Defensive & Special Teams Draft Preview
Defensive Ends
#1 Greg Peterson – Defensive End
Speed: 79 | Awareness: 50 | Tackle: 61
Greg Peterson brings a combination of edge speed and developing football awareness. His speed rating of 79 allows him to threaten the corner, chase plays from the backside, and create pressure with effort. His awareness rating of 50 indicates a need for refinement when diagnosing blocking schemes, while a tackle rating of 61 gives him developmental value as a pursuit defender. He profiles as a potential early starter on the edge whose athletic traits can become more productive as his technique and recognition improve.
#2 Jay Richardson – Defensive End
Speed: 77 | Awareness: 43 | Tackle: 48
Jay Richardson has a combination of edge speed and developing football awareness. His speed rating of 77 allows him to threaten the corner, chase plays from the backside, and create pressure with effort. His awareness rating of 43 indicates a need for refinement when diagnosing blocking schemes, while a tackle rating of 48 gives him developmental value as a pursuit defender. He profiles as a potential early starter on the edge whose athletic traits can become more productive as his technique and recognition improve.
#3 LaMarr Woodley – Defensive End
Speed: 75 | Awareness: 58 | Tackle: 49
LaMarr Woodley brings a combination of edge speed and developing football awareness. His speed rating of 75 allows him to threaten the corner, chase plays from the backside, and create pressure with effort. His awareness rating of 58 indicates good discipline and play recognition, while a tackle rating of 49 gives him developmental value as a pursuit defender. He profiles as a rotational pass-rusher with room to grow whose athletic traits can become more productive as his technique and recognition improve.
#4 Ray McDonald – Defensive End
Speed: 80 | Awareness: 47 | Tackle: 55
Ray McDonald brings a combination of edge speed and developing football awareness. His speed rating of 80 allows him to threaten the corner, chase plays from the backside, and create pressure with effort. His awareness rating of 47 indicates a need for refinement when diagnosing blocking schemes, while a tackle rating of 55 gives him developmental value as a pursuit defender. He profiles as a rotational pass-rusher with room to grow whose athletic traits can become more productive as his technique and recognition improve.
#5 Justin Rogers – Defensive End
Speed: 85 | Awareness: 42 | Tackle: 46
Justin Rogers brings a combination of edge speed and developing football awareness. His speed rating of 85 allows him to threaten the corner, chase plays from the backside, and create pressure with effort. His awareness rating of 42 indicates a need for refinement when diagnosing blocking schemes, while a tackle rating of 46 gives him developmental value as a pursuit defender. He profiles as a rotational pass-rusher with room to grow whose athletic traits can become more productive as his technique and recognition improve.
Defensive Tackles
#1 Alan Branch – Defensive Tackle
Speed: 91 | Awareness: 40 | Tackle: 58
Alan Branch offers an unusual blend of interior movement ability and disruptive upside. His speed rating of 91 gives him the quickness to penetrate gaps and pursue plays beyond the line of scrimmage. An awareness rating of 40 shows a developmental need to read blocking combinations more consistently, while his tackle rating of 58 makes him a player whose athleticism currently exceeds his finishing consistency. He projects as a starting-caliber interior disruptor who can create problems with quickness and improve as his technique matures.
#2 Franklin Lloyd – Defensive Tackle
Speed: 57 | Awareness: 35 | Tackle: 60
Franklin Lloyd offers an unusual blend of interior movement ability and disruptive upside. His speed rating of 57 gives him the quickness to penetrate gaps and pursue plays beyond the line of scrimmage. An awareness rating of 35 shows a developmental need to read blocking combinations more consistently, while his tackle rating of 60 makes him a player whose athleticism currently exceeds his finishing consistency. He projects as a starting-caliber interior disruptor who can create problems with quickness and improve as his technique matures.
#3 Justin Harrell – Defensive Tackle
Speed: 71 | Awareness: 49 | Tackle: 72
Justin Harrell offers an unusual blend of interior movement ability and disruptive upside. His speed rating of 71 gives him the quickness to penetrate gaps and pursue plays beyond the line of scrimmage. An awareness rating of 49 shows solid recognition for the position, while his tackle rating of 72 makes him a dependable interior finisher. He projects as a rotational lineman with scheme-specific upside who can create problems with quickness and improve as his technique matures.
