Meet the Prospects: Buckner, Robinson lead deep interior defensive line class

Get to know all the top prospects for the 2016 NFL Draft, most of whom will be taking the field at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 23-29 in Indianapolis.

Top Prospects by Position

Interior Defensive Linemen

DeForest Buckner, Oregon

Height: 6'7"
Weight: 281 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 Stats: 10.5 sacks, 83 tackles, 17 TFL

Buckner's pass-rush productivity took a massive step forward in his senior season and that's been reflected in the surge of his draft stock. As was the case at Oregon, his combination of size, length, and athleticism will make him a fit for a number of different positions across any defensive front.

A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 312 lbs.
Age: 20

2015 Stats: 3.5 sacks, 46 tackles, 7.5 TFL

Robinson will be characterized as an interior run-stuffer due largely to his frame and the role he played at Alabama. While he should maintain his effectiveness in that area at the next level, his skill set will also give him the potential to develop into a true three-down contributor.

Andrew Billings, Baylor

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 310 lbs.
Age: 19

2015 Stats: 5.5 sacks, 39 tackles, 14 TFL

Billings is a textbook nose tackle. The Baylor product is capable of controlling the line of scrimmage and absorbing double teams on the inside, a critical component for any defense's efforts to stop the run.

Jarran Reed, Alabama

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 311 lbs.
Age: 22

2015 Stats: 1 sack, 57 tackles, 4.5 TFL

Reed is another Alabama standout who should only continue to produce in the ground game at the next level. Whether teams see him as any sort of pass-rush threat will determine his scheme and positional fit, but he should be highly drafted either way.

Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 296 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 Stats: 3 sacks, 26 tackles, 7 TFL

Nkemdiche will undoubtedly make for one of this year's most polarizing prospects. His raw athleticism is unmatched among other three-technique defensive tackle prospects, giving him an incredibly high ceiling as an interior pass-rusher. He failed to parlay that ability into production at the college level, however, and his suspension from this year's bowl game is a red flag.

Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

Height: 6'1"
Weight: 304 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 Stats: 6 sacks, 58 tackles, 13 TFL

Size will be one of the only questions surrounding Rankins' draft stock, but Aaron Donald has done well to show just how much quickness can help an interior pass-rusher to overcome any such concerns. Rankins could be a handful for opposing linemen early in his career.

Kenny Clark, UCLA

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 310 lbs.
Age: 20

2015 Stats: 6 sacks, 58 tackles, 13 TFL

Clark's greatest impact comes as a run defender. He may need to add some size to take on a nose tackle role at the next level, regardless of scheme, but the strength at the point of attack is certainly already there.

Jonathan Bullard, Florida

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 283 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 Stats: 6.5 sacks, 63 tackles, 18 TFL

Bullard's position fit is somewhat of an uncertainty heading into the draft, as it appears possible he could slot in either inside or on the edge depending on the size he maintains going forward. Either way, however, teams will be eager to find a spot for a player with an intriguing combination of strength and quickness off the ball.

Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 325 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 Stats: 3 sacks, 50 tackles, 10 TFL

Butler is another player whose college production doesn't necessarily match the potential his skill set should give him at the next level. An impressive athlete with the strength to hold up in the running game, he should be quick to emerge as a three-down interior lineman.

Adolphus Washington, Ohio State

Height: 6'3"
Weight: 297 lbs.
Age: 21

2015 Stats: 4 sacks, 49 tackles, 7 TFL

Washington's flashes of dominance were plagued by inconsistencies throughout his time at Ohio State. NFL teams will be incredibly intrigued by his ceiling, though, as he certainly has all the necessary tools to be a productive interior force in the pros.