The best teams in the NFL have them, and every team wants them: guys who can put pressure on the quarterback. If you look at the teams who made the playoffs last season, all of them, with the exception of perhaps Jacksonville, have at least one player who opposing offenses have to account for in the passing game because of his ability to get after the quarterback. The 2008 draft class has a number of guys who will be able to come in right away and contribute, including at least 4 or 5 first round picks. The group is deep and extremely talented, and the #1 overall pick may very well come from this group. Also, in all likelihood, the defensive rookie of the year with be one of these players. With outstanding talent at the top, and depth through the bottom, teams in the third and fourth rounds could still be drafting eventual rookie starters.
1.) Chris Long 6-3 272 Virginia
While Glenn Dorsey got most of the press for defensive linemen during the college football season, ACC teams saw the most disruptive defensive player in the country week in and week out. Part of that was because Dorsey battled injuries much of the season, but you cannot understate the kind of impact Chris Long had for the Cavaliers. Long recorded 14 sacks and 19 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His motor never stops as he works toward the ball carrier. Long jolts offensive lineman, driving them back and then can use his strength and leverage to drive opposing tackles on their heels. While there have been questions about his athleticism, he put in one of the most impressive work outs at the combine running a 4.75 40, had a 34 inch vertical jump, and a defensive line best 4.21 20 yard shuttle. Long may not have elite speed overall, but his 10 yard split in the 40 was excellent, showing the kind of burst evident when you watch him play. His knack for disengaging from linemen prevents him being being held, something that will be critical when he matches up against the massive offensive tackles in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins reportedly have sincere interest in drafting Chris Long #1 overall, but if they does not, there is no way he slips out of the top 5.
2.) Vernon Gholston 6-3 266 Ohio State
To give you an idea of the kind of talent this kid has, Gholston dominated #1 OL Jake Long against Michigan, getting to the quarterback 3 times and recording another tackle behind the line. Furthermore, Gholston ran a 4.6 40, a combine best 37 reps of 225, and a defensive lineman best 35.5 inch vertical jump. Rumors has it, Miami will consider taking Gholston #1 overall to add this special edge rusher. Gholston has the physical tools (not to mention a body-builder physique) to be the best defensive player to come out of this year's draft, and has a legitimate chance to be the best overall player from '08 when his career is over. Gholston utilizes his strength and superior quickness to beat offensive lineman in a plethora of ways. He has good hips and uses his hands well to beat offensive lineman with swim moves, power moves, and double moves. He can finesse his away around linemen with his quickness, or just push the pocket with his brute strength. The only knock on Gholston is that he simply disappears at times. Probably not a perfect fit for the 4-3, Gholston could be a terror as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 defense and reminds many scouts of San Diego's Shawn Merriman. This former Buckeye has top 10 talent and could even go in the top 5 picks in April.
3.) Derrick Harvey 6-5 271 Florida
Not much separates the next two players on the list. Harvey was considered the third best defensive end when he declared early, but Merling's stock has risen dramatically through the off-season evaluation process. Harvey has been a standout for the Gators the past two seasons totaling 19.5 sacks to go with 29.5 tackles for loss. His timed speed (4.8 range) does not tell the whole story. He utilizes an extremely quick first step to get under offensive linemen and turn the corner. Although just a junior, Harvey displays great instincts and moves well laterally to pursue on running plays. However, his lack of ideal bulk and strength will make him vulnerable to power running games to his side. He put on some weight and improved his strength for the Combine, something he hopes will show he is dedicated to improving his areas of weakness. Harvey's spin move is devastating and his lateral quickness make his double moves difficult to mirror. He plays too high at times and could be vulnerable to cut blocks. Harvey has experience with his hand on the ground and as a stand up rusher. Both roles could suit him at the next level, and that versatility will make him appealing to teams in the middle of the first round.
4.) Phillip Merling 6-4 276 Clemson
Merling is a natural pass-rusher, but lacks the kind of athletic ability of the men above him. He uses excellent pursuit angles to negate his lack of quickness, although he has a good first step. Merling uses his hands well to fend off cut blocks, as well as fight off offensive lineman. His tackling skills are top-notch as he recorded 78 tackles as a senior, a huge number for a defensive lineman(Vernon Gholston only had 35). Unlike Harvey, Merling does not have great instincts and his aggressiveness gets him caught on delays and screens. In addition, he will not drive lineman back using his power and lacks great strength to anchor against the run. His go-to move, the swim, is very effective and he can redirect using his lateral quickness. Clemson used him at end, tackle, and stood him up and its a wonder how offenses did anything with Merling and Gaines Adams coming off the corners. Merling will not blow anyone away with his explosive ability, but always seems to be effective. He should go off the board somewhere in the teens in the first round.
5.) Calais Campbell 6-8 290 Miami (Fla.)
