Draft 2010: On the Defensive
NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- easily the best "draftnik" in the business -- predicts that this year's first round will be dominated by defense. Mayock is calling for upwards of 20 top-32 picks to be used on the non-offensive side of the football. The 2010 class of defenders is deep at virtually every position, particularly cornerback and pass rusher.
For the past week I've profiled defensive prospects at Profootballtalk.com. If you haven't had a chance to go over there, here my position rankings. These rankings have been compiled based on lots of college football watching and note taking (Saturday is my day off during the NFL regular season), hours of daily reading, religious viewing of NFL Network's Path to the Draft program, and old-fashioned, on-field player production.
Each player has been assigned a "draft projection." Keep in mind that these are intended more to provide an idea of where players will be drafted, as opposed to specifically who they will be drafted by.
[SIZE=+1]The Edge Rushers[/SIZE]
1. Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech.
Though Morgan lacks the high ceiling of Jason Pierre-Paul, the 2009 ACC Defensive Player of the Year is more polished and pro-ready after pacing the Yellow Jackets with 18.5 tackles for loss and a conference-high 12.5 sacks last season.
Draft Prediction: Jaguars, No. 10 overall.
2. Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida.
A freakish athlete with 4.6 speed and an 81-inch wingspan at 6-foot-5, 270, Pierre-Paul needed just one season at the D-I level to become the Bulls' leader in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (6.5) from the normally pass rush-unfriendly left end position.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 16 overall.
3. Brandon Graham, Michigan.
Graham paced the Wolverines in sacks in each of his final three seasons and is a high-motor defender, but short arms (30.5") and a squatty build (6'1/263) may cause him to slide further than his production says he should.
Draft Prediction: Colts, No. 31 overall.
4. Jerry Hughes, TCU.
Hughes comes up just short of the 6-foot-2 benchmark for pass rushers, but recorded an eye-popping 26.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles between his junior and senior seasons to become the Horned Frogs' first two-time consensus All-American since 1935.
Draft Prediction: Dolphins, No. 43 overall.
5. Sergio Kindle, Texas.
Exceptionally versatile with prototypical size at 6-foot-3, 250, Kindle seems to be a bit overrated after managing just 5.5 sacks as a senior and exhibiting less than ideal burst in the first ten yards while running the forty at February's Combine.
Draft Prediction: Jets, No. 29 overall.
6. Everson Griffen, USC.
Griffen started for just one year in college, but paced the Trojans in sacks and has had perhaps the most impressive offseason of any pass rusher on this list, running 4.6-flat at 6-foot-4, 273 during USC's Pro Day and bench pressing 225 pounds 32 times at the Combine.
Draft Prediction: Saints, No. 32 overall.
7. Carlos Dunlap, Florida.
Dunlap has the natural ability to dominate for four quarters when on his game but off-field issues, questionable snap-to-snap effort, and a production drop from his sophomore to junior season may cause the underclassman to slip to the back end of the first round, or even out of it altogether.
Draft Prediction: Cowboys, No. 27 overall.
8. Corey Wootton, Northwestern.
Injury prone throughout his college career, Wootton will be red flagged by many teams after battling patellar tendonitis as a senior following a junior-year ACL tear, but the athletic 6-foot-6, 270-pound specimen wreaks havoc when healthy.
Draft Prediction: Steelers, No. 52 overall.
9. Austen Lane, Murray State.
Though Lane needs to add strength, the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year's measurables (4.83 forty, 10'5" broad jump at 6'6/274) and production (41.5 tackles for loss, 23 sacks between 2008 and 2009) are off the charts.
Draft Prediction: Jets, No. 61 overall.
10. Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech.
Worilds, who underwent two shoulder operations at Virginia Tech, could've used another year in school after a 4.5-sack junior season, but posted the fastest ten-yard split of any edge rusher at the Combine and at 6-foot-1, 254 is built to play outside linebacker in a 3-4.
Draft Prediction: Packers, No. 56 overall.
11. Ricky Sapp, Clemson.
Continued knee problems following a 2008 ACL tear will keep Sapp out of the first round, but he looked to be 100 percent at February's Combine by running 4.7-flat in the forty-yard dash and offers prototypical size for an edge rusher at 6-foot-4, 252.
Draft Prediction: Patriots, No. 44 overall.
12. Greg Hardy, Ole Miss.
A former power forward for the Rebels and a wide receiver early in his career, Hardy would be in the first-round conversation if not for a litany of character concerns and injuries, senior-season benching, and clashes with multiple coaching staffs at Ole Miss.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 67 overall.
13. Eric Norwood, South Carolina.
The Gamecocks' all-time leader in tackles for loss with 54, Norwood measures in just over 6-foot-0 and struggled when asked to drop into coverage at the Senior Bowl after a somewhat disappointing final season for coach Steve Spurrier.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 102 overall.
14. Koa Misi, Utah.
Misi managed just five sacks as a senior, but shouldn't struggle making the transition from college defensive end to outside linebacker in an NFL 3-4 with plenty of suddenness and a relentless motor.
Draft Prediction: Browns, No. 105 overall.
15. O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin.
Another high-motor prospect, Schofield dominated the Big Ten en route to 24.5 tackles for loss (second in the conference behind only Brandon Graham) and 12 sacks before unfortunately tearing his ACL during Senior Bowl practices.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 182 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Interior Defensive Linemen[/SIZE]
1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska.
The 2009 National Player of the Year, Suh outperformed Gerald McCoy in every single statistical category last season, offers far superior measurables, and is the heavy favorite to be selected immediately after Sam Bradford.
Draft Prediction: Lions, No. 2 overall.
2. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma.
An explosive underclassman, McCoy started all three years on the Sooners' line as a one-gap, penetrating tackle and combined for 12.5 sacks to go with 26.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 3 overall.
3. Jared Odrick, Penn State.
At 6-foot-5, 301 with plenty of power, Odrick beat out Michigan's Brandon Graham for 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and projects as a 3-4 defensive end at the next level.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 25 overall.
