FFToolbox's Top 26 Dlinemen

[Flugel]

1. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn - 6'5 - 298
   Fairley launched an assault on draft boards and mock drafts this season. He became an absolutely dominant force at defensive tackle for Auburn, leading the Tigers to the BCS National Championship. Fairley led the team with an outrageous 24 tackles for loss and also led the way in sacks (11.5), quarterback hurries (21), forced fumbles (2), and fumble recoveries (2). He... Read More
2. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson - 6'4 - 280
   Da'Quan Bowers had some high expectations to live up to; now he is just not reaching those expectations, he is exceeding them. After a couple of decent, but unspectacular seasons, Bowers is tearing up the Atlantic Coast Conference during his junior campaign at Clemson. During his first two years with the Tigers, Bowers was usually starting, but he only tallied a total... Read More
3. Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama - 6'3 - 306
   Dareus' combination of size, speed, and power make him an intriguing prospect. He has the versatility to play either inside in a 4-3 defense or on the outside of the line in a 3-4 scheme. His only real drawback is that he does not have a ton of experience, as he started just four games prior to his junior season and four more in 2010. Still, Dareus was always thought ... Read More
4. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina - 6'5 - 268
   Robert Quinn's situation at North Carolina is a little different than that of some of the other players who were kicked off of the team after an investigation by the NCAA into whether some players received benefits from agents. Quinn is just a junior and, while he is considered permanently suspended by the NCAA, Quinn has time to appeal the ruling. However, Quinn is a... Read More
5. Allen Bailey, DE, Miami - 6'4 - 288
   Allen Bailey has not spent much time at defensive tackle, but that has not stopped NFL scouts from drooling over his potential. As a freshman in 2007, he spent most of his time on special teams and played just two downs as a linebacker. In 2008 he started four games at defensive end. However, he would often move to the interior of the line during third down situations... Read More
6. Cameron Jordan, DE, California - 6'4 - 283
   Cameron Jordan has spent much of his collegiate career under the radar. That may be partially due to California's extremely inconsistent play over the last couple of seasons, but NFL scouts have certainly taken notice of the 6-4 defensive end. Jordan started off his collegiate career coming in off of the bench, but he started to show his raw potential right away. In 2... Read More
7. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State - 6'1 - 311
   Scouts started looking at Stephen Paea last year after he had his second consecutive productive season with Oregon State after spending one year at the junior college level. However, Paea only played one year of football in high school and still needed to learn some things, so returning for his senior season was certainly a good thing for multiple reasons. The Beavers... Read More
8. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue - 6'4 - 263
   Kerrigan is a versatile prospect who makes plays with his size, strength and speed. He could play 3-4 OLB, 4-3 DE or 3-4 DE. Some players have the talent but may not have high-level production, that does not describe Kerrigan. In 2010, Kerrigan amassed 70 total tackles, 26 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles and 13 sacks. Some of the words we hear all too often l... Read More
9. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa - 6'4" - 285
   Clayborn is a three-year starter at defensive end for the Iowa Hawkeyes. In 2009, Clayborn had his breakout year. That year he had 70 total tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss, 9 QB hurries and 4 forced fumbles. In 2010, those numbers dropped to 51 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 3.5 sacks. So, what happened? The offensive lines began to k... Read More
10. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin - 6'6 - 292
    J.J. Watt is a defensive line prospect out of the University of Wisconsin rapidly moving up draft boards. The Badgers use Watt's versatility and relentlessness to their advantage. Watt can play inside (4-3 DT) or outside (4-3 DE) on a defensive line and with his very large 6'6 frame, he could bulk up and play as a 3-4 DE. He plays with an explosive attitude, is ver... Read More
11. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State - 6'5" - 288
    As he continues to add weight and develop into a NFL player, it has become clear Heyward is best suited as a defensive end in a 3-4 defense. Unfortunately, Heyward has had a very up-and-down 2010 season with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Given his tremendous size and frame, he does not always play to the full extent of his abilities. At times, he will play with dominanc... Read More
12. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU - 6'1 - 285
    Finally given an opportunity to start at LSU, Nevis is having a big year for the Tigers. The defensive tackle started only four career games prior to his senior campaign, but he is making the most of his playing time in 2010. Through 11 games, he is tied for third on the team with 53 tackles and fourth in solo tackles with 28. Nevis leads the Tigers in tackles for los... Read More
13. Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma - 6'3 - 267
    Jeremy Beal has been a dominating pass rusher for the better part of four years with the Sooners of Oklahoma. There is no reason to think that he cannot be just as dominate of a force in the NFL. Even as a redshirt freshman in 2007 Beal earned a couple of starts and finished the campaign with one sack and 5.0 tackles-for-loss. In 2008 Beal stepped into a starting ... Read More
14. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina - 6'3 - 305
    Being suspended and eventually kicked off of the team amid an investigation by the NCAA into whether players received benefits from agents is not a good way to start off a promising senior season. Heading into the 2010 campaign, Marvin Austin was turning into a great defensive tackle. As a true freshman he did amazingly well and even earned three starts. His 26 tackle... Read More
15. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois - 6'3 - 300
    University of Illinois defensive tackle Corey Liuget declared himself early for the 2011 NFL Draft. Liuget's 2010 season marked his first as a full-time starter, but he certainly made the most of his time. He had 63 total tackles and five sacks this season. Liuget has the appropriate size for his position. What makes him special is that he is also athletic with goo... Read More
16. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia - 6'3 - 258
    Few players propelled themselves up NFL Draft boards as fast as Houston did last season at Georgia. The outside OLB/DE showed signs of things to come with seven sacks in 2009, but nothing could have predicted this. Houston was third on the team as a junior in solo tackles (38) and total tackles (67), but he was without question the dominant force on UGA's defense. He ... Read More
17. Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh - 6'6 - 270
    The NFL loves potential and few players ooze potential as much as Greg Romeus. He has been a strong defensive end who can cause havoc with his size and speed, but he only played football for one year in high school. Though, with every game Romeus continues to improve and if a team with a little patience wants to wait on Romeus, he will deliver. After redshirting in... Read More
18. Sam Acho, DE, Texas - 6'3 - 260
    Like most players at Texas, Sam Acho had to bide his time. As a freshman he tallied just ten tackles, but three of those went for a loss and he added 1.5 sacks. Acho was not on the field very often, but he certainly made the most of his opportunities. The story was pretty much the same in 2008 during Acho's sophomore campaign. He tallied 16 tackles that season with 3.... Read More
19. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC - 6'1 - 305
    Jurrell Casey did not step into a starting role as a freshman, but he did play some important minutes off of the bench. As backup nose tackle at USC, he tallied 12 tackles (including 2.0 tackles-for-loss) and a forced fumble. That is not too bad for a freshman on what was a very talented USC defense. The following year Casey stepped into a starting role, with two star... Read More
20. Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa - 6'5 - 297
    Although his teammate -- defensive end Adrian Clayborn -- gets a lot of credit, Ballard is a very special player in his own right. Ballard can play anywhere along the line and is excellent against the run. He uses his strength to blow up running lanes, penetrate into the backfield and get his hands on the ball-carrier. As the draft approaches, some may argue he is the... Read More
21. Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi - 6'2 - 320
    Powe is an interesting prospect to figure out. He has a ton of talent and was borderline dominant during his junior season at Ole Miss. The defensive tackle made 25 solo tackles and was tied for first on the team with 12 tackles for loss. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team by the Associated Press. Powe has been clocked as fast as 5.02 in the 40-yard dash -- impre... Read More
22. Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson - 6'4 - 315
    Jarvis Jenkins was a pretty highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, but he only saw limited action as a true freshman in 2007. However, when he was on the field he made a big impact. That success as a freshman led to bigger things in 2008. Forced to play a bigger role due to injuries, Jenkins did not disappoint. He totaled 36 tackles, 10.0 tackles-for-loss ... Read More
23. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple - 6'5 - 305
    Muhammad Wilkerson is one of the best defensive tackles that most people in the country have never heard of. The 6-5, 305 pound junior has been a huge part of the Temple turnaround. As a freshman in 2008, Wilkerson did not see too much playing time, but he tallied 2.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack. More impressively, Wilkerson got his hands up and broke up four passes... Read More
24. Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor - 6'4 - 340
    Phil Taylor is making the most of his senior season to upgrade his draft status. As a freshman and sophomore he was down the depth chart a little ways on a stellar Penn State defense. However, the 6-4, 340 pound defensive tackle did see some playing time as a freshman for the Nittany Lions and that is an uncommon occurrence in Happy Valley. Taylor spent 2008 as a reds... Read More
25. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh - 6'4 - 260
    Until his senior campaign, Jabaal Sheard was often overshadowed by fellow defensive end Greg Romeus. Even now, few are paying that much attention to the 6-4, 260 pounder. However, that will change if Pittsburgh continues to improve what was a struggling defense. The Panthers are the only team in the Big East without a conference loss and if they keep winning, people w... Read More
26. Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State - 6'4 - 285
    McPhee spent two years at junior college (Itawamba, MS) and positively dominated. He was an All-American both seasons and had 13.5 sacks as a sophomore. McPhee transferred to MSU for his junior season and led the team with 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. Drawing more attention from offenses as a senior, the defensive end has struggled through seven games. McPhee h... Read More

