DRAFT TRACKER 2018

Chubb possesses high-end physical traits, years of production and the ability to play in a variety of positions in both odd and even fronts. Chubb returned to school last year and turned areas of improvement into areas of strength. His motor and athletic ability cause him to jump off the tape snap after snap and his play attributes and production should translate quickly as a pro. Chubb should be an early pick, early starter and multi-time Pro Bowler.

Davenport packed on 30 pounds from his sophomore to senior season and has the frame to continue getting bigger and stronger. While he's been a stand-up rusher at UTSA, teams may see him as a 4-3 defensive end. Right now Davenport is more of a flash player than a consistent menace, but he showed flashes at the Senior Bowl of being able to take a substantial step forward with more time.

Green's draft grade is based on projection over what he shows today. He has obvious upside that is waiting to be unlocked and unleashed, but he must get stronger and play with better technique and toughness. Green doesn't have the sand in his pants to hold up at the point of attack as an interior defender and will likely be targeted as a base end in 4-3 or 3-4 schemes with a likely role of reducing inside on passing downs. Green may need a team with a patient approach and willing mentor to guide him along his early stages. It will take time, but he should become an impact starter in the league.

Hubbard will pass the eyeball test with his height, weight, and build, but he's missing the plus athleticism to take him over the top as a pass rusher. His tape is solid, but nothing jumps off the screen. Teams looking for a big time edge rusher won't get too excited by him, but he will appeal to defensive coordinators looking for guys with size and motor to plug into a blitz-heavy, twist-happy defense. Hubbard could become an early starter as a strong-side defensive end for a 4-3 defense.

In 2014, Hand was considered the top-rated recruit in the nation but failed to find the production and accolades that were expected of him. While he possesses NFL size and ability, he hasn't always played with the fire or urgency we have come to expect from Alabama defenders. Hand is a versatile defender who could be targeted as a base end who reduces inside on passing downs. He'll likely be drafted on Day 2 based on the traits, but he's hardly a lock to match the production to the talent as a pro.

Ejiofor looked a little quicker and more fluid last season, but he's not a naturally gifted athlete. Ejiofor's game revolves around his heavy hands and his ability to finish as a rusher if a blocker gives him an opening. Ejiofor needs to play with better play speed and a more consistent motor to reach his potential, but his natural strength and ability to harass the quarterback as an interior rusher on sub packages gives him a chance to find some early playing time even if he's a backup.

Holmes doesn't rush well enough to be a 4-3 end and needs more strength to fit into 3-4 fronts. However, if he improves his hand usage and adds lower body strength, he has the potential to become an effective 3-4 end with the ability to push the pocket as an interior rusher in sub packages. Holmes lacks the explosiveness to be a starter who will fill up the stat sheet, but he has intriguing size/strength potential that could make him a better pro than college player.

Has all the physical and athletic traits that a team could look for along the edge and he's versatile enough to play in an odd or even front. Thomas' draft grade is based much more on projection than production and he will need prove that he can convert coaching into success on the field as a pass rusher. Thomas has the potential to become a much better pro than college player, but his floor is lower than you might like.

Lewis has become less productive and seemingly less effective as Ohio State has added depth to their defensive front. Lewis had some intriguing flashes on tape when rushing from a defensive tackle spot, but he may not be effective enough against the run to become anything more than a situational rusher.

Franklin-Myers carried 297 pounds on his frame this spring but played at 280 at the NFLPA game in January. His sweet spot might be around 290 pounds, which would position him more favorably as a 3-4 defensive end with some rush potential. Franklin-Myers flashes power at the point of attack and the ability to get a quick win when he's working around the edges. He's a solid developmental prospect with intriguing upside if the technique improves.

Street has the level of strength and toughness that defenses are looking for on the edge, but his lack of reactive quickness and lack of desired length is a concern against NFL tackles. Street doesn't appear to be a plus NFL pass rusher but his power is intriguing. A team might be interested in asking him to add more weight in an attempt to bump him inside. After tearing his ACL at his pro day, Street will likely see a drop in his draft positioning.

Hard-charging defensive end who wins with skill and motor over athletic traits. Frazier has good size, but is inconsistent in stacking and reacting to run plays as an early down edge defender. Frazier is a fluid pass rusher with a variety of moves at his disposal and an ability to counter when his first move falters. He may not blow people away at the combine, but he has the skill level and productivity to be considered a backup 4-3 end with eventual starting potential.

When teams scout prospects from small schools, they are looking for plus physical and athletic traits and they are looking for them to dominate their level of competition. Sieler whipped the competition in front of him on a regular basis and his traits are right in line with the NFL average for his position. Sieler played 4-3 defensive end and would bump inside as a rusher, but his playing style and size scream old-school, 3-4 defensive end. Sieler needs to prove that his production can translate at a reasonable level as a pro, but he has the size and ability to become a legitimate player in the league.

Rotimi's 2016 tape has more flashes than most of his 2017 work thanks to knee issues that slowed him for much of this season. As a rusher, he's better suited as a 4-3 defensive end than a stand-up linebacker. Rotimi lacks the agility and bend to be a serious rusher from the edge and a team might look to beef him up and try to make him a 1-gap defensive tackle.

Flashes enough on tape to label him as an "ascending talent," but there are some physical and athletic limitations that provide a fixed ceiling on his pot.ential. Fanene was late to football as a youth, but is clearly improving and has learned how to use his power more effectively. He lacks explosive rush traits, but teams could be intrigued enough by his sudden burst in production to give him his shot.

James is an active, athletic defensive lineman who lacks the physical traits of an NFL interior lineman and the athletic traits of a defensive end. While his instincts and awareness are top-notch, he might struggle to find a home on an NFL roster unless he can bulk up and carve out a niche as a sub-package interior rusher.

Workout warrior whose impressive combination of speed and power is sure to catch the attention of teams looking for a designated pass rusher with traits. Simmons lacks the overall length, bend, and handwork to fully capitalize on his testing numbers and he may need time on a practice squad to continue to improve his pass rush approach. Simmons doesn't play with the sand in his pants to hold the edge so he'll have to make the necessary strides as a rusher to have a chance to make a team down the road.

If Mathieu gets drafted, it will likely be because an NFL general manager looks at the body type and sees an NFL player in his frame. Mathieu has good physical traits, but his game appears to be stalled somewhere between 3-4 rush end or 4-3 run plugger at left end. Mathieu just turned 25 which won’t help his cause as a draft pick, but his his size and potential will make him a coveted undrafted free agent at worse.

Highly productive three-year starter who has used his strength and motor to whip inferior competition across from him in the American Conference. Lawler doesn't have enough size to fit into an odd front and he lacks athletic rush traits teams want from 4-3 defensive ends. Lawler's football character and production will get him a look, but he may lack the physical talent and athletic ability to last in the league.

Keene looked out of position at times when forced into action along the interior. Even if he adds more mass to his frame, his stiff hips and knees could make anchoring against NFL blockers an impossible task. He doesn't have the natural pass rush quickness and talent that teams look for at defensive end. Keene's trip into an NFL camp may not last long without a definitive position.