NFL Draft 2023: Jalen Carter, Will Anderson Jr. atop pre-combine list of best defensive prospects by position

Athletic testing and measurements at the NFL combine this week will either confirm what was seen on tape or inspire a second look. Here is a look at my personal positional rankings on the defensive side of the ball leading in to this week:

Defensive line

1. Jalen Carter, Georgia
2. Bryan Bresee, Clemson
3. Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
4. Siaki Ika, Wisconsin
5. Tuli Tuipulotu, USC

During the build up to the 2022 NFL Draft, amid conversations surrounding Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt was the narrative that Jalen Carter was the best prospect along that Georgia defensive front. Fast forward a year and Carter is on the doorstep of making good on that claim. It is difficult to find quality interior pass rushers so that makes a player with Carter’s skill set even more valuable. Bryan Bresee is a player who has the coveted athletic qualities, but plays a bit stiff and lacking urgency. Keeanu Benton is a proven run stopper who showed a bit more pass-rush potential at the Senior Bowl. Siaki Ika is a traditional nose tackle. Tuli Tuipulotu was used as an edge rusher in Los Angeles, but projects to the inside. He possesses the skill set that suggests he can be a productive pass rusher, but is likely to be unrefined as a run defender early in his career. 

Edge rusher

1. Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
2. Myles Murphy, Clemson
3. Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
4. Nolan Smith, Georgia
5. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State

One could not find a pass rusher more productive than Will Anderson Jr. over the past two seasons. Production often translates and Anderson has the height, weight and speed to be a top-10 edge rusher in the NFL. Myles Murphy is a powerful edge rusher with the quick twitch qualities to develop, but he lacks a refined pass rush plan….