses lower-body strength to anchor inside. Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands."
Eyioma Uwazurike Iowa State 6'6" 320 LBS
55 games - 146 tackles - 34.5 TFL - 15 sacks
3 PDs - 2 FRs
Sports Illustrated "In addition, it’s a pleasure to watch a guy with his size have a good motor as Uwzurike will regularly chase down plays to the sideline or past the sticks, showing competitiveness."
Jerron Cage Ohio State 6'4" 310
31 games - 22 tackles - 5.5 TFL - 1.5 sacks
1 PD - 3 FR
OSU "Received plenty of attention from the opponent offensive lines..." and a "Two-time Associated Press Division II first-team all-state defensive lineman..."
Phil Harrison "A team might pull the trigger on him as a depth guy. If not, he most certainly would get a try out as an undrafted free agent."
Long shots and dark horses:
Christopher Hinton Michigan 6'4" 310 LBS
22 games - 55 tackles - 3.5 TFL - 2 Sacks - 4 PD
2 FR
PFN "He has a strong base and an NFL frame, and he’s already a solid run defender. Hinton also has enough explosive capacity to potentially be a three-down player on the interior."
Otito Ogbonnia UCLA 6'4" 320 LBS
37 games - 76 tackles - 8.5 TFL - 4.5 Sacks
6 PDs - 2 FF
Bleacher Report "Ogbonnia will need time and proper coaching to unlock his potential. The flashes of strength and explosiveness are there, but he needs to get better at identifying blocking schemes, as well as improve how consistently he can settle into his anchor. Ogbonnia is a backup or rotational nose guard until he can find more consistency."
Jordan Williams Virginia Tech 6'5" 290 LBS
31 games - 72 tackles - 12 TFL - 6.5 Sacks
1 PD - 1 FF
Sports Illustrated "From this position, he displays the awareness to find the ball carrier and the strength to bring them down..." "Williams has experience playing at zero, one, two, three and five tech."
Tyarise Stevenson Tulsa 6'3" 351 LBS
47 games - 109 tackles - 10 TFL - 3.5 sacks
Blue Chip Scouting "His natural anchor is as stout as they come, and his hand placement off the snap is consistently inside the chest plate allowing him to stack blockers easier. As far as pass rushing goes, there isn’t a ton to get excited about here. He’s got the ability to push the pocket well enough..."
Damion Daniels Nebraska 6'3" 335 LBS
31 games - 83 tackles - 8 TFL - 1 INT - 2 PDs
1 FR
Brian Johannes "Daniels has some versatility to his game as he’s shown the ability to play nose tackle in an odd front or tackle in an even front." "His ability to play in multiple defenses should make him appealing to more teams."
D.J. Davidson Arizona State 6'5" 325 LBS
34 games - 137 tackles - 15.5 TFL - 5 sacks
6 PDs - 1 FR
NFL Draft Buzz "Big-bodied rusher with very good upper-body strength. Strong and stout at the point of attack with the measurables to occupy multiple blockers." Who "plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands."
Glen Logan LSU 6'3" 339 LBS
42 games - 109 tackles - 10.5 TFL - 7 sacks
3 PDs
Steven Aellis "Logan profiles as an ideal 4i-technique in a 3-4 base scheme. He will ideally start out as a 1st and 2nd down run defender." "Could really interest teams looking for a run stuffing 4i-technique or 3-technique."
Corey Bethley TCU 6'2" 300 LBS
48 games - 97 Tackles - 20 TFL - 10.5 sacks
2 FR - 1 PD
Tony Pauline "Corey Bethley was productive in his initial three seasons at TCU before suffering a season-ending injury last year. He returned this year and was graded as a potential late-round pick by scouts."
Tayland Humphrey UL Lafayette 6'5" 350 LBS
30 games - 78 tackles - 4 TFL - .5 Sacks - 1 FF
3 PDs
Sports Illustrated "Nose tackle Tayland Humphrey is a run stuffer of the highest caliber at 6’ 5”, 350 pounds"
Tyrone Truesdell Auburn 6'2" 335 LBS
41 games - 79 tackles - 9 TFL - 3 sacks - 1 PDS
2 FR
Jets Fan United "Tyrone plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside..." "Tyrone provides some secondary interior pass rush, getting most penetration when playing three technique. Has the upper-body strength to rock his opponent back onto his heels."
Jonathan Ford Miami 6'5" 315 LBS
31 games- 60 tackles - 8 TFL - 3 sacks - 1 FF
1 PD
NFL Draft Buzz "Strong tackler. Has good power in hands and can anchor, shed, and chase. Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands."
Marquan McCall Kentucky 6'3" 379 LBS
31 games - 57 tackles - 10.5 TFL - 1.5 sacks
1 PD - 1 FF - 1 FR
Sports Illustrated "Traditional nose tackle that will eat blocks and beat up interior lineman off the ball."
NFL Draft Buzz "He's clearly a boom or bust prospect, but has the unique physical gifts make him a candidate to play up and down the line in either front."
Tahj Sykes So Miss 6'3" 308 LBS
30 games - 64 tackles - 9 TFL - 1 sack - 1 FF
*** southern miss gives some of his games stats but not much else. The defensive tackle lists I looked at had him ranked higher. At the very least, there's film on him.
Kobie Whiteside, Missouri 6'1" 300 LBS
29 games - 81 tackles - 14.5TFL - 10.5 sacks
3 FR - 1 FF
Sports Illustrated "The NFL places a premium on pass rushers, most of whom work on the edge. But when you can get significant production from the interior, that is just as coveted. Whiteside is big at just under 300 pounds (298) with significant athleticism for his frame."
Taron Vincent Ohio State 6'2" 300 LBS
27 games - 35 tackles - 5.5 TFL - 2 sacks
NFL Draft Buzz "Rarely goes to the ground, showing good balance from his high school wrestling days. Coordinated with smooth movement skills. High-effort rusher and works through the whistle. Relentless worker, fighting off blocks and battling to the ball. Plays with leverage at the point of attack whether inside or outside. Keeps eyes in the backfield when inside; moves linemen to either side with strong hands."
Noah Elliss Idaho 6'4" 367 LBS
11 games - 29 tackles - 1 sack - 1 FR
Draft Dive "His size and speed combination is scary..." "He really is that big and quick, NFL scouts are going to fall in love with him when they see that combo in person. Nose tackle is a little underrated in the NFL Draft, but I would project Elliss in the 4th to 5th round right now."
I would love the Patriots to pair Davis with Barmore but I don't see it happening. There are good defensive lineman out there. What do the Patriots wanna do with their defense is the problem. Without knowing how they see themselves, we won't be able to full know who they should go after.
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