Edge Defenders
Josh Allen, Kentucky
Zach Allen, Boston College
Ben Banogu, TCU
L.J. Collier, TCU
John Cominsky, UCWV
Byron Cowart, Maryland
Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
Carl Granderson, Wyoming
Jalen Jelks, Oregon
Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia
Christian Miller, Alabama
Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
D’Andre Walker, Georgia
Chase Winovich, Michigan
Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
The best position in both the 2019 NFL draft and 2019 Senior Bowl is the edge defenders. The first overall pick is shaping up to be an edge in Ohio State’s Nick Bosa. After Bosa there will be a battle for the second spot. Right now it belongs to Kentucky’s Josh Allen. A prospect who shot up boards throughout the year dominating for the Wildcats. Allen has been mocked as high as two to the 49ers. That competition will heat up if Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell accepts an invitation and competes with Allen throughout the week.
This list may get too long to dive into each player but they all deserve some shine. A small school guy that will get Marcus Davenport like love during practices is Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson. He leads all of college football in career sacks but will need to show he can do it against the best before everyone buys in. Guys like Chase Winovich, and Zach Allen will use this time to demonstrate that despite some flawed measurables for the position they can excel in the right roles.
I am a big fan of three other SEC players in Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat, Alabama’s Christian Miller and Georgia’s D’Andre Walker. Sweat is the twitchy athlete that most expect to accompany an edge defender. He can dominate with his ability to set up the lineman with a move then counter to a nasty inside move. Miller is a solid player who will not wow with traits but consistently gets it done. Walker, like Miller, took time before getting on the field but when he did showed some production and ability that was hiding. Both will not find themselves in the first two rounds but can make some money while at the game.