2013 NFL Draft: 3-4 Defensive End Rankings

The top 2013 3-4 defensive end prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted. * - denotes 2014 prospect. ** - denotes 2015 prospect.

This page was last updated May 19, 2012.

By Charlie Campbell.
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1. Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 325.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
   Projected Round (2013): Top 10.
   5/15/12: Lotulelei was a First-Team All-Pac-12 pick in 2011 and won the Morris Trophy as the conference's top defensive lineman as voted on by the starting offensive linemen. He recorded 44 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. As a junior in 2010, Lotulelei was a backup for most of the season and had 21 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss. He is still developing and has tons of potential.
   
   Lotulelei is powerful and extremely quick. He is very disruptive at the point of attack. Lotulelei has the shear strength to grab guards and toss them aside. He also explodes off the snap to quickly gain leverage on the guard. Lotulelei could fit in any NFL scheme, but could be a prototype tackle for a 4-3 defense.



2. Johnathan Hankins*, DT, Ohio State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 325.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
   Projected Round (2013): Top 20.
   5/15/12: Hankins is a massive tackle who takes up a lot of space and blockers at the point of attack. He had a strong 2011 season as a sophomore. He was a fabulous run defender at the point of attack and totaled 67 tackles. Hankins also had 11 tackles for a loss and three sacks. He had 16 tackles and a sack as a freshman. Hankins has a lot of upside and could be in for a big 2012 season.
   
   If Hankins becomes a more consistent pass-rusher and is able to produce a quality sack total, he could easily rise to the top of the first round. With Ohio State's new attacking defense, it wouldn't be surprising if Hankins increases his sack total in his junior season.





3. Bjourn Werner, DE, Florida State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 273.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
   Projected Round (2013): 1.
   5/16/12: Werner is strong, physical beast at the line of scrimmage. He pushes offensive line around and plays with violence. The Berlin, Germany product combines a good motor with a mean streak. Werner is a tough run defender at the point of attack. At times in 2011, Werner, a sophomore, outplayed teammate Brandon Jenkins. Werner (6-4, 273) broke out with some dominating games and seven sacks in 2011. He also had 37 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and eight pass breakups. Werner had 3.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2010. Don't be surprised if Werner has a massive 2012 season.



4. William Gholston*, DE, Michigan State
   Height: 6-7. Weight: 275.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
   Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
   5/16/12: The physical specimen Gholston flashed in 2011 and if he becomes more consistent he could skyrocket up draft boards. The junior from Detroit looks ready for a breakout season, although he already was a Second-Team All-Big Ten pick in 2011. Gholston broke into the lineup as a sophomore, totaling 70 tackles with five sacks, one forced fumble and 16 tackles for a loss.
   
   To end the season, Gholston had a phenomenal game against Georgia in the Outback Bowl and played well against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Gholston is very physical at the point of attack. He needs to show a relentless motor as a junior. He is the younger brother of famed New York Jets bust Vernon Gholston, so it will be interesting to see if teams hold that against William.



5. Jesse Williams, DT, Alabama
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 320.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
   5/15/12: The "tattooed monster from down under" has some shear power and quickness. The Australian didn't start playing football until he was 15 years old. He played a couple seasons of community college before breaking into the lineup as a junior for Alabama. In 2011, he had 24 tackles with four tackles for a loss and half a sack. He was a starting five-technique defensive end and moved inside to tackle as part of a four-man front in pass rushing situations. Williams should take on a prominent role in the Alabama defense after the Crimson Tide lost a number of players to the NFL.






6. Sylvester Williams, DT, North Carolina
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 320.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
   5/16/12: The junior-college transfer benefited from some good talent around him in Tydreke Powell, Quinton Coples and Kareem Martin. Williams had 54 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble this season. He is a specimen with a nice combination of size and speed. Williams needs more development but is an interesting prospect. He probably should stay for his senior season.



7. Jordan Kohout*, DE, Wisconsin
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 292.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.86.
   Projected Round (2013): 2-4.
   5/16/12: Kohout is a powerful end at the point of attack. He is a superb run defender, but doesn't offer much as a pass rusher. Thus, he may be best as a five-technique 3-4 defensive end in the NFL. Kohout had 22 tackles with 2.5 tackles for a loss and zero sacks in 2011. As a freshman in 2010, he had 22 tackles with a sack.



8. Sharrif Floyd*, DT, Florida
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 301.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.98.
   Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
   5/16/12: Sharrif Floyd was one of the most sought-after recruits in the nation. He showed the reason why as he flashed some real talent as a freshman in 2010. He recorded 23 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss. The 6-foot-3, 301-pound Floyd was coming on strong at the end of the season.
   