Did that say Bowers weighs 280 without handcuffing him to a 3-4 only?

[DawgFan]

[QUOTE=Flugel;114467]

1. Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn - 6'5 - 298
   He would be a nice addition at DT...fantastic in fact...but I don't see him available at #6
2. Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson - 6'4 - 280
   A little bigger than what Jauron usually likes at DE, but if he is the physical freak everyone says, he may be an exception
3. Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama - 6'3 - 306
   More likely than Fairley simply because he may be there at #6
4. Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina - 6'5 - 268
   He is the prototype of what Jauron likes at DE...but will the time off hurt him???
5. Allen Bailey, DE, Miami - 6'4 - 288
   KInd of a tweener for Jauron...don't see him happening
6. Cameron Jordan, DE, California - 6'4 - 283
   Again, a little big for Jauron's system
7. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State - 6'1 - 311
   I don't see this one happenging
8. Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue - 6'4 - 263
   Out of the first round option...nice size for the system
9. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa - 6'4" - 285
   Tweener for Jauron's system
10. J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin - 6'6 - 292
    More likely used at DT for Jauron....who likes to loop his DE/DT a lot
    
11. Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State - 6'5" - 288
    More 3-4 oriented
12. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU - 6'1 - 285
    Later round DT option as Juaron likes the smaller/active guys
13. Jeremy Beal, DE, Oklahoma - 6'3 - 267
    Nice fit size and activity wise for Jauron
    
14. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina - 6'3 - 305
    Taking money is a lousy reason to discount a player (I know, the rules...but I hate the rule)...and he is a decent fit at DT
15. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois - 6'3 - 300
    Another nice later round DT prospect athletic enough to loop with the DE
16. Justin Houston, DE, Georgia - 6'3 - 258
    Call me crazy, but this is a guy I like, size and athletically a fit for Jauron
17. Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh - 6'6 - 270
    Worth a later round flyer
18. Sam Acho, DE, Texas - 6'3 - 260
    Worth a later round flyer
19. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC - 6'1 - 305
    ehhh
20. Christian Ballard, DE, Iowa - 6'5 - 297
    more a 3-4 end
21. Jerrell Powe, DT, Mississippi - 6'2 - 320
    not a fit in my opinion
22. Jarvis Jenkins, DT, Clemson - 6'4 - 315
    big again...
23. Muhammad Wilkerson, DT, Temple - 6'5 - 305
    interesting
24. Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor - 6'4 - 340
    we got our big guy
25. Jabaal Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh - 6'4 - 260
    later flyer
26. Pernell McPhee, DE, Mississippi State - 6'4 - 285 tweener

[Vegasdogg]

Fairley, Bowers, Dareus or Quinn. I have a feeling Green will be gone and we get one of these guys.

