• Dallas Turner is EDGE1: Although he can continue to improve as a run defender and a tackler, Turner is a first-round type of edge rusher with high-ceiling pass-rush traits who can contribute in Year 1.
• Cooper DeJean is the top cornerback prospect: The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it's because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.
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INTERIOR DEFENDER
1. DI BYRON MURPHY II, TEXAS
2. DI JER'ZHAN NEWTON, ILLINOIS
3. DI BRADEN FISKE, FLORIDA STATE
4. DI RUKE ORHORHORO, CLEMSON
5. DI KRIS JENKINS, MICHIGAN
Murphy is a gifted defensive lineman in both the strength and speed categories. He is a versatile three-down player who brings plus abilities as a run defender and a pass rusher, projecting as a first-round impact starter for any front.
Newton has some physical limitations due to his size and lack of natural flexibility, but his hand usage, pass-rush tools and block-shedding ability allow him to be very productive in any alignment as a three-to-five-technique player.
Fiske's measurements are not ideal, but he has an NFL-level football IQ and pass-rush quickness to be a potential impact player as a 4-3 defensive tackle, even with some run-defense deficiencies.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
EDGE DEFENDER
1. ED DALLAS TURNER, ALABAMA
2. ED JARED VERSE, FLORIDA STATE
3. ED LAIATU LATU, UCLA
4. ED CHRIS BRASWELL, ALABAMA
5. ED CHOP ROBINSON, PENN STATE
Although he can continue to improve as a run defender and a tackler, Turner is a first-round type of edge rusher with high-ceiling pass-rush traits who can contribute in year one with a bright future ahead.
Verse doesn't have the longest arms, and that shows up in some pass-rush counters and in tackling, but he brings his hard hat and lunch pail to every snap, wins with strength regularly and is built like a first-rounder.
Overall, though somewhat limited athletically, his home is in the offensive backfield due to his hand usage and pass-rush moves that will continue to win at the NFL level.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
LINEBACKER
1. LB PAYTON WILSON, NC STATE
2. LB EDGERRIN COOPER, TEXAS A&M
3. LB JUNIOR COLSON, MICHIGAN
4. LB JEREMIAH TROTTER JR., CLEMSON
5. LB MARIST LIUFAU, NOTRE DAME
Wilson has the length, movement ability, IQ and tape of a first-round linebacker. What will likely keep him from being drafted on Day 1 is his injury history and age. If healthy, he can be a starting inside linebacker in any defense.
Cooper has the length and the athleticism to be a starting-caliber linebacker in the NFL in a downhill role. His lack of anticipation and instincts for deeper coverage work will likely keep him from being picked in the first round.
Colson's background and journey to this point are inspiring. He has the size and football IQ to play in the NFL. He is a good but not great athlete, which will likely make him a Day 2 pick as a rotational 4-3 linebacker with starting potential.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
CORNERBACK
1. CB COOPER DEJEAN, IOWA
2. CB QUINYON MITCHELL, TOLEDO
3. CB NATE WIGGINS, CLEMSON
4. CB TERRION ARNOLD, ALABAMA
5. CB KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY, ALABAMA
The talk of DeJean playing outside cornerback or safety or slot cornerback at the next level is not due to lack of a home position; it's because he could truly be an impact player anywhere. His footwork, ball skills and explosive athleticism make him an impactful outside cornerback — one with All-Pro potential.
Mitchell has some of the best advanced coverage metrics PFF has ever recorded for a two-year sample size. He has all the ability in the world to be a CB1 at the next level.
Wiggins has the tools of a first-round, high-impact cornerback. His athleticism will never be in question, nor will his competitiveness. Those two characteristics should yield a long-term starting player.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
SAFETY
1. S TYLER NUBIN, MINNESOTA
2. S JAVON BULLARD, GEORGIA
3. S JADEN HICKS, WASHINGTON STATE
4. S KAMREN KINCHENS, MIAMI FLA.
5. S CALEN BULLOCK, USC
Nubin possesses the athleticism, football IQ and run-defense potential to be a versatile and impactful safety in any scheme, though he would likely make the most plays in a system that consistently uses two-deep coverages, allowing him to play free, robber and box safety roles.
Bullard is a versatile secondary player with a fearless mentality. Though he isn't an elite athlete, his competitiveness, quickness and tackling ability project him to a starting role as a nickel defender.
Hicks is a well-built strong safety who can play at all three levels of the field. He is a tone-setting tackler and has starting potential in two-safety systems, especially as a strong safety/robber over the middle.
Three-year grades and scouting reports: Available in the PFF big board
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