The 2024 Senior Bowl is about to begin, with an abundance of top talent available to watch ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. The defensive line is no exception, as multiple quality interior defensive linemen head down to Mobile, Alabama — including a potential first-rounder.
Which defensive linemen are the top ones to watch this week?
Top DL at the Senior Bowl
1) Byron Murphy II, Texas
A huge riser in the 2023 season, Byron Murphy II is one of the top defensive tackles in the draft, not just the Senior Bowl.
Murphy’s athleticism immediately hits you on tape, and his explosive movement to get lateral and vertical is extremely impressive. He has a natural feel for leverage where he uses his burst and power to win.
Murphy’s power profile gives him violent strength, and that lower body force makes him comfortable against the run and the pass. Unfortunately, he won’t be participating in drills in Mobile as Murphy is resting a minor injury he suffered late in the season, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler reports.
2) T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
At 6’4” and around 350 pounds, T’Vondre Sweat is a physical specimen. An absolute mammoth, the Texas standout is impossible to move, and he eats up running lanes.
Sweat is a wall that cannot be run through or around. He can create a massive amount of power and has a surprising amount of burst for his size.
As you would expect for a man of his measurements, Sweat isn’t the most athletic of prospects, but his technique, power, and skill moves more than compensate for it.
One thing is for sure, when you’re watching the 2024 Senior Bowl, you won’t miss him!
3) Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Ruke Orhorhoro has a real chance of boosting his stock at the Senior Bowl. The former Clemson defensive lineman has flashed his ability to rush the passer and the strength to defend the run. He now needs to become more consistent.
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Orhorhoro is still developing, having come to the game late. Still, for his lack of experience, he has shown the versatility to play multiple spots adequately, and his explosive first step generates leverage wherever he is aligned.
4) McKinnley Jackson, Texas A&M
McKinnley Jackson is an extremely well-rounded defensive line prospect with the strength and explosiveness to see the field often.
Jackson’s pass-rush tools are some of the best in the defensive tackle class, and he can deploy them to full effect. Whether he’s bull rushing, utilizing a swipe move, or using his swim move, Jackson is a havoc-making presence in the pocket.
His lethal burst saw him regularly attract double teams with the Aggies. If offensive linemen don’t respect Jackson’s skill set during 1-on-1s, he’s going to be sinking their draft stock as he elevates his.
5) Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
An explosive, twitched-up athlete, Michael Hall Jr. is a pure interior pass rusher. His fluid movement and flexibility mean he constantly impacts the pocket on passing downs, and that ability should see him win frequently in pass-rush drills.
Hall is on the smaller side at 6’2” and 280 pounds. That lack of size does show up in the run game, but when added to a rotation of defensive linemen, Hall can be productive in the NFL.
Other DL To Watch at the Senior Bowl
- Tyler Davis, Clemson
- Braden Fiske, Florida State
- Darius Robinson, Missouri
- DeWayne Carter, Duke
- Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
- Justin Eboigbe, Alabama
- Gabe Hall, Baylor
- Jordan Jefferson, LSU
- Marcus Harris, Auburn
- Jaden Crumedy, Mississippi State
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!