Once considered the top underclassman along the defensive line, Campbell's stock has fallen after a disappointing junior campaign. As a sophomore, Campbell had 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, not to mention 84 tackles overall. However, in 2007 Campbell barely had half those numbers and he struggled with his consistency, drawing double teams on a regular basis. He has unparalleled size and the strength to anchor against the run. While his timed speed is only average, he gets off the edge quickly and uses solid technique to keep blockers from latching on. He has several effective pass-rush moves and has good agility despite his size. He can use that lateral quickness to get push on stunts and blitzes inside. Campbell could be really disruptive in the passing lane with his long frame, but does not get his hands up often enough. Which player will he be on the next level? He has a ton of upside, but could disappear much like he did too often last season. Despite that, his talent is undeniable and he could go in the late first or early second round.
6.) Quinten Groves 6-3 259 Auburn
While Vernon Gholston has powerful explosion to get into the backfield, no pass-rusher in this year's draft has the kind of quickness Groves utilizes to wreck havoc. His numbers were done as a senior because he made a transition to playing more outside linebacker. However, the season before he had 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Showing his superlative athletic ability, Groves ran sub 4.6 40's at the combine, second best among defensive lineman. In addition, Groves takes good angles in pursuit and relentlessly tracks the ball. While he does not possess great strength, Groves uses leverage very effectively to get low and push under lineman's pads. He certainly needs some polishing with his technique in drops, as well as his fundamentals as an end. Right now, his athletic ability has carried him through and he will need some teaching to be effective. Groves will fit best in a 3-4 system where he can fly around the field using his outstanding athletic ability. He has first round potential, but is a second prospect at this point. Expect him to go early on in the second round.
7.) Lawrence Jackson 6-4 271 USC
Unlike Groves, Jackson will not impress anyone with his speed and athletic ability. He has the size and strength to play both run and pass at the next level, and will not be bullied by bigger offensive lineman. The former Trojan lacks great initial burst, but has the quickness to get after quarterbacks, or move down to line to take down running backs. Jackson's solid technique allows him to keep separation with blockers and one-on-one he can be tough to handle even without fully-developed rush moves. Despite his lack of top-flight athletic prowess, you cannot argue with his production: 4 seasons with double digit TFL totals as well as two seasons over 10 sacks. He did play with tremendous talent around him on Pete Carroll's defense, but someone still has to make the plays and Jackson did so with regularity. Jackson belongs in a 4-3 system where he can work in space against tackles, as he struggles to split double teams. He has some experience inside and could play end in a 3-4 system, but that does not suit his skills nearly as well. Expect him to come off the board in the middle of the second round.
8.) Cliff Avril 6-3 253 Purdue
Avril's stock has been on the rise since the season ended. Avril blazed a 4.51 40 time at the combine and showed great quickness and burst. He moves extremely well and can move laterally, getting down the line of scrimmage to make tackles. At Purdue, Avril played both linebacker and defensive end and can get into the backfield to make plays at either position (He had 15 tackles for loss in each of the last two season, at two different positions). However, he does not have a wide array of pass-rush moves and relies very heavily on his athletic talent. Avril's motor is non-stop and he does not take plays off. With a clear position and fit in a system, he could really be a monster. This seems low for someone with the physical tools Avril has, and it may seem strange having him at end when most scouts consider him a linebacker prospect. Basically, Avril best fits a 3-4 system at outside linebacker, but played at Purdue with his hand down and will need considerable work to develop the drops and pass-recognition skills necessary to play linebacker on the next level. Regardless of what position you project him, he is still a second round pick.
9.) Kendall Langford 6-5 295 Hampton
The talent pool drops off here to some degree. Langford is one of the top small school prospects in this year's draft. Langford is also one of the biggest defensive end prospects in the draft and he could even get bigger and play tackle, something he has done at Hampton. He has the power to fight through double teams both inside and outside and could play end in either the 4-3 or 3-4, as well as tackle in the 4-3. Versatility does not mean athleticism in this case. Langford does not have an explosive first step, yet he manages to consistently get into backfields. In four years at Hampton, Langford has 56 tackles for loss including two seasons with 15.5. That is in addition to 24.5 sacks. Although Langford has played lesser competition, he has faced double teams for the last two years and still been just as productive. Although he does not have great explosion off the corner, he fights every down and will not get pushed back. His versatility makes him an intriguing small school prospect. He could go as high as the third round.
10.)Darrell Robertson 6-4 255 Georgia Tech
Darrell Robertson tore a pectoral muscle preparing for the off-season, but was extremely disruptive at Tech last season and impressed scouts at the Senior Bowl. Robertson has a good burst off the ball and was proficient getting into the backfield with 10 tackles behind the line in his senior campaign. He has good lateral agility to get down the line and really pursues hard. Robertson's bulk is a concern and he may struggle holding up against the run as a 4-3 end. No matter what system he plays in, he will have to get stronger. He does not use his hands particularly well to shed blocks or avoid cuts. Robertson may not be an every down player, but has the potential to be a situational pass-rusher in a 4-3 system and a great special teams player. The injury remains a lingering concern, although scouts have said it will not effect him that much. Expect him to go in the third round.
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