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IDL Scouting Reports - 2024

Bird’s Eye View: Positional Analysis

The 2024 IDL class has a number of potential difference making DTs who can apply pressure on the QB through athleticism and quickness, such as Byron Murphy (Texas), Mekhi Wingo (LSU), Braden Fiske (Florida State), Jer'Zhan Newton (Illinois), Michael Hall (Ohio State), Marcus Harris (Auburn), and Ruke Orhorhoro (Clemson). There is also a quality group of run-stuffing DTs led by 2023 Outland Trophy winner, T'Vondre Sweat (Texas), as well as McKinnley Jackson (Texas A&M), and Myles Murphy (North Carolina). Overall, this class has good talent and quality depth where contributors will be found through all seven rounds in Detroit in April.

Positional Grade: B

Gabe Hall / Baylor

6060 / 291 / 34.4” Arms / 83.5” Wingspan

5.03 40 / 31.5” vertical / 9’7” broad jump / 7.65 3-cone drill

Extremely big and tall with excellent overall length – looks like an ideal 5T with the quickness to play 3T. Possesses very long arms and a huge wingspan. Displays quick twitch at the snap and often wins with his first step. Wingspan allows him to disrupt passing lanes. Effective hand use to shed blocks. Not overly productive at the college level but has the desired athleticism to be developed. Disappears for stretches. Needs to add some pass rushing moves to his arsenal.

Gabe Hall / Baylor

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Player Comparison:

DJ Davidson / NY Giants

Marcus Harris / Auburn

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Player Comparison:

Khalen Saunders / New Orleans

Marcus Harris / Auburn

6023 / 286 / 32” Arms / 78.2” Wingspan

5.06 40 / 29.5” vertical / 8’7” broad jump / 27 reps (225 lbs)

Very good size and build for a 4-3 DE or a 5T. Undersized for IDL. Sets a strong edge. Knifes through gaps and is a disruptive force in the backfield in the run game. Extremely quick first step. Quick twitch athlete with elite burst at the snap – when he’s on, he’s nearly unblockable. Knows how to get skinny and slice through the LOS. Can be neutralized by strength and power.

Mekhi Wingo / LSU

6002 / 284 / 32” Arms / 77.7” Wingspan

4.85 40 / 31.5” vertical / 9’1” broad jump / 25 reps (225 lbs)

Transfer from Missouri. Undersized but has a large wingspan for his size. Displays quick twitch at the snap and often wins with his first step. Knows how to get skinny and slice through holes. Extremely quick with a great finishing burst. Plays with great leverage and is sturdier against the run than his size would seem to indicate. Ideal skill set for 3T duties. Possesses the best closing burst of any IDL in this class.

Mekhi Wingo / LSU

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Player Comparison:

Aaron Donald / retired

Kris Jenkins / Michigan

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Player Comparison:

Javon Hargrave / San Francisco

Kris Jenkins / Michigan

6026 / 299 / 34” Arms / 79.1” Wingspan

4.91 40 / 30” vertical / 9’7” broad jump / 29 reps (225 lbs)

Son of former NFL Pro Bowler of the same name. Good size and mass with outstanding length and frame for an NFL DT. Plays with outstanding leverage. Quick twitch displayed at the snap. Quickly engages and sheds the OL’s block and gets great penetration into the backfield – very good hand use. Strong and holds the POA well. Very good closing burst on the QB. Plays balanced and is not often off his feet. Good combination of run stuffing and pass rushing skill.

Jer'Zhan 'Johnny' Newton / Illinois

6015 / 304 / 32.3” Arms / 75.7” Wingspan

​Tweener size and skill set. Very quick for IDL / 5T. Can flatten and close on the QB – especially rushing from the inside. Physical. Strong – sheds blocks through power, torque, and aggression. Very effective on twists and stunts. Effective hand fighter. Displays an effective array of techniques to shed blocks. Great motor. Impressive closing burst. Uses size and length well to disrupt passing lanes. Very good kick blocker.

Johnny Newton / Illinois

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Kenny Clark / Green Bay

DeWayne Carter / Duke

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Devonte Wyatt / Green Bay

DeWayne Carter / Duke

6023 / 302 / 33” Arms / 79.1” Wingspan

4.99 40 / 32” vertical / 9’1” broad jump / 7.95 3-cone drill

Looks the part – possesses a wide base and solid, well-distributed mass. Strong and powerful – a load to handle one on one inside. Very good speed to power conversion and can push the pocket with power. Quick and moves well laterally. Plays with outstanding leverage. Takes some plays off and is best used in a rotation where he can be kept fresh.

Braden Fiske / Florida State

6058 / 292 / 31” Arms / 75.6” Wingspan

4.78 40 / 33.5” vertical / 9’9” broad jump / 26 reps (225 lbs)

Transfer from Western Michigan. Thick build with marginal length for an IDL. Exceedingly quick. Strong and effectively uses hands to control the OL. Lines up at Edge in short yardage situations and sets with power and leverage. Knee bender and plays with excellent upper body strength. Quick and agile – often wins with twitch combined with ability to slice through the LOS. Impressive closing burst. Plays with urgency and effort. Pursues hard from the backside.

