Vic Beasley, Clemson

Had Beasley declared for the 2014 NFL draft, he would have likely been a first round pick. As of now, Beasley is a bit slim (235 pounds), but his pass rushing ability is not hindered because of that. Beasley’s conversion of speed to power is beyond his years. Most collegiate pass rushers fail to consistently convert their speed to power and plow through lineman. Likewise, Beasley’s violent hand usage is developed and effective. He rips and shreds at opposing lineman to create a small gap to burst through with his top notch quickness. Beasley’s most glaring flaw is his inability to defend the run. Whether it be because he is physically incapable or because he is uninterested, or both, Beasley is near useless against the run. He gets bullied off of his spot and is washed away from the play. Despite that, Beasley’s unrivaled rushing ability will get him drafted highly.

Randy Gregory, Nebraska

Gregory is this class’ top true 4-3 defensive end. Gregory flashed the strength, speed, and quickness to dominate the edge, but technique issues hindered him. When taking on offensive tackles, Gregory’s pad level was often too high and it lead to him being stood up by opposing lineman. Once he is stood up, Gregory’s hand usage is too tight. He keeps his arms too close to his own body, seldom allowing him to create enough room to evade the lineman. That being said, there were glimpses of proper pad level and hand usage that may be able to be permanently seen out of Gregory.  

Markus Golden, Missouri

Although Kony Ealy and Michael Sam received all of the attention centered around Missouri last year, Golden deserved to has his name mentioned as well. In space, Golden moves quicker and more fluidly than he should for his size. Partly because of his fluidity, Golden was used all along Missouri’s line, including as near as 3-tech and as far as 9-tech. The problem was (and still is) that Golden’s functional strength is not ideal to play any nearer than 7-tech. If utilized more correctly, Golden could be quite productive.

Trey Flowers, Arkansas

Flowers, more so than any of the other true 4-3 defensive ends in this class, is tenacious. Flowers does not think about how to get to the quarterback, he just attacks. Even if Flowers’ initial move does not work, Flowers is working his way up field on every snap. Although, defending the run is his best quality. Flowers’ stacks and sheds blockers, then proceeds to swallow the running backs that intended to follow the blockers. If Flowers’ can develop some sort of quickness and burst, he could be a nasty strong side defensive end.

Alvin Dupree, Kentucky

Pass rushers with tremendous closing speed are a quarterback’s worst nightmare, and Dupree has tremendous closing speed. Dupree is a determined pass rusher that fights or chases, if need be, until the play is dead. If Dupree finds even the smallest of openings, his burst and pursuit allows him to get to the quarterback. Better yet, Dupree is often the reason openings are found because his explosion off of the snap gives him an immediate edge over the lineman opposite of him.