INDIANAPOLIS — Quarterbacks are the unquestioned kings of the NFL, but that hasn’t stopped the newest crop of NFL defensive linemen-in-waiting from entering the league with a swagger that has grown with their importance.
These soon-to-be rookies are certain they’re ready to play. Just ask them.
“I can rush anywhere. I can play anywhere,” Stanford’s Solomon Thomas said. “I play every down. I’m great stopping the run, great rushing the quarterback. I’m very versatile. I have toughness. I try to get after every [offensive] lineman and put the fear of God in them and make a play. I’m just trying to get to the quarterback every play and be destructful and wreak havoc.”
Thomas speaks to his belief in himself and essentially sums up how the top-level players in the defensive front have arrived at this draft. It’s a deep group, and the best of the best are not afraid to say it.
Confidence has always been key among those who excel. But the kind of confidence these players have shown is more like that of the shutdown cornerback. These guys came to the combine knowing they were in a deep, talented class, and they seem determined to let the NFL’s decision-makers know it.
“I like to think I’m a technician. I can do a lot of things,” Allen said. “You want me to rush from a 3-technique, I can do it effectively; if you want me to bend the corner on the outside, I can do it. I can play the run; I can play double-teams. I can play above the tight end … scoot, get off blocks. So I feel I can do anything that I’m asked to do on the defensive line.”
Said McKinley: “I’m here to get the quarterback. The league now is a passing league. They need young guys who can get to the quarterback, and I feel I’m the best pass-rusher in this draft class to do that.”
Since no slam-dunk quarterback prospect has emerged as the top pick, players such as Garrett and Allen, in particular, are in that discussion. Thomas is in the mix as a high-first-round pick, and McKinley is a consensus top-15 player.
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Their confidence is certainly not unfounded; it’s just that they might wear it on the sleeve a little more than those who came before them. On the potential of being the draft’s No. 1 pick, Garrett said: “Shows I’m top dog, at least from the beginning, and I’ve got to — once I’m in the NFL — I can’t just hang my hat on that. I’ve got to keep on rising.”
Allen also believes he could be the top pick.
“What I bring is a winning atmosphere, winning attitude, a leader, a guy who’s going to bust his butt every play, a guy who’s looking to come in and make an immediate impact in a positive way,” Allen said. “Like I said, I’m going to control what I can control. But the competitor in me wants to be the first [pick], but I’m also going to go out there and work toward it.”
This is the NFL’s environment at work. The current discussion centers on points, catches and 300-yard passing games, but three of the past four Super Bowls have been won by a team that finished the season No. 1 in either total defense or scoring defense — or both.
Even McKinley, who said he will have surgery on his right shoulder Monday after he leaves the combine, sent the same message to coaches and general managers.
“Once I get healthy, once I get the right technique, the right coaching, I feel like for years to come I’ll be one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL,” he said. “…All my interviews are going great — they like me as a person, they especially like me as a player.”
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals saw firsthand last season how important having a second experienced cornerback is to their defense. Finding a veteran who can play from Day 1 would cause immediate improvement. Read more.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons underwent a major facelift at linebacker last offseason; this year, it’s the defensive line’s turn. They need to find a front-four combo capable of pressuring the quarterback. Read more.
Baltimore Ravens: The No. 1 priority in free agency has to be signing a proven and consistent veteran to make up for the losses of Steve Smith Sr. (retired) and Kamar Aiken (free agent). Read more.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills have an NFL-high 23 unrestricted free agents, and they would be wise to allow most of them to sign elsewhere. With $21 million in salary-cap space, they do not have room to bring back everyone. Read more.
Carolina Panthers: GM Dave Gettleman hasn’t ruled out signing former Giants star Victor Cruz, who recently was in Carolina for a physical and a meeting. If healthy, the 30-year-old would offer a veteran presence in the slot. Read more.
Chicago Bears: The Bears have to fix their quarterback issues — plain and simple. Chicago must explore all options, and that includes trading for New England’s Jimmy Garoppolo. Read more.
