How Nick Bosa, Montez Sweat and D-line freak show impact 2019 NFL Draft

The 2019 NFL Draft Combine was a showcase for one of the deepest and most talented defensive line classes in recent memory — and that class did not disappoint.

Nick Bosa ran a 4.79 in the 40-yard dash, which is faster than his brother's (Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa) 2016 Combine time of 4.86. Dexter Lawrence put up 36 reps in the bench press, one more than Aaron Donald had at the 2014 Combine. Montez Sweat ran a faster 40 than Jadeveon Clowney. Rashan Gary ran a faster 40 than Myles Garrett. Quinnen Williams and Brian Burns also put on shows, and Ed Oliver and Clelin Ferrell chose not to run the 40.

More official 40 times for DLs:

Montez Sweat 4.41 👀 (modern combine DL record)
Brian Burns 4.53
Rashan Gary 4.58
Chase Winovich 4.59
Nick Bosa 4.79 #NFLCombine

— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) March 3, 2019

NFL COMBINE: Results, highlights from player workouts

Size. Speed. Athleticism. This was on par with "Shark Week" on Discovery. The NFL Combine was great. The production is what matters. That is what makes this draft class that much more intriguing.

During the NFL Network telecast on Friday, former Texans GM Charlie Casserly raised some eyebrows with his comments about Bosa.

"I think this guy is better coming out of college than Jadeveon Clowney and Myles Garrett," Casserly said. "High-level production, etc., and those are two first picks in the draft."

That's a big statement, and it defines the challenge for Bosa and the rest of the defensive linemen now. Joey Bosa, Donald, Garrett and Clowney are proven high-level producers at the next level. They clinched their draft status at the Combine.

Bosa stands out among these defensive linemen as the best bet to be the No. 1 pick — but he has more competition given the depth at the position. To be that top pick, you better have the production.

Here is a look at the seven defensive ends who were drafted No. 1 with their career and single-season best sack totals since the NFL began tracking the statistic in 1982.

Interior linemen Russell Maryland (1991) and Dan Wilkinson (1994) were also drafted with the top pick, but the same hit-or-miss-theme exists. Bruce Smith and Steve Emtman were freaks in college, too, and they were separated by 192 sacks in the NFL.

There are questions about this group, too:

— Bosa had 17.5 sacks the last three seasons, but he also missed most of last year after undergoing core surgery.

— Williams and Burns were breakout performers in 2018.

— Oliver and Gary missed significant time with injuries this past season. Oliver was questioned after a sideline argument with Major Applewhite during a game last season. Gary had just 9.5 sacks for his career.

— Sweat had 22.5 sacks at Mississippi State, but only after he transferred from Michigan State. Teammate Jeffrey Simmons was getting more draft buzz before suffering a torn ACL. Sweat still improved his stock perhaps more than any other elite lineman.

— Lawrence failed a drug test and suffered a quad injury at the Combine, and he was part of a defensive line that included Ferrell, Christian Wilkins and Austin Bryant.

WATCH: Williams wows with blazing 40-yard dash

Clowney and Garrett — the last two defensive ends to go No. 1 — did not have as many questions. That means the 2019 NFL Draft could go one of two directions.

Option 1: Bosa could go No. 1 or No. 2, and there could be a first-round run for the ages with a record number of defensive linemen selected. We saw this wave coming before last year's draft.

Option 2: Arizona could entertain taking Kyler Murray with the No. 1 pick, and the depth at the position could cause teams to wait. Perhaps a few of these incredible talents fall a little bit further than they should because of the ample supply. Some first-round talents could turn into third-round picks.

We're still betting on the first trend to emerge whether it's Bosa or another defensive lineman who goes in the top two picks. Nick Bosa has a strong case to be No. 1, but then again, so did Joey, who went No. 3 in the 2016 NFL Draft behind Jared Goff and Carson Wentz and ahead of Ezekiel Elliott and Jalen Ramsey.

There were no misses — and this draft feels that way, too, as far as the defensive line position goes.

Bosa, Williams, Gary, Sweat, Oliver, Burns, Ferrell. So many sharks — well, defensive linemen — to choose from after watching the Combine.

There is no doubt this class makes the 2019 NFL Draft that much more entertaining. But in the end, what we will remember is how these elite athletes produce at the next level.