2011 NFL DRAFT POSITIONAL RANKINGS-DEFENSE

Now that we know who definitely declared for the draft, the post season all star games and the scouting combine are over, here is the current list of the top prospects at all the defensive positions. * Denotes a player either coming off of a serious injury, or considered a injury risk, and that definitely affects how they are ranked currently. Right next to them is the NFL player I think they most resemble if they are a hit. Players are only listed if we think they are possibly worthy of going in the first 5 rounds. If a player is listed at multiple positions its where we rank them at that position only.

D-line-With so many guys being possible 3-4 converts we thought it would be wise to split them up into each scheme and rank them accordingly. Some players may be ranked in more than one scheme category. The D-line is the deepest area of the draft this season, with 10-14 players that will probably go in the first round on the D-line alone . A lot of guys who can rush the passer from somewhere.

4-3 DT- A deep class with 2- probable top 10 picks and anywhere from 3 to 5 players likely to go in the 1rst round this year, and as many as 15 in the first 3 rounds. The come in all shapes, sizes , scheme diversity, and many may be able to play 3- 4 end as well. A really good year if you need someone on the inside. The 3 down players that can anchor against the run and rush the passer will be the highest rated.

1. Marcel Dareus- DT/DE- ALA- NFL Comp- Cortez Kennedy-RET

2. Corey Luiget- DT-ILL-NFL Comp- Gerald McCoy-TB

3.Nick Fairley-DT-AUB-NFL Comp-Darnell Dockett-AZ

4. *Stephen Paea-DT-ORE. ST.-NFL Comp- Sedrick Ellis-NO

5. Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor-NFL Comp-Shaun Rogers-CLEV

6. Cameron Jordan-DE/DT-CAL- NFL Comp-Justin Smith-SF

7. JJ Watt-DE- Wisc.-NFL Comp-Aaron Smith-PITT
8. Marvin Austin-DT- NC-NFL Comp-Brandon Mebane-SEA

9. Jarvis Jenkins-DT-Clemson-NFL Comp-Domata Peko-CINC

10. *Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio ST-.NFL Comp-Trevor Price- NYJ

11. *Adrian Clayborn- DE/DT- IOWA- NFL Comp- Chris Long-RAMS

12. Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple- NFL Comp-Marcus Stroud-BUFF

13. Jurrell Casey-DT-USC- NFL Comp-Kyle William's-BUFF

14. Christian Ballard-DT/DE-Iowa- NFL Comp-Antonio Smith-HOU

15. Terrel McClain-DT-S. FLA-NFL COMP- Trevor Laws-PHIL

16. Kendrick Ellis-DT-DE-Hamp-NFL Comp-Gerrard Warren-NE

17. Drake Nevis-DT-LSU-NFL Comp-Mike Patterson-PHIL

18. Pernell McPhee-DE-MISS. ST.-NFL COMP-Ray Edwards -MINN

19. Ian William's-DT-N.DAME-NFL COMP- Aubrayo Franklin-SF

20. Lawrence Guy-DT-AZ ST.-NFL COMP-Marcus Spears-DALL

21.* Da'quan Bowers-DE- Clemson-NFL Comp-Justin Tuck- NYG

3/4 NT- Probably the hardest position to fill on the defensive line. Some of the players who could be best at it ( Haynseworth anyone?) don't even want to play a position that rarely gets credit from the media and casual fans. The different types of 3-4 make it possible to have smaller guys at the nose these days, but their just aren't a lot of Kris Jenkins, Haloti Ngata's, and Shaun Rogers in the world. Usually the best you can hope for is one who can occupy 2 blockers on first and second down( Vince Wolfork, Casey Hampton types) , and give a strong bull rush if he's caught on the field during a pass.

