We’ve seen guys like Tyson Jackson and Tyson Alualu go much higher than expected on draft day because of the position they play. While they’re not as valuable as the often highly picked quarterbacks,it is rare to find an elite one, and a top level 3-4 defensive end can set the stage for the rest of the defense’s success.
In this draft, there could be as many as four or more taken in round one, and this year it doesn’t look like taking one high will be a reach at all, as it has been in year’s past.
| Name | College | Height | Weight | Proj. Round | Notes | ||
| 1 | . | Cameron Jordan | California | 6’4 | 280 | Top 20 | Versatile and athletic, needs to be a little more consistent |
| 2 | . | Marcel Dareus | Alabama | 6’3 | 306 | Top 20 | Under pressure from school, has got great size and potential |
| 3 | . | Cameron Heyward | Ohio State | 6’5 | 290 | 2nd-3rd | Great size, maybe a better fit at 4-3 DE as a power rush |
| 4 | . | JJ Watt | Wisconsin | 6’4 | 248 | 1st-2nd | High motor, high intensity guy, he’s been disruptive all year |
| 5 | . | Christian Ballard | Iowa | 6’4 | 298 | 1st-2nd | Played on great D-Line that didn’t produce, finishing ability |
| 6 | . | Adrian Clayborn | Iowa | 6’3 | 285 | 1st-2nd | One of ’09’s top players, he’s a complete defensive player |
| 7 | . | Muhammed Wilkerson | Temple | 6’4 | 290 | 1st-2nd | Very disruptive, great talent, great length, 3-4 DE ability |
| 8 | . | Jurrell Casey | USC | 6’1 | 305 | 1st-2nd | Outstanding inside quickness, great athleticism and attacks |
| 9 | . | Jarvis Jenkins | Clemson | 6’4 | 308 | 2nd-3rd | Great fit for a 3-4 defense, he needs to be more consistent |
| 10 | . | Allen Bailey | Miami (FL) | 6’4 | 288 | 3rd-5th | Talent galore for his size, has versatility to play across DL |
| 11 | . | Lawrence Guy | Arizona State | 6’5 | 300 | 3rd-5th | Great motor and consistency, needs to show move moves |
| 12 | . | Cedric Thornton | Southern Arkansas | 6’3 | 299 | 4th-6th | Small school dominator had down year; super talented |
| 13 | . | Stephen Paea | Oregon State | 6’1 | 311 | 4th-6th | Great motor, footwork, he needs to show better rush moves |
| 14 | . | Pierre Allen | Nebraska | 6’5 | 265 | 6th-Undrafted | Hard worker, lacks top end talent to be a consistent starter |
| 15 | . | Brandon Bair | Oregon | 6’7 | 272 | 6th-Undrafted | Great size, needs a perfect scheme fit to be successful |
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
