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good article/analyst on top players coming out...
Pure Down Linemen
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College - Prototype nose guard who can penetrate and contain. Raji (6'2/337) notched eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss as the inside tone setter for D-I's No. 5-overall defense last season. He's guaranteed to go in the top eight.
2. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State - Freakishly athletic at 6'6/290, Gilbert has as much upside as any draft-eligible defender and his stock has skyrocketed after a dominant senior season (NCAA-most 22 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks). Could go as high as 12th overall to Denver.
3. Peria Jerry, Mississippi - Jerry is slightly undersized (6'2/299) and limited to a 4-3 defense, but offers rare up-field explosiveness and was the SEC's most productive interior lineman last year despite constant double teams. A surefire mid to late first-rounder.
4. Robert Ayers, Tennessee - Disappointed in the sack column as a senior (3.0), but paced the Vols by a wide margin in tackles for loss (15.5) and dominated postseason workouts. Ayers' stock is further aided by a class short on every-down defensive ends.
5. Ziggy Hood, Missouri - The No. 2 pure three-technique tackle behind Jerry, Hood wasn't quite as productive but also dealt with frequent double teaming and exhibits a relentless motor. Hood won't slip past the top-40 picks.
Pure Pass Rushers (3-4 OLB Types)
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas - The Longhorns' 6'3/263-pound buck end was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, took home the Lombardi (top DL/LB), Ted Hendricks (top DE), and Nagurski (nation's top defender) Awards, and was a rare unanimous-consensus first-team All America as a senior. Orakpo has also enjoyed a stellar spring. There is concern that he's too stiff to play outside linebacker, but he's too good a football player to fall out of the top ten.
2. Everette Brown, Florida State - ACC's sack leader (13.5) as a junior in 2008, Brown is this draft's most explosive pass rusher.
3. Aaron Maybin, Penn State - Big Ten sack leader (12.0) as a sophomore in 2008, Maybin has better length than Brown and is more scheme diverse.
4. Clay Matthews, USC - Former walk-on has extensive special teams experience and pass-rush upside. Matthews was a hybrid end/linebacker for the Trojans.
5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati - Posted 11 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2008, his only season as a pass rusher. Barwin is a rare upside pick with very little downside because he'll at least help as a versatile TE/DE/OLB.
Buyer Beware
Tyson Jackson, LSU - Production doesn't match big-name status.
Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech - Nicknamed "Tin Man" for inconsistent snap-to-snap passion.
SenDerrick Marks, Auburn - Should've stayed in school.
Sleeper Alert
Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa - Former Minnesota "Mr. Basketball" finalist goes 6'6/305 and was the centerpiece of D-IAA's No. 2-overall defense. Also blocked six kicks in college. Pedescleaux could play tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4 scheme.
Non-Rush Linebackers
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - Could make a Patrick Willis-type impact in a 3-4 or be used like Julian Peterson in a 4-3. Curry won't get by Cincinnati at No. 6.
2. Rey Maualuga, USC - May only be a two-down player, but an old-fashioned thumper. The Patriots are known to be high on Maualuga.
3. Brian Cushing, USC - Has been cleared by the league after a report surfaced that Cushing failed a steroids test at the Combine. Cushing led USC in tackles for loss (10.5) last season.
4. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State - Awesomely productive inside 'backer paced OSU with 130 stops last season; the next closest Buckeye had 84. Laurinaitis isn't flashy, but is hard nosed and pro ready.
5. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida - Seek-and-destroy strong-side linebacker bounced between colleges, but averaged an amazing 120 tackles per season between his sophomore and senior years. Doesn't run especially well (4.80).
Buyer Beware
Darry Beckwith, LSU - Benefited from a dominant Tigers front four that included future draftees Tyson Jackson, Rahim Allem, Kirston Pittman, Ricky Jean-Francois, and Glenn Dorsey in 2006-2007. Knee injuries cost Beckwith starts in each of the past three seasons and he averaged only five tackles a game at middle linebacker last year, forcing no turnovers.
Sleeper Alert
Jason Williams, Western Illinois - Ferocious hitter tied for NCAA lead with six forced fumbles as a senior and notched 17 tackles for a loss. Somehow wasn't invited to the Combine.
Michael Tuailiili, Duke - Undersized (5'10/231) and lacks ideal straight-line speed (4.77-4.85), but led D-I in tackles and moves exceptionally well in a short area. At worst Tualiili will be a special teams star in the Heath Farwell mold.