4. Dan Williams, Tennessee.
Williams flourished in Monte Kiffin's scheme after three ho-hum seasons to open his career, exhibiting underrated pocket-pushing versatility in addition to the ability to two gap as a nose tackle at a Wilforkian 6-foot-2, 330 pounds.
Draft Prediction: Bills, No. 9 overall.
5. Brian Price, UCLA.
Price was the 2009 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, easily pacing the conference in tackles for loss (23.5), but disappointing pre-draft workouts may cost him a spot in round one.
Draft Prediction: Giants, No. 46 overall.
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6. Terrence Cody, Alabama.
Cody's weight fluctuations are an obvious concern, but he is pro-ready coming from Nick Saban's NFL-like 3-4 system and was a consensus first-team All-American as both a junior and senior.
Draft Prediction: Chargers, No. 28 overall.
7. Tyson Alualu, California.
One of Mayock's favorite players in the draft, Alualu plays with a non-stop motor, never missed a game in college, and led all Pac-10 defensive linemen in tackles a season ago.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 50 overall.
8. Alex Carrington, Arkansas State.
Carrington dominated the Sun Belt Conference en route to 94 tackles (33.5 for loss) and 19.5 sacks between his junior and senior seasons, and is built to play end in a 3-4 defense at 6-foot-5, 284.
Draft Prediction: Browns, No. 85 overall.
9. Linval Joseph, East Carolina.
Joseph struggled to keep his weight under control early in his college career, but possesses monster upside at 6-foot-5, 328 with explosive up-the-field pass-rush ability.
Draft Prediction: Texans, No. 81 overall.
10. Torrell Troup, Central Florida.
Troup, who goes 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, was a two-gapping nose tackle in George O'Leary's Golden Knights defense and showed impressive power in his lower half during East-West Shrine Game practices.
Draft Prediction: Dolphins, No. 73 overall.
11. Cam Thomas, North Carolina.
Thomas improved his stock with standout performances on the Senior Bowl practice field and the potential to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, but compiled just 3.5 career sacks as a Tar Heel and will have to be removed on passing downs in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Cardinals, No. 88 overall.
12. Lamarr Houston, Texas.
The Longhorns' leader in tackles for loss (22) as a senior, Houston is strictly a one-gap tackle but displayed a relentless style in 2009 and could be a steal for a 4-3 team in the middle rounds.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 84 overall.
13. Arthur Jones, Syracuse.
Jones missed the final three games of his career with a torn lateral meniscus and is just now starting to get healthy, but was considered a first-round prospect before the injury with the ability to both defend the run and explode up field.
Draft Prediction: Panthers, No. 78 overall.
14. Clifton Geathers, South Carolina.
A massive man at 6-foot-8, 299, Geathers never met expectations for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks and will be viewed as a long-term, if high upside, developmental project by NFL teams.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 113 overall.
15. Earl Mitchell, Arizona.
Mitchell offers little versatility at 6-foot-1 and 290 pounds, but was highly productive in the Wildcats' 4-3 defense and could settle in as a passing-down specialist in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Saints, No. 130 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The 4-3 Outside Linebackers[/SIZE]
1. Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri.
An outrageously productive weak-side linebacker at Mizzou, Weatherspoon is the complete package in terms of play-making ability, physicality, size (6'1/240), and cover skills, and is probably versatile enough to play inside in a 3-4 if asked.
Draft Prediction: Falcons, No. 19 overall.
2. Daryl Washington, TCU.
Washington didn't crack the Horned Frogs' starting lineup until his senior year, but the college middle linebacker possesses sideline-to-sideline range and will be a three-down player at the next level, likely on the weak side of a 4-3 defense.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 42 overall.
3. Navorro Bowman, Penn State.
Character concerns and 4.7 speed threaten to keep Bowman out of the first two rounds, but the weak-side linebacker prospect created serious havoc during his two seasons as a starter, racking up 33.5 tackles for loss between 2008 and 2009.
Draft Prediction: Eagles, No. 70 overall.
4. A.J. Edds, Iowa.
A poor man's version of fellow former Hawkeye Chad Greenway, Edds goes 6-foot-4, 245 and is a play-maker in coverage, picking off five passes as a senior and supplementing his value with the ability to long snap.
Draft Prediction: Saints, No. 95 overall.
5. Rennie Curran, Georgia.
Curran is so undersized at 5'11/235 that he will appeal strictly to Tampa-2 teams as a weak-side linebacker, but the 2009 SEC first-teamer hits like Ernie Sims and led the Bulldogs in tackles last season.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 97 overall.
6. Kavell Conner, Clemson.
The Tigers' leading tackler during both of his final two seasons on campus, Conner never missed a game in college, is built stoutly at 6-foot-0, 247, and showed better-than-advertised speed at the Scouting Combine with a 4.63 forty-yard dash.
Draft Prediction: Panthers, No. 112 overall.
7. Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas.
A natural weak-side linebacker, Muckelroy was forced to start in the middle last year due to Jared Norton's early-season shoulder surgery, and went on to pace the Longhorns in tackles and earn second-team All-Big 12 accolades for a second straight year.
Draft Prediction: Bears, No. 109 overall.
8. Dekoda Watson, Florida State.
Watson led the Seminoles in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (6.5) last season, but the three-year starter has a checkered injury history, struggled in coverage during Senior Bowl practices, and may be limited to a situational role at the next level.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 132 overall.
9. Stevenson Sylvester, Utah.
The Utes' "Rover" linebacker playing on the weak side mostly, Sylvester is somewhat undersized at 6-foot-2, 225, but is athletic, highly experienced as a four-year starter, and dominated in Utah's 2009 Sugar Bowl upset of Alabama.
Draft Prediction: Raiders, No. 106 overall.
10. Austin Spitler, Ohio State.
Just a one-year starter after sitting behind James Laurinaitis for three seasons, Spitler is a heady player with lots of special teams experience and projects as a long-term "swing" type reserve at all three linebacker positions.
