2021 NFL Draft defensive end rankings: Ronnie Perkins leads a deep class

The 2021 NFL Draft defensive end class lacks the truly great players we have seen in recent years when players such as Chase Young, Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett have been top-five picks. However, the class does off a lot of depth as five defensive ends carry first-round grades.

1. Ronnie Perkins
6-foot-3, 251 pounds
2021 NFL Draft grade: First round

Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins has been a standout from day one for the Sooners. As a freshman, he led the team in sacks with five and was named a freshman All-American by ESPN. He followed that up with a strong sophomore season where he registered 13.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. Unfortunately, his sophomore season did not the end way he would have wanted as he was suspended at the end of the year and the start of the 2020 season due to a failed drug test. This past season Perkins recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in just six games.

One thing NFL teams will really like about Perkins is that he is a complete defensive end. In fact, he was the only defensive lineman with 90+ grades in run-defense and pass-rush in 2020 according to Pro Football Focus. As a pass rusher, he shows a speed-power combination that makes him very dangerous. His power helps him in the run game as well as he is able to jolt the offensive tackle with his initial punch. He should have no problem being a three-down defender in the NFL.

The biggest concern with Perkins is his failed drug test that caused him to be suspended. Working in his favor on this issue though is that he has no other issues off the field and it was a failed test for marijuana. On the field, he is a tad bit stiff in the upper body. He also is on the shorter side coming in at only 6-foot-3.

While it is unlikely Perkins will be the first defensive end taken off the board, it would not be a shock if he turns out to be the best player from this group.