Who and what to watch at the 2020 NFL Combine: Interior defensive line

The Lions Wire staff has identified which interior defensive linemen Detroit Lions fans should be watching at the 2020 NFL Combine.

The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis but the interior defensive linemen won’t take the field until Saturday, February 29th.

This is the latest in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

If you missed the previous articles in this series, be sure to check out our quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen previews.

Interior defensive line traits to evaluate

There are several on-field drills that emphasize a player’s abilities and the main areas Lions’ scouts will likely be focusing for the defensive line are:

  • Balance starts at the knees.
  • Quick feet and lateral mobility.
  • Reaction time.
  • Power in their punch.
  • Head up. See the target, hit the target.

Derrick Brown, Auburn

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt and Ty Finch

A legit option for the Lions at pick No. 3 overall. If he’s their target and they trade back, they need to make sure they don’t go back too far as he is likely to go very early.

Brown is a rare complete defender, capable of being an every-down nose tackle or 3-technique, and can even spend time on the edges at the 5-technique. He is perfectly suited for the Lions scheme because he can 2-gap, reset the line-of-scrimmage with power, as well as use his athleticism to penetrate and get to the ball. At 6-5, 325 pounds, he is an instant upgrade for the Lions at either nose tackle (Damon Harrison’s role) or the 3/5-technique (A’Shawn Robinson’s role).

Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

Suggested by: Max Gerber, Scott Warheit, and Bryce Rossler

Kinlaw absolutely destroyed South practices at the Senior Bowl, illustrating why he many believe he will hear his name called in the top half of Round 1, and likely in the Top-10.

At 6-5, 315, Kinlaw is close in size to Brown, but they are very different players. Kinlaw is an ideal penetrating 3-technique, who has the strength to also contribute at the 5-technique. With elite length and power, he will appeal to the Lions, but he can get too upright at times which could potentially hurt him when trying to hold his gap — a staple in the Lions scheme. For a team that values interior penetration from their defensive linemen, Kinlaw could be ranked ahead of Brown on some draft boards.

Ross Blacklock, TCU

Suggested by: Zack Moran

If the Lions pass on a defensive tackle in the first round, Blacklock could be an option at No. 35 — if he lasts that long.

Projected to check in at 6-4, 331 pounds, Blacklock has positional range similar to Brown, but his skills are not as refined. Blacklock’s length, first-step quickness, and athleticism make him better suited for the Lions 3/5T role rather than the anchor spot in the middle. If he improves his ability to hold his gaps he has the potential to be an impactful player in the Lions scheme.

Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

Gallimore was a nose tackle in Oklahoma’s three-man front, but he earned that role, not because of his size (6-2, 304), but because of his ability to win with tenacity and violence. Very athletic for his size, Gallimore was a gap penetrator in college but he has the skill set to be a potential 2-gapper at the next level.

Marlon Davidson, Auburn

Suggested by: Derek Okrie

Davidson played an edge role at Auburn, similar to the down defensive end role on the Lions, but at the next level, he would likely fit in as a “big defensive end”, the role Da’Shawn Hand plays in Detroit. At nearly 300-pounds and the ability to play from the 3- to the 7-technique, he has the potential to have a Hand-like impact at the next level in the right system with improved power.

Raekwon Davis, Alabama

Suggested by: Sonja Greenfield

Since Matt Patricia took over as coach of the Lions, one rule for evaluating prospects has always held true — if a prospect played defense at Alabama, they’ll fit the Lions scheme. Davis’ game begins with his power and his ability to control offensive lineman, which is paramount in the Lions scheme. His run defense is top-notch but offers very little in the way of a pass rush or burst to the ball.

Leki Fotu, Utah

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff

Checking in at 6-5.5, 337 pounds at the Senior Bowl, Fotu is a mountain of a man who is strong enough to live at the 0- and 1-technique roles. Fotu’s game is drenched in power and his ability to 2-gap and anchor the middle of the defensive line makes him a natural replacement for Damon Harrison. He doesn’t offer much in the way of pass-rushing but he’s more athletic than what you’d expect at first glance and has yet to reach his developmental ceiling.

Darrion Daniels, Nebraska

Suggested by: Matt Urben

Daniels is a try-hard nose tackle, who needs to add more functional power in order to be capable of contributing from the middle of a defensive line. He has good foot quickness but the lack of strength allows him to lose his contact balance and thus give up gaps. Daniels’ high character and energy level will endure him to coaches, but he may need time on the practice squad to develop.