NFL Draft 2019 player rankings, Week 4: Defensive linemen rule
48. Dre’Mont Jones, DL, Ohio State
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 295
- Class: Redshirt Junior
A running theme on this board will be the number of defensive linemen and edge defenders on the list. Ohio State defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones just sneaks onto the list here. Jones could’ve left for the NFL Draft last season, but he decided to stay a year and refine his game. That decision will likely prove to be very beneficial for Jones. He makes the list because of the potential he has and where he could be by season’s end. Jones is very quick off the snap, and wins in the trenches with lateral quickness, often employing a quick spin move to get off linemen.
He also shows very good gap discipline. Where Jones struggles is when he doesn’t get his hands on linemen right away. He likely ends up off balance and out of the play when it happens, which shows inconsistencies with his pad level. If he improves, he will likely climb the ranks as the season goes on.
47. Justice Hill, RB, Oklahoma State
- Height: 5’10”
- Weight: 185
- Class: Junior
Oklahoma State running back Justice Hill is a name to get familiar with this fall. The NFL Draft has had fantastic running back classes the past couple years. The 2019 class might not be as top-heavy, but it can be as deep as previous classes. Hill can work his name into day two consideration with another strong season. He has the burst when he hits the hole to turn any run into a home run. That burst also helps him turn the corner on runs to the outside.
Hill has great vision, good change of direction, and doesn’t try to do too much. He will often take what is there when a hole doesn’t open up rather than kicking it outside immediately. Many doubters will look to Hill’s 185-pound frame and say he won’t be able to handle an NFL workload, and that is something he will carry until next April.