#4 Ed Johnson – Defensive Tackle
Speed: 68 | Awareness: 48 | Tackle: 64
Ed Johnson offers an unusual blend of interior movement ability and disruptive upside. His speed rating of 68 gives him the quickness to penetrate gaps and pursue plays beyond the line of scrimmage. An awareness rating of 48 shows solid recognition for the position, while his tackle rating of 64 makes him a player whose athleticism currently exceeds his finishing consistency. He projects as a rotational lineman with scheme-specific upside who can create problems with quickness and improve as his technique matures.
#5 Brandon Mebane – Defensive Tackle
Speed: 79 | Awareness: 44 | Tackle: 67
Brandon Mebane offers an unusual blend of interior movement ability and disruptive upside. His speed rating of 79 gives him the quickness to penetrate gaps and pursue plays beyond the line of scrimmage. An awareness rating of 44 shows a developmental need to read blocking combinations more consistently, while his tackle rating of 67 makes him a dependable interior finisher. He projects as a rotational lineman with scheme-specific upside who can create problems with quickness and improve as his technique matures.
Middle Linebackers
#1 Patrick Willis – Middle Linebacker
Speed: 99 | Awareness: 78 | Tackle: 79
Patrick Willis brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 99 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 78 awareness, he shows the instincts to diagnose plays quickly, while his 79 tackle rating makes him a capable run defender who can improve with technique. He projects as an immediate three-down linebacker who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#2 Zak DeOssie – Middle Linebacker
Speed: 87 | Awareness: 61 | Tackle: 77
Zak DeOssie brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 87 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 61 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 77 tackle rating makes him a capable run defender who can improve with technique. He projects as an immediate three-down linebacker who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#3 Lawrence Timmons – Middle Linebacker
Speed: 89 | Awareness: 77 | Tackle: 83
Lawrence Timmons brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 89 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 77 awareness, he shows the instincts to diagnose plays quickly, while his 83 tackle rating makes him one of the more dependable finishers in the group. He projects as an immediate three-down linebacker who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#4 Jon Beason – Middle Linebacker
Speed: 83 | Awareness: 71 | Tackle: 84
Jon Beason brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 83 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 71 awareness, he shows the instincts to diagnose plays quickly, while his 84 tackle rating makes him one of the more dependable finishers in the group. He projects as a versatile contributor with starting potential who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#5 Kelvin Smith – Middle Linebacker
Speed: 89 | Awareness: 66 | Tackle: 82
Kelvin Smith brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 89 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 66 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 82 tackle rating makes him one of the more dependable finishers in the group. He projects as a versatile contributor with starting potential who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
Outside Linebackers
#1 Antwan Barnes – Outside Linebacker
Speed: 97 | Awareness: 34 | Tackle: 68
Antwan Barnes brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 97 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 34 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 68 tackle rating makes him a capable run defender who can improve with technique. He projects as an immediate three-down linebacker who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#2 Stephen Nicholas – Outside Linebacker
Speed: 82 | Awareness: 53 | Tackle: 73
Stephen Nicholas brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 82 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 53 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 73 tackle rating makes him a capable run defender who can improve with technique. He projects as a versatile contributor with starting potential who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#3 Chad Nkang – Outside Linebacker
Speed: 85 | Awareness: 46 | Tackle: 64
Chad Nkang brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 85 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 46 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 64 tackle rating makes him a capable run defender who can improve with technique. He projects as a versatile contributor with starting potential who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#4 Anthony Spencer – Outside Linebacker
Speed: 85 | Awareness: 64 | Tackle: 85
Anthony Spencer brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 85 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 64 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 85 tackle rating makes him one of the more dependable finishers in the group. He projects as a versatile contributor with starting potential who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
#5 Justin Durant – Outside Linebacker
Speed: 88 | Awareness: 62 | Tackle: 66
Justin Durant brings a blend of pursuit speed, awareness, and tackling ability. His speed rating of 88 gives him the range to chase plays from sideline to sideline and remain useful in space. With 62 awareness, he shows a foundation of recognition skills that can be developed, while his 66 tackle rating makes him a capable run defender who can improve with technique. He projects as a versatile contributor with starting potential who can help against the run, in pursuit, and on special teams.
