NFL Draft 2019: 10 Players that will dominate conversation

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Brian Robinson Jr. #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks out of the tunnel during warm ups with Jonah Williams #73 during warm ups prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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5. Sutton Smith, EDGE, Northern Illinois

On tape, there isn’t anyone on track defensive side of the ball quicker off the snap than Sutton Smith out of Northern Illinois. His ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage is second to no one, literally. In 2017, he lead the NCAA with an astonishing 30 tackles for loss with 64 tackles overall. Additionally, he added 92 hurries with 14 sacks. He’s undersized at 6-1, 237 pounds, but that doesn’t matter when you’re unblockable.

It’s unfair watching him dominate the competition he faces with Northern Illinois, which scouts will certainly question. Sutton had three games of 1.5 or more sacks. Against Kent State last season, he single-handedly controlled the defense. He finished with 10 tackles, four for a loss and three sacks. Smith jumps off the screen and into the backfield with amazing explosion. From his quickness, he’s able convert speed and strength to power.

Sutton isn’t just a sack master, he comes with power as a hitter with a motor that never stops. He makes plays from sideline to sideline even as an outside backer. Sutton is similar five-time Pro Bowler Elvis Dumervil, even if a bit smaller. He’s tailor-made for an aggressive 3-4 scheme and could see his stock rise when NFL media start to pay attention. We know NFL front offices are.

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