   As a sophomore, he was suspended for the first two games by the tyrannical NCAA for violations during his recruitment by a school he chose not to attend. Floyd played mostly defensive end as a sophomore. He totaled 46 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one blocked kick and one pass broken up. Floyd can be a load for offensive linemen, with power and speed. He has a high ceiling and will be playing more defensive tackle in 2012.



9. Margus Hunt, DE, SMU
   Height: 6-8. Weight: 275.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.83.
   Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
   5/16/12: Hunt is a physical freak. The Karksi-Nuia, Estonia product is a raw player that really came on strong at the end of his junior season. He recorded all three of his sacks for 2011 against Pitt in the Bowl game. He had 28 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss. Hunt totaled 5.5 sacks in his freshman and sophomore seasons.
   
   Hunt uses his height to be a dangerous weapon on special teams. He blocked seven kicks as a freshman. In 2010 he had three blocked kicks and as a junior he had four kicks blocked. It is entirely possible that he could end his college career approaching 20 blocked kicks. Hunt may be best as a five technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense in the NFL.





10. Damian Square, DT/DE, Alabama
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 286.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
    Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
    5/16/15: Square is a tweener defensive end and defensive tackle. For the NFL he may be best adding some weight and playing on the inside. His speed could be a mismatch for guards and centers. Square can play inside and also plays the five technique 3-4 defensive end in Alabama's defense. In 2011 he totaled 32 tackles with seven tackles for a loss and a sack.



11. Baker Steinkuhler, DT/DE, Nebraska
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 290.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.92.
    Projected Round (2013): 3-4.
    5/16/12: Steinkuhler had 40 tackles with four tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2011. Against Washington, he started the game strong with some good plays against the run and pass rushes, but did not play as well in the second half. Steinkuhler struggled against Wisconsin and played better against Michigan State. He had a big game against Northwestern but was shutout by Iowa. He really missed teammate Jared Crick. Steinkuhler needs to get more consistent as a senior, especially in the pass rush.
    
    In his first season as a starter in 2010, Steinkuhler registered 46 tackles with 3.5 sacks. He is strong at the point of attack and has the frame to add more weight and bulk at the NFL level. Steinkuhler could be a better fit as a 3-4 defensive end.



12. Joe Vellano, DT, Maryland
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 285.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.03.
    Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
    5/16/12: In 2011, Vellano had 94 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes broken up. He was an excellent run defender for Maryland. Vellano had 63 tackles with 10.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks and one forced fumble. The senior Vellano should add more weight for the NFL and probably fits best as a nose tackle in a 4-3 defense.



13. Dominique Easley*, DE, Florida
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 282.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.75.
    Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
    5/16/12: Easley played defensive tackle in 2011, but is moving back to defensive end in 2012. At times as a sophomore Easley flashed real disruptive speed at the point of attack. He recorded 37 tackles with 7.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Easley suffered a torn ACL late in the season, but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2012 season. The Gators will be going more towards a 3-4 defense so Easley will see time as a five technique defensive end. Easley was a top recruit coming out of high school and is a good athlete. He could have a breakout 2012 season.





14. Aaron Tipoti, DT, California
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 274.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.99.
    Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
    5/16/12: Tipoti had 25 tackles with four tackles with four tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks in in 2011. He needs to add weight for the NFL or move to defensive end.



15. Sheldon Richardson*, DT, Missouri
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 295.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.17.
    Projected Round (2013): 5-6.
    5/16/15: Richardson started two games in 2011 and saw playing time in the defensive line rotation. He totaled 37 tackles with eight tackles for a loss and two sacks. Richardson will start in 2012. He played injured as a sophomore and had shoulder surgery that cause him to miss spring practice.



16. A.J. Francis*, DT, Maryland
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 305.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.03.
    Projected Round (2013): 6-7.
    5/16/12: In 2011, Francis had 31 tackles with three tackles for a loss and two sacks. As a sophomore, Francis was Maryland's starting nose tackle for the majority of the 2010 season. He was second on the defensive line in tackles with 44. He also had seven tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks. Francis has room to improve in 2012.



17. Omar Hunter, DT, Florida
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 290.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.93.
    Projected Round (2013): 6-FA.
    5/16/12: Omar Hunter should form a tackle tandem with Sharrif Floyd this season. Hunter has the opportunity for more playing time with Jaye Howard in the NFL. Hunter had 25 tackles in 2010 and 31 tackles in 2011. Hunter is one of the Gators' young defensive lineman that is expected to improve this season. There is talent around Hunter, and he could benefit from other playmakers to produce in 2012.

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