Draft Prediction: Jaguars, No. 143 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Inside Linebackers[/SIZE]
1. Rolando McClain, Alabama.
McClain's pedestrian speed (4.7+ forty) and case of Crohn's disease are somewhat concerning, but the Academic All-SEC honoree lived in college backfields, racking up 26.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in his final two seasons as the play-calling "Mike" 'backer in Nick Saban's 3-4 defense.
Draft Prediction: Broncos, No. 11 overall.
2. Brandon Spikes, Florida.
While Spikes' 5.05 forty will take him off most 4-3 teams' radars, the three-time first-team All-SEC selection is a thumper with rare ball skills for an inside linebacker, picking off six passes in his final two seasons and returning a pair of them for touchdowns.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 79 overall.
3. Donald Butler, Washington.
At 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, the Huskies' middle linebacker and 2009 team leader in both tackles and tackles for loss runs a 4.61 forty and is athletic enough to man the all-important "Mike" position in an NFL Tampa-2 scheme.
Draft Prediction: Bears, No. 75 overall.
4. Sean Lee, Penn State.
Lee was a better player before his 2008 ACL tear, but remained plenty active in 2009 with 11 tackles for loss on a Nittany Lions defense that didn't allow a single 100-yard rusher, and figures to regain some explosiveness two years removed from surgery.
Draft Prediction: Giants, No. 76 overall.
5. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State.
Combining ideal size (6'1/242) with ideal speed (4.54 forty), Chaney was the Bulldogs' leading tackler the past two seasons and an impact run defender in the SEC.
Draft Prediction: Raiders, No. 39 overall.
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6. Micah Johnson, Kentucky.
Johnson goes an impressive 6-foot-2, 258 and was a projected second-round pick had he entered the 2009 NFL Draft, but his production dropped off as a senior and Johnson hurt his stock with a 4.99 forty at the Combine.
Draft Prediction: Steelers, No. 151 overall.
7. Pat Angerer, Iowa.
Kirk Ferentz's starting middle linebacker in 2008 and 2009, the 6-foot-0, 235-pound Angerer made first-team All-Big Ten as a senior after racking up a studly 145 tackles -- 56 more than any other Hawkeye.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 136 overall.
8. Darryl Sharpton, Miami.
The Hurricanes shuttled Sharpton all around the defense before finally settling him in at middle linebacker as a senior, and the versatile, if undersized (6'0/229) second-team All-ACCer exploded with a career-best season.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 157 overall.
9. Phillip Dillard, Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers' second leading tackler in 2009 (behind Ndamukong Suh), Dillard left school as Nebraska's only ever four-time all-conference selection but will be red flagged by NFL teams for persistent knee problems.
Draft Prediction: Bills, No. 1 overall.
10. Kion Wilson, South Florida.
A former community college transfer, the smallish (6'0/232) if athletic Wilson immediately took over at middle linebacker in the Bulls' annually stout defense and led the team in tackles last year with 105, to go with nine stops for a loss.
Draft Prediction: Vikings, No. 167 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Cornerbacks[/SIZE]
1. Joe Haden, Florida.
Haden saved his draft stock by improving his forty time from 4.60 to the low-4.4 range at the Gators' Pro Day, and the 5-foot-11, 193-pound shutdown corner has no discernible weaknesses as a sure tackler with a clean medical history and ideal ball skills.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 13 overall.
2. Kyle Wilson, Boise State.
This draft's clear-cut No. 2 cornerback, the durable Wilson never missed a game as a four-year starter for the annually underrated Broncos, combining for eight interceptions in his final two seasons and offering explosive punt return ability.
Draft Prediction: Seahawks, No. 14 overall.
3. Kareem Jackson, Alabama.
Though overshadowed by Crimson Tide teammate Javier Arenas, Jackson was the more dominant cover corner for an Alabama team that ranked second nationally in pass efficiency defense last season.
Draft Prediction: Steelers, No. 18 overall.
4. Patrick Robinson, Florida State.
Robinson's ball skills have been criticized because he didn't pick off a pass as a senior, but the 5-foot-11, 190-pound three-year starter had six interceptions as a sophomore, possesses tremendously quick feet, and is perhaps the most NFL-ready press corner in the draft.
Draft Prediction: Eagles, No. 24 overall.
5. Devin McCourty, Rutgers.
Also a special teams dynamo (seven career blocked kicks, loads of coverage tackles), McCourty was the leader in the secondary for a Scarlet Knights team that led the Big East in total defense last season.
Draft Prediction: Texans, No. 51 overall.
6. Amari Spievey, Iowa.
Spievey, who held heralded receiver prospect Demaryius Thomas catch-less in Iowa's Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech, lacks ideal speed (4.57) but picked off six passes in his two years as a starter, was among the nation's most physical corners, and played in a pro-style scheme.
Draft Prediction: Lions, No. 66 overall.
7. Chris Cook, Virginia.
Cook was injury prone throughout his career and academically ineligible for all of 2008, but had four interceptions in his breakout senior season and has enjoyed one of the finest offseasons among defensive back prospects.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 77 overall.
8. Jerome Murphy, South Florida.
A nickel back behind current NFLers Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams as a sophomore, the ideally built Murphy (6'0/191) joined the Bulls' starting lineup in 2008 and displayed big-time hitting ability and plenty of ball skills (4 picks in '09) during his final two seasons.
Draft Prediction: Raiders, No. 69 overall.
9. Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State.
All-Big 12 as both a cornerback and return specialist, Cox finished his career with six return scores and ten interceptions, but was suspended for the 2009 Cotton Bowl after missing curfew, ran in the high 4.5s at the Combine, and allegedly already has three children out of wedlock.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 101 overall.
10. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (PA).
A dominant small schooler, Owusu-Ansah scored nine career return touchdowns, picked off ten passes between his junior and senior years, and proved he's recovered from postseason shoulder surgery by running 4.33 and 4.41 forties at 6-foot-1, 207 during his March Pro Day.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 99 overall.
