New NFL Draft Positional Prospect Rankings-DE

With all the different types of defenses run in the NFL today, certain teams are looking for specific types of players, while others are looking for a different type. This makes it difficult to properly rank prospects, especially at positions such as defensive end. I have decided to give my top 5 overall defensive end prospects, and then also split them up into a 3-4 defensive end category and a 4-3 defensive end category.

My Top 5 NFL Draft Prospects at DE

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1. Da'Quan Bowers-6'4,280-Clemson
Bowers is my new number one defensive end prospect based entirely on his physical abilities. He is an elite physical specimen. He combines size, speed, and strength to create the perfect defensive end prospect. This year he has combined production along with his potential. Teams looking for a pro-bowl 4-3 defensive end for the next ten years are drooling over Bowers. Read More

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2. Adrian Clayborn-6'3,285-Iowa
Adrian Clayborn is slightly stockier than Bowers and might be just as strong. He is another physical specimen that has NFL scouts excited. He is not quite as quick as Bowers, but his size and strength are comparable. Clayborn is probably the more NFL-ready prospect and could play in either the 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. However, he is rated behind Bowers because his ceiling is slight lower. Read More

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3. Marcell Dareus-6'4,306-Alabama
Dareus is strictly a 3-4 defensive end, but his ability to excel at that position is what makes him my #3 DE prospect. Dareus has the perfect body for the 3-4 DE position. He combines good length with excellent strength. Dareus is not quite as explosive as Clayborn or Bowers, but he is still very quick and effective. Dareus will make some 3-4 team very happy. Read More

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4. Robert Quinn-6'5,270-North Carolina
Quinn has prototypical size for a 4-3 defensive end prospect. Some scouts believe he can also play the 3-4 OLB position, but I think he is best suited for the RDE end spot in the 4-3. He has excellent speed of the edge, and is probably the most athletic of the top DE prospects. However, he lacks the strength of some of the other DE prospects, and he needs to develop some more pass rush moves. Read More

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5. Nick Fairley-6'5,300-Auburn
Fairley, like Dareus, currently plays tackle at the collegiate level. He could definitely play UT in a 4-3 scheme in the pros, but his ability to fit in as a 3-4 DE has him ranked as my #5 DE prospect. His length,  strength, and quickness are all very comparable to Dareus; however, I give Dareus the nod right now due to consistency. They will both be first round picks, and it will be interesting to see who turns out to be more effective. Read More

Top 5 4-3 Defensive End Prospects

1. Da'Quan Bowers-Clemson
2. Adrian Clayborn-Iowa
3. Robert Quinn-North Carolina
4. Allen Bailey-Miami
5. Ryan Kerrigan-Purdue

Top 5 3-4 Defensive End Prospects
1. Marcell Dareus-Alabama
2. Nick Fairley-Auburn
3. Adrian Clayborn-Iowa
4. JJ Watt-Wisconsin
5. Cameron Heyward-Ohio St

Defensive Prospect of the Week: Nick Fairley,DT, Auburn

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Cam Newton may be receiving most of the hype this year for the Auburn Tigers, but Nick Fairley is possibly their best player. He has been a terror for opposing offenses this year. A junior, Fairley stands an intimidating 6'5 and weights in at nearly 300 pounds. He possesses excellent size and speed for the defensive tackle position. He is very similar to my #1 ranked DT, Marcell Dareus, in that he is an ideal fit for the 3-4 defensive end position in the pros. This is due to his tall frame combined with size and strength that would allow him to demand double teams, yet still be able to set the edge against the run. However, with Fairley's quickness he could also play under-tackle in a 4-3 scheme.

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Fairley has been the most dominant defensive tackle in college football this year recording 18 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks so far. He has been shooting up draft boards because he combines exceptional physical ability with strong play. The reason I am cautious with him, ranking him as my #4 DT in my NFL Draft Rankings is due to his lack of consistency. This is his first year of doing anything in division one football. He attended a junior college and then proceeded to accomplish nothing last year at Auburn. This is his first good year of college football. If he continues to prove himself this year and works out well in the off-season he could be selected in the top-half of the first round. However, if he begins to fade their are plenty of other talented defensive tackles that could go ahead of him. There is no denying the physical ability of Fairley and it will be fun to watch him and Cam Newton attempt to lead Auburn to a National Championship.

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Defensive Prospect of the Week: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama

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Last year Terrence Cody received most of if not all the hype for the Alabama defensive line, but Marcell Dareus probably deserved most of it. This year, after a slow start, Dareus is showing why he is my number one rated defensive tackle. After recording 33 tackles and 6 sacks last year he has 19 tackles and 3 sacks so far this year, despite missing the first two games. Dareus should continue to rack up stats this year and it all starts with him if Alabama hopes to rebound from their loss to South Carolina and return to the National Championship.

At 6'4 306 lbs, Dareus is a full-grown man. The thing that separates Dareus from the average defensive lineman is his athletic ability. Most men 6'4, 306 lbs. are slow on their feet or clumsy, but Marcell is a fluid athlete. He is explosive and can physically dominate other lineman. His first step is extraordinary for a man his size and it will allow him to fit in at multiple positions at the next level. He has the frame to add more strength and he could add another 10-20 pounds depending on the position he would like to play in the pros. No one is a perfect prospect (except possibly AJ Green) and Dareus, like others, has his flaws. He has been very inconsistent this year and some people believe he is lazy. He also needs to continue to add strength in order to stand up to the beating he will receive every game in the NFL.

Marcell Dareus is no Ndamukong Suh or even a Gerald McCoy, but he is still the elite defensive tackle prospect in this draft. He will most likely be taken in the top 10 because of his extraordinary potential, but their is always a risk drafting defensive lineman. It will be interesting to see follow the career of Dareus.

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