Leonard Williams
The player most draft experts consider the best non-quarterback in the draft, Williams checks in at just under 6-5 and 302 pounds. He started 35 of 39 games in three seasons at USC and finished his career with 21 sacks. With his great athleticism, he can play in multiple fronts and has the versatility teams crave. A rugby player until he started playing football in high school, Williams still has room to grow. Malcolm Brown – A junior out of Texas, Brown enters the NFL Draft at 6-2 and 319 pounds. As a two-year starter, he had 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his final year as a Longhorn. After playing mostly nose tackle as a freshman he played more 3 and 5 technique in his final two seasons and showed the explosive ability to get up field. A likely first round pick.
Photos of USC DT Leonard Williams
Danny Shelton
This 6-2, 339-pound monster played in 52 games, and started 40, for Washington, finishing with 9 sacks in his senior season. He lined up all over the line in college but would seem to fit best plugging the middle in the NFL. Despite his size, he has surprising quickness and can beat his man with more than just power. He should be off the board on Day One.
Photos of Washington DT Danny Shelton
Arik Armstead
At 6-7 and 292 pounds, Armstead started 19 of his 39 games in his three-year career with the Oregon Ducks. Also a basketball player for two years at Oregon, Armstead has all the size and athleticism to be a successful defensive lineman in the NFL. He has been projected by analysts as a defensive end or tackle in the 4-3 or as 3-4 defensive end.
Photos of Oregon DT Arik Armstead
Jordan Phillips
Despite being at Oklahoma for four seasons, Phillips started just 17 of 28 games due to redshirting his freshmen year and getting hurt as a sophomore. He started all 13 games in his final year as a Sooner and finished with 7 tackles for loss and two sacks. At 6-5 and 329 pounds, he has the size to take on double-teams and has also showed more than enough athleticism to succeed in the NFL.
Photos of Oklahoma DT Jordan Phillips