Defensive lineman are often compared to the tight end position in fantasy circles due the fact that a few players drastically outscore their peers. Defensive ends have the highest scoring potential of the defensive line positions and are a good place to focus. The 2015 defensive end draft class has a number of players with the potential to be scorers in the top three defensive lineman. Below are the top defensive ends with their currently projected WASED score. It should be noted that these player’s WASED scores will change as we get combine, pro day, and draft data. Here are some recent analysis on valuing IDP positions and position scarcity in IDP. Also be sure to check out the 2015 Safety Draft class rankings.
Tier 1
Defensive ends with a WASED score above ten have the talent to be a top three NFL scorer. The rookies making up this tier are really the only ones with a enough difference making capability to spend solid draft capital on. The players closer to ten are dependent on having good combines to stay in the top tier.
Leonard Williams, USC – 15.1
Leonard Williams is a beast of man with great agility and speed for his size. Williams would be a welcome addition on any NFL squad. I suspect the Jaguars could get him gift wrapped after quarterbacks go with the first two picks. I expect Williams to make an immediate impact in the NFL and be a top20 IDP defensive lineman is his first year.
Spent a lot of time looking at Leonard Williams, Randy Gregory and Shane Ray today… Williams is easily the top defender in ’15 class
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) January 9, 2015
Mario Edwards, Florida State – 12.4
Mario Edwards also has size and speed to dominate at the NFL level. Edwards can dominate games, although there are times it feels like he is letting off the accelerator. There is a minor concern that he could be converetend to a defensive tackle if he does not show enough speed at the combine.