Cornerbacks
#1 Darrelle Revis – Cornerback
Speed: 99 | Awareness: 61 | Catching: 67
Darrelle Revis has a elite athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 99 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 61 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 67 makes him a dependable takeaway threat. He projects as an immediate starting-caliber defensive back whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#2 Brandon McDonald – Cornerback
Speed: 93 | Awareness: 67 | Catching: 70
Brandon McDonald has a outstanding athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 93 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 67 shows advanced instincts, while his catching rating of 70 makes him a dependable takeaway threat. He projects as an immediate starting-caliber defensive back whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#3 Dante Hughes – Cornerback
Speed: 91 | Awareness: 59 | Catching: 68
Dante Hughes has a outstanding athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 91 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 59 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 68 makes him a dependable takeaway threat. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#4 David Irons – Cornerback
Speed: 87 | Awareness: 55 | Catching: 64
David Irons has a excellent athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 87 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 55 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 64 makes him capable of finishing interception opportunities when properly positioned. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#5 Corey Graham – Cornerback
Speed: 87 | Awareness: 66 | Catching: 63
Corey Graham has a excellent athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 87 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 66 shows advanced instincts, while his catching rating of 63 makes him capable of finishing interception opportunities when properly positioned. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
Free Safeties
#1 Dashon Goldson – Free Safety
Speed: 93 | Awareness: 51 | Catching: 63
Dashon Goldson has a outstanding athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 93 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 51 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 63 makes him capable of finishing interception opportunities when properly positioned. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#2 Eric Weddle – Free Safety
Speed: 84 | Awareness: 65 | Catching: 57
Eric Weddle has a strong athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 84 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 65 shows advanced instincts, while his catching rating of 57 makes him capable of finishing interception opportunities when properly positioned. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#3 Reggie Nelson – Free Safety
Speed: 88 | Awareness: 52 | Catching: 69
Reggie Nelson has a excellent athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 88 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 52 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 69 makes him a dependable takeaway threat. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#4 Daren Stone – Free Safety
Speed: 90 | Awareness: 50 | Catching: 59
Daren Stone has a outstanding athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 90 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 50 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 59 makes him capable of finishing interception opportunities when properly positioned. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
#5 Michael Griffin – Free Safety
Speed: 89 | Awareness: 45 | Catching: 71
Michael Griffin has a excellent athletic profile and the coverage tools needed to affect the passing game. His speed rating of 89 gives him the range to stay connected to receivers and recover when a play begins to break down. An awareness rating of 45 shows room for continued growth in route recognition, while his catching rating of 71 makes him a dependable takeaway threat. He projects as a useful early contributor with starting upside whose combination of movement ability, instincts, and ball skills gives defensive coordinators flexibility in multiple coverages.
Strong Safeties
#1 Aaron Rouse – Strong Safety
Speed: 88 | Awareness: 62 | Tackle: 66
Aaron Rouse offers a balanced combination of range and physicality. His speed rating of 88 allows him to close ground quickly, whether he is driving downhill against the run or rotating into coverage from the back end. His 62 awareness reflects reliable play recognition, and a tackle rating of 66 gives him the ability to contribute consistently near the line of scrimmage. He offers the versatility to play in the box, cover underneath zones, and support special teams while developing into a defensive centerpiece.
#2 LaRon Landry – Strong Safety
Speed: 90 | Awareness: 60 | Tackle: 85
LaRon Landry offers a balanced combination of range and physicality. His speed rating of 90 allows him to close ground quickly, whether he is driving downhill against the run or rotating into coverage from the back end. His 60 awareness reflects reliable play recognition, and a tackle rating of 85 gives him high-impact finishing ability. He offers the versatility to play in the box, cover underneath zones, and support special teams while developing into a dependable starting option.
#3 Brandon Meriweather – Strong Safety
Speed: 81 | Awareness: 64 | Tackle: 67
Brandon Meriweather offers a balanced combination of range and physicality. His speed rating of 81 allows him to close ground quickly, whether he is driving downhill against the run or rotating into coverage from the back end. His 64 awareness reflects reliable play recognition, and a tackle rating of 67 gives him the ability to contribute consistently near the line of scrimmage. He offers the versatility to play in the box, cover underneath zones, and support special teams while developing into a dependable starting option.
