2021 NFL Draft IDL Rankings with NFL Comparisons

As we get closer to the NFL we are going to provide position by position previews to highlight the top players in the NFL draft class. Along with ranking each player, we will look to how they would be utilized best, and provide a NFL comparison.

To start the series off we will look at the defensive line group. Honorable mention: Khyiris Tonga, Jonathan Marshall, Quinton Bohana, Tyler Shelvin

11. Bobby Brown, Texas A&M

NFL Comparison for Bobby Brown: Jordan Phillips

Bobby Brown is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class. He is very tall for the position at 6’4″, and has the size, length, and athletic testing to make the transition to the NFL. With the age comes inexperience, and Brown never saw more than 500 snaps in a season during his college career. He was a rotational nose tackle who uses his size and athleticism for quick stretches.

Brown will have to develop his game, but his size gives him a chance to jump into the NFL as a depth nose tackle.

10. Jay Tufele, USC

NFL Comparison for Jay Tufele: Ziggy Hood

Jay Tufele is a tough one because he sat out all 2020 with concerns for COVID. There was fan excitement for how he could grow after his 2019 tape, but it is all projection now. Unfortunately, when Jay Tufele tested at his pro day he struggled in agility drills. This is a bit alarming because he is not coming off of a season of playing and should be at full health.

Jay Tufele has a quick first step and is going to be able to defend the run in the NFL. However, he may be limited in his pass rush. His athleticism may not show upside, and he was inconsistent the last time we saw him. He can project as a depth 3-tech.

9. Marvin Wilson, Florida State

NFL Comparison for Marvin Wilson: Bennie Logan

Wilson was a 5-star recruit who had a lot of upside entering 2020. However, a poor season followed by a leg injury stunted his stock. At his Pro Day, he showed below-average athleticism as well. Whether he was worn out from the season or still banged up, there are questions as to whether Wison has a high ceiling.

His ups look good on tape but do not come nearly consistent enough. He has the upside to start right away and could contribute for years in a rotational role, but could just as easily be out of the NFL in a few years.

8. Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech

NFL Comparison for Milton Williams: Allen Bailey

Milton Williams shot on people’s radar when he had one of the better Pro Day sessions you will see at a man his weight. He is a bit light and is not a nose tackle, but he can shot upfield and has a lot of bend and agility to slip and slide in between less shifty guards.

Still, Williams has highs, and just as many lows. He can disappear at times, and at LA Tech, he Is not facing the competition where you expect to see him not flash so often. Allen Bailey was an athletic marvel who had moments but was a depth 3-4 DE for most of his career. Williams can carve out a career as a starter, but not in a significant role.

7. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
NFL Comparison for Osa Odighizuwa: LJ Collier

At 6’1″, 282 pounds, Osa Odighizuwa is very much a tweener. He is agile for a DT, but not an edge defender. He is a bit big for the edge, and a bit small for the interior. That is where L.J. Collier landed. Injuries have held him back and he was over-drafted by Seattle, which hurts his perception.

Still, the reason Seattle took a shot on a tweener like Collier in round 1 is that he is violent with hands, he can hold up the edge on early downs and can slide inside on passing downs. Osa Odighizuwa has the fear of a tweener, but in the right scheme, at the right time could be a great situational player.

6. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State

NFL Comparison: Tyson Alualu

While Tyson Alualu has not lived up to his draft stock he is a pesky nose tackle who is a load to handle. Togiai is a little shorter than Alualu, but both are under 300 pounds, and neither beat you with their size as much as their athletic ability. Alualu developed more with his hands, and Togiai is not there yet, but the projection of a player who can start at nose tackle in between two bigger defensive ends and thrive is on the table.