Below are the defensive linemen rankings. This includes both defensive tackles and defensive ends.
Defensive Ends
1. Robert Quinn-North Carolina* (OLB)
2. Cameron Jordan-California (DT)
3. Adrian Clayborn-Iowa
4. Aldon Smith-Missouri* (OLB)
5. Patrick Ryan Kerrigan-Purdue (OLB)
6. Da’Quan Bowers-Clemson*
7. Justin “J.J.” Watt-Wisconsin* (DT)
8. Cameron Heyward-Ohio State (DT)
9. Allen Bailey-Miami (Fla.) (DT)
10. Pierre Allen-Nebraska
11. Jabaal Sheard-Pittsburgh
12. Brooks Reed-Arizona (OLB)
13. Steven Friday-Virginia Tech (OLB)
14. Pernell McPhee-(Ole) Mississippi
15. Jeremy Beal-Oklahoma (OLB)
16. Sam Acho-Texas (OLB)
17. Eddie Jones-Texas
18. Greg Romeus-Pittsburgh (OLB)
19. Roberto Jones-Northwest Missouri State (OLB)
20. Bruce Miller-Central Florida (OLB)
21. Wayne Daniels-TCU (OLB)
22. Cliff Matthews-South Carolina (OLB)
23. Ricky Elmore-Arizona
24. Ryan Winterswyk-Boise State
25. Justin Trattou-Florida
26. Markus White-Florida State (OLB)
27. Ugo Chinasa-Oklahoma State (OLB)
28. Mario Addison-Troy (OLB)
29. Brandon Bair-Oregon (DT)
30. Clay Nurse-Illinois
31. Christian Anthony-Grambling State
32. Craig Marshall-South Florida (OLB)
33. Zane Parr-Virginia* (DT)
34. DeMarcus Dobbs-Georgia
35. Kentrell Lockett-(Ole) Mississippi (OLB)
36. Cheta Ozougwu-Rice
37. Anthony Egbuniwe-Georgia Tech
Defensive Tackles
1. Nick Fairley-Auburn*
2. Marcel Dareus-Alabama* (DE)
3. Jurell Casey-USC*
4. Corey Liuget-Illinois*
5. Christian Ballard-Iowa (DE)
6. Stephen Paea-Oregon State
7. Lawrence Guy-Arizona State*
8. Muhammed Wilkerson-Temple*
9. Phil Taylor-Baylor
10. Marvin Austin-North Carolina
11. Drake Nevis-LSU
12. Kenrick Ellis-Hampton
13. Sione Fua-Stanford
14. Jerrell Powe-(Ole) Mississippi
15. Ian Williams-Notre Dame
16. Jarvis Jenkins-Clemson
17. Chris Neild-West Virginia
18. David Carter-UCLA
19. Martin Parker-Richmond
20. Terrell McClain-South Florida
21. Ollie Ogbu-Penn State
23. Damik Scafe-Boston College
24. Colby Whitlock-Texas Tech
25. Karl Klug-Iowa (DE/ILB)
26. Adrian Taylor-Oklahoma
27. Mike Blanc-Auburn
28. Tupaimoefitpo “Sealver” Siliga-Utah*
29. Cedric Thornton-South Arkansas
30. Ted Laurent-(Ole) Mississippi
31. Lazarius Levingston-LSU
32. Ladi Ajiboye-South Carolina
33. John Graves-Virginia Tech
DaQuan Bowers and J.J. Watt are two players I see as legitimate top 10 picks in this Draft, so I disagree with having five other DEs ahead of the two of them. Also, I think Robert Quinn and Adrian Clayborn have always been overrated, and should not be first-round selections. Also, Jeremy Beal and Sam Acho should be ranked higher, two players I can really see making an impact on an NFL defensive front… on the other hand, I’m not as high on Steven Friday or Eddie Jones as you are.
Robert Quinn and Adrian Clayborn not as 1st Rounders? What would be the reasoning behind that at all? Quinn is explosive and is the best rusher in the draft (maybe Von Miller). He flashes DeMarcus Ware type ability.
Clayborn gets so ridiculed for no reason. Hopefully his Combine performance will end that. Just because he is big, doesn’t mean he isn’t quick. He is a Jared Allen clone. The guy has insane quickness for his size, a nasty mean streak, and is technically sound. The guy does everything so well and brings it every play.
I like Bowers and Watt as late 1st Rounders, but believe their generally overrated. Bowers has been highly inconsistent throughout his career, though he does show better savvy, at least as a Junior, then generally given credit for. But, he still needs to play with better leverage and prove he can get by NFL Quality left tackles, because most of his Sacks and Tackles For Loss, from what I watched, came against Right Tackles or Tight Ends.
Jeremy Beal proved today why I was so down on him. I never got the love for him. He probably won’t be in my Top 20 after this week. Average athlete and very stiff. Never was impressed with Beal’s quickness or explosiveness, key traits for a pass rusher.
I never thought Sam Acho was that special in games. Guy possesses nice athletic ability, just never seems to consistently bring it. Combine was solid and result in him bumping up a bit, but I still see nothing more then a 3rd-4th Rounder.
Stevan Friday was excellent this past season. He is undersized, but has a great first step and was just a efficient pass rusher as a Senior. Friday has the tools to be a nice situational pass rusher.
Eddie Jones is a similar story, just slightly less athletic. He was better then Acho at times on tape.