The great Mike Mayock released his top five position rankings ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft. Those rankings can and will change as we watch more tape and learn more about each player. However, Mayock tells Peter King that defensive line is deeeeeep in this class, which is great news for the Chiefs.
"There are 10 to 12 interior defensive linemen who could have first-round grades from some teams," Mayock said. "It is by far the best year for interior defensive linemen in my memory."
We have often seen defensive linemen mocked to the Chiefs because Jaye Howard and Mike DeVito are scheduled to be free agents. The Chiefs have a couple of young guys in Nick Williams and Rakeem Nunez-Roches but they probably do need an injection of talent along the defensive line.
Sheldon Rankins out of Louisville and Jarran Reed out of Alabama have each been mocked to the Chiefs. Here are Mayock's top five defensive linemen:
1. DeForest Buckner, Oregon
2. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss
3. Sheldon Rankins, Louisville
4. Jarran Reed, Alabama
5. A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama
It's incredible that Alabama can continue to pump out great players, especially along the defensive line. I wouldn't mind going after one of the top players on one of the top teams in the country. The top two, Bucker and Nkemdiche, seem to be going well ahead of the Chiefs 28th pick in the draft. Any of these players stand out to you? It wouldn't surprise me at all if this pick is a defensive lineman.
While we're here, the top edge rushers below. The defense's scheme will factor in when talking about their NFL position.
1. Joey Bosa, Ohio State
2. Noah Spence, Eastern Kentucky
3. Shaq Lawson, Clemson
4. Leonard Floyd, Georgia
5. Kevin Dodd, Clemson