14 NFL Draft: Defensive Line Rankings

[RS12]

The 2014 NFL Draft could be the first one since 1997 when just a single defensive tackle is selected in the first round. And though there are no truly dominant prospects the position does offer depth and potential through round three. Likewise, the defensive end position may only produce a single first round player, albeit at the top of the draft.

Defensive Tackles

#NameSchoolYearRound
1Louis NixNotre Dame4Jr1st
Large, mobile defensive lineman who can line-up at tackle, on the nose or even at the three technique spot. Comes off a very disappointing campaign but offers starting potential at the next level with the ability to play in multiple schemes.

2Ra’Shede HagemanMinnesota5Sr2nd
Physically gifted lineman who flashes dominance. Athletic, strong and makes plays behind the line of scrimmage or outside the box. Turns it on when he wants to and not as productive as he should be.

3Timmy JerniganFlorida State3Jr2nd
Another athletically gifted prospect with great upside. Disruptive as a pass rusher, terrific in pursuit and easily makes play in every direction. Played several defensive line positions at FSU which has hurt his development.

4Will SuttonArizona State5Sr2nd
Undersized, one-gap lineman with an explosive style. Combines tremendous quickness, movement skills and intensity to beat opponents. More of a scheme specific prospect but has next level starting potential.

5Brent UrbanVirginia5Sr2nd
Physically impressive lineman with potential as a two-gap end or defensive tackle. Big, dominant and developing. Comes with enormous upside.

6Ego FergusonLSU4Jr2nd
Developing lineman with a terrific combination of size and athleticism. Strong, fires off the snap and tough to handle. Makes plays up the field or laterally. Needs polish but has an upside.

7Henry AndersonStanford4Jr2nd
Potential two-gap end/defensive tackle prospect who struggled with injury last season. Large, strong and intense. Keeps coming and can be an overwhelming defender. Potential first round player off the 2012 film.

8Anthony JohnsonLSU3Jr2-3
Explosive, one-gap lineman who may get consideration at defensive end in certain 3-4 alignments. Quick, moves well and makes plays in every direction. Has a developing game.

9DaQuan JonesPenn State4Sr3rd
Athletic and explosive lineman with an inconsistent game. Can be an overwhelming force and has the ability to make plays in every direction. Needs to step up on every snap.

10Kelcy QuarlesSouth Carolina3Jr3rd
Underrated lineman with a large degree of versatility in his game. Quick, athletic and a solid pass rusher/run stopper. Will get consideration as a two-gap end.

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=8814

 

[DavidS]

The 2014 NFL Draft could be the first one since 1997 when just a single defensive tackle is selected in the first round. And though there are no truly dominant prospects the position does offer depth and potential through round three. Likewise, the defensive end position may only produce a single first round player, albeit at the top of the draft.

Defensive Tackles

#NameSchoolYearRound
1Louis NixNotre Dame4Jr1st
Large, mobile defensive lineman who can line-up at tackle, on the nose or even at the three technique spot. Comes off a very disappointing campaign but offers starting potential at the next level with the ability to play in multiple schemes.

2Ra’Shede HagemanMinnesota5Sr2nd
Physically gifted lineman who flashes dominance. Athletic, strong and makes plays behind the line of scrimmage or outside the box. Turns it on when he wants to and not as productive as he should be.

3Timmy JerniganFlorida State3Jr2nd
Another athletically gifted prospect with great upside. Disruptive as a pass rusher, terrific in pursuit and easily makes play in every direction. Played several defensive line positions at FSU which has hurt his development.

4Will SuttonArizona State5Sr2nd
Undersized, one-gap lineman with an explosive style. Combines tremendous quickness, movement skills and intensity to beat opponents. More of a scheme specific prospect but has next level starting potential.

5Brent UrbanVirginia5Sr2nd
Physically impressive lineman with potential as a two-gap end or defensive tackle. Big, dominant and developing. Comes with enormous upside.

6Ego FergusonLSU4Jr2nd
Developing lineman with a terrific combination of size and athleticism. Strong, fires off the snap and tough to handle. Makes plays up the field or laterally. Needs polish but has an upside.

7Henry AndersonStanford4Jr2nd
Potential two-gap end/defensive tackle prospect who struggled with injury last season. Large, strong and intense. Keeps coming and can be an overwhelming defender. Potential first round player off the 2012 film.

8Anthony JohnsonLSU3Jr2-3
Explosive, one-gap lineman who may get consideration at defensive end in certain 3-4 alignments. Quick, moves well and makes plays in every direction. Has a developing game.

