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NCAA Scouting
Top Five by Position 2010 Draft – Defense
by Paul Emery
April 15th 2010
 
Here is my top five by position on the defensive side of the ball for the 2010 Draft. As with my offensive rankings, these are not aimed to be a rehash of other websites top fives, but a personal analysis. Therefore some top five players might be top 10 picks on draft day itself, while others might be second or third day selections. I’ll also give my opinion on some mid round value, potential late round/free agent finds, and on those whose outlook I am not sold on, which could include some big names.
 
I’ll attempt to slot DL and LBs into 4-3 or 3-4 as I best see them but some will be scheme diverse, which I’ll indicate as I go through.
 
4-3 Defensive End
 
1. Brandon Graham Michigan. Scheme diverse. Shorter than ideal, but his stock has remained high despite this (perhaps helped by Elvis Dumervil’s success). Not utilised that well by Michigan as a 3-4 DE. However, this did show he can stack and shed. Has good hand use and is explosive off the edge. Top prospect.
 
2. Greg Hardy Mississippi. The best player at the Shrine Game by some distance. Excellent pass rusher beat Russell Okung off the edge in the Bowl Game. Gets off blocks well against the run. Is a boom or bust type though has had durability issues the past two seasons and there are rumours about his character and work ethic. However, I’ve seen him play hurt, so I do think he loves the game. I also believe his ankle is now sound. He needs a strong, veteran locker room and a respected coaching staff to hold him accountable and I think he’ll be fine would love to see him work with Rod Marinelli for example.
 
3. Derrick Morgan Georgia Tech. I have some concerns and rate him more as a 10-20 type prospect as opposed to a top 10 type pick but he still has ability. The best thing he does is extend his arms, control his blocker and string plays out. Has pass rush ability, but lacks consistent explosion off the ball. Struggled against Bulaga in the Bowl Game. Durable and hard working.
 
4. Corey Wootton Northwestern. Wootton seemed to be getting better and better after off season knee surgery as time went by until the Bowl game, where I thought he had a poor game. But over the course of the season he has looked a good prospect. His frame is excellent and he uses his long arms well. He has some pass rush ability and could even play as a 3-4 OLB as he has 4 career interceptions. Needs to be medically checked, but a fine talent.
 
5. Everson Griffen USC. If Griffen were consistent he would be a top 10 pick. At times he looks unblockable with an explosive burst off the edge at other times he doesn’t look anything special. Like Hardy, he needs to be drafted into the right situation there is risk, but he could be a great one.
 
Mid Round Value Austen Lane Murray State. It was a tough choice between Lane and Griffen for the number 5 spot, but Lane is a little raw and thus slips into the mid round value category. Better as a pass rusher than against the run at the moment but his pass rushing ability is good for a small schooler. Might see pass rush only duty to begin with, but has a good chance to develop into more.
 
Late round/FA Value Hall Davis – Lousisiana-Lafatette. The key game this season for Davis was the LSU game where he was matched up against Ciron Black. Davis held up well all day and beat Black on several occasions rushing the passer. He lacks top explosion off the ball, but works very hard and he has possibilities.
 
Buyer Beware Jason Pierre-Paul South Florida and Carlos Dunlap Florida. Two in this one Pierre-Paul to me looks like a one trick pony, having his speed rush only off the edge. After looking carefully at his combine data, he’s not that athletic although he does have a nice frame and straight line speed. Classic boom or bust and I’m betting on bust. Dunlap makes this category for being way too inconsistent and for his off the field concerns a DUI right before a Championship Game isn’t the way forward.
 
3-4 Defensive End
 
This is a tough position to fill thus why Kansas City went with Tyson Jackson so high last year. A top three here as some in the 4-3 DT can also play here (Suh and Odrick for example).
 
1. Arthur Jones Syrcause. Missed the last four games of the season and all-star games/combine with injury, so is flying under the radar somewhat. Scheme diverse, but his frame suggests he might be better suited for a 3-4 DE. Play matches this as he can stack and shed. Does show some explosion also, so is an interesting prospect if healthy.
 
2. Alex Carrington Arkansas State. Has ideal size for the position. Excellent against the run uses his long arms to his advantage to stack and shed. Lacks a top burst for a 4-3, but is ideal for the 3-4.
 
3. Al Woods LSU. If Woods gains some weight, he could well be viewed at NT but with 36″ arms, he certainly will be rising up draft boards. Space eater not consistent though. Rotated for LSU.
 
