Prospect Rankings: Defense

Defensive End

1. Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech – Ideally built 4-3 end at 6’3 266 lbs. with 4.7 speed. Very productive, leading the ACC in sacks with 12 his junior year. Strong against the run and has good pass rush moves. Doesn’t have elite measurables, but dependable player.

2. Brandon Graham, Michigan – Short, stocky build at about 6’2 268 lbs. with low 4.7 speed. Tough, durable player who consistently made plays at defensive end. Improved his numbers every year posting 28 sacks over the past three seasons. Has short arms and lack of height which may force a switch to outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

3. Jason Pierre-Paul, USF – Ridiculous measurables and frame will have talent evaluators oozing over his potential. Pierre-Paul stands 6’5 271 lbs. with an 81” wingspan. He ran a 4.64 at the combine and put up 19 reps on the bench despite nearly 35” arms. He only played one season at USF and posted decent numbers with 42 tackles and six sacks but he lacks experience and may be one of those one-year wonder, workout warriors.

4. Carlos Dunlap, Florida – Similar to Pierre-Paul in build at 6’6 277 lbs. with 4.6 speed. He possesses great physical tools and recorded 18 sacks over the past two seasons. He has character questions due to his seeming lack of effort and was arrested on DUI charges the week of the SEC championship game.

5. Everson Griffin, USC – Ranked #1 defensive end out of high school, Griffin stands 6’3 273 lbs. with mid 4.6 speed. He is a workout warrior who posted 32 reps on the bench and is a smooth athlete whose production did not match his hype. In his three years at USC he only managed to record 82 tackles and 16 sacks with no forced fumbles or recoveries. He started out on a tear last year, recording all of his sacks in six consecutive games, but was shut out over USC’s last six.

Defensive Tackle

1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska – The best player in the 2010 draft was a consistently dominating force over his career. He led his team in tackles despite playing in the interior over the past two seasons. The last two seasons he recorded 158 tackles, 19 sacks, and three interceptions as a defensive tackle! Doesn’t have elite burst or tremendous pass rush moves, but he is a high character, highly productive player who will anchor a defense for years.

2. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma – If Suh wasn’t in this draft, McCoy would probably be the best player available. He is built in the mold of Warren Sapp with his great first step and penetrating ability. Despite constant double teams, McCoy recorded 12 sacks over the past two seasons with over 14 tackles for loss in 2009. There are questions about his strength (only 23 reps on the bench) but he is ideally built for the three technique position.

3. Jared Odrick, Penn State – Odrick’s best attribute is his versatility. He is ideally built for the 3-4 end position at 6’5 304 lbs. with 4.98 speed. He recorded 42 tackles, 11 for loss and seven sacks his senior year. He plays with great strength, intelligence, and a fantastic motor. He doesn’t have great speed or leadership qualities but he should fit in every scheme.

4. Dan Williams, Tennessee – Largely unknown before 2009, Williams emerged as a run-stuffer in Monte Kiffin’s scheme in 2009. He is the prototypical nose tackle at 6’2 327 lbs. He plays with a great base and has some ability to push the pocket as a pass rusher. He improved every year, registering 40 tackles as a sophomore, 42 as a junior, and 62 as a senior. He may be viewed as a one year wonder since he did not stand out before his senior year.

5. Brian Price, UCLA – Had a great 2009 season recording an amazing 23.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks after posting 14 and 4.5 in 2008. Price is a little undersized at 6’2 300 lbs. and only ran a 5.1 but he did put up 34 reps on the bench. He is a one gap penetrator at the next level which may limit his ability to fit into certain schemes.

Outside Linebacker:

1. Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri – Highly productive, energetic leader on defense who best projects as a weak-side linebacker in a 4-3 defense or inside in a 3-4. Has great speed (4.52) and strength (34 reps) along with explosion (40” vertical). Averaged 125 tackles over last three seasons and recorded 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and four interceptions over that span. A little undersized at 6’1 239 lbs. but should be productive in the right scheme.

2. Jerry Hughes, TCU – High motor defensive end who will most likely switch to 3-4 outside linebacker. Great burst off the line helped him record 26 sacks over the past two years. Hughes also has three career interceptions and two forced fumbles. He ran a 4.59 at the combine and although he’s a bit short at 6’2, he should be an effective edge rusher.

3. Sergio Kindle, Texas – Physically gifted and versatile defensive end/outside linebacker who has good size for the 3-4 outside linebacker position at 6’3 250 lbs. He has good speed (4.65) although his 10-yard split wasn’t impressive. Also underproduced his senior season with only six sacks.