11. Javier Arenas, Alabama.
The ideal nickel back with return value, Arenas goes just 5-foot-9, 195 but scored seven career punt return touchdowns, excels on the corner blitz (five sacks in '09), and is a feisty cover man in the slot.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 96 overall.
12. Dominique Franks, Oklahoma.
Franks, who improved his forty time from the mid-4.5s to 4.47 at the Sooners' Pro Day, was voted first-team All-Big 12 in both of his final two years at OU and racked up six interceptions as the field corner in coordinator Brett Venables' defense.
Draft Prediction: Giants, No. 115 overall.
13. Walter McFadden, Auburn.
Snubbed for a Combine invite despite leading the Tigers with six interceptions last season, McFadden ran 4.40 and 4.43 at Auburn's Pro Day and could be a serious steal in the middle rounds.
Draft Prediction: Falcons, No. 117 overall.
14. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt.
The biggest pure corner on this list (Cook may move to safety), the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Lewis exhibited adequate speed (4.52) at the Combine and picked off nine passes in his final two years, but underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus late in the college season.
Draft Prediction: Vikings, No. 161 overall.
15. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest.
Ghee offers plus size (6'0/189) and terrific measurables (4.45 forty, 10-foot-7 broad jump), but rarely made big plays in college, was merely honorable mention All-ACC in 2009, and struggled in man-to-man coverage at January's Senior Bowl.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 156 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Safety Men[/SIZE]
1. Eric Berry, Tennessee.
Berry's big plays dropped last year because Monte Kiffin used him like a linebacker to supplement the Vols' struggling run defense, but the electrifying talent still took home Jim Thorpe Award honors as the nation's best defensive back and left UT second on the NCAA career list in interception-return yards, behind only Terrell Buckley.
Draft Prediction: Browns, No. 7 overall.
2. Earl Thomas, Texas.
Thomas missed too many tackles in 2009, but that's forgivable when you consider the third-year sophomore finished second nationally in interceptions (8), first in pass breakups (24), and is ready to shut down the slot in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 21 overall.
3. Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech.
Berry, Thomas, and Taylor Mays get more headlines, but Burnett's combination of ball-hawking (14 interceptions in three seasons), production in the running game (Yellow Jackets' Nos. 1 and 2 tackler in '08 and '09), and speed-size ratio (4.45 forty at 6'1/210) puts him right up there with all of them.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 36 overall.
4. Taylor Mays, USC.
A freakish straight-line athlete at 6-foot-3, 230, Mays runs a sub-4.4 forty but had just five career interceptions as a four-year starter, didn't force a fumble or make a single tackle for loss as a senior, and is viewed as a weak-side linebacker prospect by some teams.
Draft Prediction: Eagles, No. 37 overall.
5. Chad Jones, LSU.
Also a standout southpaw on LSU's national championship baseball team (2.70 ERA, 95 MPH fastball), Jones runs 4.57 but exhibited superior play-making ability to Mays as just a 1 1/2-year starter with three picks, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick in 2009.
Draft Prediction: Seahawks, No. 60 overall.
6. Nate Allen, South Florida.
Allen has battled a quadriceps injury since the Bulls' season ended, but the 6-foot-1, 205-pound centerfield-type safety made 39 straight starts to finish his college career and draws high marks for his instincts and ball skills (4 picks in '09).
Draft Prediction: Cowboys, No. 59 overall.
7. Major Wright, Florida.
The Gators were so loaded in the secondary that Wright lost playing time during his final season, but he is heady (All-Academic SEC), a big-time hitter, and offers ideal experience for an underclassman with 35 career college starts.
Draft Prediction: Chargers, No. 126 overall.
8. Robert Johnson, Utah.
A head-scratching Combine non-invitee, the former JUCO transfer collected 13 interceptions (6 in '09) during his three years as a starter and at 6-foot-2, 197 is well built to support the run.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 111 overall.
9. Larry Asante, Nebraska.
A true "in the box" safety, Asante made first-team All-Big 12 as a senior, was used at linebacker in community college early in his career and plays with that mentality, and showed better range than anticipated on the Senior Bowl practice field.
Draft Prediction: Jets, No. 124 overall.
10. Reshad Jones, Georgia.
Jones leaves something to be desired in terms of speed (4.54) and was snubbed for All-SEC honors in 2009, but picked off nine passes in his final two seasons and at 6-foot-1, 215 is built to play strong safety in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Bears, No. 141 overall.
11. T.J. Ward, Oregon.
Ward was highly productive in kickoff coverage before taking over as the Ducks' first-team free safety for his junior and senior seasons, and played with a thumper's mentality as a junior opposite current Patriots S Pat Chung before battling a high ankle sprain in 2009.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 142 overall.
12. Darrell Stuckey, Kansas.
A first-team All-Big 12 pick as a junior, Stuckey slipped to honorable mention in 2009 because his big-play totals were down, but he projects as an immediate impact special teamer with long-term upside to grow into a viable strong safety.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 145 overall.
13. Van Eskridge, East Carolina.
Another Combine snub, Eskridge paced the Pirates in interceptions (6) and tackles (102), and forced a pair of fumbles last season, but likely projects as no more than a mid- to late-round pick due to 4.6 speed.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 170 overall.
14. Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech.
A poor man's version of Taylor Mays, the 6-foot-3, 232-pound Chancellor plays physical but accounted for just six career interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss as a 41-game starter.
Draft Prediction: Jaguars, No. 180 overall.
15. Myron Rolle, Florida State.
The Rhodes Scholar made few big plays as a three-year starter, ran 4.75 at 6-foot-1, 217 during February's Combine, sat out the entire 2009 season while attending Oxford to get his degree in neurosurgery, and will appeal only to teams that value intelligence above all else in a safety prospect.
Draft Prediction: Dolphins, No. 173 overall.
NFL Network's Mike Mayock -- easily the best "draftnik" in the business -- predicts that this year's first round will be dominated by defense. Mayock is calling for upwards of 20 top-32 picks to be used on the non-offensive side of the football. The 2010 class of defenders is deep at virtually every position, particularly cornerback and pass rusher.
