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Todd McShay

Find the most comprehensive analysis on [Player Name], featuring Todd McShay’s evaluations. Official measurables, advanced analytics, and a scout’s eye provide the most in-depth breakdown of a prospect’s strengths and weaknesses, NFL draft projection, and potential at the next level.

Interior Defensive Linemen

Chris McClellan

Grade66 /100
Pos Rank12
OVR Rank121
School
MIZ

Experience

Played51
Started23

POSITION STATS LAST SEASON

Tackles
48
Sacks
6
TFL
8
FF
0
PBU
2
Todd McShay

Position-Specific Grades

COMBINE RESULTS

Height
6' 4"
Weight
313lbs
Todd McShay
ARM
34"
HAND
11"
40-Yard Dash
5.05sec
Todd McShay
10-Yard Split
1.8sec
Vertical
29
Broad Jump
9' 9"
Bench Press
25reps
Todd McShay

The Takeaway

The Player

McClellan is a long, powerful interior defensive lineman who emerged after transferring from Florida to Missouri, where he became a productive, multi-year starter (87 tackles, 14 TFL, 8.5 sacks over two seasons). He brings an appealing blend of size, length (34-inch arms, large hands), strength, and body control, though his game is heavily dependent on technique and pad level.

Everything with McClellan starts with leverage. When he fires out with proper knee bend and lower pads, he plays with much better balance and can maximize his length—jolting blockers, disengaging, and pursuing effectively. However, he’s inconsistent in this area, often playing too high, which limits his impact.

Athletically, he’s not explosive or twitchy. He lacks elite get-off and redirect quickness, but compensates with strength, flexibility, and the ability to work through contact. As a pass rusher, he’s more of a grinder than a penetrator, using length and upper-body power to collapse pockets and generate pressure rather than quick wins. His hands are heavy but not especially sudden or violent.

Against the run, he holds up well one-on-one thanks to his length and upper-body strength, but his high pad level and average lower-body power show up against double-teams, where he can gradually give ground.

The Draft

McClellan benefits from a weaker interior defensive line class in 2026 and should wind up hearing his name called on the second night of the draft.    

The Projection

McClellan profiles as a versatile, length-driven interior defender who can contribute across multiple alignments (he’s capable of lining up at 1-technique, 3-technique, and even some 5-technique), with his effectiveness hinging on improved pad level consistency and continued technical refinement.

Early in his career, he projects as a rotational contributor. While he’s unlikely to post high sack totals, McClellan can be a disruptive presence as a pass rusher and provide quality snaps, especially if he continues to improve his pad level consistency.