Rating the top interior linemen in the 2016 NFL Draft

Included in measurables are height, weight, age they turn this year (if available) and 40-yard dash time. Players are listed at the position they are projected to play in the 3-4 scheme the Chiefs run.

DEFENSIVE ENDS

1. DeFOREST BUCKNER, Oregon

Measurables: 6-7, 291, 22, 5.05

Bio: Four-year starter who had 83 tackles (17 for loss), 10  1/2 sacks and six hurries in 13 games in 2015.

Consensus: Outstanding combination of size and length (34  3/8 -inch arms). Has massive hands (11  3/4 inches) to control blockers. Plus quickness. Good burst off the snap with powerful hands and pop — can jar offensive linemen backward. Plays with great effort and hustle; really gets after it. Has a nice closing burst to the quarterback. Has a swim move and a bull rush. Ideal five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. Fits the prototype of a two-gap player.

Grade: 7.4

2. KEVIN DODD, Clemson

Measurables: 6-5, 277, 24, 4.86

Bio: One-year starter who had 62 tackles (23  1/2 for loss), 12 sacks, six hurries in 15 games in 2015.

Consensus: Has good length (34 inches), along with good athleticism and overall play strength. Shows very good burst out of a three-point stance — is quick off the ball and can hold up at the point of attack. Slippery when shooting through gaps. Was a destructive force during the College Football Playoff. Can play the three- or five-technique. Could also moonlight a little at outside linebacker; has experience in a two-point stance. Only a starter for one year but played on a deep defensive line his first three years and was productive in a backup role. Plays with very good effort and hustle. Shows a nifty rip move off the edge and adequate bend around the corner.

Grade: 7.0

3. A’SHAWN ROBINSON, Alabama

Measurables: 6-4, 307, 21, 5.20

Bio: Two-year starter who had 46 tackles (7  1/2 for loss), 3  1/2 sacks and 10 hurries in 15 games in 2015. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Is young for a prospect. Tremendous combination of size and power. Has the look of a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 scheme; has the length and strength to hold up at the point of attack. Is not moved easily; very stout and has some pop in his hands. Still developing as a pass rusher; needs to get a feel for it. Decent burst off the snap. Has the tools to be a good football player.

Grade: 6.9

4. JARRAN REED, Alabama

Measurables: 6-3, 307, 23, 5.21

Bio: Two-year starter who had 57 tackles (4  1/2 for loss), 3  1/2 sacks and eight hurries in 15 games in 2015. Junior college transfer.

Consensus: Very consistent. Strong, powerful player who can stuff the run. Has the power to take on a double team. Looks like a starting-caliber interior lineman in a 3-4 scheme, perhaps as a five-technique or nose. Not much pass-rush production; needs to get a feel for his pass-rush moves and do a better job with his hands. Flashes the ability to do it, though; unleashed a beautiful swim move against Tennessee. Doesn’t have great burst off the snap; sometimes stands straight up. Generally plays with good effort, though his backside pursuit can be inconsistent.

Grade: 6.9

5. JONATHAN BULLARD, Florida

Measurables: 6-3, 285, 22, 4.93

Bio: Three-year starter who had 66 tackles (17  1/2 for loss), 6  1/2 sacks and six hurries in 14 games in 2015.

Consensus: Good length. Plus athleticism for his size. Plays with power against one man and fires off the ball very quickly, but can be susceptible on doubles and down blocks when he plays too high. Typically wins with quickness. Can reduce inside on passing downs. Plays with good effort. Probably not agile enough to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 but has upside as a five- or three-technique.

Grade: 6.8

Others to watch: Adam Gotsis, Georgia Tech; Bronson Kaufusi, Brigham Young; Carl Nassib, Penn State; Hassan Ridgeway, Texas; Jihad Ward, Illinois.

INTERIOR TACKLES

1. SHELDON RANKINS, Louisville

Measurables: 6-1, 299, 22, 5.03

Bio: Two-year starter who had 58 tackles (13 for loss), six sacks and four hurries in 13 games in 2015.

