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Just like the offensive line controls the game on the offensive end, the defensive line controls the defense. The game of football is won between those two battles. Most defensive linemen go into groups such as 4-3 defensive ends, 3-4 defensive ends, 4-3 defensive tackles, and big nose tackles. This year there is a lot of depth for the defensive linemen. The big guys are very big and the top guys are very versatile to fit in multiple types of defenses.

The top 2 guys being named for d-linemen are Joey Bosa and Noah Spence. Bosa was once looked as a candidate for the #1 overall pick, but now seems to be falling more in the 5-10 range. He is a good pass rusher and uses his hands well, but he is not a natural pass rusher and doesn’t have the initial burst/speed that you see from natural pass rushers. I think the best comparison to him would be Derrick Morgan of the Tennessee Titans.

Speaking of natural pass rushers, the man who seems to have to most pass rush ability is Noah Spence. He was originally looked at as a 2nd round, and to some 3rd round, guy, because of his off-field issues, but his talent has been so undeniable that he is now being looked at as possibly the 3rd overall pick to the San Diego Chargers.

One other player that has been racing up draft boards lately has been DeForrest Buckner. He is also being talked about as a possible pick of the Chargers at #3. He fits perfectly as a 3-4 DE who is so long and lanky that he should be able to hold the edge and knock down a lot of balls. The difference between him and previously selected Oregon DE’s is Buckner actually has some nice pass rushing moves.

Below is a list of all the heights, weights, arm lengths, and hand lengths of all the Defensive Linemen who will be at the 2016 NFL Combine.

Player School Height Weight Arm
Mehdi Abdesmad Boston College 6-6 284 33 3/8
Sterling Bailey Georgia 6-4 285 33 3/8
Jimmy Bean Oklahoma State 6-5 264 33 1/2
Andrew Billings Baylor 6-1 311 33
Ronald Blair Appalachian State 6-2 284 34
Joey Bosa Ohio State 6-5 269 33 3/8
DeForest Buckner Oregon 6-7 291 34 3/8
Jonathan Bullard Florida 6-3 285 33 5/8
Vernon Butler Louisiana Tech 6-4 323 35
Shilique Calhoun Michigan State 6-4 251 34 1/4
Kenny Clark UCLA 6-3 314 32 1/8
Maliek Collins Nebraska 6-2 311 33 1/8
Kamalei Correa Boise State 6-3 243 31 5/8
James Cowser Southern Utah 6-3 248 32 7/8
Sheldon Day Notre Dame 6-1 293 32 5/8
Kevin Dodd Clemson 6-5 277 34
Jason Fanaika Utah 6-2 271 32 5/8
Adam Gotsis Georgia Tech 6-5 287 34 1/8
Javon Hargrave South Carolina State 6-1 309 32
Joel Heath Michigan State 6-5 293 34 1/2
Willie Henry Michigan 6-3 303 33 3/8
Matt Ioannidis Temple 6-4 299 32 3/8
Branden Jackson Texas Tech 6-4 273 33 3/8
Quinton Jefferson Maryland 6-4 291 33 3/8
Austin Johnson Penn State 6-4 314 32 3/4
Chris Jones Mississippi State 6-6 310 34 1/2
Matt Judon Grand Valley State 6-3 275 33 7/8
Ufomba Kamalu Miami 6-5 295 35
Bronson Kaufusi BYU 6-7 285 34 1/2
Darius Latham Indiana 6-4 311 34 3/4
Nile Lawrence-Stample Florida State 6-1 320 32 3/4
Shaq Lawson Clemson 6-3 269 32 3/4
Dean Lowry Northwestern 6-6 296 31
Luther Maddy Virginia Tech 6-0 287 32 1/4
Chris Mayes Georgia 6-3 338 34
Alex Mccalister Florida 6-6 239 36
Carl Nassib Penn State 6-7 277 34
Giorgio Newberry Florida State 6-6 285 34
Yannick Ngakoue Maryland 6-2 252 32 1/2
Dadi Nicolas Virginia Tech 6-3 235 34 3/4
Robert Nkemdiche Ole Miss 6-4 294 33 7/8
Shawn Oakman Baylor 6-8 287 35 3/4
Victor Ochi Stony Brook 6-1 246 33 3/4
Emmanuel Ogbah Oklahoma State 6-4 273 35 1/2
Romeo Okwara Notre Dame 6-5 265 34 1/8
D J Pettway Alabama 6-2 265 32 1/4
Sheldon Rankins Louisville 6-1 299 33 3/8
D J Reader Clemson 6-3 327 33
Jarran Reed Alabama 6-3 307 33 3/8
Hassan Ridgeway Texas 6-3 303 33
A’Shawn Robinson Alabama 6-4 307 34 1/2
Devaunte Sigler Jacksonville State-Al 6-4 298 33 3/4
Noah Spence Eastern Kentucky 6-3 251 33
Charles Tapper Oklahoma 6-3 271 34 3/8
Lawrence Thomas Michigan State 6-4 286 33 1/4
Ron Thompson Syracuse 6-3 253 32 1/4
Vincent Valentine Nebraska 6-4 329 33 1/8
Jihad Ward Illinois 6-5 297 33 7/8
Adolphus Washington Ohio State 6-3 301 34 1/2
Antwaun Woods USC 6-0 318 31
Connor Wujciak Boston College 6-3 291 33 1/4
Anthony Zettel Penn State 6-4 277 31 1/8