[Solon16]

After reading this: Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh - 6'6 - 270
Worth a later round flyer.... worth a late round Flyer? come on! if he makes it to the 4th round I'd be surprised unless I don't know about some legal reasons.

[Brown Warrior]

Little outdated, a midseason report. Sheard was his league's D player of the year and made All America teams, probably won't get out of two. Beal seems to have dropped but he's really quick off the edge and is at least in the discussion with Sheard in two if we took Green in one.

Jordan tore up the Senior Bowl and has moved up, almost exclusively seen as a 3-4 DE. Bowers weighed in at 6'4" and 277 and is a lock 4-3 DE pass rusher who had 15.5 sacks last year. Aldon Smith didn't make this list but he's a top 10-15 pick for sure now.

Hey, Mayock brought up a DE from Temple, Muhammed something, as a 2nd round pick. Alo or anybody?

[Brown Warrior]

Read some stuff that interested me, including some repeats from Pluto. Aside from Rubin and Fujita, set starters...

Benard: He's a candidate for rush end. He's the best pass rusher on the team. Pro Football Focus wondered if he could be the next Cam Wake as a full time player, because he provided pressure 1 of every 7.5 plays, really high.

He's 6'2" and 256, probably by design, so getting up to John Abraham weight (263) is a matter of a few weeks of protein and training. We can ask if he can hold up against the run, but we an ask that of Quinn, Smith, and Kerrigan in the draft. Alo's pointed out that he does his best work with his hand on the ground... his college position.

Gocong: By PFF's metrics, he had a VERY successful move to ILB. Keep in mind that while he's never played 4-3 MLB... he'd never played 3-4 ILB, either. He's a terrific athlete and still young... and I'm certain Heckert's a fan. He could well stay around and might start in the middle for us.

Shaefering: I've read several times that he has "the quickest first step" of the Browns potential interior guys and might make a nice transition to "under" DT at 295. The team is pretty high on him. I'm betting he sticks around and competes.

DQJ: Pluto writes that he may be restricted, depending on the CBA, and word is that he's rehabbed very well. The team is intrigued by the notion of him as a 4-3 MLB, a spot many think he's more suited to. He shouldn't be too pricey and makes a lot of sense.

Jayme Mitchell: In case you were wondering if he figured in, Heckert just called him the best pass rushing DL on the team. He's staying. He seems like a very good candidate at LDE, maybe as a starter.

Ivey and Robinson: Robinson actually did a little something last year with 24 tackles, mostly late, and he might have some versatility between DT and LDE. Ivey wasn't stout enough for a NT and feels like a better fit in the 4-3. Both guys offer depth.

Roth: Sobo just named him the #1 "must-sign" free agent, with Wallace close behind (just read the Browns definitely want Wallace). At 6'4" and 275 with terrific strength, he could be locked in as the Browns starting LDE... if he's willing to leave behind 3-4 OLB. Some have suggested that he and Mitchell might even make a nice pair of starting DEs if Roth could play RDE. I personally think he's a very interesting LDE prospect.

Transition is tough and you can only bring in so many guys. I think the Browns would do well to move both Benard and Roth to the ends to compete with Mitchell... and hang on to Shaefering, Ivey, and Robinson to go with Rubin inside. We could use another RDE fairly high in the draft and probably an under, too.

At linebacker, there's Jackson, Gocong, Fujita... and not much else. I'm betting we chase a couple mid-level 4-3 LBs and draft one around round 3.