For the past week I've profiled defensive prospects at Profootballtalk.com. If you haven't had a chance to go over there, here my position rankings. These rankings have been compiled based on lots of college football watching and note taking (Saturday is my day off during the NFL regular season), hours of daily reading, religious viewing of NFL Network's Path to the Draft program, and old-fashioned, on-field player production.
Each player has been assigned a "draft projection." Keep in mind that these are intended more to provide an idea of where players will be drafted, as opposed to specifically who they will be drafted by.
[SIZE=+1]The Edge Rushers[/SIZE]
1. Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech.
Though Morgan lacks the high ceiling of Jason Pierre-Paul, the 2009 ACC Defensive Player of the Year is more polished and pro-ready after pacing the Yellow Jackets with 18.5 tackles for loss and a conference-high 12.5 sacks last season.
Draft Prediction: Jaguars, No. 10 overall.
2. Jason Pierre-Paul, South Florida.
A freakish athlete with 4.6 speed and an 81-inch wingspan at 6-foot-5, 270, Pierre-Paul needed just one season at the D-I level to become the Bulls' leader in tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (6.5) from the normally pass rush-unfriendly left end position.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 16 overall.
3. Brandon Graham, Michigan.
Graham paced the Wolverines in sacks in each of his final three seasons and is a high-motor defender, but short arms (30.5") and a squatty build (6'1/263) may cause him to slide further than his production says he should.
Draft Prediction: Colts, No. 31 overall.
4. Jerry Hughes, TCU.
Hughes comes up just short of the 6-foot-2 benchmark for pass rushers, but recorded an eye-popping 26.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and eight forced fumbles between his junior and senior seasons to become the Horned Frogs' first two-time consensus All-American since 1935.
Draft Prediction: Dolphins, No. 43 overall.
5. Sergio Kindle, Texas.
Exceptionally versatile with prototypical size at 6-foot-3, 250, Kindle seems to be a bit overrated after managing just 5.5 sacks as a senior and exhibiting less than ideal burst in the first ten yards while running the forty at February's Combine.
Draft Prediction: Jets, No. 29 overall.
6. Everson Griffen, USC.
Griffen started for just one year in college, but paced the Trojans in sacks and has had perhaps the most impressive offseason of any pass rusher on this list, running 4.6-flat at 6-foot-4, 273 during USC's Pro Day and bench pressing 225 pounds 32 times at the Combine.
Draft Prediction: Saints, No. 32 overall.
7. Carlos Dunlap, Florida.
Dunlap has the natural ability to dominate for four quarters when on his game but off-field issues, questionable snap-to-snap effort, and a production drop from his sophomore to junior season may cause the underclassman to slip to the back end of the first round, or even out of it altogether.
Draft Prediction: Cowboys, No. 27 overall.
8. Corey Wootton, Northwestern.
Injury prone throughout his college career, Wootton will be red flagged by many teams after battling patellar tendonitis as a senior following a junior-year ACL tear, but the athletic 6-foot-6, 270-pound specimen wreaks havoc when healthy.
Draft Prediction: Steelers, No. 52 overall.
9. Austen Lane, Murray State.
Though Lane needs to add strength, the 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year's measurables (4.83 forty, 10'5" broad jump at 6'6/274) and production (41.5 tackles for loss, 23 sacks between 2008 and 2009) are off the charts.
Draft Prediction: Jets, No. 61 overall.
10. Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech.
Worilds, who underwent two shoulder operations at Virginia Tech, could've used another year in school after a 4.5-sack junior season, but posted the fastest ten-yard split of any edge rusher at the Combine and at 6-foot-1, 254 is built to play outside linebacker in a 3-4.
Draft Prediction: Packers, No. 56 overall.
11. Ricky Sapp, Clemson.
Continued knee problems following a 2008 ACL tear will keep Sapp out of the first round, but he looked to be 100 percent at February's Combine by running 4.7-flat in the forty-yard dash and offers prototypical size for an edge rusher at 6-foot-4, 252.
Draft Prediction: Patriots, No. 44 overall.
12. Greg Hardy, Ole Miss.
A former power forward for the Rebels and a wide receiver early in his career, Hardy would be in the first-round conversation if not for a litany of character concerns and injuries, senior-season benching, and clashes with multiple coaching staffs at Ole Miss.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 67 overall.
13. Eric Norwood, South Carolina.
The Gamecocks' all-time leader in tackles for loss with 54, Norwood measures in just over 6-foot-0 and struggled when asked to drop into coverage at the Senior Bowl after a somewhat disappointing final season for coach Steve Spurrier.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 102 overall.
14. Koa Misi, Utah.
Misi managed just five sacks as a senior, but shouldn't struggle making the transition from college defensive end to outside linebacker in an NFL 3-4 with plenty of suddenness and a relentless motor.
Draft Prediction: Browns, No. 105 overall.
15. O'Brien Schofield, Wisconsin.
Another high-motor prospect, Schofield dominated the Big Ten en route to 24.5 tackles for loss (second in the conference behind only Brandon Graham) and 12 sacks before unfortunately tearing his ACL during Senior Bowl practices.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 182 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Interior Defensive Linemen[/SIZE]
1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska.
The 2009 National Player of the Year, Suh outperformed Gerald McCoy in every single statistical category last season, offers far superior measurables, and is the heavy favorite to be selected immediately after Sam Bradford.
Draft Prediction: Lions, No. 2 overall.
2. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma.
An explosive underclassman, McCoy started all three years on the Sooners' line as a one-gap, penetrating tackle and combined for 12.5 sacks to go with 26.5 tackles for loss in his final two seasons.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 3 overall.
3. Jared Odrick, Penn State.
At 6-foot-5, 301 with plenty of power, Odrick beat out Michigan's Brandon Graham for 2009 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and projects as a 3-4 defensive end at the next level.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 25 overall.
