2016 NFL Draft Rankings: 3-4 DEs
8.) Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma St (6’4 | 275 | 4.77) – Productive pass rusher who has gotten better every year. Ogbah has 24 sacks over the last two seasons and has evolved from a pure speed rusher to a more balanced player with speed, power, and raw but effective rush moves.
He finished the 2015 season as the BIG12 Defensive Player of the Year and led the conference in sacks (13), tackles for loss (17.5) and QB hurries (19) and should be able to step in to an NFL d-line rotation immediately. Ogbah has the skill-set to play DE in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme which could make him attractive to Bears DC Vic Fangio who likes to change alignments on the fly.
Bears angle: Doubtful at 11, but not impossible. The Bears have made it very clear that they are looking to get faster off the edge and a DE like Ogbah who can develop into a threat against both the run and pass could be too tempting to pass up. If he is still there in round 2, I think it’s a lock.
9.) Kenny Clark, UCLA (6’2 | 314 | 5.06) – A little shorter than ideal for a 5-tech but about the same size as Ray McDonald, who Fangio used on the left side of his d-line for a couple of years and the Bears signed just last season. Fangio likes to line his players up in different spots along the line, so there would be plenty of opportunities for Clark to play in his more natural 3-tech position. He also has the versatility to play the nose on passing downs at least.
In college Clark consistently fired off the ball lower than the blocker in front of him, allowing him to win the leverage battle and control the interior line of scrimmage. He uses his hands extremely well to shed blocks and has shown the in-game awareness to find the ball carrier when they are near Clark’s hole.
Clark is an impressive interior linemen with a border line first round grade in my rankings and I’m sure Fangio can find multiple ways to utilize a player with his run-stopping skill. Pass rushing will never be Clark’s strength, but he’s quick enough off the ball to occasionally collapse the pocket from the inside.
Bears angle: The Bears need disruptive d-linemen and that is Clark’s forte. If he’s available in round 2 the Bears could pull the trigger.
10.) Chris Jones, Mississippi St (6’5 | 308 | 5.12) – Played mostly inside in college, but has ideal size, quickness, and strength to play the 5-tech position. His production didn’t always match his potential in college though. Jones occasionally flashed the ability to keep blockers off him with his long arms, the burst off the ball to win the edge, and the agility to change direction without losing momentum.
Those traits made Jones look like a first round pick at times, but too often his technique got sloppy, he came off the ball too high, and looked like he wasn’t giving his best effort out there. Jones could have used another year in college, but has serious potential if he ends up with the right coaching staff.
Jones’ highlight reel makes him look like the ideal fit for the Bears (or any) defensive scheme, but he will have to convince Pace and Fox that he can compete at a more consistent level in the pros if the Bears are going to risk a 2nd round pick on him.
Bears angle: The talent is there to warrant an early day 2 pick, but questions about his effort level and consistency may force the Bears to pass even if he’s available at #39
11.) Adolphus Washington, Ohio St (6’4 | 297 | 4.96) – The fact that Washington is this far down the list is a testament to how great the d-line class is this year. Most seasons Washington would be a no doubt first rounder. He has ideal size for a 5-tech (6’4 | 295), the quickness to play the 3-tech, and the strength to drive tackles into the backfield.
Washington can handle double-teams, shed blockers to make plays near the line of scrimmage, has enough quickness to make plays outside of the hashmarks, and an explosive enough burst to generate pressure on the QB. Washington needs to improve his play recognition and clean up his pass rush technique, but should be able to contribute immediately and has Pro Bowl potential.
Bears angle: After an impressive Senior Bowl performance, the Bears would be lucky if Washington is available with their 2nd round pick (39th overall).
Next: Rankings 12-15