The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us. With less than ten days until Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.
Today we look at the defensive ends and five-techniques in the 2012 NFL Draft:
**We will not include guys that aren’t fits as 4-3 DE’s in the least (i.e. Melvin Ingram, Andre Branch, Shea McClellin. While all three could play the position, it’s my belief they will be drafted elsewhere so I’ll feature them at their respective positions)
1. Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina
Height: 6053 Weight: 284
Quinton Coples did very little to help himself with his poor effort/performance in the 2011 season. Coples has the talent to be a top pick in this draft but likely slides into the middle of the first round due to his lackluster play this season. If a team can keep Coples motivated, he has the skill set to be a dominate pass rusher.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 1
Final Grade: 6.5
2. Whitney Mercilus, DE, Illinois
Height: 6035 Weight: 261
Mercilus is a base end in the 4-3 and shouldn’t be considered for a move to rush linebacker. He’s a pure pass rusher that offers little stoutness at the point of attack. He may take on an Aldon Smith type role as a situational pass rusher until he can add the strength/bulk to hold up against the run.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 1
Final Grade: 6.3
3. Courtney Upshaw, DE, Alabama
Height: 6 Weight: 254
I will list Upshaw with the ends because of my belief that he is best suited with his hand in the dirt in the 4-3. Upshaw brings a toughness and high motor that should find him success despite not having ideal measurements to play the position.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 1
Final Grade: 6.2
4. Nick Perry, DE, USC
Height: 6036 Weight: 271
Nick Perry is a freakish athlete that will need time to develop into a complete three down player in the NFL. He does offer immediate help off the edge to most teams and is best suited to play base end. He doesn’t play the run well enough at this point in his career to warrant a first round selection but probably goes there due to the amount of upside as a pass rusher.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 1-2
Final Grade: 6.1
5. Vinny Curry, DE, Marshall
Height: 6031 Weight: 266
Vinny Curry was a highly productive three-year starter for Marshall. He racked up 26.5 sacks in his three seasons as a starter which speaks volumes to the tenacity he plays with. Curry isn’t an elite athlete with outstanding burst, edge speed but wins with an unstoppable motor. He’s a guy that teams will want on the field and in the locker room.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 2
Final Grade: 6.0
6. Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse
Height: 6053 Weight: 266
Chandler Jones is one of the hottest names in the draft with his outstanding bloodlines and physical gifts. He’s a long, linear athlete that lacks elite edge burst. I’m not as high on him as most but there is certainly some upside with Jones. Jones has the frame to bulk up and play 5T or stay in the 265 range to play OLB in the 3-4. As of right now, I think Jones’ best fit is with his hand in the dirt in the 4-3.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 1
Final Grade: 6.0
7. Malik Jackson, DE, Tennessee
Height: 6046 Weight: 284
It’s all about versatility when you talk about Malik Jackson. He could be moved all along the front in a base “30” or “40”. Jackson lined up inside and out in Tennessee’s defense and was equally effective at both positions. His versatility could intrigue a lot of teams earlier than expected.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 3-4
Final Grade: 5.8
8. Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State
Height: 6041 Weight: 275
Crawford lacks the playing experience after playing his first two years at Bakersfield College. Crawford comes with a ton of upside as he can play base end in a “40” front and has the strength to play 5T in odd fronts. Crawford will need a little seasoning in the NFL but could be a late bloomer with potential to be a force in the run game and apply enough pressure to be a starter.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 4
Final Grade: 5.7
9. Cam Johnson, DE, Virginia
Height: 6034 Weight: 268
Johnson disappears too often for me to grade as much more than an early fourth round player. He has a ton of physical tools that would intrigue many on the surface but I don’t see the motor to be an effective starter in the NFL. He has started 16 games as a 34 OLB but I see him as a better fit as a base end in a “40” front.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 3-4
Final Grade: 5.7
Best of the rest:
10. Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma Final Grade: 5.6
11. Olivier Vernon, DE, Miami Final Grade: 5.4
12. Jack Crawford, DE, Penn State Final Grade: 5.3
13. Jake Bequette, DE, Arkansas Final Grade: 5.2
14. Jamie Blatnick, DE, Oklahoma St. Final Grade 5.1
15. Jacquies Smith, DE, Missouri Final Grade: 5.1
16. Donte Paige-Moss, DE Final Grade: 5.0
Click on Page Two down below to check out the top five-techniques in the draft
Pages: Page 1 Page 2