Mid Round Value Vince Oghobaase Duke. His stock has been falling throughout his senior year as he struggled with a knee injury. Has ideal length for the 3-4 DE position. Has ability, but has been inconsistent.
 
Late round/FA Value Ricardo Mathews Cincinnati. Might not have the length required but shows good strength and ability to hold up.
 
Buyer Beware – Lamarr Houston Texas. I’ve thought about him as a 3-4 DE, but I think he’s far better as a one gap type.
 
Defensive Tackle
 
This is a fine class with two top prospects and plenty of solid prospects further down. Solid value will be had outside of the first round.
 
1. Ndamukong Suh Nebraska. In my opinion the best prospect in this Draft by a fair distance. Has it all. Scheme diverse would love to see him redefine the 3-4 DE position shows he can stack and shed – throws blockers off with ease. Texas couldn’t live with him and that was an experienced O-Line.
 
2. Gerald McCoy Oklahoma. Normally would be the top DT, but decided to come out early and match up with Suh. A fine prospect, but just doesn’t quite measure up to Suh. Explosive off the ball disrupts consistently. Needs to get a little stronger. Should be a solid fit for the Bucs with the third pick of the Draft.
 
3. Jared Odrick Penn State. Scheme diverse could equally play 3-4 DE. Has some explosion off the ball, which might tempt a 4-3 team slightly more but can stack and shed. Has nice spin and swim moves. Gets penetration and disrupts. Hard worker who has good athletic ability to go with it.
 
4. Brian Price UCLA. Price is someone who may well fall because of his background (he’s out of Compton, Ca scouts really don’t like prospects from poor backgrounds). However, Price has been a model citizen and I hope he doesn’t slip. Best suited to a one gap scheme very quick off the ball consistently penetrates and disrupts. Was rotated heavily so may need to work on his conditioning.
 
5. Jay Ross East Carolina. Has some explosion off the ball to penetrate. Has nice swim and spin moves to get off blocks. Had a good game against a good Guard prospect in Sergio Render (Virginia Tech). Have seen him projected to NT, but I think he lacks the anchor to do so but I still really like him as a prospect. Tough choice between Ross and Tyson Aluala of Cal here, Ross just wins.
 
Mid Round Value Corey Peters Kentucky. Could project as a 3-4 DE, but will need to get stronger. Quick off the ball has a nice tight swim move. Flashes ability to shed. Rising prospect in his senior year after being overshadowed by Patriots 2009 Draft pick Myron Pryor but a very good prospect in his own right.
 
Late round/FA Value Nate Collins Virginia. Played in a 3-4 front in college, but projects to a one gap type in a 4 man front as a pro. Quick off the ball penetrates and disrupts. Had a good Shrine Game.
 
Buyer Beware no one really stands out among the top prospects. I would say maybe Mike Neal as a later round prospect as he lets himself get directed away from the play too easily, needs to play smarter but that tag would only apply if he was drafted on the first two days value wise.
 
Nose Tackle
 
Many of these prospects will be drafted higher than they deserve because it’s very difficult to find an anchor for the increasingly popular 3-4 defense. Some decent prospects, but none that would warrant a first round pick for me.
 
1. Torrell Troup Central Florida. A surprise at number one. Holds up very well at the point of attack. Can slip off blocks and disrupt. Has a swim move to get some pass rush, but is limited athletically as a big man. Impressed me big time at the Shrine Game.
 
2. Linval Joseph East Carolina. Very athletic for a big man could also play DE in a 3-4 or one gap in a 4-3 with his quickness off the ball. Did have the advantage of playing alongside two other legitimate NFL prospects (Jay Ross and C.J. Wilson). Strong with very long arms. Still raw, but offers tremendous upside.
 
3. Jeff Owens Georgia. Needs to add some bulk for this position, but the projection is based on his strength and ability to hold up against the double team does it very well. Was a very highly rated prospect before a knee injury caused him to miss the 2008 season. Had a mixed year coming back from the injury but holds up well, can get push and flashes quickness off the ball. Rotated in an excellent Georgia DT group.
 
Mid Round Value Cam Thomas North Carolina. Might go higher than the middle rounds based on his arm length and strength. Plays too high for me hard to move with his bulk, but doesn’t show as much as my top three prospects. Needs to work on technique and become more consistent. Has a little boom or bust about him.
 
Late round/FA Value Kade Weston Georgia. Part of the 4 man Georgia DT rotation. Hard worker who holds up well against the run. Reads screens very nicely. Lacks top athletic ability, but has something to offer as a NT prospect.
 
