Eagles Combine Prep: Defensive Linemen
Robert Nkemdiche. (USA Today Sports Images)
As Tim and Seth Joyner both noted in our defensive line outlook last week, the Eagles’ situation on the d-line is… well, it’s a bit crowded. Fletcher Cox established himself as a stud in 2015, and Bennie Logan is right there with him.
With the transition from 3-4 to 4-3, there are more spots to be filled on the line, but there are also more players — namely Connor Barwin, Vinny Curry and Brandon Graham — who will likely be classified as linemen.
That said, Cedric Thornton’s future is uncertain at best, and there are very few signs pointing toward Marcus Smith or Taylor Hart deserving playing time next season. Those two were products of the Chip Kelly regime, projects he was unwilling to give up on. Doug Pederson shouldn’t have the same problem.
And that means there could be space for depth on the defensive line, which, in a scheme with shades of wide-nine techniques, certainly wouldn’t be a problem.
Early in the mock draft season, a handful of prognosticators had the Eagles selecting Ole Miss’s Robert Nkemdiche at No. 13 overall.
Below, we’ve taken a look at eight defensive linemen — four tackles and four ends — who could be of interest to the Eagles during this week’s combine.
Projected rounds are from CBS Sports. Tape is from Draft Breakdown.
DEFENSIVE END
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Height/Weight: 6-3, 270
Projected round: 1
Analysis (NFL.com): Productive backup for two years before putting together an All-American season in his first year as a full- time starter. Lawson is built like a full-grown man and combines his instincts, toughness and power to fill up a stat sheet and set an early tone. Lawson’s frame and game are easily translatable to the NFL, but his average athleticism and pass rush skills will likely have teams viewing him as a 3-4 edge setter or a 4-3 base end. Lawson may also have value as 3-4 defensive tackle in an upfield scheme.
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Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky
Height/Weight: 6-3, 254
Projected round: 1
Analysis (NFL.com): His issues are well-documented, but his recovery and turnaround is what has NFL teams excited. Spence has been accountable for his actions and worked just as hard off the field as he has on the field to change his life and attack his problems. His inability to hold the point of attack combined with his ability to rush the passer make him a logical choice as a 3-4 rush linebacker. The speed of the game make take a year or two to get used to, but Spence should become a starter early in his career.
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Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Height/Weight: 6-3, 275
Projected round: 1-2
Analysis (NFL.com): Upon first glance, Ogbah appears unimpressive because he doesn’t play with the quickness or athleticism expected of productive pass rushers, but eventually, his translatable qualities avail themselves. Ogbah’s power will serve him well against the run, but he will have to become more skilled as a pass rusher. He can play 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end, and he might have value inside in subpackages.
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Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
Height/Weight: 6-7, 273
Projected round: 2-3
Analysis (NFL.com): Nassib is a raw, inexperienced defensive end with an outstanding motor and the instincts and feel to make more plays than his athleticism might warrant. Football runs in the Nassib family and Carl is a willing, hungry worker who will have to improve his strength and add more wrinkles to his pass rushing approach in order to meet the projections that some teams have for him.
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DEFENSIVE TACKLE
A’Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Height/Weight: 6-3, 212
Projected round: 1
Analysis (NFL.com): Hard to find an interior lineman with a more well-proportioned frame than Robinson. His size and overall talent level will have NFL teams drooling and projecting him along any and all defensive fronts, but his film might leave them hungry for more. As opposed to teammate Jarran Reed who already plays with polish, Robinson is a projection-oriented two-gapper who can step in right away and help plug holes in a leaky run defense. If Robinson can improve his leverage issues and pass rushing, he has all-pro potential; however, he’s not a sure thing to become a star.
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Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Height/Weight: 6-3, 296
Projected round: 1
Analysis (NFL.com): Considered the top-rated prospect in the nation when he signed with Ole Miss, the 3-technique tackle is considered one of the key cogs in turning around the Ole Miss program. His talent and frame are worthy of an early selection, but his lack of high-end production and character concerns could cause him to slide. With that said, he has the talent to be an impact starter in the league.
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Kenny Clark, DT, UCLA
Height/Weight: 6-2, 310
Projected round: 1-2
Analysis (NFL.com): Has the strength and talent to be a plug and play 4-3 nose, but lack of size and concerns about his value on third downs could push his draft value into the second day. Clark’s wrestling background gives him a huge leg up at the point of attack and he won’t be 21 until October which means he’s still filling out his frame. Would benefit from a year of rotational work as he continues to physically mature.
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Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Height/Weight: 6-5, 308
Projected round: 2-3
Analysis (NFL.com): Ascending prospect whose production this season matched the flashes he showed on tape. Jones has the quickness off the snap to disrupt in the gaps and the strength to control the point of attack. Like Jordan Phillips, Jones plays with an elevated pad level which needs work. With a body type and skill set to play all along the defensive line in both odd and even fronts, Jones has a chance to come off the board early and make his mark in the pros.