1. Phil Taylor-DT-Baylor-NFL Comp-Shaun Rogers-CLEV

2. Marcel Dareus- DT/DE- ALA- NFL Comp- Cortez Kennedy-RET

3. Jarvis Jenkins-DT-Clemson-NFL Comp-Domata Peko-CINCL

4. *Stephen Paea-DT-ORE. ST.-NFL Comp- Sedrick Ellis-NO

5. Jerrel Powe-DT- Miss.- NFL Comp- Vince Wolfork-NE
6. Jurrell Casey-DT-USC- NFL Comp-Kyle William's-BUFF

7. Ian William's-DT-N.DAME-NFL COMP- Aubrayo Franklin-SF

8. Anthony Gray-DT-S.MISS-NFL COMP-Jerry Ball- RET.

4-3 DE's-A lot of college DE's are just too small right now to be more than situational pass rushers and must either get bigger or switch to 3-4 OLB. 4-3 DE's that can both anchor against the run and rush the passer are getting increasingly harder to find. This includes both weak side and base DE's.

1. Robert Quinn- DE/OLB- NC- NFL Comp-DeMarcus Ware-DALL

2. Aldon Smith-OLB/DE-Missouri- NFL Comp- Tamba Hali-KC

3. Ryan Kerrigan-DE/OLB-Purd.-NFL Comp-Aaron Kampmann- JAX

4. *Da'quan Bowers-DE- Clemson-NFL Comp-Justin Tuck- NYG

5. Allen Bailey-DE-MIA- NFL Comp- Will Smith-NO

6. *Jaball Sheard-OLB/DE- PITT-NFL Comp-Shaun Phillips-SD

7. Cameron Jordan-DE/DT-CAL- NFL Comp-Justin Smith-SF

8. Brooks Reed-DE/OLB-AZ- NFL Comp- Robert Mathis-INDY

9.*Adrian Clayborn- DE/DT- IOWA- NFL Comp- Chris Long-RAMS

10. JJ Watt-DE- Wisc.-NFL Comp-Aaron Smith-PITT
11.Von Miller- OLB-Texas A&M- NFL Comp-Clay Mathews- GB
12. *Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio ST-.NFL Comp-Trevor Price- NYJ

13. Christian Ballard-DT/DE-Iowa- NFL Comp-Antonio Smith-HOU

14. Pernell McPhee-DE-MISS. ST.-NFL COMP-Ray Edwards -MINN

15. *Greg Romeus-DE-PITT- NFL COMP-Alex Carrington-BUFF

3/4 Ends- Often the smartest players on the D-line. The guys who can hold the point against some double teams, rush the passer, and dominate 1 v 1. A deep draft for this position with many players best fit being here and the possibility that 10 could be drafted in the first 2 rounds.

1. Marcel Dareus- DT/DE- ALA- NFL Comp- Cortez Kennedy-RET

2. Cameron Jordan-DE/DT-CAL- NFL Comp-Justin Smith-SF

3. JJ Watt-DE- Wisc.-NFL Comp-Aaron Smith-PITT
4. Muhammad Wilkerson-DE/DT-Temple- NFL Comp-Marcus Stroud-BUFF

5. *Cameron Heyward- DE/DT- Ohio ST-.NFL Comp-Trevor Price- NYJ

6. *Adrian Clayborn- DE/DT- IOWA- NFL Comp- Chris Long-RAMS

7. Christian Ballard-DT/DE-Iowa- NFL Comp-Antonio Smith-HOU

8. Kendrick Ellis-DT-DE-Hamp-NFL Comp-Gerrard Warren-NE

9. Corey Luiget- DT-ILL-NFL Comp- Gerald McCoy-TB

10. Pernell McPhee-DE-MISS. ST.-NFL COMP-Ray Edwards -MINN

11. Allen Bailey-DE-MIA- NFL Comp- Will Smith-NO

12. *Da'quan Bowers-DE- Clemson-NFL Comp-Justin Tuck- NYG

13. Lawrence Guy-DT-AZ ST.-NFL COMP-Marcus Spears-DALL

14. *Greg Romeus-DE-PITT- NFL COMP-Alex Carrington-BUFF

15. Jarvis Jenkins-DT-Clemson-NFL Comp-Domata Peko-CINC

3/4 OLB- Highly athletic, speedy and often undersized college DE's usually make this transition. Need to not only be able to rush the passer, but drop into coverage. Some are a better fit in systems with less coverage responsibilities. The more complete the player the more likelihood they will make the transition successfully.

