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Repositioning top prospects at midway: Defense
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/14197749/repositioning-top-prospects-at-midway-defense
Expert
By Rob Rang
Tell Rob your opinion! The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
Oct. 27, 2010
Defensive end
Cameron Heyward makes a big impression without posting big sack numbers. (Getty Images)
1. Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) 6-5/285/4.92/1
Versatile defender may fit best as a 3-4 defensive end. He's only a moderate pass rusher with 7 sacks over the past two seasons combined.
2. Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) 6-3/286/4.79/1
Technically refined player whose disappointing senior campaign might be reinforcing concerns that he's a bit of a 'tweener.
3. Allen Bailey (Miami, Fla.) 6-4/288/4.79/1
Scouts love his physical tools, but marginal technique and instincts are hindering his production for the 'Canes and development as a prospect.
4. Cameron Jordan (California) 6-4/285/4.85/1-2
One of the more productive defensive ends in the FBS despite playing in the 3-4. He could sneak up draft boards a la former teammate Tyson Alualu.
5. Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) 6-4/263/4.82/1-2
Might lack the athletic upside of his peers, but is most productive and NFL-ready.
Defensive tackle
1. Stephen Paea (Oregon State) 6-2/310/4.98/1-2
Quite possibly the strongest player in the country, Paea's ability to hold up against double-team blocks makes him an intriguing candidate inside for the 4-3 and 3-4.
2. Drake Nevis (LSU) 6-1/285/5.04/1-2
Enjoying a breakout campaign that has catapulted his stock from the late rounds to a potential top 50 selection, Nevis has already earned SEC Defensive Linemen of the Week honors three times in 2010.
3. Marvin Austin (North Carolina) 6-3/310/4.96/2
Top 20 talent, but his yearlong suspension as part of an NCAA investigation into improper interaction with agents will raise character questions from scouts.
4. Jerrell Powe (Mississippi) 6-2/320/5.16/2
A microcosm of the entire Ole Miss program, Powe hasn't been a dominant force expected in 2010. His bulk keeps him among the best nose tackle prospects.
5. Kenrick Ellis (Hampton) 6-5/340/5.07/2-3
A South Carolina transfer after multiple rules violations, Ellis has not surprisingly dominated at the FCS level.
Inside linebacker
1. Greg Jones (Michigan State) 6-1/235/4.64/1-2
Tackling machine. Lack of size a concern to scouts despite the fact he's never missed a game in four years as a starter.
2. Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina) 6-2/235/4.63/2
A first-team All-ACC linebacker last year -- UNC's first since 1997 -- Sturdivant has played well in his fourth year as a starter when not hampered with a hamstring injury.
3. Kelvin Sheppard (LSU) 6-2/240/4.64/2-3
Versatile defender who lines up all over the field for the Tigers. Scouts' greatest concern is that he may be a "jack of all trades, master of none" type.
4. Nate Irving (North Carolina State) 6-1/235/4.68/3
Over the serious injuries sustained in the car accident that robbed him of the 2009 season, Irving is playing well and climbing the rankings.
5. Josh Bynes (Auburn) 6-2/235/4.78/4-5
Perhaps too slight for the middle, Bynes has shown the athleticism and improved ball skills for coverage this year, leading SEC linebackers with three INTs in 2010.
Outside linebacker
1. Bruce Carter (North Carolina) 6-3/230/4.57/1
Already recognized as a Butkus Award candidate, Carter's freakish athleticism will only help his stock as the draft approaches.
2. Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma) 6-3/260/4.74/1-2
An ideal rush 'backer for the 3-4, Beal has primarily been used as a defensive end for the Sooners, though he's shown the ability to drop into coverage and is instinctive enough that some actually view him as an inside linebacker.
3. Von Miller (Texas A&M) 6-2/232/4.56/1-2
Arguably the nation's most dynamic pass rusher when healthy (as he was in leading the FBS with 17 sacks last year), his marginal size and nagging hamstring injury this season are concerns for scouts.
4. Mark Herzlich (Boston College) 6-4/245/4.75/2
Inspirational comeback from cancer won't be truly over until NFL doctors clear him at the Combine, but he's shown flashes of his former dominant self.