#4 Eric Frampton – Strong Safety
Speed: 91 | Awareness: 49 | Tackle: 54
Eric Frampton offers a balanced combination of range and physicality. His speed rating of 91 allows him to close ground quickly, whether he is driving downhill against the run or rotating into coverage from the back end. His 49 awareness reflects developmental instincts that should improve with experience, and a tackle rating of 54 gives him the ability to contribute consistently near the line of scrimmage. He offers the versatility to play in the box, cover underneath zones, and support special teams while developing into a dependable starting option.
#5 Kevin Payne – Strong Safety
Speed: 78 | Awareness: 64 | Tackle: 75
Kevin Payne offers a balanced combination of range and physicality. His speed rating of 78 allows him to close ground quickly, whether he is driving downhill against the run or rotating into coverage from the back end. His 64 awareness reflects reliable play recognition, and a tackle rating of 75 gives him the ability to contribute consistently near the line of scrimmage. He offers the versatility to play in the box, cover underneath zones, and support special teams while developing into a dependable starting option.
Kickers
#1 Patrick Shadle – Kicker
Awareness: 78 | Kick Power: 90 | Kick Accuracy: 79
Patrick Shadle brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 78 reflects excellent reliability in pressure situations, while his 90 kick power provides leg strength to attempt long field goals. His kick accuracy rating of 79 gives him solid placement ability and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at kicker.
#2 Jamie Christensen – Kicker
Awareness: 70 | Kick Power: 95 | Kick Accuracy: 78
Jamie Christensen brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 70 reflects excellent reliability in pressure situations, while his 95 kick power provides leg strength to attempt long field goals. His kick accuracy rating of 78 gives him solid placement ability and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at kicker.
#3 Justin Medlock – Kicker
Awareness: 69 | Kick Power: 89 | Kick Accuracy: 83
Justin Medlock brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 69 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 89 kick power provides enough leg strength to handle professional kicking duties. His kick accuracy rating of 83 gives him solid placement ability and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at kicker.
#4 John Vaughn – Kicker
Awareness: 66 | Kick Power: 90 | Kick Accuracy: 86
John Vaughn brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 66 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 90 kick power provides leg strength to attempt long field goals. His kick accuracy rating of 86 gives him excellent consistency and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at kicker.
#5 Nick Folk – Kicker
Awareness: 52 | Kick Power: 93 | Kick Accuracy: 85
Nick Folk brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 52 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 93 kick power provides leg strength to attempt long field goals. His kick accuracy rating of 85 gives him excellent consistency and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a developmental specialist with roster value.
Punters
#1 Ross Ryan – Punter
Awareness: 70 | Kick Power: 91 | Kick Accuracy: 79
Ross Ryan brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 70 reflects excellent reliability in pressure situations, while his 91 kick power provides the leg strength to consistently drive the ball downfield. His kick accuracy rating of 79 gives him developing directional consistency and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at punter.
#2 Jeremy Kapinos – Punter
Awareness: 63 | Kick Power: 83 | Kick Accuracy: 79
Jeremy Kapinos brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 63 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 83 kick power provides the leg strength to consistently drive the ball downfield. His kick accuracy rating of 79 gives him developing directional consistency and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at punter.
#3 Daniel Sepulveda – Punter
Awareness: 57 | Kick Power: 91 | Kick Accuracy: 80
Daniel Sepulveda brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 57 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 91 kick power provides the leg strength to consistently drive the ball downfield. His kick accuracy rating of 80 gives him strong directional control and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a potential long-term answer at punter.
#4 Brandon Fields – Punter
Awareness: 50 | Kick Power: 99 | Kick Accuracy: 77
Brandon Fields brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 50 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 99 kick power provides the power to flip field position with booming punts. His kick accuracy rating of 77 gives him developing directional consistency and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a developmental specialist with upside.
#5 Adam Podlesh – Punter
Awareness: 42 | Kick Power: 97 | Kick Accuracy: 74
Adam Podlesh brings a combination of composure, leg strength, and placement. His awareness rating of 42 reflects a workable mental foundation for the position, while his 97 kick power provides the power to flip field position with booming punts. His kick accuracy rating of 74 gives him developing directional consistency and helps reduce the risk of costly misses or poor field position. He projects as a developmental specialist with upside.
