Deven Eastern

● Impressive off the bus with a tall, broad and filled-out frame ● Wide-hipped and carries sturdy weight in lower half, which allows him to anchor down ● Doesn’t get embarrassed when facing double teams ● Locks out to keep blockers away from his chest, making it easier to disengage ● Uses his long arms to threaten gaps and break down shoulders ● When hand placement is right, he can thud and push blockers into the pocket ● NFL scouts say he learned to love program structure ● Plays through minor injuries — finished his career with 39 straight starts

● High-cut — pads rise quickly off the snap ● Needs to put more of a premium on leverage (and how to access it) ● Lackluster contact balance; can be late to recover ● Lack of range limits his ability to make plays ● Relies more on physicality than feel as a pass rusher ● Stiff in lower half and late to break down as a tackler (see 2025 Wisconsin tape) ● Needs a strong bond with his coaches to get the best version of himself on the field ● Doesn’t have production that gets you excited

A three-year starter at Minnesota, Eastern played primarily as a 2i-technique in defensive coordinator Danny Collins’ scheme. A Minnesota native that head coach P.J. Fleck was able to keep in state, he became a starter as a sophomore, and his snap count — and impact — gradually increased each season. With his size and sturdy lower half, Eastern sports an NFL-ready body and uses his extension to lock out and hold his ground in the run game. However, his taller stature can work against him when defending both the run and the pass. He tends to rely too heavily on his body and raw strength to maneuver his way to the football and needs to continue developing his instincts. Overall, Eastern lacks efficiency and balance in his block reactions, but his frame and presence will be good starting points for a patient coaching staff. He can provide depth as the shade in even fronts or head-up in odd schemes.