Cincinnati Bengals: The good news? A.J. Green is now healthy. The bad news? The Bengals still need to find another player who can stretch the field. Read more.
Cleveland Browns: The Browns have to get the most important position on the team settled: quarterback. They can try to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo, they can draft a QB or they can turn to free agency. Read more.
Dallas Cowboys: The temptation is to look for help with the pass rush right off the bat, but the Cowboys will not pay big, which means they need to fill their secondary holes first at moderate prices. Read more.
Denver Broncos: Truth be told, the offensive line could easily be the top three priorities. There is no bigger reason the Broncos missed the playoffs last season than their play up front. Read more.
Detroit Lions: Defensive line is a definite area of need for Detroit, and while it is strong in the draft, the Lions have a lot of work to do when it comes to bringing in players who can generate a pass rush. Read more.
Green Bay Packers: Whether it’s Nick Perry, Datone Jones, Julius Peppers or someone from another team, the Packers should be careful not to overpay for pass-rushers. Read more.
Houston Texans: Cornerback A.J. Bouye’s play last season is worth the sizable contract he will get this offseason, and the Texans could find room for him if they do not spend their money on a starting quarterback. Read more.
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts need a complete overhaul at linebacker to the point that they might end up with four new starters at that position next season. Read more.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars have already agreed to a trade with Miami for left tackle Branden Albert, but the unit’s biggest weakness in 2016 was at the guard position. Read more.
Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs will have a massive hole, literally and figuratively, in the middle of their defensive line if Dontari Poe walks as a free agent. That means they need to find a replacement. Read more.
Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers could be looking for a player to bridge the gap at left tackle until they can find a long-term developmental prospect to take over that position. Read more.
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams’ only established receiver is Tavon Austin, and they need a couple of playmakers. Los Angeles isn’t expected to retain unrestricted free agents Kenny Britt or Brian Quick. Read more.
Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins need to find at least one starting-caliber linebacker in free agency. They finished 30th in run defense and also struggled defending tight ends and slot receivers in the passing game. Read more.
Minnesota Vikings: Offensive line was the story of the Vikings’ offseason a year ago, and it will be again until it gets fixed. Minnesota appears headed for major changes once again. Read more.
New England Patriots: The Patriots have a free-agent class as significant and deep as that of any other team in the NFL, and they plan to keep a dialogue open with Dont’a Hightower on a potential return. Read more.
New Orleans Saints: The Saints have labeled an edge-rushing defensive end as a must this offseason. But their chances of spending mega millions on an elite talent took a big hit last week. Read more.
New York Giants: Anyone who watched the Giants in 2016 saw the relentless pressure Eli Manning faced off the edges. The Giants need a veteran upgrade over youngsters Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart. Read more.
New York Jets: The Jets need to acquire a starting-caliber quarterback. It’s a big ask, but the Jets have no choice because Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg aren’t ready for the gig on opening day. Read more.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders are expected to have just under $43 million in cap space, but their most important moves may be in taking care of their dual faces of the franchise first. Read more.
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have more than $100 million in projected 2017 salary cap commitments on offensive players. They might as well finish the blueprint and sign Le’Veon Bell to a long-term extension. Read more.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles need wide receiver help in a big way and are sure to sign at least one wideout over the coming days. It’s critical, however, that they resist committing to a contract they might soon regret. Read more.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have the second-most cap space in the NFL, so they can afford to chase top free agents. Of course, that doesn’t mean they should spend for the sake of spending. Read more.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It’s imperative that the Bucs not only find a replacement for Vincent Jackson, but also bring some speed to the offense, which means they should not only address the wide receiver position. Read more.
Tennessee Titans: An every-down inside linebacker probably ranks behind cornerback and receiver as a need. But the Titans have plenty of salary-cap room to sign the best player in free agency. Read more.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins have four free-agent defensive linemen, and they will attack this position in the offseason, both in free agency and the draft. Read more.