Defensive linemen preview
by Luke Paul Chandler
With the NFL Draft fast approaching, Luke Paul Chandler analyzes the defensive linemen in this year’s class.
Defensive Tackle
The defensive tackle class has a few difference makers at the top, but has more potential disappointments than sure things. Some teams have begun to sour on Glenn Dorsey because of concerns for his durability, despite immense physical talent. Frank Okam has a lot of talent, but his drive and motor are questionable. Finally, there are others like DeMario Pressley and Andre Fluellen who failed to make improvements as seniors. In particular, Pressley has never matched up his physical talent and hype to his production level. Former Seminole Letroy Guion, who declared early due to his alleged involvement in a cheating ring for an online class at FSU, shows huge upside as a three technique in the NFL, but he lacks experience.
This class does feature some great hustle and lunch pale style players, lead by Trevor Laws, who had an amazing year against the run. Keilen Dykes (West Virginia), Derek Lokey (Texas), Kevin Brown (UCLA) and Marcus Harrison (Arkansas) are all active defenders who play a steady game against the run, and will wear out their opponents late in games. None of these players are going to be a great pass rusher, but are solid two-down defenders in the NFL.
Top 10 (As of 4/12/08)
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, Louisiana State, 6′2, 299
2. Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California, 6′2, 305
3. Frank Okam, DT, Texas, 6′5, 320
4. Pat Sims, DT, Auburn, 6′4, 312
5. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame, 6′1, 295
6. Letroy Guion, DT, FSU, 6′4, 295
7. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland, 6′4, 311
8. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M, 6′5, 324
9. DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina State, 6′4, 293
10. Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State, 6′4, 286
Best By Trait
Run Defense - Trevor Laws (Notre Dame)
Pass Rush - Glenn Dorsey (Louisiana State)
Pursuit - Dre Moore (Maryland)
Tackling - Trevor Laws (Notre Dame)
Quickness - Sedrick Ellis (Southern California)
Recognition - Pat Sims (Auburn)
Zone Drop - Dre Moore (Maryland)
Strength - Red Bryant (Texas A&M)
Stud - Sedrick Ellis (Southern California) - Ellis has crawled up to the top defensive tackle rankings in some experts eyes. His great balance and quickness off the snap make him a dangerous option for teams running one-gap defenses. He keeps low, and anchors fairly well for a tackle with only average size. He also has a good feel for the game, and is not easily fooled.
Sleeper - Letroy Guion (Florida State) - If a team wants to roll the dice this year, Guion may be their guy. Guion has rare athleticism and quickness for a defensive tackle, but has yet to be highly productive. He has played limited snaps in his college career, and probably wasn’t ready for the NFL. He has survived thus far on his speed and quickness, but he lacks any technique or feel for the game. If coached up properly, he could end up being a dangerous one gap tackle.
Slipper - Frank Okam (Texas) - Okam has amazing size, wing-span and run-stuffing ability, but that player rarely shows up all game. Okam wears out late in games, and at times appears disinterested. Rumors and talk have filtered out that Okam is not able to handle criticism well, and may not have the emotional makeup needed to survive in the NFL. For a team looking for a 3-4 nose tackle, they may gamble on Okam, but he’s a huge risk. Physically, he’s all there, but mentally, one has to wonder.
Grade: C+
Defensive End
With NFL teams again focusing on speed rushers, look for there to be a flurry of high draft picks used on defensive ends in this class. There are several rookies in this class who could end up having double-digit sacks, should the opportunity present itself. The first round may see as many eight defensive ends picked, and the first day could have at least a dozen total selected.
Outside of the big names of Long and Gholston, Phillip Merling and Derrick Harvey are flying under the radar. Both are quick off the snap, have great wingspan, and hand use. There are also several other veteran pass rushers like Chris Ellis (Viriginia Tech), Wallace Gilberry (Alabama) and Kenny Iwebema (Iowa), who will be solid NFL wave rushers.
This defensive ends also feature a wealth of small-school prospects in Kendall Langford (Hampton), Rudolph Hardie (Howard) and Kroy Bierman (Wyoming), who will be attractive to most 3-4 teams. The Dolphins are rumored to be heavily scouting all three players, with Langford and Hardie as five-technique ends and Biermann as a linebacker.
Top 10 (As of 4/12/08)
1. Chris Long, DE, Virginia, 6′4, 284
2. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State, 6′4, 260
3. Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida, 6′4, 262
4. Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson, 6′5, 276
5. Quentin Groves, DE, Auburn, 6′4, 254
6. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami(FL), 6′8, 280
7. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech, 6′5, 260
8. Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern California, 6′5, 270
9. Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton, 6′6, 294
10. Hilee Taylor, DE, North Carolina, 6′3, 241
Best By Trait
Run Defense - Lawrence Jackson (Southern California)
Pass Rush - Derrick Harvey (Florida)
Pursuit - Chris Ellis (Virginia Tech)
Tackling - Chris Long (Viriginia)
Quickness - Philip Merling (Auburn)
Recognition - Chase Ortiz (Texas Christian)
Zone Drop - Vernon Gholston (Ohio State)
Strength - Lawrence Jackson (Southern California)
Stud - Chris Long (Virginia) - Rarely does a 3-4 defensive end garner attention as the possible No. 1 overall pick, but Long is a legit top-three pick. Some people are torn on a position for him, with his college coach Al Groh saying he could be a linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but Long has a great skill set. Look for him to either become a strong-side end in a 4-3, or become a 3-4 end who is moved around to gain matchups. Long has great hand use, and an amazing motor.
Sleeper - Jason Jones (Eastern Michigan) – Jones’ 2007 season was a wash due to his playing inside at tackle, where he was not a good fit. He started to gain a lot of recognition in the postseason due to his great workouts. Teams started to `see his speed and pursuit skills, and rumors popped up of him becoming heavily scouting as possible 3-4 outside linebacker. Jones is a productive disruptor who works his way to backfield and creates trouble for quarterbacks and ball carriers. Jones’ numbers were a bit inflated due to the competition he faced, but he could end up being a steal from the fourth round on.
Slipper - Tommy Blake (Texas Christian) - Blake’s troubles with mental illness have caused many teams to completely remove him from their draft boards altogether. His rumored outbursts, and inability to handle the rigors of a potential NFL career have led some to wonder if he’s following a similar path to that of former Raiders center Barrett Robbins. The sad part is that Blake’s speed, motor and pass-rush ability are that of a first round talent, but he’s probably going to go undrafted. Some teams have not been fooled by the public relations campaign made by his camp, to show his stability and readiness to be an NFL player.
Grade: A