Landis

Durham

Durham (6'3/255) started all 12 regular season games for the Aggies this season, accounting for 47 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and a team-high 6.5 sacks. The senior began his career at Texas A&M as a linebacker before being moved to end ahead of the 2017 campaign (10.5 sacks), and the position switch has benefitted both Durham and the Aggies. Depending upon how he performs in the Shrine Game and combine, Durham should be drafted by the end of the third round this spring.

Pauline mentions that scouts are higher on Durham, with some believing he’s a potential top 40 talent. Pauline isn’t as high on him, but clearly sees NFL talent in the 6-foot-3, 255-pound defender. "[Durham] plays with excellent leverage as well as balance and body control,” he writes. “He’s a solid pass rusher who can bend off the edge but struggles shedding blocks and gets handled by opponents.” if Durham racks up the tackles and tests well, there’s a real chance he’s off the board by the end of Day 2 -- if not sooner.

Durham registered 8.5 sacks last year, and was fourth on the Aggies with 50 tackles in 2017. He’s technically listed as a defensive end, but he’s essentially a pass-rushing outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. “Durham has good upfield burst as a rusher and attacks offensive tackles with smart hands that help him access the blocker’s edge effectively,” writes Zierlein. “Once he opens his path to the quarterback, he has one of the best closing bursts in the SEC.” Zierlein does mention that he needs to improve in his engagement -- particularly as a run defender -- but there’s certainly upside in the 6-foot-3, 255-pound defender.