4. Dan Williams, Tennessee.
Williams flourished in Monte Kiffin's scheme after three ho-hum seasons to open his career, exhibiting underrated pocket-pushing versatility in addition to the ability to two gap as a nose tackle at a Wilforkian 6-foot-2, 330 pounds.
Draft Prediction: Bills, No. 9 overall.
5. Brian Price, UCLA.
Price was the 2009 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, easily pacing the conference in tackles for loss (23.5), but disappointing pre-draft workouts may cost him a spot in round one.
Draft Prediction: Giants, No. 46 overall.
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6. Terrence Cody, Alabama.
Cody's weight fluctuations are an obvious concern, but he is pro-ready coming from Nick Saban's NFL-like 3-4 system and was a consensus first-team All-American as both a junior and senior.
Draft Prediction: Chargers, No. 28 overall.
7. Tyson Alualu, California.
One of Mayock's favorite players in the draft, Alualu plays with a non-stop motor, never missed a game in college, and led all Pac-10 defensive linemen in tackles a season ago.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 50 overall.
8. Alex Carrington, Arkansas State.
Carrington dominated the Sun Belt Conference en route to 94 tackles (33.5 for loss) and 19.5 sacks between his junior and senior seasons, and is built to play end in a 3-4 defense at 6-foot-5, 284.
Draft Prediction: Browns, No. 85 overall.
9. Linval Joseph, East Carolina.
Joseph struggled to keep his weight under control early in his college career, but possesses monster upside at 6-foot-5, 328 with explosive up-the-field pass-rush ability.
Draft Prediction: Texans, No. 81 overall.
10. Torrell Troup, Central Florida.
Troup, who goes 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, was a two-gapping nose tackle in George O'Leary's Golden Knights defense and showed impressive power in his lower half during East-West Shrine Game practices.
Draft Prediction: Dolphins, No. 73 overall.
11. Cam Thomas, North Carolina.
Thomas improved his stock with standout performances on the Senior Bowl practice field and the potential to play nose tackle in a 3-4 defense, but compiled just 3.5 career sacks as a Tar Heel and will have to be removed on passing downs in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Cardinals, No. 88 overall.
12. Lamarr Houston, Texas.
The Longhorns' leader in tackles for loss (22) as a senior, Houston is strictly a one-gap tackle but displayed a relentless style in 2009 and could be a steal for a 4-3 team in the middle rounds.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 84 overall.
13. Arthur Jones, Syracuse.
Jones missed the final three games of his career with a torn lateral meniscus and is just now starting to get healthy, but was considered a first-round prospect before the injury with the ability to both defend the run and explode up field.
Draft Prediction: Panthers, No. 78 overall.
14. Clifton Geathers, South Carolina.
A massive man at 6-foot-8, 299, Geathers never met expectations for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks and will be viewed as a long-term, if high upside, developmental project by NFL teams.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 113 overall.
15. Earl Mitchell, Arizona.
Mitchell offers little versatility at 6-foot-1 and 290 pounds, but was highly productive in the Wildcats' 4-3 defense and could settle in as a passing-down specialist in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Saints, No. 130 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The 4-3 Outside Linebackers[/SIZE]
1. Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri.
An outrageously productive weak-side linebacker at Mizzou, Weatherspoon is the complete package in terms of play-making ability, physicality, size (6'1/240), and cover skills, and is probably versatile enough to play inside in a 3-4 if asked.
Draft Prediction: Falcons, No. 19 overall.
2. Daryl Washington, TCU.
Washington didn't crack the Horned Frogs' starting lineup until his senior year, but the college middle linebacker possesses sideline-to-sideline range and will be a three-down player at the next level, likely on the weak side of a 4-3 defense.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 42 overall.
3. Navorro Bowman, Penn State.
Character concerns and 4.7 speed threaten to keep Bowman out of the first two rounds, but the weak-side linebacker prospect created serious havoc during his two seasons as a starter, racking up 33.5 tackles for loss between 2008 and 2009.
Draft Prediction: Eagles, No. 70 overall.
4. A.J. Edds, Iowa.
A poor man's version of fellow former Hawkeye Chad Greenway, Edds goes 6-foot-4, 245 and is a play-maker in coverage, picking off five passes as a senior and supplementing his value with the ability to long snap.
Draft Prediction: Saints, No. 95 overall.
5. Rennie Curran, Georgia.
Curran is so undersized at 5'11/235 that he will appeal strictly to Tampa-2 teams as a weak-side linebacker, but the 2009 SEC first-teamer hits like Ernie Sims and led the Bulldogs in tackles last season.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 97 overall.
6. Kavell Conner, Clemson.
The Tigers' leading tackler during both of his final two seasons on campus, Conner never missed a game in college, is built stoutly at 6-foot-0, 247, and showed better-than-advertised speed at the Scouting Combine with a 4.63 forty-yard dash.
Draft Prediction: Panthers, No. 112 overall.
7. Roddrick Muckelroy, Texas.
A natural weak-side linebacker, Muckelroy was forced to start in the middle last year due to Jared Norton's early-season shoulder surgery, and went on to pace the Longhorns in tackles and earn second-team All-Big 12 accolades for a second straight year.
Draft Prediction: Bears, No. 109 overall.
8. Dekoda Watson, Florida State.
Watson led the Seminoles in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (6.5) last season, but the three-year starter has a checkered injury history, struggled in coverage during Senior Bowl practices, and may be limited to a situational role at the next level.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 132 overall.
9. Stevenson Sylvester, Utah.
The Utes' "Rover" linebacker playing on the weak side mostly, Sylvester is somewhat undersized at 6-foot-2, 225, but is athletic, highly experienced as a four-year starter, and dominated in Utah's 2009 Sugar Bowl upset of Alabama.
Draft Prediction: Raiders, No. 106 overall.
10. Austin Spitler, Ohio State.
Just a one-year starter after sitting behind James Laurinaitis for three seasons, Spitler is a heady player with lots of special teams experience and projects as a long-term "swing" type reserve at all three linebacker positions.