Cornerbacks
1. Sean Smith, Utah - Appears to have solidified a first-round grade. Smith is legitimately 6'4/214 and a ballhawk (nine picks in 2007-2008). Sitting at No. 25, Bill Parcells' Dolphins love this kid.
2. Darius Butler, UConn - Wants to be great. UConn's left corner position was a no-throw zone because Big East offensive coordinators were petrified to test Butler. He lacks outstanding size (5'10/183), but is fluid in the hips, runs sub-4.4, and has ideal ball skills.
3. Vontae Davis, Illinois - Vernon's brother is the complete package physically, but sports character concerns and was briefly benched last season.
4. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest - Would be in the top-10 conversation if he was two inches taller.
5. Kevin Barnes, Maryland - NFL starting-caliber ability, but coming off shoulder surgery. For what it's worth, he aced the Wonderlic with a 41.
Buyer Beware
D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt - Small, slow corners are rarely difference makers.
Mike Mickens, Cincinnati - Red-flagged for knee woes.
Sleeper Alert
Chris Owens, San Jose State - Jarron Gilbert's backend complement was overshadowed by Dwight Lowery and Coye Francies in college, but can fly and tackle.
Safeties
1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State - College corner with safety speed, but could be a Pro Bowler at the new position.
2. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan - While competition level and size (5'11/202) are concerns, Delmas possesses ideal range and can deliver a blow.
3. Rashad Johnson, Alabama - Another slight (5'11/203) ballhawk, Johnson will at least make an immediate special teams impact.
4. Patrick Chung, Oregon - Run-stopping safety showed well in postseason workouts.
5. Sherrod Martin, Troy - Played corner in college, but projects as a free safety in non-Cover 2 defenses.
Buyer Beware
William Moore, Missouri - Couldn't cover anyone as a senior. Injuries factored in, but Moore has many similarities to once-heralded USC safety Darnell Bing and may have to convert to linebacker.
Sleeper Alert
Sha'reff Rashad, Central Florida - Tough playmaker with mediocre size (6'0/198), but adequate speed. Rashad is a bit of a 'tweener strong/free safety.
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College - Prototype nose guard who can penetrate and contain. Raji (6'2/337) notched eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss as the inside tone setter for D-I's No. 5-overall defense last season. He's guaranteed to go in the top eight.
2. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State - Freakishly athletic at 6'6/290, Gilbert has as much upside as any draft-eligible defender and his stock has skyrocketed after a dominant senior season (NCAA-most 22 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks). Could go as high as 12th overall to Denver.
3. Peria Jerry, Mississippi - Jerry is slightly undersized (6'2/299) and limited to a 4-3 defense, but offers rare up-field explosiveness and was the SEC's most productive interior lineman last year despite constant double teams. A surefire mid to late first-rounder.
4. Robert Ayers, Tennessee - Disappointed in the sack column as a senior (3.0), but paced the Vols by a wide margin in tackles for loss (15.5) and dominated postseason workouts. Ayers' stock is further aided by a class short on every-down defensive ends.
5. Ziggy Hood, Missouri - The No. 2 pure three-technique tackle behind Jerry, Hood wasn't quite as productive but also dealt with frequent double teaming and exhibits a relentless motor. Hood won't slip past the top-40 picks.
Pure Pass Rushers (3-4 OLB Types)
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas - The Longhorns' 6'3/263-pound buck end was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, took home the Lombardi (top DL/LB), Ted Hendricks (top DE), and Nagurski (nation's top defender) Awards, and was a rare unanimous-consensus first-team All America as a senior. Orakpo has also enjoyed a stellar spring. There is concern that he's too stiff to play outside linebacker, but he's too good a football player to fall out of the top ten.
2. Everette Brown, Florida State - ACC's sack leader (13.5) as a junior in 2008, Brown is this draft's most explosive pass rusher.
3. Aaron Maybin, Penn State - Big Ten sack leader (12.0) as a sophomore in 2008, Maybin has better length than Brown and is more scheme diverse.
4. Clay Matthews, USC - Former walk-on has extensive special teams experience and pass-rush upside. Matthews was a hybrid end/linebacker for the Trojans.
5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati - Posted 11 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2008, his only season as a pass rusher. Barwin is a rare upside pick with very little downside because he'll at least help as a versatile TE/DE/OLB.