9DaQuan JonesPenn State4Sr3rd
Athletic and explosive lineman with an inconsistent game. Can be an overwhelming force and has the ability to make plays in every direction. Needs to step up on every snap.

10Kelcy QuarlesSouth Carolina3Jr3rd
Underrated lineman with a large degree of versatility in his game. Quick, athletic and a solid pass rusher/run stopper. Will get consideration as a two-gap end.

http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=8814

You missed the best defensive tackle by a long shot. Good chance hes the best defensive player in all of college football.

Aaron Donald of Pitt

 

[supercowboy8]

You missed the best defensive tackle by a long shot. Good chance hes the best defensive player in all of college football.

Aaron Donald of Pitt

I agree

 

[supercowboy8]

Nix would be my 1st pick but if I can get Aaron Donald, Kelcy Quarles, and Domingue Easley in the 2nd and 3rd round then trade back go OG in the 1st.
I would be fine with trading out of the first if all the blue chippers are gone as long as we get value. Early 2nd, 3rd, and 4th would do it.Then package the 4th to get another mid 3rd.
With this drafted loaded with good OG, OT, CB, and DT we should us several mid round picks on these positions.
I would be willing into trading Claiborne and Carter and take the loss if were going to keep this scheme. I would have to have a 2nd for Claiborne and a late 2nd early 3rd for Carter, this little mock doesn't include trading these players because I doubt I can get what I want for them.

early 2nd DT Aaron Donald
2nd DT Kelcy Quarles
early 3rd OG pick on,e this draft is so loaded
3rd FS Dion Bailey (I would go OT Jack Mewhort or Morgan Moses here if we sign Byrd)
3rd SDE/DT Dominique Easley
4th CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste


free agency
DT Henry Melton two year deal, second year is big money, comes to play under Marinelli to prove he is back to get that big contract
DE Michael Bennett would be a great SDE and would be a mid range signing
FS Jarius Byrd

 

[xwalker]

Nix would be my 1st pick but if I can get Aaron Donald, Kelcy Quarles, and Domingue Easley in the 2nd and 3rd round then trade back go OG in the 1st.
I would be fine with trading out of the first if all the blue chippers are gone as long as we get value. Early 2nd, 3rd, and 4th would do it.Then package the 4th to get another mid 3rd.
With this drafted loaded with good OG, OT, CB, and DT we should us several mid round picks on these positions.
I would be willing into trading Claiborne and Carter and take the loss if were going to keep this scheme. I would have to have a 2nd for Claiborne and a late 2nd early 3rd for Carter, this little mock doesn't include trading these players because I doubt I can get what I want for them.

early 2nd DT Aaron Donald
2nd DT Kelcy Quarles
early 3rd OG pick on,e this draft is so loaded
3rd FS Dion Bailey (I would go OT Jack Mewhort or Morgan Moses here if we sign Byrd)
3rd SDE/DT Dominique Easley
4th CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste


free agency
DT Henry Melton two year deal, second year is big money, comes to play under Marinelli to prove he is back to get that big contract
DE Michael Bennett would be a great SDE and would be a mid range signing
FS Jarius Byrd

Good draft and free agents, but you will not gets those picks for Claiborne and Carter. Carter only has 1 year remaining on his contract and Claiborne has 2. Other teams watch film and review the injury history of players.

 

[supercowboy8]

Good draft and free agents, but you will not gets those picks for Claiborne and Carter. Carter only has 1 year remaining on his contract and Claiborne has 2. Other teams watch film and review the injury history of players.

I know that which is why I said I wouldn't trade them then

 

[XxTDxX]

I would put Sutton above Jernigan

 

[xwalker]

I would put Sutton above Jernigan

I'm concerned that Sutton is a Drake Nevis clone. Quick, but not quite powerful enough with short arms.

 

[conner01]

just find a way to get haeman and jernigan and i'm happy. i think there styles would compliment each other well

 

[XxTDxX]

I'm concerned that Sutton is a Drake Nevis clone. Quick, but not quite powerful enough with short arms.

I don't love Sutton either but Jernigan to me is highly overrated.. The guy I want is Nix.. Probably won't be there where we pick unless we lose out but I want a 1 technique who can get upfield I think that is harder to find than a guy like Jernigan or Sutton or Donald or whoever who will end up probably just solid as a 3 tech.. I think between Tryone Crawford, Ben Bass, and whoever else we bring in we will find a 3 technique but give me a guy 320+ with quickness who can play the 1 and that is a find.

Edit: Like Hageman's potential as well but this team has enough guys with questionable passion and desire.. Not sure we need another one.

