Here is my Top 5 rankings on the defensive side of the ball by position. I am a true believer in SPEED KILLS. To rank these players I used their combine numbers, pro day numbers, and their production in college.

It is hard to get a good true ranking because you have to figure out where they will play in the NFL. For example, some teams may look at a player as a 3-4 rush outside linebacker, while another team may look at a player as an inside linebacker.

I also ranked the top 5 players at each position on the offensive side of the ball. Check it out here: 2014 NFL Draft-Top 5 Players at each Position- Offense

4-3 Defensive Ends

1. Jadeveon Clowney 6.5, 266, 4.53 South Carolina

Prototype size and speed.
Could play 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB
Should be the top player taken

2. Kareem Martin 6.6, 272, 4.72 UNC

Prototype size and speed
Outstanding production in college
3 year starter, team captain

3. Barr 6.5, 255, 4.66 UCLA

He needs to gain weight whether he plays 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB
Very good production in college
exceptional speed and a great athlete

4. Kony Ealy 6.4, 273, 4.92 Missouri

Good size, but I would like to see him get faster
Better versus pass than run
He will get better as he gets stronger

5. Scott Crichton 6.3, 273, 4.84 Oregon State

Prototype size and speed
Very good production in college
3 year starter

3-4 Outside Linebackers

1. Khalil Mack 6.3, 251, 4.65 Buffalo

Very explosive, excellent pursuit
Competitive and energetic
Makes bunches of plays in the backfield

2. Trevor Reilly 6.5, 245, 4.67 Utah

Versatile, can play every linebacker position
Solid tackler, very tough
Very good football intelligence

3. Carl Bradford 6.1, 250, 4.76 Arizona St

Very explosive, power cleans 400 pounds
Can cover and rush passer
On the short side, but very aggressive

4. Jeremiah Attaochu 6.3, 252, 4.68 Georgia Tech

Disruptive ability
Mature and intelligent
Relentless rusher

5. Jordan Zumwalt 6.4, 235, 4.76 UCLA

Very competitive and fiery
Very high FBI (football intelligence)
High energy overachiever
Will be a special teams contributor

Inside/Middle Linebackers

1. Ryan Shazier 6.1, 237, 4.58 Ohio State

Prototype size and speed to be an inside linebacker
Very productive
Led Big Ten in tackles
Can play during all 3 downs

2. Jordan Tripp 6.3, 234, 4.67 Montana

Outstanding motor
very tough
team captain
will contribute on special teams

3. Howard Jones 6.2, 235, 4.6 Shepherd

Prototype size and speed for an inside linebacker
Special teams experience
4 year starter

4. Lamin Barrow 6.1, 237, 4.64 LSU

Prototype size and speed for inside linebacker
Can cover the pass
Special teams experience
91 tackles last year

5. C. J. Mosley 6.2, 234, 4.65 Alabama

Prototype size and speed
Good versus run and pass
Strong special teams performer

Defensive Tackles

1. Aaron Donald 6.1, 285, 4.68 Pittsburgh

A little bit undersized
Great production - 59 tackles with 11 sacks last year
Team captain

2. Stephon Tuitt 6.5, 304, 4.92 Notre Dame

Prototype size and speed
Very good production
Versatile, can play in 4-3 or 3-4

3. RaShede Hageman 6.6, 310, 5.02 Minnesota

Prototype size and speed
Team captain
Not much production last year
Could be a big time player or a bust

4. Timmy Jernigan 6.2, 299, 5.06 FSU

Good athlete for his size
More of a run stopper
Could be 4-3 DT or a 3-4 NT

5. Dominique Easley 6.2, 288, 4.93 Florida

Undersized, but is relentless and energetic
Explodes off the snap
Excellent pursuit effort
Tore right ACL last year

Cornerbacks

1. Bradley Roby 5.11, 194, 4.39 Ohio State

Prototype size and speed
Feisty, aggressive tackler
Special teams contributor, can block kicks
Excellent production on the ball, bunches of passes broken up over his career

2. Darqueze Dennard 5.11, 199, 4.51 Michigan State

Darqueze Dennard breaks up a pass against Ohio St. in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game.

Prototype size and speed
Leader by example
Plays with intensity and urgency
Good in man and zone coverage

3. Justin Gilbert 6.0, 202, 4.37 Oklahoma State

Outstanding size and speed
Very good hands
Very good kick returner
Big, fast, man cover corner

4. Dontae Johnson 6.2 200 4.45 NC State

Great size and speed
Could be moved to safety
Special teams experience
Makes lots of tackles

5. Kyle Fuller 6.0 190 4.49 Virginia Tech

Prototype size and speed
Good hands
Better in zone coverage
Team captain
Special teams experience

Strong Safety

1. Jimmie Ward 5.11 193 4.59 N. Illinois

Prototype size and speed
Outstanding production
Special teams mentality
Aggressive run stopper

2. Deone Bucannon 6.1 211 4.49 Washington St

Prototype size and speed
Outstanding production
Special teams experience

3. Maurice Alexander 6.1 220 4.54 Utah State

Great size and speed ratio
Physical tackler, effective blitzer, aggressive and energetic
Special teams experience
A converted linebacker
Coverage skills need to get better

4. Brock Vereen 6.0 199 4.49 Minnesota

Prototype size and speed
Smart, motivated team player
Outstanding work ethic
Special teams experience

5. Vinnie Sunseri 5.11 210 4.59 Alabama

Prototype size and speed
Dependable tackler
Vocal leader who led secondary
Special teams contributor

Free Safety

1. Hasean Clinton Dix 6.1 208 4.58 Alabama

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix makes a diving interception in the BCS Championship vs. Notre Dame.

Can match up with slot receivers and tight ends
Good hands
Secure tackler

2. Ed Reynolds 6.1 207 4.57 Stanford

Prototype size and speed
Can cover TEs
Ballhawk at times
More of a zone coverage safety

3. Calvin Pryor 5.11 207 4.58 Louisville

Prototype size and speed
Big time hitter
Sets the tempo for the defense
Plays with confidence, has a swagger about him

4. Terrence Brooks 5.11 197 4.42 FSU

Aggressive in run support
Tough and durable
Confident and energetic
Solid character
Special teams contributor

5. Marqueston Huff 5.11 196 4.49 Wyoming

Oustanding production last season
3 year starter
Can play in different schemes
Could play corner as well

2014 NFL Draft – Top 5 Prospects Per Position – Defense