NFL DRAFT 2021

2021 NFL Draft Preview: Defensive end sleepers and Broncos fits

Apr 14, 2021, 6:38 AM

The Denver Broncos have spent the offseason building on the defensive side of the ball. New general manager George Paton has done a good job of strengthening the weaknesses, mainly in the secondary, while also securing/keeping talent in the front seven.

On paper, the defense looks like it has the potential to be the best in the league. However, more talent can – and should – be added in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The defensive end position has changed over the years in the NFL. Gone are prospects like Aaron Smith (Steelers) who manned the end, kept containment and stood strong against blockers. Today’s defensive ends are big-bodied pass-rushers who can be nightmares for opponents. This year’s class is chock full of talent from top to bottom, and the Broncos should be interested in more than a few of these guys.

In this article, I will look at the market for the position. I’ll also write about sleepers at the defensive end position and some players who could fit what the Broncos need in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Market Watch

There are three defensive ends we should see selected in the first round. One of them stands out above the rest and that is Gregory Rousseau from Miami. He can be described (kindly) as a “freak” in this class because of his length/athleticism combination. Any team that takes him is going to have to project him as a pro because he’s still filling out his frame and only started seven games during his college career.

Rousseau did not play in 2020, but he set the FBS on fire in 2019 with a whopping 16.0 sacks and 24 quarterback hurries. His length makes him a force on the edge, and he uses his wingspan to swipe around blockers with ease. Rousseau can be moved around the defensive line and has a ton of success working against guards because of his speed and quickness.

His teammate for the Hurricanes, Jaelan Phillips, is also a player to watch out for in the NFL and I have a late first-round grade on him. His talent is undeniable, but his injury history will have to be examined by pro teams. Phillips was a five-star recruit in high school and started his college career at UCLA. A scooter accident at UCLA led to injuries to his wrist and his head. He retired from football but then made a comeback – this time with Miami.

Phillips has a game that is built on power and power-to-speed moves. He is used to rushing the passer while standing up but also with his hand in the dirt. Phillips is not overly sudden, but his power and motor is relentless which makes him a force on the edge. If his medicals check out, some team could get a valuable player who could make an instant impact in the NFL.

Kwity Paye (Michigan) is the other defensive end who should be taken on day one. Looking at his stats from the Wolverines (11.5 sacks, 20 games started) won’t blow anyone away, but you must look beyond the numbers. In college, Paye was moved around the formation and oftentimes lined up over the tackle which limited his opportunity to get after the passer.

It’s rare for a player on the defensive line to be able to drop in coverage and do a good job, but that’s what Paye can do when asked. Paye has to learn more pass-rushing moves, but he’s a bright player who should have no problem adding more nuance to his power game.

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Sleepers

Earlier this year at the week of practice for the Senior Bowl, I saw quite a few mid-round prospects who are sleepers in this draft class. One of my favorite players that week was Wyatt Hubert from Kansas State.

Hubert reminds me of Trey Hendrickson (Saints) who reminded me of Derek Wolfe (Ravens) when I saw him at the Shrine Game a few years ago. Like Hendrickson and Wolfe (although smaller), Hubert plays with a non-stop motor. He uses his hands well and has “country” strength to move around blockers. He’s likely to be a third-round pick.

I went to the Senior Bowl excited to watch Jonathon Cooper (Ohio State) and did not come away disappointed. He puts the lean on his opponent and has strong hands to disengage from offensive linemen. Cooper lined up as both a right and left defensive end in college and is known as a leader in the locker room. Multiple heart surgeries when he was a teenager means that Cooper never takes everything for granted and plays every snap with incredible urgency. Expect plenty of teams to get interested in him in the fifth or sixth round.

William Bradley-King (Baylor) was a deep sleeper entering the week of practice for the Senior Bowl, and he cemented himself as a player to watch. A graduate transfer from Arkansas State, Bradley-King went to Baylor and led the team in sacks to wrap up his college career. Bradley-King uses leverage to win, and he has quick acceleration to get into his moves. He is a forced-fumble specialist (seven in his career) which reminds me of how Shaq Barrett used to play at Colorado State. He’ll make a fine rotational player you can get on Day 3 of the draft.

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Broncos Fits

Malik Herring (Georgia) is a player with all the tools to be a dominant force on the defensive line, but he has yet to play up to his physical gifts. At 275 pounds, Herring has more room to put additional weight on his frame. His physical ability is outstanding for a man his size, but he needs to learn more moves at the position.

Herring gets to business quickly as a rusher, using his natural/violent hands to disengage from would-be blockers. He is light on his feet and shows good burst to the ball-carrier when he is lined up to make a play. Herring will get caught up in the play and needs to do a better job of recognizing what an offense is trying to do and how to react.

He did tear his ACL in January during practice at the Senior Bowl, so Herring’s first year may just end up being a redshirt season. His physical talent is interesting, and he will be a value pick because of the knee injury. Pair Herring with a defensive line coach like Bill Kollar and you could see the young man make the most of his natural talent.

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