At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Perkins lacks the bulk the NFL prefers off the edge, but his explosive burst and closing speed are undeniable. He enters his junior campaign having already recorded 27 tackles for loss and 13 sacks, along with seven forced fumbles.
Perkins is an ideal fit in DeMeco Ryans' scheme. He has spent time at the first and second levels of the Tigers' defense, but he is expected to be a full-time inside linebacker this season. Perkins is an explosive playmaker, with 13 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, but he has to improve his read-and-react skills.
I count nine defensive backs on the Texans' depth chart, including starters Jeff Okudah and Jimmie Ward, who will become free agents after next season. Starks is a better prospect than former teammates Kamari Lassiter (No. 42 overall), Javon Bullard (No. 58) and Tykee Smith (No. 89), who were all drafted on Day 2 of the draft last week.
Penn State had a pair of pass rushers (Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac) selected in 2024, but the cupboard isn't bare in State College. Listed at 6-5, 270, Dennis-Sutton is a long, active edge rusher who can get himself in the first-round discussion with a strong year.
The Texans aren't missing much on their defense, but defensive tackle stands out as a potential weakness. Michigan's Kenneth Grant is a potential solution. He earned an 80.4 overall grade last season. He and Mason Graham could be the best interior pair in college football next season.
Denzel Burke is an outside cornerback with tremendous length and ball skills. Through three seasons at Ohio State, he has 26 pass deflections and led the Big Ten in PDs with 12 in 2021. He needs to improve as a tackler, but this is good value at pick No. 23.
Noticing a trend here? After Michigan controlled the 2023 draft, the Buckeyes could be set to make a serious imprint on next April's class. An ankle injury spoiled Egbuka's season last fall, but the 6-1, 205-pound target consistently outmaneuvers cornerbacks with his crafty route-running and natural fluidity. Re-teaming him with former Ohio State signal-caller C.J. Stroud should be of great interest to both the quarterback and the team should the Stefon Diggs move not work out.
Mondon is between Quay Walker and Channing Tindall in terms of where his game is heading into 2024 season. He's in the same conversation athletically, and is already solid vs. the run. He just needs to improve his awareness in coverage.