Draft Prediction: Jaguars, No. 143 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Inside Linebackers[/SIZE]
1. Rolando McClain, Alabama.
McClain's pedestrian speed (4.7+ forty) and case of Crohn's disease are somewhat concerning, but the Academic All-SEC honoree lived in college backfields, racking up 26.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in his final two seasons as the play-calling "Mike" 'backer in Nick Saban's 3-4 defense.
Draft Prediction: Broncos, No. 11 overall.
2. Brandon Spikes, Florida.
While Spikes' 5.05 forty will take him off most 4-3 teams' radars, the three-time first-team All-SEC selection is a thumper with rare ball skills for an inside linebacker, picking off six passes in his final two seasons and returning a pair of them for touchdowns.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 79 overall.
3. Donald Butler, Washington.
At 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, the Huskies' middle linebacker and 2009 team leader in both tackles and tackles for loss runs a 4.61 forty and is athletic enough to man the all-important "Mike" position in an NFL Tampa-2 scheme.
Draft Prediction: Bears, No. 75 overall.
4. Sean Lee, Penn State.
Lee was a better player before his 2008 ACL tear, but remained plenty active in 2009 with 11 tackles for loss on a Nittany Lions defense that didn't allow a single 100-yard rusher, and figures to regain some explosiveness two years removed from surgery.
Draft Prediction: Giants, No. 76 overall.
5. Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State.
Combining ideal size (6'1/242) with ideal speed (4.54 forty), Chaney was the Bulldogs' leading tackler the past two seasons and an impact run defender in the SEC.
Draft Prediction: Raiders, No. 39 overall.
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6. Micah Johnson, Kentucky.
Johnson goes an impressive 6-foot-2, 258 and was a projected second-round pick had he entered the 2009 NFL Draft, but his production dropped off as a senior and Johnson hurt his stock with a 4.99 forty at the Combine.
Draft Prediction: Steelers, No. 151 overall.
7. Pat Angerer, Iowa.
Kirk Ferentz's starting middle linebacker in 2008 and 2009, the 6-foot-0, 235-pound Angerer made first-team All-Big Ten as a senior after racking up a studly 145 tackles -- 56 more than any other Hawkeye.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 136 overall.
8. Darryl Sharpton, Miami.
The Hurricanes shuttled Sharpton all around the defense before finally settling him in at middle linebacker as a senior, and the versatile, if undersized (6'0/229) second-team All-ACCer exploded with a career-best season.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 157 overall.
9. Phillip Dillard, Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers' second leading tackler in 2009 (behind Ndamukong Suh), Dillard left school as Nebraska's only ever four-time all-conference selection but will be red flagged by NFL teams for persistent knee problems.
Draft Prediction: Bills, No. 1 overall.
10. Kion Wilson, South Florida.
A former community college transfer, the smallish (6'0/232) if athletic Wilson immediately took over at middle linebacker in the Bulls' annually stout defense and led the team in tackles last year with 105, to go with nine stops for a loss.
Draft Prediction: Vikings, No. 167 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Cornerbacks[/SIZE]
1. Joe Haden, Florida.
Haden saved his draft stock by improving his forty time from 4.60 to the low-4.4 range at the Gators' Pro Day, and the 5-foot-11, 193-pound shutdown corner has no discernible weaknesses as a sure tackler with a clean medical history and ideal ball skills.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 13 overall.
2. Kyle Wilson, Boise State.
This draft's clear-cut No. 2 cornerback, the durable Wilson never missed a game as a four-year starter for the annually underrated Broncos, combining for eight interceptions in his final two seasons and offering explosive punt return ability.
Draft Prediction: Seahawks, No. 14 overall.
3. Kareem Jackson, Alabama.
Though overshadowed by Crimson Tide teammate Javier Arenas, Jackson was the more dominant cover corner for an Alabama team that ranked second nationally in pass efficiency defense last season.
Draft Prediction: Steelers, No. 18 overall.
4. Patrick Robinson, Florida State.
Robinson's ball skills have been criticized because he didn't pick off a pass as a senior, but the 5-foot-11, 190-pound three-year starter had six interceptions as a sophomore, possesses tremendously quick feet, and is perhaps the most NFL-ready press corner in the draft.
Draft Prediction: Eagles, No. 24 overall.
5. Devin McCourty, Rutgers.
Also a special teams dynamo (seven career blocked kicks, loads of coverage tackles), McCourty was the leader in the secondary for a Scarlet Knights team that led the Big East in total defense last season.
Draft Prediction: Texans, No. 51 overall.
6. Amari Spievey, Iowa.
Spievey, who held heralded receiver prospect Demaryius Thomas catch-less in Iowa's Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech, lacks ideal speed (4.57) but picked off six passes in his two years as a starter, was among the nation's most physical corners, and played in a pro-style scheme.
Draft Prediction: Lions, No. 66 overall.
7. Chris Cook, Virginia.
Cook was injury prone throughout his career and academically ineligible for all of 2008, but had four interceptions in his breakout senior season and has enjoyed one of the finest offseasons among defensive back prospects.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 77 overall.
8. Jerome Murphy, South Florida.
A nickel back behind current NFLers Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams as a sophomore, the ideally built Murphy (6'0/191) joined the Bulls' starting lineup in 2008 and displayed big-time hitting ability and plenty of ball skills (4 picks in '09) during his final two seasons.
Draft Prediction: Raiders, No. 69 overall.
9. Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State.
All-Big 12 as both a cornerback and return specialist, Cox finished his career with six return scores and ten interceptions, but was suspended for the 2009 Cotton Bowl after missing curfew, ran in the high 4.5s at the Combine, and allegedly already has three children out of wedlock.
Draft Prediction: Buccaneers, No. 101 overall.
10. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, Indiana (PA).
A dominant small schooler, Owusu-Ansah scored nine career return touchdowns, picked off ten passes between his junior and senior years, and proved he's recovered from postseason shoulder surgery by running 4.33 and 4.41 forties at 6-foot-1, 207 during his March Pro Day.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 99 overall.