4. Daryl Washington, TCU – Another weak-side prospect whose greatest asset is his speed. He was timed at 4.54 at his pro day. Undersized at 6’2 230 lbs. he’ll have to add bulk but he was highly productive his senior season with 109 tackles and three interceptions and two sacks.

5. Ricky Sapp, Clemson – Ideal height/speed for 3-4 outside linebacker at 6’4 252 lbs. with 4.61 speed. Tremendous first step off the ball. Didn’t post the most impressive numbers at Clemson but had to battle back from knee injury he suffered at the end of his junior year. Needs to add bulk and play the run better but has good upside.

Inside Linebacker:

1. Rolando McClain, Alabama – One of the best defenders in 2009. Led Alabama’s defense with 105 tackles en route to a national championship. Tough leader who possesses adequate speed (4.7) and great size at 6’3 254 lbs. Minor concerns about motor and quickness, but experienced and durable player.

2. Brandon Spikes, Florida – Perennial All-American who is a better football player than timed athlete. Has great size at 6’3 249 lbs. but poor timed speed (5.0). He had a fantastic sophomore year when he recorded 131 tackles but his play declined especially during his senior year due to injury and suspension. May be a steal if he slips to the third round area due to poor workouts.

3. Sean Lee, Penn State – Comes from a great pedigree and battled back from knee injury which cost him his 2008 season. Ran a 4.6 on his pro day and is instinctive. Not explosive, perhaps similar to Dan Connor.

4. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State – Great speed (4.51) and explosion (39” vertical) with good strength (26 reps). Consistently improved while playing in the SEC. Bit undersized at 6’1 240 lbs.

5. Pat Angerer, Iowa – Very good tackler who posted great numbers the past two seasons with 262 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and six interceptions. Posted surprisingly good numbers in his post season workouts with 4.64 40 on his pro day, 39” vertical, and 26 reps. Limited versatility.

Cornerback:

1. Joe Haden, Florida – All around playmaker who can cover, tackle, and blitz. Had a great junior season with 57 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, and four interceptions. Ran in the mid 4.4s at his Pro day which should solidify his status as a top-15 pick. Little undersized but a true football player on tape.

2. Kyle Wilson, Boise State – Mid 4.4 speed and great vertical at 38” along with an impressive 25 reps on the bench. Physical corner who had a great Senior Bowl week. Recorded 11 interceptions in his college career. Also a little undersized.

3. Devin McCourty, Rutgers – Fantastic speed (4.34) and great special teams player. Recorded an impressive 231 tackles and six interceptions over his career although he could be more physical. Also undersized.

4. Kareem Jackson, Alabama – Played in a pro style defense and was a shut down corner. Ran a better than expected 4.41 40 at the combine. Good size but durability concerns.

5. Patrick Robinson, Florida State – Great speed (4.38) and leaping ability (39” vertical). Had a great 2007 season with six interceptions but seemed to lack motor senior season. Has tremendous athletic ability but needs to put forth consistent effort.

Safety:

1. Eric Berry, Tennessee – One of the top players in the country since his freshman season, Berry has been an offense’s nightmare. Can do it all – cover, run, tackle, and has tremendous instincts. Recorded 241 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and 11 interceptions in three years. Also has great timed speed (4.40) and leaping ability (43” vertical). Only knock could be lack of classic safety size but there’s nothing he can’t do.

2. Earl Thomas, Texas – Entering draft after a great season in 2009 when he had eight interceptions. Great instincts as a free safety and nickelback. Also forced five fumbles in only two years of play. Lacks size and questions about ability to tackle and hold up at next level.

3. Taylor Mays, USC – Unbelievable physical specimen. Rock solid 6’3 230 lbs. with low 4.3 speed. Never before seen at the position, Mays is an enforcer whose biggest knock is his coverage ability. Didn’t record many big plays at USC and lacks ball instincts. However, with his physical tools, he could excel if properly coached.

4. Nate Allen, USF – Good size at 6’ 207 lbs. Very productive at USF with 214 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, and 10 interceptions as three year starter. Doesn’t have elite speed or strength but is a dependable player.

5. Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech – Good size at 6’1 209 lbs. with very good speed (4.42) and leaping ability (39.5”). Good ball hawk with 14 nterceptions but also recorded 227 tackles during three year career. Not always consistent in angles and effort.