Finding comparisons in each position is both an entertaining way to get some final thoughts on these prospects as well as get a good indication of what they could actually be once they get to the NFL.
While these defensive line comparisons are not likely shared by everyone and it may not be an exact match, these are who the top defensive linemen on our board remind me of.
Kenrick Ellis, Hampton – Haloti Ngata
Not quite as athletically gifted as Ngata is, Eliis is as close as I’ve seen since Ngata was drafted. Character concerns by teams will push Ellis down into maybe the mid to late 2nd round area, but he has the talent and size to be a pillar on a defensive line. He’s able to move in space, generate a pass rush with two defenders, and finish plays in the backfield. He doesn’t have Ngata’s elite level strength, but everything else matches up.
JJ Watt, Wisconsin – Adam Carricker
This comparison is why Watt scares me a little. I think Watt is a better athlete than the once Top 20 pick turned bust in Carricker, but the limitations on where Watt can succeed are limited. He’ll need a great nose tackle and opposite side pressure from a 3-4 outside linebacker to really thrive in my opinion, but without a supporting cast, he may struggle. That’s why he’s a fringe 1st round prospect on our board.
Marvin Austin, North Carolina – Jay Ratliff
Austin is going to either be high on teams boards that feel the character concerns are past him or someplace in the 2nd-3rd round range for teams that think they aren’t. If he came out last year, he would’ve been a Top 10 pick based on the film I saw. The major concern, outside of character which he’s done a good job of rehabbing this draft season, is his motor on the field, but as a late first round prospect, he could make a huge impact as a quick-twitch, explosive interior pass rusher.
Jabaal Sheard, Pittsburgh – Tamba Hali
Character concerns, like with Austin, will likely push him down some boards on draft day, but on film he’s certainly one of the five or six best defensive ends in this draft, which is really saying something. He’s quick off the ball, has great body control and can dip and dodge blockers, and has the athleticism to potentially play in a 3-4 if need be, similar to how Hali has finally seemed to click as a rush outside linebacker.
Robert Quinn, North Carolina – Will Smith
An athletic, high ceiling rusher, Quinn seems to be a moldable talent that almost any system can take and work with for the future. While I think he’s fluid enough in space to be a 3-4 outside linebacker, he’s best bet is as a 4-3 end where he can work on one-on-ones and use his combination of quickness, length, and strength to be a factor in the run and pass defense game.
Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue – Aaron Kampman
Kampman has struggled a bit since he came to Jacksonville to fit in the 3-4 ideas they are trying to implement. However, earlier in his career when he was aggressively attacking defenses with inside and outside power moves and more fluidity, he could have easily made the switch like Kerrigan will have to do. Now he’ll have a chance to groom him as he plays opposite him. A perfect fit for Jacksonville, Kerrigan is a Top 15 player on our board and could have an impact early and long term in the NFL.
Cameron Jordan, California – Richard Seymour
A player who’s been in our Top 10 prospects for months now, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Jordan is a Pro Bowler in the next two years. A powerful rusher who has moves both inside and outside and understands how to attack all different types of tackles, he has the ability to play in a 3-4 defense or 4-3 defense as a defensive end, with his potential being the highest in playing a Richard Seymour like role where he can still attack the ball and get to the quarterback.
Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson – Trent Cole
Bowers could easily have a Mario Williams or Julius Peppers like impact in the NFL and I think his game mimics them a lot, but he doesn’t have their size or length. Trent Cole has been quietly one of the league’s best defensive ends because of his ability to get to the edge and drive blockers back. Bowers could become one of the best defensive ends in the NFL if his knee injury isn’t major.
Marcel Dareus, Alabama – Darnell Dockett
Dockett is another sometimes less-heralded defensive lineman that is firmly in the top ten or five at his position in the NFL. Dareus, like Dockett, can rush the passer well in a 3-4 or 4-3 defense because of his understanding of how to attack lineman with his hands and uses good body control. Dareus is one of the safest prospects in this draft, and could be Dockett-plus in the NFL.
Nick Fairley, Auburn – Kevin Williams
If Fairley isn’t the character and motor question mark that some teams feel he is, he could be in the top two or three as far as the best players in this draft. Fairley has the ability to be a Jay Ratliff type nose tackle, a Kevin Williams like 3-technique rusher, or even fit into a 3-4 defense as a defensive end if need be. Dareus may be safer as far as you know what you’re going to get, but Fairley may have the higher ceiling.
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