11. Javier Arenas, Alabama.
The ideal nickel back with return value, Arenas goes just 5-foot-9, 195 but scored seven career punt return touchdowns, excels on the corner blitz (five sacks in '09), and is a feisty cover man in the slot.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 96 overall.
12. Dominique Franks, Oklahoma.
Franks, who improved his forty time from the mid-4.5s to 4.47 at the Sooners' Pro Day, was voted first-team All-Big 12 in both of his final two years at OU and racked up six interceptions as the field corner in coordinator Brett Venables' defense.
Draft Prediction: Giants, No. 115 overall.
13. Walter McFadden, Auburn.
Snubbed for a Combine invite despite leading the Tigers with six interceptions last season, McFadden ran 4.40 and 4.43 at Auburn's Pro Day and could be a serious steal in the middle rounds.
Draft Prediction: Falcons, No. 117 overall.
14. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt.
The biggest pure corner on this list (Cook may move to safety), the 6-foot-2, 203-pound Lewis exhibited adequate speed (4.52) at the Combine and picked off nine passes in his final two years, but underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus late in the college season.
Draft Prediction: Vikings, No. 161 overall.
15. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest.
Ghee offers plus size (6'0/189) and terrific measurables (4.45 forty, 10-foot-7 broad jump), but rarely made big plays in college, was merely honorable mention All-ACC in 2009, and struggled in man-to-man coverage at January's Senior Bowl.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 156 overall.
[SIZE=+1]The Safety Men[/SIZE]
1. Eric Berry, Tennessee.
Berry's big plays dropped last year because Monte Kiffin used him like a linebacker to supplement the Vols' struggling run defense, but the electrifying talent still took home Jim Thorpe Award honors as the nation's best defensive back and left UT second on the NCAA career list in interception-return yards, behind only Terrell Buckley.
Draft Prediction: Browns, No. 7 overall.
2. Earl Thomas, Texas.
Thomas missed too many tackles in 2009, but that's forgivable when you consider the third-year sophomore finished second nationally in interceptions (8), first in pass breakups (24), and is ready to shut down the slot in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 21 overall.
3. Morgan Burnett, Georgia Tech.
Berry, Thomas, and Taylor Mays get more headlines, but Burnett's combination of ball-hawking (14 interceptions in three seasons), production in the running game (Yellow Jackets' Nos. 1 and 2 tackler in '08 and '09), and speed-size ratio (4.45 forty at 6'1/210) puts him right up there with all of them.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 36 overall.
4. Taylor Mays, USC.
A freakish straight-line athlete at 6-foot-3, 230, Mays runs a sub-4.4 forty but had just five career interceptions as a four-year starter, didn't force a fumble or make a single tackle for loss as a senior, and is viewed as a weak-side linebacker prospect by some teams.
Draft Prediction: Eagles, No. 37 overall.
5. Chad Jones, LSU.
Also a standout southpaw on LSU's national championship baseball team (2.70 ERA, 95 MPH fastball), Jones runs 4.57 but exhibited superior play-making ability to Mays as just a 1 1/2-year starter with three picks, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick in 2009.
Draft Prediction: Seahawks, No. 60 overall.
6. Nate Allen, South Florida.
Allen has battled a quadriceps injury since the Bulls' season ended, but the 6-foot-1, 205-pound centerfield-type safety made 39 straight starts to finish his college career and draws high marks for his instincts and ball skills (4 picks in '09).
Draft Prediction: Cowboys, No. 59 overall.
7. Major Wright, Florida.
The Gators were so loaded in the secondary that Wright lost playing time during his final season, but he is heady (All-Academic SEC), a big-time hitter, and offers ideal experience for an underclassman with 35 career college starts.
Draft Prediction: Chargers, No. 126 overall.
8. Robert Johnson, Utah.
A head-scratching Combine non-invitee, the former JUCO transfer collected 13 interceptions (6 in '09) during his three years as a starter and at 6-foot-2, 197 is well built to support the run.
Draft Prediction: Titans, No. 111 overall.
9. Larry Asante, Nebraska.
A true "in the box" safety, Asante made first-team All-Big 12 as a senior, was used at linebacker in community college early in his career and plays with that mentality, and showed better range than anticipated on the Senior Bowl practice field.
Draft Prediction: Jets, No. 124 overall.
10. Reshad Jones, Georgia.
Jones leaves something to be desired in terms of speed (4.54) and was snubbed for All-SEC honors in 2009, but picked off nine passes in his final two seasons and at 6-foot-1, 215 is built to play strong safety in the pros.
Draft Prediction: Bears, No. 141 overall.
11. T.J. Ward, Oregon.
Ward was highly productive in kickoff coverage before taking over as the Ducks' first-team free safety for his junior and senior seasons, and played with a thumper's mentality as a junior opposite current Patriots S Pat Chung before battling a high ankle sprain in 2009.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 142 overall.
12. Darrell Stuckey, Kansas.
A first-team All-Big 12 pick as a junior, Stuckey slipped to honorable mention in 2009 because his big-play totals were down, but he projects as an immediate impact special teamer with long-term upside to grow into a viable strong safety.
Draft Prediction: 49ers, No. 145 overall.
13. Van Eskridge, East Carolina.
Another Combine snub, Eskridge paced the Pirates in interceptions (6) and tackles (102), and forced a pair of fumbles last season, but likely projects as no more than a mid- to late-round pick due to 4.6 speed.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 170 overall.
14. Kam Chancellor, Virginia Tech.
A poor man's version of Taylor Mays, the 6-foot-3, 232-pound Chancellor plays physical but accounted for just six career interceptions and 4.5 tackles for loss as a 41-game starter.
Draft Prediction: Jaguars, No. 180 overall.
15. Myron Rolle, Florida State.
The Rhodes Scholar made few big plays as a three-year starter, ran 4.75 at 6-foot-1, 217 during February's Combine, sat out the entire 2009 season while attending Oxford to get his degree in neurosurgery, and will appeal only to teams that value intelligence above all else in a safety prospect.
Draft Prediction: Dolphins, No. 173 overall.