Consensus: Tore it up at the Senior Bowl — was unblockable. Quick, squatty one-gap penetrator who would best fit in a 4-3 scheme. Not a ton of pop in his hands but he has a nice swim move, a nice spin move and a nice feel for pass rushing. Needs to fire off the ball consistently; has a habit of standing up out of his stance and rushing. Lacks length so will have to win with his leverage and quickness. Effort in backside pursuit is hot and cold. Generally plays with good effort. Should be a nice fit for a 4-3 team that needs a nose tackle or three-tech. Reportedly has good football character.

Grade: 6.9

2. ROBERT NKEMDICHE, Mississippi

Measurables: 6-3, 294, 22, 4.87

Bio: Three-year starter who had 29 tackles (seven for loss), three sacks and seven hurries in 11 games in 2015. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Great length (33  7/8 inches) and hand size (10  3/4 ). Really looks the part; well-built player with plus combination of size and athleticism. Was outstanding against Alabama; looked like a top-five pick. Terrific strength at the point of attack when he’s into it; can split double teams. Fires out quick and low and generates power. Has an effective swim move and mixes in a spin but must continue to develop his pass-rush reportoire. Has some pop in his hands; can shed blockers. Primarily a three-technique player but has the length to play end in a 3-4 scheme. Motor runs hot and cold, though; disappeared from week-to-week. Is disruptive at his best but only has marginal sack production for someone with his gifts. Effort in backside pursuit is inconsistent but has plenty of athleticism to chase. Is reportedly very smart, footballwise, but teams reportedly have concern about the influence of his older brother. Was charged with marijuana possession in December after falling from the ledge of a hotel.

Grade: 6.9

3. VERNON BUTLER, Louisiana Tech

Measurables: 6-4, 323, 22, 5.33

Bio: Two-year starter who had 50 tackles (10 for loss), three sacks and eight hurries in 13 games in 2015.

Consensus: Outstanding length (35  1/8 -inch arms) and hand size (10  3/4 inches). Had marginal pass-rush production in 2015, but has impressive physical traits, with solid quickness off the ball, closing speed and powerful hands. Also has the size and length to slide out to five-technique end and be a productive two-gapper for a 3-4 team. Was impressive at the Senior Bowl. Needs to be coached up, but if he can develop a feel for the pass rush, watch out. Already flashes a swim move. Lined up all over the defensive line for Louisiana Tech. Motor in pursuit runs a bit hot and cold.

Grade: 6.8

4. CHRIS JONES, Mississippi State

Measurables: 6-6, 310, 5.03

Bio: One-year starter who had 44 tackles (7  1/2 for loss), 2  1/2 sacks and five hurries in 13 games in 2015. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: Great size, length (34  1/2 -inch arms) and big hands (10  3/4 inches). Super combination of size and athleticism. Physically imposing frame; enormous lower body. Has the size to hold up vs. doubles. Has some pop in his hands; can jar offensive lineman backwards. Needs to be more consistent firing low out of his stance. Sack production is lacking, but he flashes quickness and strength, plus powerful hands. The physical traits are there to become a good pass rusher with proper coaching.

Grade: 6.8

5. ANDREW BILLINGS, Baylor

Measurables: 6-1, 311, 21, 5.05

Bio: Two-year starter who had 40 tackles (15 for loss), 5  1/2 sacks and three hurries in 12 games in 2015. Declared after true junior season.

Consensus: One of the strongest players at his position on the bench press (31 reps). Plays with power. Is very difficult to move. Stout nose tackle who projects well as a 3-4 or 4-3 nose. Surprising quickness; squatty build also helps him win with leverage. Flashes an effective spin move but needs to develop his pass-rush moves. Flashes good quickness off the ball. Is on the ground a tad too much but his combination of strength and quickness should be appearing to teams looking for interior line help.

Grade: 6.8

Others to watch: Kenny Clark, UCLA; Maliek Collins, Nebraska; Sheldon Day, Notre Dame; Austin Johnson, Penn State; Adolphus Washington, Ohio State.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "Rating the top interior linemen in the 2016 NFL Draft."