The 2022 NFL Draft was dominated by the Georgia Bulldogs, as five players from their legendary defense were chosen in the first round, which set a new record for the most players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft from the same school. Kirby Smart has churned out future NFL starters at a rampant pace at his new, dominant football factory in Georgia and could see quite a few more Bulldogs drafted in the first round once again.
Before we get started, it is important to note that the NFL Draft Bible Big Board breaks down the defensive line into two categories: defensive tackle and 3-4 defensive end.
There are many in the scouting community who believe that Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is a higher rated prospect than his former teammate Travon Walker, who was the number one overall pick from that aforementioned 2022 NFL Draft. Blessed with few weaknesses, Carter blends, size, strength, athleticism and savvy. Clearly, he is a bona fide candidate to be chosen number one overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Could more history be on the way? Only once in draft history has the back-to-back top overall pick hailed from the same school. Oklahoma quarterbacks Baker Mayfield (2018) and Kyler Murray (2019) recently became the first ever to do so.
One player who could rise up during the draft process is Calijah Kancey of Pittsburgh. The ultimate technician, Kancey owns a unique skill-set with his ability to provide an interior pass-rush. However, his size could make some NFL decision-makers a bit queasy (see; Donald, Aaron). Few players elevated their draft profile during the all-star game circuit more than Boise State brawler Scott Matlock. After dominating throughout the week at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, the All-Mountain West selection made his way out to Las Vegas for the East-West Shrine Bowl. Once again, he won over talent evaluators in attendance with a stout anchor, along with impressive stack and shed ability. His stock is on the rise!
Taking a look at the five technique prospects, these players typically have either length concerns, which prevent them from living on the edge, or height/size concerns that make them vulnerable on the interior. Other times, in a case such as Mike Morris of Michigan, he just projects best at that position in the NFL. Of course, that is of an opinion. There will be some NFL teams who view him as a defensive end in the 4-3 scheme and there may even be others who want to play him at outside linebacker, like the Wolverines did at times this past season. He possesses rare quickness and get off for a man of his size, in addition to being strong as an ox.
An NFL Scouting Combine snub, Karl Brooks of Bowling Green is one to watch for; we previously discussed his upside at the next level here. For in-depth scouting reports on over 500 prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft, be sure to reserve your copy of the Official 2023 NFL Draft Bible!
Below is the pre-combine big board for the 2023 NFL Draft Class defensive tackles and 3-4 defensive ends, plus a look at our top-rated DT prospects for 2024 [Editor Note: Check back soon for our edge rankings].
2023 NFL DRAFT PRIMER SERIES: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | EDGE | LB | CB | S
PLAYER KEY: Rank, Player, School, Year, Height, Weight, Forty, Hand, Arm, Wingspan, All-Star Game, Combine Status, Projection | Scouting Report
ABBREVIATIONS: SRB = Senior Bowl, EWS = East-West Shrine Bowl, NFLPA = NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, HULA = Hula Bowl, TROP = Tropical Bowl, CGS = College Gridiron Showcase, NIC = NFL Combine Invite, UDFA = Undrafted Free Agent, NIC (National Invitational Camp) = NFL Scouting Combine
