Georgia’s Nolan Smith Headlines Defense At 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

Edge Rusher

Other edge rushers that stood out include Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Byron Young (Tennessee), and Adetomiwa Adebawore (Northwestern). They either made some money with their testing, like Young, or confirmed their status at the top of the position, like the “Terminator” aka Will Anderson Jr. certainly did.

At 6’3″ and 253 lbs., Anderson should be a top-five pick, with the size and production (34.5 sacks) to match the profile of a potential top pass rusher the NFL covets. His testing wasn’t flashy at a bulked-up weight with his measurables (ran a 4.6 at the 40-yard dash). It still was good enough to cement his status as the best or one of the best defensive players in this draft. During the drills, he was up and down but the Alabama junior is one of the most polished players in this draft.

The biggest potential freak in terms of size and speed could be Northwestern’s Adebawore, the 6’2″, 282-pound defensive lineman that ran a 4.49 40-yard dash (also excelling at the other athletic drills). The senior is raw and lacks production, but can be molded into an explosive pass rusher if he gets the right development. As a later-round prospect, a team may jump on him earlier than expected just cause of his testing, even if he is a tweener at the position.

Tennessee’s Young also made some money, as he was right behind or ahead of Smith and Adebawore in terms of testing. As an older prospect at 25 years old, Young had the same amount of sacks in two years (12.5) as Adebawore in four seasons (12.5).

Other notable names that could be picked from days two and three of the draft that helped themselves with their testing include Will McDonald IV (Iowa State), Derrick Hall (Auburn), Isaiah Foskey (Notre Dame), Lonnie Phelps (Kansas), Jose Ramirez (Eastern Michigan), Robert Beal Jr. (Georgia), and YaYa Diaby (Louisville).

Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech) and Myles Murphy (Clemson) are the other names that will be taken early in round one to rush the passer. The other Clemson defensive lineman, Bryan Bresee, at defensive tackle had a good showing with his testing and should also be a potential first-rounder.

The medicals will be key for these guys, as some are recovering from an injury or need to prove they are worth the risk with their talent, despite their injury history.

Another player on defense from Clemson that potentially raised his draft stock is the do-it-all speedy linebacker, Trenton Simpson, in a weaker linebacker class compared to most years.