Buyer Beware Terrence Cody Alabama very limited because of his weight which has only started to come down since the Senior Bowl. Flashes ability, but is soft and plays too high. Not even a tackle to tackle type more guard to guard. Wide bodied space eater but will probably go on Day Two too rich for my blood might eat himself out of the league. Also Dan Williams Tennessee I don’t see him as a NT he can string plays out and moves well laterally, but he doesn’t hold up well against a double team. Reportedly had a good Senior Bowl yet you wouldn’t have known he was playing in the Memphis vs Tennessee game. 4-3 prospect and not in my top 5 there. Also has only done it for one season, so could be a one season wonder.
 
3-4 Outside Linebacker
 
1. Jerry Hughes TCU. Played 4-3 DE in college, but has the athletic ability to play 3-4 OLB. Explosive pass rusher has some nice moves including a slow start and a sudden late burst past the T. Needs to learn to play in space, but showed enough to suggest he’ll be fine. Hard worker.
 
2. Eric Norwood South Carolina. I like him very much as a 3-4 one gap OLB (San Diego or Pittsburgh type scheme) I don’t think he’s anywhere near as good a prospect if projected anywhere else though. Hard working player with a great first step very productive in the SEC. Many of his sacks did come with his hand down, so there is some concern even with this projection.
 
3. Ricky Sapp Clemson. Flashed top ability, but too often was quiet in games. Has a nice frame and shows ability to turn the corner. Makes quite a few plays away from him. Not as good on plays at him has long arms, but lacks the strength to get off blocks. Has questions, but a fine athlete with a great frame who flashed enough to believe he can succeed in the NFL.
 

4. Koa Misi Utah. Hard worker plays the game at full speed and doesn’t let up. Had a nice combine to show he has 3-4 OLB athletic ability. Played 4-3 DE, so needs to learn to play in space. Has pass rush ability, but lacks top explosion off the ball. Love the way he plays the game.
 
5. Thaddeus Gibson Ohio State. Another college DE convert. Looks athletic enough to play 3-4 OLB. Has pass rush ability and is a hard worker. His main weakness is shedding blocks, so he has much to learn, but has tools.
 
Mid Round Value Jason Worilds Virginia Tech. Latest in a production line of Virginia Tech pass rushers. Another who needs to learn to play in space. Will be a riser with a superb 10 yard split time at the combine. Lacks strength to hold up against the run though.
 
Late round/FA Value Antonio Coleman Auburn. Has pass rush ability, which will get him drafted but struggles against the run and wasn’t used in space. Has an array of pass rush moves quick off the edge, can also come back inside or get under his man with good knee bend.
 
Buyer Beware Sergio Kindle Texas. His DUI in 2007 is the big concern and I was torn whether to put him in this category as I haven’t heard bad reports out of his combine interviews. However, players in the NFL right now have to be accountable for their actions or risk suspension (just ask Big Ben!), so he would be too much of a risk. On the field he’s a fine prospect . Has played OLB and DE for Texas would suit a versatile pro team, but is ideal for 3-4 OLB. Explosive off the ball can also hold up on run plays at him and move laterally. He will need careful checking off the field and would ideally be drafted by a team with a strong locker room to keep him on the straight and narrow New England seems to be a nice fit on and off the field.
 
4-3 Outside Linebacker
 
Not a huge class more options on the weakside than the strong.
 
1. AJ Edds Iowa. Strongside LB. Has played over the TE or covering a slot WR has done well with both. Gets off blocks very well and is a secure tackler. There are more WLB types in this Draft, so anyone with a need at SLB might have to take him higher than many draft sites have him rated. Fine prospect with a good work ethic.
 
2. Daryl Washington TCU. Weakside LB. Has long arms, but still needs some work on shedding blocks although he flashes enough here to get the number 1 spot. Excellent read and react LB diagnoses and finds the ball with his good speed. Lack of strength means he’ll need a good DL in front of him.
 
3. Sean Weatherspoon Missouri. Another excellent read and react LB but unlike Washington, he has very short arms and thus is likely to struggle getting off blocks throughout his career, as he did in college. Will make some highlight plays and is excellent in pursuit. Must play behind a big and strong D-Line to keep blockers off him. Extremely vocal – a real big personality, but clean off the field so that’s not a negative as some have taken it.
 
Mid Round Value Dekoda Watson Florida State. His best skill is his pass rush ability but he’s too small to play 3-4 OLB unfortunately. He’ll still be able to contribute as a blitzer though as he has shown good timing with delayed blitzes. Plays under control, but misses too many tackles needs to get stronger. Hard worker but has had durability problems.
 
