The draft is approaching, and next week I will start my draft rankings. The ranking are not based on talent nor Mel Kiper and Todd McShay’s picks. The rankings will be based on who I think the Browns should draft.
But this week, as the Combine approaches, we provide a list of the players in each position. Fifth: Defensive Line
Today we start listing the defensive players, the favorite topic of Browns fans. Although indications are that Holmgren and Heckert are going to draft a lot of offensive players, Browns fans insist that defense is the way to go. The Defensive Line has not spared the “upgrade label” from fans (which position has?), and I agree that the Browns could use more depth on the Defensive Line.
Also complicating things is that the Browns run a 3-4 defense, which may lead to a different set of candidates than Homgren’s 4-3. That said, who are the candidates?
**All positions are 3-4 specific. There are some prospects that are missing because they do not fit the 3-4 system.
The Favorites:
Ndamakunbg Suh – DE – Nebraska
Probably the best overall player in the 2010 Draft, Suh can play DT in a 4-3 or DE in a 3-4. Suh will be taken in the first three picks, but the only question is whether he will go #1 overall. St. Louis or Detroit? Could he slip to Tampa Bay at 3? One thing is for sure, Suh will not be in brown and orange unless the Browns trade up.
Gerald McCoy – DE – Oklahoma
Some scouts think McCoy is better than Suh. Regardless, McCoy will not last past the Chiefs at 5.
Dan Williams – NT – Tennessee
Williams has good bulk, and is quick. he can collapse the pocket and is smart enough to figure out counters and misdirection. He’s not much of a pass rusher, and there are question about his work ethic. Williams is a Top 25 pick, but will the Browns take him at 7? Probably not, especially with Shaun Rodgers entrenched at the position.
Terrence Cody – NT – Alabama
Cody has major weight issues, but quality NT’s are a short supply. He helped himself at the Combine by getting his weight down a bit, so look for him in Round 1-2. Again, probably not a priority for the Browns, even if he falls to Round 2.
Jared Odrick – DE – Penn State
Excellent interior pass rusher, he could improve his pass rush. Sc0uts think his best bet is to play next to a massive NT and get one-on-one with linemen. He had a great Senior Bowl and may come off the board at the end of Round 1.
Carlos Dunlap – DE – Florida
Dunlap has a big frame, good strength, is very agile, and has a knack of knocking down passes. The problem is that Dunlap is over-hyped. many think that he does not play as well as he looks. He will probably smash the combine, but so did Vernon Gholston. I am not big on Dunlap, and many scouts agree. Seems to be a true “bust” prospect with his poor work ethic and tendency to disappear on tape. Second round, but not to the Browns, please.
The Underdogs:
Lamarr Houston – DE – Texas
Solid run stuffer, could suffer from the quality of DE’s ahead of him. Third round.
Cam Thomas – NT – North Carolina
Great size at 6’6″, 330, but surprisingly athletic for his size. He also had a great Senior Bowl. Could go as high as Round 2-3, but the Browns already have an NT.
Corey Wooton – DE – Northwestern
Good inside rusher, but without the speed to be an elite speed rusher, Wooton had a knee injury in Northwestern’s bowl game and off-season surgery. Round 3.
Alex Carrington – DE – Arkansas State
Carrington has excellent size and athleticism, and is a true 3-4 DE. His stock is on the rise after an impressive Senior Bowl and could be taken in Round 3.
Torrell Troup – NT – Central Florida
Troup has decent size, but needs to gain some weight. Not much separates Troup from the “top” NT’s, and had a great East-West Shrine Game, which led to a combine invite. Will likely go in Round 2-3.
Mike Neal – DE – Purdue
At 6’4, 302, Neal is much quicker than his size suggests. His stock will rise if he shows he has the skill set to play the 3-4 DE, which many think he does. Look for him to go in Round 3.
The Others:
Vince Oghobaase – DE – Duke
Linval Joseph – NT – East Carolina
Arthur Jones – DE – Syracuse
Jay Ross – East Carolina
C.J. Wilson – DE – East Carolina
Ekom Udofia – NT – Stanford
Cory Peters – DE – Kentucky
Cade Weston – NT – Georgia
Jeffrey Fitzgerald – DE – Kansas State
* * * * *
There are several tempting prospects here, but the question will be if there are better options in Rounds 2 or 3 for the Browns (i.e. WR, QB).
Nichiren