1.Von Miller- OLB-Texas A&M- NFL Comp-Clay Mathews- GB
2.Robert Quinn- DE/OLB- NC- NFL Comp-DeMarcus Ware-DALL
3.Aldon Smith-OLB/DE-Missouri- NFL Comp- Tamba Hali-KC
4. Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA- NFL Comp- Brian Orapko- WASH

5. *Jaball Sheard-OLB/DE- PITT-NFL Comp-Shaun Phillips-SD

6. Brooks Reed-DE/OLB-AZ- NFL Comp- Robert Mathis-INDY

7. Ryan Kerrigan-DE/OLB-Purd.-NFL Comp-Aaron Kampmann- JAX

8. *Bruce Carter-LB- NC-NFL Comp-Lawrence Timmons- Pitt

9. Justin Houston-OLB/DE- GA- NFL Comp-Aaron Curry-SEA

10. Sam Acho-DE-OLB-TEX-NFL Comp- Kameron Wimbley- OAK

11. Dontay Moch-OLB- NEV-NFL Comp-(a faster)Cameron Wake-MIA

12. Martez Wilson-LB-ILL-NFL Comp-Karlos Dansby-AZ

13. Chris Carter-DE/OLB-Fres. ST.-NFL COMP-Tully Banta Cain-NE

14. Cliff Mathews-DE-S.CAR.-NFL COMP-Erik Walden-GB

CB- A premier possible top 10 pick. 3 other possible 1rst round talents . One with character questions, one is royalty, and the other has injury concerns. After that there is a whole lot of questions. Tom many guys who aren't scheme diverse . A lot of undersized guys that are only cover 2 corners provide value in the later rounds. Also a lot of raw talent that needs a lot coaching to be starters .

1.Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU-NFL Comp-Charles Woodson-GB

2.Prince Amukamara-CB- NEB- NFL Comp- Aqib Talib-TB

3. Ras-I-Dowling-CB-VA-NFL Comp-Chris Gamble-CAR

4. Jimmy Smith-CB-COL-NFL Comp-Rashean Mathis-JAX

5. Aaron Williams-CB/S-TEX-NFL COMP- Malcolm Jenkins-NO

6. Brandon Harris- CB- MIA-NFL Comp- Mike Jenkins DALL

7. Curtis Brown-CB-TEX-NFL COMP- Terrel Thomas-NYG

8. Brandon Burton-CB-UT-NFL COMP-Asante Samuels-PHIL

9. Marcus Gilchrist-CB/S- CLEM-NFL COMP- Michael Griffin-TENN

10. *Chimde Chekwa-CB-OH. ST.-NFL COMP-Eric Wright -CLEV

11. Johnny Patrick-CB-LVille-NFL COMP-Cortland Finnegan-TENN
12. Davon House-CB-N.MEX.ST.NFL COMP--Chris Johnson-OAK

13. Shareece Wright-CB-USC-NFL COMP-Terrel Thomas- NYG

14. Kendrick Burney-CB-KY-NFL COMP-Brandon Flowers-KC

15. *Brandon Hogan-CB-WVA-NFL COMP-Terrence McGee-BUFF

16. Curtis Marsh-CB-UTAH ST-NFL COMP-Stanford Routt-OAK

17. Rashad Carmichael-CB-VA TECH-NFL COMP-Pacman Jones-CINC

18. Jalil Brown-CB-COL-NFL COMP-Carlos Rogers-WASH
19.Richard Sherman-S/CB-STAN-NFL COMP-Brandon Browner-SEA

20. Joshua Thomas-CB-BUFF-NFL COMP-Jacob Lacey-INDY

21. Buster Skrine-CB-CHATT-NFL COMP-Orlando Scandrick-DALL

22. DeMarcus VanDyke-CB- MIA- NFL COMP- Fabian Washington-BALT

23. Chris L. Rucker-CB/S-MICH ST.-NFL COMP-Ronde Barber-MICH ST.

Safety- A very weak class with possibly no 1rst rounders and maybe only 2 2nd rounders . Some of these guys can play both safety positions. Some might be able to play corner , and a few could probably play weakside LB.

