2013 NFL Draft Defensive End Rankings and Reports

[DeepThreat]

I'm a big fan of both Mingo and Taylor, but, at this point, both have serious question marks. Mingo needs to bulk up and show he can defend the run and not be overpowered. Taylor needs to play up to his physical ability and dominate.

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by DeepThreat

I'm a big fan of both Mingo and Taylor, but, at this point, both have serious question marks. Mingo needs to bulk up and show he can defend the run and not be overpowered. Taylor needs to play up to his physical ability and dominate.

I wouldn't say Mingo has serious question marks; he deserves to be a top ten pick. Rushing the passer is the name of the game when it comes to defensive ends these days; his speed, agility, burst, athleticism, and tenacity really overshadow his run defense (which is surprisingly good for a player his size due to his demeanor and hand use.) NFL teams seemingly pass on two of every three downs, so finding someone who can get constant pressure on passing downs is more valuable than finding a well-rounded player. I agree that Taylor isn't as dominant as he should be; unfortunately, I'm not sure he can improve his leverage and balance too much because it may be a function of his height.

[bengalbuck]

I love this DE class. Seems like Safety and DE are probably the 2 strongest position groups for 2013 as of today.

Works out well for the Bengals as Safety, DE and LB are probably going to be the 3 biggest needs next year. Though obviously there is a full year for young guys on the roster to try to lessen those needs.

Also, Nathan Williams of Ohio State is a guy to keep an eye on. He has been injured (missed all of last season), but when healthy looks like a pretty intriguing 3-4 OLB.

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by TheTruth96

This looks like a very strong class of pass rushers, way better than this year where bruce irvin goes in the first

I would agree, although obviously most of these guys have to declare in order to make it the class everyone is expecting.

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by bengalbuck

I love this DE class. Seems like Safety and DE are probably the 2 strongest position groups for 2013 as of today.

Works out well for the Bengals as Safety, DE and LB are probably going to be the 3 biggest needs next year. Though obviously there is a full year for young guys on the roster to try to lessen those needs.

Also, Nathan Williams of Ohio State is a guy to keep an eye on. He has been injured (missed all of last season), but when healthy looks like a pretty intriguing 3-4 OLB.

Quarterback and wide receiver could be extremely strong as well depending on who declares.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Originally Posted by Matthew Jones

Quarterback and wide receiver could be extremely strong as well depending on who declares.

I don't think WR will be that strong. There are a few at the top, but Top 100 wise, it is going to be pretty darn weak.

[RaiderNation]

I'm projecting Mingo's weight to be just under 260 once the combine comes around, which will be fine for a 3-4 OLB like him coming into the NFL. This kid has great length and movement skills to get to the QB and a team will love to add a potential franchise pass rusher with a top 5 pick with him.

Will Jarvis Jones be added to these rankings, or the OLB rankings? Brandon Jenkins plays a lot of stand up OLB and is on these rankings...

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by RaiderNation

I'm projecting Mingo's weight to be just under 260 once the combine comes around, which will be fine for a 3-4 OLB like him coming into the NFL. This kid has great length and movement skills to get to the QB and a team will love to add a potential franchise pass rusher with a top 5 pick with him.

Will Jarvis Jones be added to these rankings, or the OLB rankings? Brandon Jenkins plays a lot of stand up OLB and is on these rankings...

Brandon Jenkins was usually in the three-point stance when I watched so I listed him as a defensive end; Jenkins seems to be more effective as a defense end. Jarvis Jones will be with the outside linebackers because that's almost exclusively where he plays in college and I can't see many 4-3 teams considering him as a defensive end.

[Matthew Jones]

I just posted a scouting report for Southern Methodist DE Margus Hunt. The format is different than the other scouting reports, I'd appreciate feedback on whether the new format is better than the previous one. Thanks!

[duesouth]

Originally Posted by Big Bird

I don't think Taylor belongs in the first right now. I don't see the special athletic ability everybody raves about, he plays high, and has minimal hand usage. Very raw.

Would agree - particularly with that he plays high, more of an issue as he's very tall.

[Leon Sandcastle]

Anything on Dion Jordan?

[Matthew Jones]

Originally Posted by Wide Right

Anything on Dion Jordan?

I'll post a more in-depth writeup at some point, but Oregon plays him all over the field, usually as a rush linebacker but also as a defensive end and even in press coverage at times. Jordan is incredibly tall and long, but has a very gangly build which causes him trouble in the run game. I don't remember him using a ton of rush moves either, and he's not extremely athletic or quick off of the snap despite his role in the defense. His best fit should be as a 3-4 outside linebacker, but he needs to add a lot of weight and strength without losing a noticeable amount of his athletic ability in order to be successful in the NFL. I'd probably start to consider him in the third round at this point since he's only had one year of production, but he arrived at Oregon weighing 215 or 220 pounds and is up to 240 or 245 the last time I checked, so there is a chance of him being picked higher with a strong season; Jordan's not yet on par with someone like Devin Taylor from a polish/physical development standpoint.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

Originally Posted by Wide Right

Anything on Dion Jordan?

Learn to love him as I do. Which is a lot.

[Knicks and Bucs]

The DEs in this draft suck. Some will be average at best. I cant see any of them being game changers. Anyone looking for a passrusher might have to wait until 2014.