Braden Fiske / Florida State

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Cory Durden / LA Rams

T'Vondre Sweat / Texas

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Dalvin Tomlinson / Cleveland

T'Vondre Sweat / Texas

6044 / 366 / 33.2” Arms / 81.2” Wingspan

5.27 40 / 8’2” broad jump / 26 reps (225 lbs)

Extremely large man with mass and long arms. Huge wingspan. Very powerful. Has a very effective bull rush. Uses length well to disrupt passing lanes and deflect passes. Can reset the LOS with power, girth, and effort. Big 12 DPOY. 2023 Outland Trophy winner. Stamina is a concern due to weight. Limited quickness and pass rush set.

Michael Hall / Ohio State

6026 / 290 / 33.4” Arms / 81.1” Wingspan

Undersized but solidly built DT who wins with quickness and technique. Extremely large wingspan for his size. Flashes quick twitch at the snap. Very active. Dangerous on games and stunts. Nice array of techniques to shed blocks. Holds the POA well despite size limitations. Sudden and explosive. Great finishing burst to sack the QB.

Michael Hall / Ohio State

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Osa Odighizuwa / Dallas

Jaden Crumedy / Mississippi State

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Justin Jones / Arizona

Jaden Crumedy / Mississippi State

6037 / 301 / 33” Arms / 77.4” Wingspan

4.97 40 / 29.5” vertical / 8’9” broad jump

Excellent height, length, and build. Long, powerful arms. Powerful and can reset the LOS with natural strength. Very good bull rush. Nice quickness and burst. Limited pass rush skill set – gets glued to blockers too easily. Needs to improve hand use and improve shedding techniques. Lacks some desired quick twitch at the snap – often is the last player to move on the DL. Needs to be kept fresh to maximize effectiveness.

McKinnley Jackson / Texas A&M

6014 / 326 / 32.7” Arms / 80.2” Wingspan

5.26 40 / 23” vertical / 8’10” broad jump

Possesses the desired girth for a NT with extremely long arms for his body type. Very strong and generates tremendous power – fantastic bull rush. Needs to improve hand use to shed blocks quicker. Stamina is an issue due to the weight he carries in his midsection – tends to stand up when tired, negating much of his natural power. Overly reliant on power and offers little as a pass rusher (aside from his bull rush). When he anchors, he is nearly impossible to move off the ball.

McKinnley Jackson / Texas A&M

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Derrick Nnadi / Kansas City

Ruke Orhorhoro / Clemson

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Kobie Turner / LA Rams

Ruke Orhorhoro / Clemson

6040 / 294 / 34” Arms / 79.4” Wingspan

4.89 40 / 32” vertical / 9’8” broad jump / 25 reps (225 lbs)

Very good size with a large wingspan. Quick twitch is evident at the snap. Athletic and has great lateral agility. Wins with speed and quickness but runs himself out of some plays. Needs to improve hand fighting techniques. Flashes a nice swim move. Impressive closing burst. Needs to improve hand fighting techniques to shed blocks better.

Keith Randolph / Illinois

6034 / 296 / 32.6” Arms / 80.2” Wingspan

5.15 40 / 28.5” vertical / 8’9” broad jump

Very good combination of length and mass to play 3T or 5T. Very good athlete who covers a lot of ground in run support. Disappears for stretches. Strong and can control OL when he latches on. Strong hands that he uses effectively to shed blocks. Flashes great skills including initial quickness and closing burst but these skills are not consistently observed.

Keith Randolph / Illinois

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Christian Barmore / New England

Myles Murphy / North Carolina

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Daron Payne / Washington

Myles Murphy / North Carolina

6041 / 309 / 33.7” Arms / 79” Wingspan

5.20 40 / 28.5” vertical / 8’10” broad jump

Very good size with length, height, and good mass on a stocky, wide base. Looks the part of a two gap IDL. Strong and can reset the LOS with power. May be carrying a bit too much weight in his midsection which effects his stamina. Provides a powerful bull rush but offers little other skills as a pass rusher. Effective on twists and stunts. Little range and is only effective within the box. When he sinks his hips and anchors, he is very difficult to move off the ball.

Leonard Taylor / Miami, Fl

6034 / 303 / 33.7” Arms / 80.5” Wingspan

5.12 40 / 30” vertical / 9’1” broad jump / 7.81 3-cone drill

Very good size – solid, muscular build and good length with a large wingspan. Strong and capable of dominating the opposing lineman – requires double teams on a regular basis. Very strong bull rush. Athletic. Flashes quick twitch and elite agility but disappears for stretches. Play suffers when is his stamina is low.

