Top 5 defensive linemen in the NFL draft

For NFL teams trying to bolster their defensive line, this year’s draft presents the perfect opportunity to do so.

We’ve got some highly-anticipated talent to talk about, as these top five defensive linemen could easily flip their team’s front seven from mediocre to brilliant.

Let’s take a look.

5. Chop Robinson, Penn State

From a promising freshman at Maryland to NFL-caliber talent at Penn State, Chop Robinson begins our list with his high energy as a three-down force.

The junior, listed at 6-foot-3 and 254 pounds, uses that frame to shock his opponents on initial contact with the speed to evade those defenders as well.

Robinson posted 15 tackles and 4 sacks in his final collegiate season, and was listed on the Bednarik Award watch list along with first-team All-Big Ten honors.

With Robinson’s explosive initial step, he’ll have an easier time than most at firing off the edge and disrupting the run and pass by splitting into the backfield. Expect him to go somewhere in the first round.

4. Byron Murphy II, Texas

Byron Murphy II went from being pretty good in his first couple years at Texas, to outstanding in his final campaign.

Murphy’s pass rush saw him post an eye-catching 40 pressures, 30 QB hurries, four QB hits and six sacks last season.

Murphy’s interior rush can’t be ignored, as his speed, strength and prowess at slipping through gaps to wreak havoc in the backfield draws comparisons to the future Hall of Famer, Aaron Donald.

Murphy is a day-one caliber athlete who can surely put in the work to be a three-down defender with the right scheme.

3. - Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

The Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the Nagurski Trophy finalist hits the number three spot of this list after accumulating 7.5 sacks, 52 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss in 12 games. Jer’Zhan Newton also paced the FBS with an Illinois-record four blocked kicks.

What I like about Newton is his resiliency against larger linemen on the edge. His intelligence to set up and maneuver past blockers thanks to his fast hands and feet gives him that athletic edge that teams are looking for.

According to NFL.com, Newton’s pro comparison lies with Javon Hargrave, and he could go somewhere between days one and two.

2. Jared Verse, Florida State

Jared Verse has been part of the First-team All-ACC in back-to-back seasons with Florida State, and for good reason.

The 6-4, 254-pound stud out of Dayton, Ohio, has served up nine sacks in each of those last two campaigns and racked up 29 tackles for loss as a Seminole.

Verse continuously pours his way into the backfield, and does this by excelling at the point of attack and using his first step to gain an edge.

His ability to diagnose a coverage package and dissect it by attacking the weakest spot of the offense is what makes Verse so special.

Verse will find a home somewhere in the first round. Good luck to the opposing divisional teams that must put up with him twice a season.

1. Laiatu Latu, UCLA

Rounding off our list is the 2023 Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award winner, Laiatu Latu.

Latu additionally won the Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year and topped the FBS with his 21.5 tackles for loss. His 13 sacks had him tied for fourth, and he also boasted 49 tackles, two interceptions, two passes broken up and two forced fumbles.

The kid can do it all with his immense power and ability to shed blocks rapidly, which has allowed him so many opportunities to impact the game.

Because of these accolades in particular, Latu is the top defensive lineman in the draft who draws comparisons to T.J. Watt according to NFL.com.

Jake Irwin is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email jpi5089@psu.edu.