Late round/FA Value Stevenson Sylvester Utah. Another weakside prospect. Made three highlight plays at the Shrine Game to flash his ability. Struggles to get off blocks, but makes enough plays for a late round pick.
 
Buyer Beware Navorro Bowman Penn State. Together with former Penn State DL Chris Baker beat up a man at a party in 2007. He received 100 hours community service, but didn’t do them and thus received an additional year of probation. Did lose his father, so there may be complex issues here. His combine workout wasn’t great but he does play quicker on tape.
 
Inside Linebacker
 
A couple of top prospects in this class and plenty of Day Three depth, where many very good prospects will come off the board as the position isn’t highly valued, particularly in the 3-4 (slower prospects will project here with only half the field to cover). I’ll forego the mid round value, as many of the top five will be taken here.
 
1. Rolando McClain Alabama. Top prospect. Played in a 3-4 in college, has enough athletic ability to play 4-3 MLB. The whole package reads the game very well, can get off blocks and is good in coverage. Excellent leader.
 
2. Sean Lee Penn State. Scheme diverse, but I like him inside in a 3-4. Has superb intangibles. Reads the game well loves contact will take on blocks and blow up plays. His knee injury from 2008 is a concern, but after having some problems early in the season he seems to be over this.
 
3. Brandon Spikes Florida. In college, Spikes played in the middle of a 4-3, but also on the strongside his versatility being a real plus. He was looking like a very high pick, but that all changed with his 5.05 second 40 yard dash time he’s now limited to a 3-4 ILB. However, from tape he’s a fantastic prospect I can’t help but think someone will get a fine player in the third or fourth rounds.
 
4. Mike McLaughlin Boston College. An intense player hits hard. Reads the game well, but also has enough athletic ability to make plays. Coverage is a question mark though value will drop if teams regard him as a two down player.
 
5. Pat Angerer Iowa. Not rated higher as he struggles a little to get off blocks. Very active and productive an ideal special teams coverage type at the minimum, but I think he can be more.
 
Late round/FA Value Josh Hull Penn State. Former walk-on. Earned a scholarship in 2008. Like Angerer, will at the minimum be a special teams standout but has enough to suggest he can develop into a starter down the road.
 
Buyer Beware Jamar Chaney Mississippi State. Fine athlete, just doesn’t play to that on tape always a red flag.
 
Cornerback
 
There are quite a few late 1st round/early 2nd round type prospects not a super strong class overall though.
 
1. Joe Haden Florida. His stock dropped after a shocking performance at the Combine, but he has recovered it with a good pro day (minor back problem at the Combine). Doesn’t have top size, but is very physical. Good in man to man and zone coverages. Has a closing burst on the ball.
 
2. Kyle Wilson Boise State. Aggressive CB with good speed. Has the burst to make plays on the ball or recover if required. Lacks size and will go for the big hit too often will need to get under control and wrap. Can also return punts and star on coverage teams.
 
3. Chris Cook Virginia. Has an excellent size/speed combination. Good bump and run CB uses his size to really disrupt the route. Can turn and run also. Is a gamble because of an injury history and has also twice been suspended for academic issues. Off the field checks need to be made, but I really like him as a prospect.
 
4. Devin McCourty Rutgers. The best special teams player in this Draft. Can return kicks, is superb in coverage and has blocked 7 kicks in his career. At CB he’s not your typical gambler happy to sit off and then come up and make the tackle thus his low number of career interceptions (4). Won’t be a fit for all at CB, but his special teams value will help his stock.
 
5. Brandon Ghee Wake Forest. Seems to be flying under the radar. Excellent athlete who had a great combine workout. Has only one career interception, so concerns apply as with McCourty. A little raw, but has great tools to work with.
 
Mid Round Value Akwasi Owusu-Ansah Indiana (Pa). Small school prospect with excellent height, weight, speed triangle numbers. Dominated at his level of play missed the end of the season and Senior Bowl with a shoulder injury, so level of competition is still an outstanding concern which prevents him from being in the top five. Also has return ability.
 
Late round/FA Value Walter McFadden Auburn. Has a wiry build his size drops his stock. Ran a good 40 time at his pro day (4.40). Always seems to be a great position and consistently makes plays on the ball. Solid tackler for his size.
 
Buyer Beware Perrish Cox Oklahoma State. Huge off the field red flag was suspended for the Cotton Bowl after violating team rules and tellingly was not then allowed back for the Oklahoma State pro day. Also ran a slow 40 time (4.54). On tape he’s a press cover type, so that lack of top recovery speed is an issue.
 
