2010 NFL Draft Preview - Defensive Line

The deepest position in this year's draft HAS to be on the defensive line. There is the possibility of 6-10 being picked in the first round and all will make an impact for whomever takes them. However, I can only boil the best down to 5. Let's Get It On!

1. Ndamukong Suh (NEB)

All you need to gauge Suh is to watch the Big 12 Championship Game and how he almost single handily won that game for the Huskers. Here's a little refresher in case you've forgotten.

Suh is a shade over 300 but he moves like a man 50 lbs. lighter. He was timed at the combine as one of the fastest DL there. With his build and speed he will reek havoc across the offensive lines. Add to that the fact that Suh has almost perfect technique already, and his ceiling seems unlimited. With any DL going high there is the fear of being a bust (Courtney Brown, Steve Etman, Glenn Dorsey) and never really reaching their promise. I don't see that being the problem with Suh but it may factor into some team's decision.

Reminds me of: Kevin Williams

Projection: Top 2

2. Gerald McCoy (OU)

McCoy is the lighter of the two between him and Suh but the drop off is not that measurable. McCoy was the terror of the Big 12 South and he made plays that left coaches and scouts in awe. On an underperforming Sooner ball club this past season he was the one that stood out. If he didn't have Suh coming out as well he would be the consensus #1 DL in this year's draft. McCoy is going to have the same stigma as Suh with teams drafting DL high and the bust possibilities but he has the promise to have an outstanding NFL career.

Reminds me of: Laroi Glover

Projection: Top 5

3. Derrick Morgan (GT)

Morgan put a nice couple of seasons together for the Yellow Jackets and was key to them making the Orange Bowl this past season. He has a quick first step and hits the line with a burst, evidenced by his 10 caused fumbles/recoveries the past two seasons. Morgan has the awareness to stay in his spot and practice gap discipline along with disrupting plays before they have time to develop. A concern for many was his lackluster performance against the Hawkeyes in the Orange Bowl (3 tackles) but he should be fine by adding some weight (275 currently) and working on his technique.

Reminds me of: Julius Peppers

Projection: 13-20

4. Dan Williams (UT)

Nobody on the Vol defense was happier to see Monte Kiffin as their coach than Williams. Kiffin's pro style scheme allowed Williams to flourish this past season. He was thought of a mid-round pick before this season started, but when he racked up 61 tackles this season he vaulted up boards, including mine, to be the third rated DL prospect in this draft. He has the frame at 6'2" and 329 lbs, but he does have some issues with lateral movement. His use of leverage and low center of gravity has progressed nicely and getting the best coaching will only help him to excel.

Reminds me of: Jamal Williams

Projection: 20-27

5. Carlos Dunlap (UF)

The stalwart of the 2009 Gator defense, Dunlap has great skills that give many scouts hope to have him fall into their lap. Dunlap disrupted many in the SEC this past season and his high level of play in the BCS Title Game last season vs. Oklahoma (1.5 TFL, Blocked FG, Sack) as well as the Sugar Bowl vs. Cincinnati (2 Sacks) will make many defensive coaches and organizations drool. However, Dunlap has off the field issues, most evident by his suspension from the SEC Title Game vs. Alabama. Although his selfish behavior was troubling, the noticeable difference in Florida's defense showed Dunlap's value. His past DUI as well as feelings he doesn't always play to his potential may bump Dunlap out of the first round, when before he was a lock first rounder.

Reminds me of: Richard Seymour

Projection: Late 1st-Early 2nd

Sleeper: Austen Lane (Murray State)

Lane certainly wasn't on anybody's radar when the season began but his great workout numbers as well as his Senior Bowl showing (fumble recovery and TD) made many take notice. He has a basketball background, which gives him agility to make plays on the field. He will most likely be drafted as a pass rushing project for a team in desperate need of one on the line (cough cough CLEVELAND cough cough) so look for his name to be called starting around the 4th round.

The Yoders' Two to Watch

Jason Pierre-Paul and George Selvie (USF)

-Well, we decided to join up for the defensive linemen portion of our draft preview because we do have a pair of teammates for you to keep your eye on in the draft. Bookend defensive ends George Selvie and Jason Pierre-Paul, teammates at South Florida, have taken very different roads to get to the NFL. Pierre-Paul was a junior college transfer who wowed scouts this past season with his raw athletic ability and 6.5 sacks. While he could be in the Darius Heyward-Bey mold of a freakish athlete without on-field ability, he also has the measurables coaches dream of in a DE and could be a risk worth taking in the 1st round.

-Meanwhile, George Selvie would have undoubtedly been a Top 10 pick if he'd been able to come out of school following his sophomore or junior seasons. In 2007 as a sophomore, he was Big East Defensive Player of the Year (14.5 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss) and in 2008 he was an All-American (5.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss). However, injury and the constant attention of opponents put a severe damper on Selvie's numbers this past season, producing only 3.5 sacks. Now, he enters the draft as a borderline 1st/2nd round pick, another example of why it can be dangerous to stay in school. But, in a deep draft for D-linemen, either of these Bulls could be a huge steal for teams in desperate need of a pass rush.

Those are the defensive linemen to watch for this year's draft. Let us know what you think by posting a comment below. Also make sure to follow us on Twitter @RSS_Sports. Stay tuned for all the March Madness coverage you can stand here at Randall Simon's Sausages! And until we meet again, please...be careful out there!