[Brown Warrior]

Quick rankings:

Of the 4-3 DE types, those who don't project best for the 3-4, it looks like Bowers, Quinn, Smith, Kerrigan, Sheard... in roughly that order. I must've looked at a dozen sites this morning. Sheard is a guy who could probably be had at 37 but certainly not much later. He's a player, had a lot of QB pressures, forced fumbles, TFLs, and All American honors. I'm pretty sure we'll want one of these guys. Beal's a possibility, too, but he had a rough Senior Bowl.

Of the 4-3 OLBs, I keep seeing the same three fitting into rounds 2 and 3: Mason Foster of Washington, who had a great Senior Bowl week, Lawrence Wilson of Connecticut (who did the same), and Bruce Carter of UNC, who would be the obvious #1 and a first round pick if not for ACL surgery around Dec. 10th. He's expected to fully recover and could be a huge steal in round 3... if he makes it there.

Going into the season, Carter was seen as a top 10 type of pick, an Aaron Curry. He jumps 41", lifts off the charts, runs in the 4.5s. But he won't be doing anything at the Combine and will be pressed to show much before the draft. Doctor's reports might be more important. I read that he hopes to be 100% by summer.

[PlaygroundLegend]

I think Von Miller can play in a 4-3 with ease at either of the OLB spots and he can rush the passer from there.

Not very many people share this thought though... he may be able to pack on 10lbs and play DE at Brian Orakpo size.

[Brown Warrior]

I think Miller goes early to a 3-4 team. He's a terrific pass rusher and you don't do a lot of that from 4-3 OLB. Like Watt, being miscast in a 4-3 wastes some of his better qualities and actually nicks him as a prospect.

There are a few draftnick types (Mayock, I think) who didn't get swept up in Miller's Senior Bowl Week. But it only does us good if he goes Top 5. Same for the QBs and corners.

Dareus gets the Warren Sapp stamp of approval for the under DT, the penetrator, so that makes sense to me. Quinn is the elite RDE guy of this draft. Those are the two money spots in the 4-3. Linebackers can be had later and I like the third round for that (to go with Fujita, Gocong, Jackson, and a free agent or two).

[Brown Warrior]

I was looking over 4-3 WSLBs, something I've heard we need... and it's not a terribly decorated group. I'd say the average draft position is in the 4th round, maybe 3rd, and you get some names like Gerald McGrath (6'3" and 228), Chris Chamberlain (6'1" and 230), and Geno Hayes (a good one for the Bucs, 6'1" and 226).

On the Giants, it's Michael Boley, formerly of the Falcons, a longtime starter at WSLB. He's 6'3" and 225, almost like a safety (something said often about Lawrence Wilson in this draft, and he covers like one, too... but can tackle).

If Abraham, Uemnyiora, Allen, and Freeney are the prototypes of a 4-3 RDE, or "rush end," I'd have to say Mike Peterson is a good WSLB prototype. After all, he's been starting for about a dozen years and he's rung up a pretty amazing 1,200 tackles along the way. He goes 6'1" and 233.

Won't be stunned to see us get Foster or Wilson in the 3-4 area. That's where starting 4-3 WSLBs seem to come from, mostly. And they can move.

[DawgFan]

Originally Posted by Solon16

After reading this: Greg Romeus, DE, Pittsburgh - 6'6 - 270
Worth a later round flyer.... worth a late round Flyer? come on! if he makes it to the 4th round I'd be surprised unless I don't know about some legal reasons.

Well, that is a 2nd day pick isn't it? Not like it was a FOCUSED TOP OF THE DRAFT pick...in other words...you don't plan on building on a 3rd or a 4th, but you hope they make it.

[Solon16]

Originally Posted by DawgFan

Well, that is a 2nd day pick isn't it? Not like it was a FOCUSED TOP OF THE DRAFT pick...in other words...you don't plan on building on a 3rd or a 4th, but you hope they make it.

Flyers are taken in the seventh, not in the 3rd or 4th.