5. Mason Foster (Washington) 6-2/240/4.73/2-3
Among FBS leaders in tackles, Foster could enjoy a late rise up draft boards like his former teammate Donald Butler (San Diego's third-round pick in 2010) did last year.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/14197749/repositioning-top-prospects-at-midway-defense
Expert
By Rob Rang
Tell Rob your opinion! The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
Oct. 27, 2010
Defensive end
Cameron Heyward makes a big impression without posting big sack numbers. (Getty Images)
1. Cameron Heyward (Ohio State) 6-5/285/4.92/1
Versatile defender may fit best as a 3-4 defensive end. He's only a moderate pass rusher with 7 sacks over the past two seasons combined.
2. Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) 6-3/286/4.79/1
Technically refined player whose disappointing senior campaign might be reinforcing concerns that he's a bit of a 'tweener.
3. Allen Bailey (Miami, Fla.) 6-4/288/4.79/1
Scouts love his physical tools, but marginal technique and instincts are hindering his production for the 'Canes and development as a prospect.
4. Cameron Jordan (California) 6-4/285/4.85/1-2
One of the more productive defensive ends in the FBS despite playing in the 3-4. He could sneak up draft boards a la former teammate Tyson Alualu.
5. Ryan Kerrigan (Purdue) 6-4/263/4.82/1-2
Might lack the athletic upside of his peers, but is most productive and NFL-ready.
Defensive tackle
1. Stephen Paea (Oregon State) 6-2/310/4.98/1-2
Quite possibly the strongest player in the country, Paea's ability to hold up against double-team blocks makes him an intriguing candidate inside for the 4-3 and 3-4.
2. Drake Nevis (LSU) 6-1/285/5.04/1-2
Enjoying a breakout campaign that has catapulted his stock from the late rounds to a potential top 50 selection, Nevis has already earned SEC Defensive Linemen of the Week honors three times in 2010.
3. Marvin Austin (North Carolina) 6-3/310/4.96/2
Top 20 talent, but his yearlong suspension as part of an NCAA investigation into improper interaction with agents will raise character questions from scouts.
4. Jerrell Powe (Mississippi) 6-2/320/5.16/2
A microcosm of the entire Ole Miss program, Powe hasn't been a dominant force expected in 2010. His bulk keeps him among the best nose tackle prospects.
5. Kenrick Ellis (Hampton) 6-5/340/5.07/2-3
A South Carolina transfer after multiple rules violations, Ellis has not surprisingly dominated at the FCS level.
Inside linebacker
1. Greg Jones (Michigan State) 6-1/235/4.64/1-2
Tackling machine. Lack of size a concern to scouts despite the fact he's never missed a game in four years as a starter.
2. Quan Sturdivant (North Carolina) 6-2/235/4.63/2
A first-team All-ACC linebacker last year -- UNC's first since 1997 -- Sturdivant has played well in his fourth year as a starter when not hampered with a hamstring injury.
3. Kelvin Sheppard (LSU) 6-2/240/4.64/2-3
Versatile defender who lines up all over the field for the Tigers. Scouts' greatest concern is that he may be a "jack of all trades, master of none" type.
4. Nate Irving (North Carolina State) 6-1/235/4.68/3
Over the serious injuries sustained in the car accident that robbed him of the 2009 season, Irving is playing well and climbing the rankings.
5. Josh Bynes (Auburn) 6-2/235/4.78/4-5
Perhaps too slight for the middle, Bynes has shown the athleticism and improved ball skills for coverage this year, leading SEC linebackers with three INTs in 2010.
Outside linebacker
1. Bruce Carter (North Carolina) 6-3/230/4.57/1
Already recognized as a Butkus Award candidate, Carter's freakish athleticism will only help his stock as the draft approaches.
2. Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma) 6-3/260/4.74/1-2
An ideal rush 'backer for the 3-4, Beal has primarily been used as a defensive end for the Sooners, though he's shown the ability to drop into coverage and is instinctive enough that some actually view him as an inside linebacker.
3. Von Miller (Texas A&M) 6-2/232/4.56/1-2
Arguably the nation's most dynamic pass rusher when healthy (as he was in leading the FBS with 17 sacks last year), his marginal size and nagging hamstring injury this season are concerns for scouts.
4. Mark Herzlich (Boston College) 6-4/245/4.75/2
Inspirational comeback from cancer won't be truly over until NFL doctors clear him at the Combine, but he's shown flashes of his former dominant self.
5. Mason Foster (Washington) 6-2/240/4.73/2-3
Among FBS leaders in tackles, Foster could enjoy a late rise up draft boards like his former teammate Donald Butler (San Diego's third-round pick in 2010) did last year.
