With The First Pick
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2020 NFL Draft: East-West Shrine Game defensive preview

By Joseph Yun

MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Michael Pinckney #56 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after a sack against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Michael Pinckney #56 of the Miami Hurricanes reacts after a sack against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes the quarterback while playing the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 29: Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes the quarterback while playing the Central Michigan Chippewas at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Defensive Linemen

98 Raequan Williams 6’4 302 DT Michigan State (WEST)

Williams was the cog in the middle of the fearsome Sparty defense. Has increased his production every year. He doesn’t wow you athletically but is a serious defensive tackle issue for offensive lines. Makes the whole defensive line go with his presence.

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52 John Penisini 6’1 324 DT Utah (WEST)

An underrated prospect due to the guys next to him on Utah’s menacing front but he’s a good defensive tackle. The key cog on the line that drives that fearsome engine. He’s improved his fundamentals a lot this season.

Penisini comes in an inch shorter and about 20 pounds heavier than his listed media guide measurements. He was a remarkably consistent producer, posting 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and two sacks in both 2018 and 2019.

54 Kendall Coleman 6’3 251 DE Syracuse (EAST)

The “other” edge rusher for the Orange that paired up with likely day-two selection Alton Robinson. He was more productive than Robinson during the 2019 season, posting four sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Coleman broke out as a junior with 10 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss. He has an arsenal of pass rush moves that offset some of his length issues. There could be some speculation that he outranks Robinson on some boards with a good week.

91 James Smith-Williams 6’3 255 DE North Carolina State (EAST)

JSW is a mystifying prospect as he has missed significant chunks of his career due to injuries. When healthy, he’s a terror off the edge, posting six sacks in his lone full season of health as a junior. He has some physical traits that will wow teams but the medical will be interesting. He needs a great week in order to ease some medical concerns. He’s the latest in a long line of excellent Wolfpack pass rushers this century.

95 Alex Highsmith 6’3 244 DE Charlotte (EAST)

Highsmith had a decent junior season before exploding as a senior, producing 75 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, and a whopping 15 sacks. He’s a good athlete with well taught fundamentals for the 49ers. Very deep arsenal of moves to disengage from the blocker. He should have a big week as arguably the most talented EDGE in the Shrine Game.

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