2020 Draft: What the experts say about the top DL available

The Cowboys could look to the draft to fill the gaping holes along their defensive interior. Check out the pre-combine reports on DTs.

Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M

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At 6-foot-3, 304 pounds. the 2019 semi-finalist for the Bednarik Award is making his case to be selected in the top-50 picks of the NFL Draft. Madubuike is a disruptive player who had 11.5 tackles for loss showing his ability to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage. He also added 45 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble.



What the experts say:

Draft Network: For the most part, Madubuike is explosive out of his stance and attacks the neutral zone with leverage and urgency. His hands are heavy and he has the flexibility throughout his frame to reduce his surface area, get through gaps and pursue. With that said, there are inconsistent moments of poor effort on film and Madubuike’s play gets sloppy. In those instances, he false steps out of his stance, loses leverage, fails to deploy his hands and he gets rooted out of his gap/rush lane. Madubuike should earn playing time early in his career as a rotational piece but he can absolutely become a valuable starter if he finds that consistency.

Fansided: From a physical perspective, Madubuike’s frame is about maxed out. I’m sure there can be some tweaks in weight proportion here and there, but we are absolutely splitting hairs at that point. He is ready to go physically.

The continued improvements with his hand usage, plan of attack and comfortability in the system are paramount for future success. When all is said and done it would not shock me if Madubuike sits as one of the top three interior defensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft. With an 8 plus sack upside in the pass game, he may be in store for future pro bowl honors relatively early in his career.

NFL: Undersized early-entry defensive tackle who lacks NFL mass but gets wins with leverage, strength and quickness. Madubuike played in front of blockers in college but is more likely to be schemed as a moving target whose quickness and athletic ability can benefit him. He’s not overly explosive off the snap, so getting on top of blockers with quickness could be the difference between surviving and thriving. Madubuike projects as a rotational one-gapping tackle with upward mobility, but the floor is a little lower, due to size and scheme limitations.