NFL Draft: Top five DE heading into the Combine
The NFL Scouting Combine is right around the corner. Here is a pre-combine breakdown of our top five defensive ends heading into Indianapolis.
MORE PRE-COMBINE POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR/TE | OL | DT
Recruiting: In the summer before his senior season, Chubb selected NC State over Duke, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Mississippi State, West Virginia and others. Chubb, who had visited NC State weeks before his decision, committed to the Wolfpack on his birthday.
Career stats: In four seasons at NC State, Chubb finished with 198 tackles (54.5 for loss) and 25 sacks. He finished with 72 tackles (23 for loss) and 10 sacks this past season.
Buzz: Chubb has brothers who played at Georgia and Wake Forest and he’s also related to former Georgia RB Nick Chubb.
Farrell’s take: Chubb missed much of his junior season in high school due to an ACL injury so he was under-recruited a bit and perhaps underrated because of it. He had a solid senior season and showed athleticism as a pass rusher but also someone who could drop into coverage. His lack of natural length kept him rated a bit lower, but his relentless motor and technique make him an elite pass rusher in college. Now he’s clearly the No. 1 defensive end on everyone’s board, something we didn’t see coming.
Recruiting: A two-star prospect out of San Antonio (Texas) John Paul Stevens, Davenport took a late visit to UTSA and committed on National Signing Day. UNLV was his only other listed offer.
Career stats: Davenport recorded 185 tackles including 37.5 for loss and 21.5 sacks during his four years at UTSA. He had his most tackles (67) as a junior and his most sacks (8.5) this past season.
Buzz: There were mixed reviews on Davenport during his time at the Senior Bowl but a big showing at the combine could move him up higher in the first round of a weak defensive end draft.
Farrell’s take: Davenport was a 205-pound skinny defensive end out of high school with very little interest and has now emerged as one of the small school stars of the draft. UTSA was recruiting him more as a wide receiver than a defensive end out of high school, which speaks to his athleticism but also to the difficulty of evaluating his true position.
Recruiting: Key committed to South Carolina twice, only to back off those pledges and pick LSU over the Gamecocks and others in April before his senior season.
Career stats: In three seasons at LSU, Key finished with 129 tackles and 20 sacks. He missed time this past year because of injury. His second season was best when he totaled 55 stops and 11 sacks.
Buzz: Key was out in spring 2017 for personal reasons and then dealt with injuries through the offseason and into this season. Will that be a concern for teams?
Farrell’s take: Key was a tall, skinny edge rusher who was a four-star just inside the Rivals250. His frame concerned us a bit as did as his strength in the run game, but there was never a question about his pass-rushing ability. However, I will admit that he’s been better at the other aspects of the game than I expected. He has developed into one of the elite pass rushers in college football and despite a shoulder issue he should land in the first round.
Recruiting: Hubbard originally committed to Notre Dame to play lacrosse. Then Ohio State coach Urban Meyer showed up at one of Hubbard’s gym classes, a relationship started and by the spring of his junior year, Hubbard had committed to the Buckeyes.
Career stats: Hubbard totaled 116 tackles (30 for loss) and 17 sacks in three seasons with the Buckeyes. He also forced three fumbles.
Buzz: Ranked as a three-star linebacker in high school, Hubbard has gained more than 40 pounds over the last few years and moved to defensive end.
Farrell’s take: Hubbard was an interesting prospect out of high school, a massive kid who went from playing safety to linebacker and projected to defensive end. His athleticism in space was impressive as was his ability to drop in coverage, but there were too many variables to have him ranked any higher than a high three-star. His motor will wow scouts and could land him in the first round.
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Green committed to USC, which was fully expected late in his recruitment. Arizona State, Miami and Oregon were the other top contenders.
Career stats: In three seasons at USC, Green compiled 115 tackles (20 for loss) with 16.5 sacks He also forced three fumbles.
Buzz: Should Green have gone back to school to add much-needed mass to his frame? The jury is out and the combine could be telling.
Farrell’s take: Green was a five-star out of high school with a filled out frame, quickness for a big man his size and an array of pass rushing moves. He was dominant on the camp circuit, showed a good motor and his film was excellent. His career at USC has been solid and many feel he could be a second-round steal at this stage.