Leonard Taylor / Miami, Fl

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Sebastian Joseph-Day / Tennessee

Byron Murphy / Texas

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Alim McNeill / Detroit

Byron Murphy / Texas

6041 / 309 / 33.7” Arms / 79” Wingspan

5.20 40 / 28.5” vertical / 8’10” broad jump

Average size and mass with good overall length for a 4-3 DT. Fires out of his stance low. Quick twitch displayed at the snap – excellent initial burst. Plays with leverage and natural power. Strong hands and sheds blocks effectively. Possesses a powerful bull rush. Slices through holes at the LOS effectively due to elite quickness and burst. Can be neutralized by power when ran at.

Maason Smith / LSU

6051 / 306 / 35” Arms / 84.5” Wingspan

5.01 40 / 31” vertical / 9’0” broad jump / 7.62 3-cone drill

Imposing size and length with a huge wingspan. Pushes the pocket with size and power. Has the strength and leverage to play 5T in the NFL. Has a tendency to shoot up at the snap, negating much of his natural power. Average closing burst and speed. Look like a poor man’s Chris Jones (Kansas City).

Maason Smith / LSU

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Player Comparison:

Chris Jones / Kansas City

Tyler Davis / Clemson

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Player Comparison:

Quinnen Williams / NY Jets

Tyler Davis / Clemson

6020 / 301 / 31.3” Arms / 75” Wingspan

5.02 40 / 28.5” vertical / 9’0” broad / 29 reps (225 lbs)

Average frame, mass, with less than desired length. Plays with great leverage and bend. Very powerful and displays a great bull rush. Strong upper body. Requires double teams for most teams to run up the middle. Overly reliant on bull rush and needs to improve hand use and add some pass rushing techniques. Flashes elite quick twitch athleticism at the snap. Very experienced and productive DT for Clemson for multiple seasons.

Logan Lee / Iowa

6053 / 281 / 32.2” Arms / 78.7” Wingspan

5.05 40 / 31.5” vertical / 9’6” broad jump / 7.16 3-cone drill / 25 reps (225 lbs)

Possesses ideal height and length with solid mass with room to add more weight. Plays with outstanding leverage – low center of gravity. Difficult to knock off his feet and has excellent balance. Works through trash easily. Quick and can shoot gaps to generate pressure. Strong and can reset the LOS with power and effort. Very good hand use and sheds blocks efficiently. Very good athlete.

Logan Lee / Iowa

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Logan Hall / Tampa Bay

Zion Logue / Georgia

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Jerry Tillery / Minnesota

Zion Logue / Georgia

6055 / 314 / 33.4” Arms / 80.2” Wingspan

Good size, build, and mass. Looks like an ideal 5T with ideal size, mass, and length for those responsibilities. Strong and can reset the LOS. Plays with great leverage and holds the POA well. Active and quick – can slice through gaps and cause havoc in the backfield. Lacks great burst or agility and is overly reliant on power for generating pressure on the QB.

Justin Eboigbe / Alabama

6043 / 297 / 33.3” Arms / 80.6” Wingspan

5.18 40 / 28” vertical / 9’3” broad jump

Possesses NFL size and length. Knows how to get skinny and slide past OL. Strong and contains the edge well. Relies on his bull rush to pressure the QB. Average closing burst. Not overly quick or agile. Stays blocked too easily – needs to improve hand use.

Justin Eboigbe / Alabama

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Justin Madubuike / Baltimore

Fabian Lovett / Florida State

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Player Comparison:

Michael Pierce / Baltimore

Fabian Lovett / Florida State

6037 / 314 / 35.4” Arms / 83.1” Wingspan

Transfer from Mississippi State. Very good size with good mass and a big wingspan. Has ideal measureables. Strong and pushes the LOS back consistently. Plays with good bend. Limited burst and offers little pass rushing upside, other than a powerful bull rush. Tight in the hips and is most effective in the box. Holds the POA well and is difficult to move when he anchors down.

Justin Eboigbe / Alabama

6043 / 297 / 33.3” Arms / 80.6” Wingspan

5.18 40 / 28” vertical / 9’3” broad jump

Possesses NFL size and length. Knows how to get skinny and slide past OL. Strong and contains the edge well. Relies on his bull rush to pressure the QB. Average closing burst. Not overly quick or agile. Stays blocked too easily – needs to improve hand use.

Justin Eboigbe / Alabama

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Justin Madubuike / Baltimore

Tuli Letuligasenoa / Washington

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Mazi Smith / Dallas

Tuli Letuligasenoa / Washington

Big IDL with good mass and very good length. Flashes quick twitch at the snap. Plays with good leverage. Strong and powerful. Possesses excellent burst to shoot gaps – surprising quickness considering his size. Utilizes size and power effectively in his bull rush. Strong and can demand double teams. Flashes moments of dominance. When he gets tired or loses a rep, it is usually because he plays too high and gets washed out of the play. Stamina is an issue at times.

Nathan Pickering / Mississippi State

6026 / 300

Looks the part with good mass and very good overall length. Tends to stand up at the snap, negating his natural strength. Very good lateral agility and can make himself skinny and slice through gaps on the line. Moves very well for his size. Strong at the POA when he keeps his pads low

Nathan Pickering / Mississippi State

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Player Comparison:

Zacch Pickens / Chicago

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