DE: 1. Robert Quinn (UNC) Prediction: 12th overall Where I would take him: 1st round Quinn's speed of the edge is insane. However, concerns are what kind of guy he is after he was suspended all year last year. In addition, he has a brain tumor that is worrying but it hasn't been an issue since HS. 2. Da'quan Bowers (Clemson) Prediction: 20th overall Where I would take him: 1st round Bowers is a relentless pass rusher and can play vs. the run very well. He is a strong guy. Concerns with him are around his knee. Some fear he may need micro-fracture surgery which could sap him of his burst and shorten his career. 3. Aldon Smith (Missouri) Prediction: 16th overall Where I would take him: 1st round To be fair I watched Smith as he was returning from injury so I might not have gotten the full effect. He is an an athletic guy with a fantastic motor that is active in the run game as well as providing a pass rush. My concern with him is his ability to use his hands effectively. 4. Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) Prediction: 25th overall Where I would take him: 1st round Kerrigan has an unstoppable motor. The guy just plays hard. He never quits. My concern with him is his ability to use his hands and disengage effectively. 5. JJ Watt (Wisconsin) Prediction: 17th overall Where I would take him: 1st round I like Watt a whole lot. He uses his hands well, he has a multitude of pass rush moves, and plays the game with alot of heart. He doesn't have elite athleticism. 6. Cam Jordan (Cal.) Prediction: 18th overall Where I would take him: 1st round Jordan owns the line of scrimmage. He holds up better at the POA than almost anyone. However, he too needs to refine his technique and use his hands to disengage from blockers better. 7. Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) Prediction: 27th overall Where I would take him: 1st round Clayborn is a strong player who is a legit pass rusher. He could probably do with losing a little bit of weight. He also needs to develop more pass rush moves. But, his hand use and his total domination in the run game is great. 8. Justin Houston (UGA) Prediction: round 2 Where I would take him: 1st-2nd Houston got busted for weed at the combine. Other than that this dude has great athleticism and can play the run well. He lacks a big variety in pass moves and lacks that killer instinct to kill the qb but has alot of potential. 9. Cameron Heyward (Ohio St.) Prediction: 2nd round Where I would take him: 1st-2nd round Heyward is very well coached and is a great prospect. If there wasn't so many great DE's he would definitely be a 1st rounder. He sheds blocks very well. However, he lacks speed off the edge. 10. Jabaal Sheard (Pitt.) Prediction: 2nd round Where I would take him: ? Sheard plays the run and pass well. This is another guy that deserves to be a 1st rounder. DT: 1. Marcell Dareus (Alabama) Prediction: 2nd overall Where I would take him: ? This guy lived in opponent's backfields when healthy. He is a top prospect and is legit. He really doesn't have a noticeable weakness haha. 2. Nick Fairley (Auburn) Prediction: 8th overall Where I would take him: ? Another guy that lived in people's backfields and took it as a personal challenge to cheapshot QB's. His motor is inconsistent and he will disappear at times. 3. Phil Taylor (Baylor) Prediction: 30th overall Where I would take him: 1st round I love his strength. He is such an imposing guy and is more agile than someone of his size suggests. An issue is he sometimes plays too high and gets beat. 4. Corey Liuget (Illinois) Prediction: 14th overall Where I would take him: 1st-2nd I'm not as high on him as most. I love his strength at the POA. What bugs me is his lack of hand use. 5. Muhammed Wilkerson (Temple) Prediction: 26th overall Where I would take him: 1st- 2nd round He sheds blocks well and is very athletic for a big man. His physicality bothers me and he is rough around the edges. He needs some coaching up. 6. Drake Nevis (LSU) Prediction: 2nd round Where I would take him: 1st-2nd Nevis lived in opponents backfields last year. He is your ultimate 3-technique. He will be great value here. He does need to play a little stronger vs. the run. 7. Stephen Paea (Oregon St.) Prediction: 2nd round Where I would take him: 1st-2nd Paea has a nice burst and is very strong. He does very well at controlling the line of scrimmage. He needs to develop more pass rush moves. 8. Jerrell Powe (Ole Miss) Prediction: 2nd-3rd Where I would take him: 2nd-3rd The ultimate 3-4 NT. He knows how to stop the run. He isn't much help to a team's pass rush though. 9. Marvin Austin (UNC) Prediction: 2nd Where I would take him: 2nd-3rd Your regular 3 technique. He knows how to bust through a line. What bothers me is his attitude, his passion for the game, and he is moved way too easily in the run game. 10. Kenrick Ellis (Hampton) Prediction: 3rd Where I would take him: ? This guy is interesting. Many people love him as a prospect. He was dismissed from South Carolina that's concerning and was suspended for the 1st game of the year at Hampton. He was a man amongst boys at Hampton VS. FCS competition. forgot Justin Houston.
love quinn as #1 im just not high on kerrigan, not sure what to make of him...dont see him as a first round talent but he definitely has a first round effort. i hate JJ watt, but i really like cam jordan lately. I think cameron heyward is really being slept on right now....he'll be the best 5 tech this year, hes got a legitimate chance to be that once in a while kind of 34 DE like aaron smith or richard seymour. cant argue with the DTs, marvin austin definitely grew on my this offseason kendrick ellis is ALOT like albert haynesworth imo, but would make a much better 34 NT
the only thing Kerrigan lacks is 1st rd. athleticism. what's the hate on Watt for? I love Heyward in a 3-4. I did my rankings assuming I was running a 4-3 but also threw in some guys I wouldn't want playing in a 4-3 as well.