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE DT BIG BOARD (2/16/23)
RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | YR | HT | WT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING | AS | COMBINE | PROJECTION | PROFILE
1. *Jalen Carter, Georgia, Jr, 6026, 310, 4.80e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
2. *Bryan Bresee, Clemson, rSo, 6044, 300, 4.99e, NIC, Rd1 | REPORT
3. Siaki Ika, Baylor, rJr, 6040, 355, 5.35e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
4. *Keeanu, Benton, Wisconsin, Sr, 6034, 312, 5.07e, 0978, 3368, 8168, SRB, NIC, R2 | REPORT
5. *Mazi Smith, Michigan, rJr, 6024, 335, 4.95e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
6. *Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh, rJr, 5117, 280, 4.80e, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
7. *Zacch Pickens, South Carolina, Sr, 6035, 300, 5.02e, 1000, 3418, 8178, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
8. *Gervon Dexter, Florida, Jr, 6052, 320, 5.00e, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
9. Cameron Young, Mississippi State, rSr, 6033, 304, 5.07e, 1000, 3500, 8238, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
10. *DJ Dale, Alabama, Sr, 6010, 302, 5.05e, 0978, 3248, 7958, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
11. *Byron Young, Alabama, Sr, 6033, 297, 5.03e, 1048, 3400, 8158, Rd3, NIC, Rd4, SRB | REPORT
12. *Scott Matlock, Boise State, rSr, 6041, 308, 5.02e, 0900, 3248, 7828, NFLPA, Rd4 | REPORT
13. *Jaquelin Roy, LSU, rJr, 6027, 312, 5.00e, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
14. *Keondre Coburn, Texas, rSr, 6011, 344, 5.06e, 0918, 3148, 7700, EWS, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
15. *Jalen Redmond, Oklahoma, rJr, 6023, 293, 4.98e, 1018, 3248, 7800, SRB, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
16. Moro Ojomo, Texas, rSr, 6024, 293, 4.95e, 1028, 3438, 8338, EWS, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
17. Dante Stills, West Virginia, rSr, 6034, 289, 4.90e, 0948, 3218, 7828, EWS, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
18. *Tyler Lacy, Oklahoma State, rSr, 6043, 285, 4.90e, 1078, 3338, 7958, SRB, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
19. PJ Mustipher, Penn State, rSr, 6036, 315, 5.13e, 0928, 3248, 8018, EWS, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
20. Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State, rSr, 6014, 307, 5.05e, 1018, 3248, 7848, SRB, NIC, Rd6 | REPORT
21. *Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina, rSr, 6034, 343, 5.30e, 0968, 3378, 8200, SRB, NIC, Rd7 | REPORT
22. Cory Durden, North Carolina State, rSr, 6042, 292, 4.97e, 0978, 3428, 8318, NFLPA, Rd7 | REPORT
23. Taron Vincent, Ohio State, rSr, 6011, 305, 5.10e, 0878, 7748, EWS, Rd7 | REPORT
24. Jerron Cage, Ohio State, rSr, 6020, 307, 5.15e, 0958, 3300, 7948, EWS/HULA, Rd7 | REPORT
25. Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky, rSr, 6045, 337, 5.25e, 0918, 3438, 8428, EWS, Rd7 | REPORT
26. Desjuan Johnson, Toledo, Sr, 6020, 267, 5.05e, 0958, 3178, 7838, EWS, PFA | REPORT
27. *Jacob Slade, Michigan State, rSr, 6031, 293, 5.05e, 0928, 3268, 8058, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
28. Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga, Sr, 6014, 299, 5.06e, 0968, 3300, 8000, EWS/HULA, PFA | REPORT
29. *Jayson Ademilola, Notre, Dame, rSr, 6031, 284, 5.07e, 0978, 3328, 7900, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
30. Jordon Riley, Oregon, 6053, 338, 5.30e, 0958, 3458, 8112, NFLPA/CGS, PFA | REPORT
31. Eli Huggins, Kansas State, Sr, 6036, 291, 5.04e, 0948, 3178, 7678, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
32. Jeffery Johnson, Oklahoma, rSr, 6016, 319, 5.13e, 0968, 3314, 7912, NFLPA/HULA, PFA | REPORT