1. Patrick Peterson-CB-LSU-NFL Comp-Charles Woodson-GB

2. Rahim Moore-S-UCLA-NFL Comp-Nate Allen-PHI

3. Aaron Williams-CB/S-TEX-NFL COMP- Malcolm Jenkins-NO

4. Ras-I-Dowling-CB-VA-NFL Comp-Chris Gamble-CAR

5. Marcus Gilchrist-CB/S- CLEM-NFL COMP- Michael Griffin-TENN

6. Jaiquawn Jarrett-S-Temple-Tanard Jackson-TB

7. Joe Lefeged-S-RUTG-NFL COMP-Brandon Meriweather-NE

8. Ahmad Black-S-FLA- NFL Comp-Jim Leonard-NYJ

9. Quinton Carter-S- OKLA-NFL COMP-Gerald Sensabaugh-DALL
10. Tyler Sash-S-IOWA-NFL COMP- Laron Landry-WASH

11. Shiloh Keo- SS/LB- IDAHO-NFL COMP-Chris Harris-CHI

12. Jerrard Tarrant-S- G. TECH-NFL COMP-Akwasi Owusa-Ansah-DALL

13. Robert Sands -S-WVA-NFL COMP-Kerry Rhodes-AZ

14. Will Hill-S- FLA-NFL COMP- Sean Jones-TB

15. *Brandon Hogan-CB-WVA-NFL COMP-Terrence McGee-BUF

16. Chris L. Rucker-CB/S-MICH ST.-NFL COMP-Ronde Barber-MICH ST.
17.Richard Sherman-S/CB-STAN-NFL COMP-Brandon Browner-SEA

ILB- These guys are generally the QB's of the defense. Leadership, high football IQ's and toughness are necessary. Not usually a high priority in the draft anyway but there are no first rounders in this weak class. .Some college Outside LB's listed here becuase I think they could also play inside with some time there.

1. Quan Sturdivant-LB- NC- NFL COMP- London Fletcher

2. Kelvin Sheppard-LSU-LB-NFL COMP-Channing Crowder-MIA

3. Colin McCarthy-ILB-MIA- NFL COMP-Paul Posluszny-BUFF

4. Mason Foster-OLB-WASH-NFL Comp- D'Qwell Jackson-CLEV

5. Martez Wilson-LB-ILL-NFL Comp-Karlos Dansby-AZ

6. KJ Wright-LB-MISS ST.-NFL COMP- Bradie James-DALL

7. Casey Mathews-ILB-ORE.-NFL COMP- Pat Angerer-INDY

8. Brian Rolle-LB-OHIO ST.-NFL COMP-Gary Brackett-INDY

9. Greg Jones-LB-MICH. ST.- NFL COMP-Andra Davis-BUFF

10. Akeem Dent-LB-GA-NFL COMP-Justin Durant-JAX

11. *Mark Herzlich-LB-BC- NFL Comp- Barrett Rudd-TB

4-3 OLB- Usually speedy guys that can cover. Some weak side OLB's are like big safeties. Some strong side backers are DE size and need to take on a lot of blocks. Not a deep class but 1 for sure 1rst rounder, and another probable that will probably end up 3-4 OLB's. The only sure fire first rounder likely to play this position in the pros is hurt and likely won'y go till the 2nd round now.

1. Von Miller- OLB-Texas A&M- NFL Comp-Clay Mathews- GB

2. *Bruce Carter-LB- NC-NFL Comp-Lawrence Timmons- Pi

3. Akeem Ayers-OLB-UCLA- NFL Comp- Brian Orapko- WASH

4. Mason Foster-OLB-WASH-NFL Comp- D'Qwell Jackson-CLEV

5. Ross Homan-OLB- OHIO ST. -NFL Comp- Dhani Jones-CINC

6. Quan Sturdivant-LB- NC- NFL COMP- London Fletcher

7. Martez Wilson-LB-ILL-NFL Comp-Karlos Dansby-AZ

8. Brian Rolle-LB-OHIO ST.-NFL COMP-Gary Brackett-INDY-

9. Colin McCarthy-ILB-MIA- NFL COMP-Paul Posluszny-BUFF

10. Dontay Moch-OLB- NEV-NFL Comp-(a faster)Cameron Wake-MIA
11. KJ Wright-LB-MISS ST.-NFL COMP- Bradie James-DALL

12. Jonas Mouton-LB-MICH-NFL COMP-Deandre Levy-DET

13. *Mark Herzlich-LB-BC- NFL Comp- Barrett Rudd-TB