Zack Berman - The position with the most potential impact players in this draft is defensive line. The group has different types of players whose importance will fluctuate based on different team’s systems.
Alabama’s Marcell Dareus and Auburn’s Nick Fairley are major prospects at defensive tackle, a position that has increased in value, as evidenced by two of the first three picks in last season’s draft. An injury risk is all that prevents Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers from becoming a candidate for the No. 1 pick.
Teams looking for a 3-4 pass-rusher can convert defensive ends such as North Carolina’s Robert Quinn, Missouri’s Aldon Smith, Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan and Arizona’s Brooks Reed. There are also 4-3 ends that can play end in the 3-4, such as Wisconsin’s J.J. Watt and California’s Cameron Jordan. And defensive tackles such as Temple’s Muhammad Wilkerson (Linden High School) and Baylor’s Phil Taylor can play nose tackle in the 3-4.
PROTOTYPES
The defensive ends all 4-3 teams want are Chicago’s Julius Peppers and Houston’s Mario Williams, elite athletes who look like power forwards rushing the passer. Both were among the top two picks in their respective drafts. Last year’s No. 2 overall pick, Ndamukong Suh, looks like he’ll develop into the league’s best 4-3 defensive tackle.
The requirements are entirely different in a 3-4 system, where linemen must occupy blockers and play in different gaps. Pittsburgh’s Aaron Smith and Oakland’s Richard Seymour are the prototypical 3-4 defensive ends, while New England’s Vince Wilfork and Baltimore’s Haloti Ngata are the space-eating nose tackles defensive coordinators crave.
THE TOP FIVE
(Rank, Position, Player, College, Height, Weight, 40-yard dash time)
More coverage:
• NFL Draft 2011: Analysis of the offensive linemen
• NFL Draft 2011: Analysis of the wide receivers and tight ends
• NFL Draft 2011: Analysis of the running backs
• NFL Draft 2011: Analysis of the quarterbacks
1. DT Marcell Dareus, Alabama, 6-3, 319, 4.94
Because Dareus played in a 3-4 for Nick Saban, teams who utilize the system have witnessed Dareus fill the difficult defensive end spot. He also has the size and skill set to transition into a 4-3 defensive tackle, meaning Dareus is a system-proof lineman. He is strong against the run, improving against the pass and comes from one of college football’s most respected programs. The only knock on Dareus is that he was not a three-down player at Alabama.
2. DE Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson, 6-3, 280, 4.7
There are few players in the draft with more potential than Bowers, who led the nation with 15½ sacks and added 26 tackles for a loss. The red flag on the 21-year-old is a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. If teams are satisfied with his health, Bowers has the talent to be a complete defensive end and one of the true impact players in the draft.
3. DT Nick Fairley, Auburn, 6-4, 298, 4.86
Anyone who watched the national championship game saw how disruptive Fairley can be on the interior. Fairley registered a sack, a forced fumble and three tackles for a loss. He also had two sacks against rival Alabama. But Fairley only excelled for one season with the Tigers, so there are justifiable questions about his inexperience.
4. DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina, 6-4, 265, 4.66
Quinn missed his entire junior season because of an NCAA suspension stemming from involvement with an agent. Had he played, Quinn might have topped this list. He recorded 11 sacks as a sophomore in 2009 and could be a dominant pass-rusher as a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker. The difficult part to gauge is how a year away from football affected him.
5. DE J.J. Watt, Wisconsin, 6-5, 290, 4.85
Watt’s advantage is his versatility. He has proven capable in a 4-3 alignment but also has the size and skills to thrive as a 3-4 end, which is a difficult position to plug. Watt won’t accumulate significant sack totals, but he is tough against the run and appeared in every game during three seasons at Wisconsin. Watt also blocked two field goals and two extra points in his career.
BEST OF THE REST
DE Adrian Clayborn Iowa, 6-2 1/2, 283, 4.82
DT Corey Liuget Illinois, 6-2, 300, 5.00
DE Cameron Jordan, California, 6-4, 287, 4.76
DE/OLB Aldon Smith, Missouri, 6-4 1/2, 263, 4.78
DT Muhammad Wilkerson, Temple, 6-4 1/2, 315, 4.99
IMPACT ON THE DRAFT
There may be as many as 13 defensive linemen taken in the first round, including college ends who will play as 3-4 outside linebackers. Pay attention to Bowers, who could slip deep into the first round if concerns about his knee are legitimate. Quinn and college teammate Marvin Austin are curious cases after missing all of last season, although both have enough talent to warrant a high grade. As strong as this class is, though, the talent drops off in the middle rounds.
GIANTS
The Giants, as always, have plenty of depth at end - or at least it would seem that way. Justin Tuck is as consistent, reliable and well-rounded as they come, while last year’s first-round pick Jason Pierre-Paul was impressive in spurts as a rookie. Here’s where it gets interesting, though: Osi Umenyiora set an NFL record with 10 forced fumbles last season, which might make for a convenient time to take a hard stance with his contract. And Mathias Kiwanuka’s situation is uncertain as he’s a free agent and is recovering from a serious neck issue.
Inside, the Giants could use help. Barry Cofield is a free agent and last year’s second-rounder Linval Joseph didn’t get much playing time as a rookie.
— Mike Garafolo
JETS
The front seven is the greatest area of need for the Jets. Last year, they suited up several defensive linemen on the wrong side of 30: Shaun Ellis (33), Trevor Pryce (35) and Sione Pouha (32). Getting younger here is of prime importance, and they could invest their first-round pick to do so.
Releasing Kris Jenkins, who is rehabbing from his second straight ACL tear, means support at nose tackle is needed on the depth chart and in coach Rex Ryan’s scheme. Pouha and Mike DeVito played well last season, and the Jets are looking for Marcus Dixon and Ropati Pitoitua to emerge, but the team will need to address this unit in the draft.
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