33. Robert Cooper, Florida State, rSr, 6015, 307, 5.25e, 1028, 3100, 7648, HULA, PFA | REPORT
34. *Chris Smith, Notre Dame, rSr, 6010, 310, 5.05e, PFA | REPORT
35. Calvin Avery, Illinois, rSr, 6015, 343, 5.35e, 1000, 3268, 8078, NFLPA, PFA | REPORT
36. Terrance Lang, Colorado, rSr, 6044, 281, 4.90e, 0838, 3528, 8100, CGS, PFA | REPORT
37. Anthony Watts, Purdue, Sr, 6030, 285, 4.85e, 1018, 3300, 8000, CGS, PFA | REPORT
38. Ifeanyi Maijeh, Rutgers, rSr, 6002, 283, 5.02e, 1000, 3328, 7928, CGS, PFA | REPORT
39. Dom Peterson, Nevada, rSr, 5114, 301, 5.05e, 0938, 3028, 7128, CGS, PFA | REPORT
40. Caleb Sampson, Kansas, Sr, 6031, 305, 4.99e, 1000, 3158, 7938, HULA, PFA | REPORT
41. Spencer Waege, North Dakota State, Sr, 6045, 280, 4.80e, 0968, 3200, 7918, HULA, PFA | REPORT
42. *Taishan Holmes, Northwestern, rSr, 6020, 315, 5.25e, PFA
43. Keenan Agnew, Southern Illinois, Sr, 6030, 292, 5.15e, 0948, 3368, 7748, CGS, PFA
44. *Lorenzo Fauatea, BYU, rSr, 6034, 310, 5.14e, PFA
45. Ellison Hubbard, Sam Houston State, rSr, 6003, 285, 4.95e, 0978, 3228, 7428, CGS, PFA
46. *Isaiah Forte, UAB, rSr, 6026, 305, 5.15e, UDFA
47. Shakel Brown, Troy, Sr, 6025, 301, 5.20e, 0958, 3200, 7628, CGS, UDFA
48. Chibueze Onwuka, Boston College, rSr, 5111, 287, 5.05e, 0948, 3300, 7948, CGS, UDFA
49. Darel Middleton, Bethel, Sr, 6060, 306, 5.15e, 1018, 3300, 8038, HULA, UDFA
50. Levi Russo Bell, Texas State, Sr, 5112, 271, 4.84e, 0968, 3100, 7548, CGS, UDFA
2023 NFL DRAFT BIBLE 3-4 DE BIG BOARD (2/16/23)
1. *Mike Morris, Michigan, Sr, 6052, 292, 4.79e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
2. *Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, Jr, 6032, 291, 4.85e, NIC, Rd2 | REPORT
3. *Colby Wooden, Auburn, Jr, 6036, 285, 4.75e, NIC, Rd3 | REPORT
4. *Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern, Sr, 6015, 284, 4.76e,1078, 3400, 8218, SRB, NIC, Rd4 | REPORT
5. *Isaiah McGuire, Missouri, Sr, 6043, 271, 4.70e, 0858, 3338, 8218, SRB, NIC, Rd5 | REPORT
6. Karl Brooks, Bowling Green, Sr, 6033, 303, 5.10e, 0900, 3228, 7768, SRB, Rd6 | REPORT
7. Kobie Turner, Wake Forest, rSr, 6022, 288, 4.92e, 1018, 3200, 7778, EWS, Rd6 | REPORT
8. Bumphus LaTrell, Tennessee, Sr, 6033, 286, 4.75e, 0968, 3228, NFLPA, Rd7 | REPORT
9. Randy Charlton, Mississippi State, rSr, 6030, 286, 4.85e, 0978, 3278, 7948, NFLPA, Rd7 | REPORT
10. *Ami Finau, Maryland, Sr, 6016, 283, 4.85e, 0968, 3238, 7658, HULA, PFA | REPORT
11. *D'Anthony Jones, Houston, Sr, 6006, 283, 4.85e, 0958, 3178, 7868, HULA, PFA
12. *Lwal Uguak, TCU, rSr, 6030, 275, 5.00e, PFA
13. *Jacob Sykes, UCLA, 6030, 275, 5.00e, PFA
14. Jamare Edwards, James Madison, Sr, 6022, 284, 4.88e, 0900, 3128, 7828, CGS, PFA
15. *Junior Aho, SMU, Sr, 6035, 275, 4.75e, PFA
16. Trey Botts, Colorado State-Pueblo, Sr, 6020, 289, 4.94e, 0918, 3248, 7648, CGS, UDFA
17. Sam Burt, Kansas, Sr, 6027, 298, 5.10e, 0918, 3268, 7828, CGS, UDFA
18. *Levi Bell, Texas State, rSr, 6006, 275, 5.00e, UDFA
19. Jason Lewan, Illinois State, Sr, 6061, 288, 4.95e, 1128, 3258, 8048, CGS, UDFA
20. *Keenen Evans, Virginia Union, Sr, 6020, 280, 5.00e, UDFA
21. *Camron Peterson, Southern, 6034, 280, 5.00e, UDFA
22. *Isaiah Hunt, Prairie View A&M, Sr, 6010, 275, 5.15e, UDFA
23. *Anthony Hayes, Lincoln, rSr, 6030, 250, 4.75e, UDFA
24. *MJ Anderson, Iowa State, Jr, 6026, 275, 4.80, NIC, UDFA
2024 NFL DRAFT BIBLE DT BIG BOARD (2/16/23)
Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson, rSr, 6040, 295, 4.90e
Damon Payne Jr, Alabama, rSo, 6026, 303, 5.00e
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M, Jr, 6034, 300, 4.85e
Michael Hall, Ohio State, rSo, 6022, 295, 4.95e
Tyler Davis, Clemson, rSr, 6022, 300, 4.98e
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