Buyer Beware
Tyson Jackson, LSU - Production doesn't match big-name status.
Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech - Nicknamed "Tin Man" for inconsistent snap-to-snap passion.
SenDerrick Marks, Auburn - Should've stayed in school.
Sleeper Alert
Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa - Former Minnesota "Mr. Basketball" finalist goes 6'6/305 and was the centerpiece of D-IAA's No. 2-overall defense. Also blocked six kicks in college. Pedescleaux could play tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4 scheme.
Non-Rush Linebackers
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest - Could make a Patrick Willis-type impact in a 3-4 or be used like Julian Peterson in a 4-3. Curry won't get by Cincinnati at No. 6.
2. Rey Maualuga, USC - May only be a two-down player, but an old-fashioned thumper. The Patriots are known to be high on Maualuga.
3. Brian Cushing, USC - Has been cleared by the league after a report surfaced that Cushing failed a steroids test at the Combine. Cushing led USC in tackles for loss (10.5) last season.
4. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State - Awesomely productive inside 'backer paced OSU with 130 stops last season; the next closest Buckeye had 84. Laurinaitis isn't flashy, but is hard nosed and pro ready.
5. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida - Seek-and-destroy strong-side linebacker bounced between colleges, but averaged an amazing 120 tackles per season between his sophomore and senior years. Doesn't run especially well (4.80).
Buyer Beware
Darry Beckwith, LSU - Benefited from a dominant Tigers front four that included future draftees Tyson Jackson, Rahim Allem, Kirston Pittman, Ricky Jean-Francois, and Glenn Dorsey in 2006-2007. Knee injuries cost Beckwith starts in each of the past three seasons and he averaged only five tackles a game at middle linebacker last year, forcing no turnovers.
Sleeper Alert
Jason Williams, Western Illinois - Ferocious hitter tied for NCAA lead with six forced fumbles as a senior and notched 17 tackles for a loss. Somehow wasn't invited to the Combine.
Michael Tuailiili, Duke - Undersized (5'10/231) and lacks ideal straight-line speed (4.77-4.85), but led D-I in tackles and moves exceptionally well in a short area. At worst Tualiili will be a special teams star in the Heath Farwell mold.
Cornerbacks
1. Sean Smith, Utah - Appears to have solidified a first-round grade. Smith is legitimately 6'4/214 and a ballhawk (nine picks in 2007-2008). Sitting at No. 25, Bill Parcells' Dolphins love this kid.
2. Darius Butler, UConn - Wants to be great. UConn's left corner position was a no-throw zone because Big East offensive coordinators were petrified to test Butler. He lacks outstanding size (5'10/183), but is fluid in the hips, runs sub-4.4, and has ideal ball skills.
3. Vontae Davis, Illinois - Vernon's brother is the complete package physically, but sports character concerns and was briefly benched last season.
4. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest - Would be in the top-10 conversation if he was two inches taller.
5. Kevin Barnes, Maryland - NFL starting-caliber ability, but coming off shoulder surgery. For what it's worth, he aced the Wonderlic with a 41.
Buyer Beware
D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt - Small, slow corners are rarely difference makers.
Mike Mickens, Cincinnati - Red-flagged for knee woes.
Sleeper Alert
Chris Owens, San Jose State - Jarron Gilbert's backend complement was overshadowed by Dwight Lowery and Coye Francies in college, but can fly and tackle.
Safeties
1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State - College corner with safety speed, but could be a Pro Bowler at the new position.
2. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan - While competition level and size (5'11/202) are concerns, Delmas possesses ideal range and can deliver a blow.
3. Rashad Johnson, Alabama - Another slight (5'11/203) ballhawk, Johnson will at least make an immediate special teams impact.
4. Patrick Chung, Oregon - Run-stopping safety showed well in postseason workouts.
5. Sherrod Martin, Troy - Played corner in college, but projects as a free safety in non-Cover 2 defenses.
Buyer Beware
William Moore, Missouri - Couldn't cover anyone as a senior. Injuries factored in, but Moore has many similarities to once-heralded USC safety Darnell Bing and may have to convert to linebacker.
Sleeper Alert
Sha'reff Rashad, Central Florida - Tough playmaker with mediocre size (6'0/198), but adequate speed. Rashad is a bit of a 'tweener strong/free safety.
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