Free Safety
 
Two great prospects and a very deep class FS and DT are the strongest positions in this Draft.
 
1. Eric Berry Tennessee. Superb talent. Modern day safety can cover man to man, but also play in the box and hold up. Hits hard. Some may project him at CB with a below average CB class. Intelligent handled Monte Kiffin’s complex defense.
 
2. Earl Thomas Texas. Rangy safety who, like Berry, could also project to CB. A little light perhaps but plays tough and will hit hard needs to get himself under control a little more when tackling. Playmaker.
 
3. Nate Allen South Florida. Good athlete with excellent intangibles. Will be excellent value with Berry and Thomas probably going before him. Doesn’t have the CB type coverage skills of the top two, but should be fine with TE’s in the NFL. Just unlucky Berry and Thomas decided to come out early.
 
4. Robert Johnson Utah. Not a combine invitee, so flying under the radar somewhat. Has excellent range can get over and make the interception on the sideline. Has a wiry build, but he can hit. Might be best for a mainly zone team, so he can sit back and read.
 
5. Morgan Burnett Georgia Tech. An excellent athlete who is inconsistent at best looks like a first round pick but other times looks nothing like it. Doesn’t wrap when tackling goes for the big shoulder hit. Will be a gamble, but could end up being viewed as a steal.
 
Mid Round Value Kam Chancellor Virginia Tech. Huge Safety prospect who showed at the Shrine Game he can stay there at the next level – some still might view him as a WLB though. Poor in man coverage Alabama exposed him big time in the first week of the season. Far better in zone takes good angles and makes plays.
 
Late round/FA Value Josh Pinkard USC. Has had 3 ACL injuries, so is a medical risk, but I really like him and would be prepared to take a late round flyer on him. Has cover skills (limited Verran Tucker of Cal to 1 short reception) but lacks NFL CB speed. Smart football player.
 
Buyer Beware Taylor Mays USC. Fantastic athlete. However, he takes shocking angles to the ball and misses way too many tackles. I wouldn’t risk him at Safety as if he takes the wrong angle then it’s a TD (see the Bowl Game vs BC). Has WLB size and that could be his pro position but even then he’s behind several prospects.
 
Strong Safety
 
Not as strong as the FS class, but some decent players none the less. Many of these prospects will be mid round picks, so I’ll miss out that category here.
 
1. Darrell Stuckey Kansas. Gets the number one spot as he’s a superb tackler is under control and wraps but is also very physical. Smart player who has coverage ability.
 
2. Larry Asante Nebraska. Lacks top speed, but is a very physical in the box type Safety who won’t be for everyone. Is always involved with the play and he should be great on special teams coverage.
 
3. Myron Rolle Florida State. Scouts won’t like the fact he came over to Oxford to study for a year but after that year out, he did well at the Senior Bowl. Lacks top speed, but is active and physical. Clearly can handle a complex scheme.
 
4. Barry Church Toledo. Durable four year starter. Very active played the hybrid in Toledo’s 4-2-5 system. Projects to an in the box Safety as he lacks top speed. Excellent against the run physical tackler. Good special teams player.
 
5. T.J. Ward Oregon. Rated higher by many I don’t like his inconsistency excellent at times, invisible at others including in the Shrine Game. Shorter than ideal. Big hitter. Has some coverage skills though.
 
Late round/FA Value Aaron Webster Cincinnati. Has a nice frame is a big hitter who needs to play under control a little more. Has some range and coverage ability.
 
Buyer Beware Reshad Jones Georgia. Flashes moments of brilliance has a closing burst and can deliver the big hit. But upon closer inspection he’s a bit like Taylor Mays in that he takes too many poor angles. Has the speed to play FS also but his numbers and big plays cover up some glaring weaknesses. Might get away with it because he’s coming out early and will not have been studied quite as closely as the Seniors.
 
Punter
 
Not a great class here not sure if I would be willing to spend anything more than a 7th rounder on any of these.
 
1. Brent Bowden Virginia Tech. Had a nice game against Alabama the height on his kicks kept Arenas in check in the return game. Has a nice leg and has never had a punt blocked.
 
2. Matt Dodge East Carolina. Has the advantage of being able to kick off also. Has a good leg, but too many of his punts lack sufficient hang time.
 
3. P.J. Fitzgerald Alabama. Has inconsistencies, but flashes a good leg and decent hang time. Likely FA type though.