Notes from NY: Top Players Upfront

It's time to turn our attention to the players upfront. With a week to reflect on last weekend's Showcase in New York, there were three players on both sides of the ball that really stood out from the pack. Immediately you knew these were the guys to keep an eye on Saturday afternoon. Make sure to follow their work this offseason.   Follow me on X at <a href="https://x.com/JonDavalosFB">@jondavalosFB</a> to keep up to date with the Showcase series.   Defensive Line    Andrew was one of the top performing defensive linemen at Saturday's Showcase, making his presence felt from the moment he stepped on the field. A physically imposing prospect, he immediately caught attention with his long arms, consistently showing he has the length and athleticism to swat down incoming passes with ease.   For a big man, Andrew showed impressive bend and flexibility, allowing him to turn the corner and get around the edge with surprising quickness. He was also notably fast off the line during position drills, routinely gaining early leverage on his reps. With the versatility to line up as either a nose tackle or an edge rusher, Andrew projects as a disruptive defensive piece at the next level.     Ryan's motor never stopped throughout the day, setting the tone for his performance and consistently standing out among the group. His hand usage was advanced, showing a full toolbox of pass rush moves to work past offensive linemen. An aggressive initial punch, a powerful club, and a quick swim move gives Ryan the chance to win in multiple ways rather than relying on just one approach. That combination of effort, technique, and physicality put Ryan firmly in the conversation as one of the top performers at the event.     Anthony is a true interior defensive lineman who anchors the middle of the front with strength and discipline. He did a good job holding his ground, proving to be difficult to move and forcing offenses to think twice about attacking him head on.   Running between the A gaps will be a challenge with Anthony in the middle, as he consistently commands space and absorbs contact. While he isn't a speed rusher who will beat guards or centers with quickness, he brings enough power to collapse the pocket by driving blockers straight back and disrupting the quarterback's comfort.    Offensive Line    [player_tooltip player_id='1864324' first='Justin' last='Joseph'] immediately commanded your attention, and it didn't take long to see he would be among the top performers after just a few early reps. A truly dominant tackle, he is extremely difficult to move and consistently wins with strength and leverage. He projects as a crucial piece in pass protection, the type of lineman quarterbacks can trust to hold the edge. At the same time, he's a reliable presence in the run game, giving offenses confidence to run the ball behind him and lean on his side when they need tough yards. Justin may be the top 2028 prospect of the entire Showcase.     Jireh emerged as one of the top prospects from the entire event, flashing traits that translate at a high level. Watching him move, it's easy to envision him becoming a destructive force as a pulling guard, where his mobility and power can do real damage on the edge. He consistently stayed low on the move, maintaining balance and leverage, and showed a wide, strong base in pass protection that made him difficult to move off his spot. His quick drop step allowed him to get into position efficiently during pass pro drills, keeping his technique sound rep after rep. With his physical tools and movement skills, Jireh has significant upside and a very bright future ahead.     Ernesto was another top performer from the event, and pairing him with the other two up front would create an ideal offensive front. He stood out as the most athletic offensive lineman at the showcase, using his tall frame to tower over opponents and overwhelm them at the point of attack. Ernesto showed raw strength and body control, consistently getting defenders turned and knocked off their intended path. With a true tackle build, Ernesto brings obvious upside on the offensive line, and his athleticism and length also suggest he could excel on the defensive side of the ball as an edge presence as well.

It's time to turn our attention to the players upfront. With a week to reflect on last weekend's Showcase in New York, there were three players on both sides of the ball that really stood out from the pack. Immediately you knew these were the guys to keep an eye on Saturday afternoon. Make sure to follow their work this offseason.