 

[xwalker]

I don't love Sutton either but Jernigan to me is highly overrated.. The guy I want is Nix.. Probably won't be there where we pick unless we lose out but I want a 1 technique who can get upfield I think that is harder to find than a guy like Jernigan or Sutton or Donald or whoever who will end up probably just solid as a 3 tech.. I think between Tryone Crawford, Ben Bass, and whoever else we bring in we will find a 3 technique but give me a guy 320+ with quickness who can play the 1 and that is a find.

Edit: Like Hageman's potential as well but this team has enough guys with questionable passion and desire.. Not sure we need another one.

Agree. Jernigan has similar issues to Sutton.

Hageman would be my top choice physically. I don't know about his motivation. If it's a real issue, then they should avoid him.

They definitely need more size/power with quickness on the DLine. The holding by OLinemen is negated when they're getting bullrushed into the QB.

 

[conner01]

we need a big power guy and a quick penetrator. the combination works. nix would be a perfect player but probably will be gone when we pick.

 

[ceerrece]

What about Stephon Truitt?

 

[unionjack8]

Rash Hageman is the best DT in this draft and imo its not close. I think he'll end up going top 15 and be out of our rreach. He has been double teamed most of the year and often i have seen him with 3 guys assigned to him.

For a big guy his burst is amazing and though he plays a little high at times he has all the tools to be a dominant inside guy at thenext level.

With regard to Tuitt i honestly think he is best suited to be a 5 technique like JJ Watt and move inside on passng downs.

There is good depth in the 2nd /3rd rounds at both DT and DE this year imo.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I sound like a broken record but i'm not seeing it with Hageman. The guy really doesn't flash that much. I see much more speed to power with Jernigan.

 

[unionjack8]

I sound like a broken record but i'm not seeing it with Hageman. The guy really doesn't flash that much. I see much more speed to power with Jernigan.

too many people looking at his stats(not saying thats what you are doing), its the same argument most used against Dontari Poe 2 years ago.
Its tough for him to shine when he is doubled every single play but i have watched maybe5/ 6 Minny games this year (and will revisit some of them) and he creates mismatches for his teammates elsewhere.
Jernigan to me is slow off the snap, he always seems to be the last guy off the ball. Now having said that when he does start moving he is explosive and i wouldne be against him in round 2 but if you are slow off the ball at the next level, basically its over

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

too many people looking at his stats(not saying thats what you are doing), its the same argument most used against Dontari Poe 2 years ago.
Its tough for him to shine when he is doubled every single play but i have watched maybe5/ 6 Minny games this year (and will revisit some of them) and he creates mismatches for his teammates elsewhere.
Jernigan to me is slow off the snap, he always seems to be the last guy off the ball. Now having said that when he does start moving he is explosive and i wouldne be against him in round 2 but if you are slow off the ball at the next level, basically its over

I can agree with Jernigan. I do see him have some late get offs. My initial assessment of him is that he isn't in the best of shape, which doesn't bode well for him either.

 

[unionjack8]

I can agree with Jernigan. I do see him have some late get offs. My initial assessment of him is that he isn't in the best of shape, which doesn't bode well for him either.

i am somewhat confused about some of these guys. Its been noted that sutton added 15-20lbs, tuitt put at least 10 on and jernigan seems a little plump.
Who is advsing these guys? In todays pass heavy game its all about explosion and athletic ability, even from the inside of a DL. Sutton looked a shadow of what he was last year.

 

[RS12]

DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State

Timmy Jernigan was a first-round prospect of mine heading into the summer. As a sleek athlete and pass-rusher, he looked ideal for the NFL's profile of a 3-technique defender.

While he has all the athletic ability needed and certainly looks the part, his game film was underwhelming.

Jernigan simply doesn't show a consistent first step to beat blockers. He's too tall, and I question his overall effort in the middle of the defense. Just a junior, Jernigan has time to make up the ground he lost this season if he returns to school for another year.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1895143-2014-nfl-draft-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-for-week-16

 

[unionjack8]

DT Timmy Jernigan, Florida State

Timmy Jernigan was a first-round prospect of mine heading into the summer. As a sleek athlete and pass-rusher, he looked ideal for the NFL's profile of a 3-technique defender.

While he has all the athletic ability needed and certainly looks the part, his game film was underwhelming.

Jernigan simply doesn't show a consistent first step to beat blockers. He's too tall, and I question his overall effort in the middle of the defense. Just a junior, Jernigan has time to make up the ground he lost this season if he returns to school for another year.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1895143-2014-nfl-draft-matt-millers-scouting-notebook-for-week-16

not sure what the hell bleacher report is watching but jernigan isnt too tall at all. He's listed at 6'2" so is probably less than that and at 6'2" thats ideal for DT imo.