Jaguar Report

2024 NFL Draft: 5 DTs Who Impressed at the Combine and Could Fit With the Jaguars

Which defensive linemen stood out during the combine's athletic testing?
John Shipley|
2024 NFL Draft: 5 DTs Who Impressed at the Combine and Could Fit With the Jaguars
2024 NFL Draft: 5 DTs Who Impressed at the Combine and Could Fit With the Jaguars

The road to the 2024 NFL Draft is officially underway. 

With the draft set to take place in 55 days, the NFL Scouting Combine is taking center stage as the draft starts to take shape.

So, which players have stood out the most during the athletic testing portion of the combine? We review below, first looking at the interior defensive linemen. 

Braden Fiske, FSU 

This one is the obvious. Maybe the most impressive player at the combine this year, nobody has done more for their stock than FSU defensive tackle Braden Fiske. Fresh off a productive 2023 season and a strong performance at the Reese's Senior Bowl, Fiske has blown the doors off Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Fiske's 4.37 short shuttle time is not only better than Aaron Donald's was, but he also backed up his athleticism in the 40 and in the jumps. Fiske is a genuinely elite athlete and could be the type of up the field defensive tackle the Jaguars need to add. No defensive tackle had a better 40 or broad jump. 

Brandon Dorlus, Oregon 

One of the more underrated pass-rushers in the class, Brandon Dorlus was used up and down the formation by Oregon and could be a versatile chess piece at the next level. He has the type of traits on the field to pique intnerest, and he then made quite the impression at the combine.

Out of all qualifying defensive tackles, Dorlus would have ranked No. 2 in the 40, No. 6 in the 10-yard split, and No. 6 in the broad jump. Combine this with 33.25-inch arms and Dorlus is a player who is likely on the rise after this week's workouts. 

Gabe Hall, Baylor 

If the Jaguars want interior pass-rushers who can explode off the ball and quickly get upfield, then Gabe Hall should certainly be on their watchlist. He has proven himself as a run defender in college, but his stellar weekend at the combine should make him an option to play three-technique at the next level, too. 

Overall, Hall had the third-best long jump, fifth-best vertical, seventh-best 10-yard split, and agility scores that, while not elite, also aren't necessarily areas of concern either. Hall has similar traits to Tyler Lacy from a year ago as a player but might be a better athlete.

Byron Murphy, Texas 

The player on this list who could be a genuine possibility at No. 17 overall, Byron Murphy did nothing to hurt his stock this week. The Texas Longhorns product had a terrific 2023 season as a pass-rusher and is the exact type of player the Jaguars' defense is both missing and requires in Ryan Nielsen's scheme. After his testing this week, he is a legit top-20 prospect in the class.

Murphy's only "knocks" are his height and weight, but players with his traits have thrived before (see, Grady Jarrett). Otherwise, Murphy was No. 4 in 10-yard split, No. 4 in 40-yard dash, No. 2 in vertical, and No. 3 in the broad jump. Murphy tested exactly as explosive as he looks on tape.

Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson

Maybe the best athlete in this year's defensive tackle group who isn't named Braden Fiske, Clemson's Ruke Orhorhoro had an elite showing this week. The undersized Clemson starter has the type of length (34-inch arms) the Jaguars have prioritized in the past and he fits the bill as a high-upside pick. 

Overall, Orhorhoro had the second-best broad jump, fourth-best vertical jump, the second-best 10-yard split, and the fifth-best 40-yard dash. Expect him to go as early as round three at this point, if not potentially earlier. If the Jaguars want an interior defensive lineman in the lower half of the top-100, Orhorhoro could be a name to watch.

Published
John Shipley
JOHN SHIPLEY

John Shipley has been covering the Jacksonville Jaguars as a beat reporter and publisher of Jaguar Report since 2019. Previously, he covered UCF's undefeated season as a beat reporter for NSM.Today, covered high school prep sports in Central Florida, and covered local sports and news for the Palatka Daily News. Follow John Shipley on Twitter at @_john_shipley.

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