Defensive players generally aren’t taken with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. That could change this year.
In what is considered to be the deepest draft class in over a decade, the prospect with the most talent and upside comes on the defensive side of the ball. That’s South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney. A freak athlete with an ability to star at the next level.
It would be rare but not unprecedented for Clowney to be selected first overall. Since 1994, a defensive player has gone No. 1 on just three occasions. Dan Wilkinson went to the Bengals in ’94, Courtney Brown to Cleveland in 2000, and Mario Williams was Houston’s top pick in 2006.
None of the above had the athletic ability or potential of Clowney. And he’s not even the only defender who could go No. 1. There’s a strong sense in league circles that Houston could be targeting Buffalo (yes, the University of Buffalo) linebacker Khalil Mack with the top pick. Even if he doesn’t go first, he’s all but a lock for the top five.
With that in mind, here’s a look at the top 10 defensive prospects in the upcoming draft and where they could land.
1) Jadeveon Clowney
College: South Carolina
Position: Defensive end
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 265 lbs.
Possible fits: HOU, JAX, OAK
The skinny: Clowney has a rare combination of power and speed for his size. He projects to be a dominant pass rusher at the next level. There are questions, though. His production took a steep decline in his junior season and he appeared to take plays off on film. Even so, the upside is worth the risk. (See below).
2) Khalil Mack
College: Buffalo
Position: Outside linebacker
Age: 23
Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 251 lbs.
Possible fits: JAX, ATL, MIN
The skinny: Mack played in a smaller conference bt still projects as an all-pro at the next level. He offers speed off the edge, which is a highly valuable commodity in today’s pass-heavy NFL. He was a four-year starter for Buffalo where he set NCAA records for forced fumbles and tackles for loss. His speed, work ethic, passion, and awareness make him a lock for the top five.
3) Aaron Donald
College: Pittsburgh
Position: Defensive tackle
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 285 lbs.
Possible fits: NYG, CHI, DAL
The skinny: Donald is the best inside rusher in the draft class. He has a great first step that makes him a dangerous weapon as an interior defensive lineman. He’s a bit short but he’s tough and can wreak havoc as a pass rusher. The highly-instinctive Donald would fit perfectly along the middle of a defensive line that uses a 4-3 scheme.
4) Anthony Barr
College: UCLA
Position: Outside linebacker
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 248 lbs.
Possible fits: ATL, TEN, PIT
The skinny: Barr is a raw prospect but offers extreme upside. The former running back switched positions late in his college career and was still able to excel as an outside linebacker. He had 41.5 tackles for loss in his last two years at UCLA. He’s a rare specimen with great pass rush potential and speed. Overall, he still needs to improve his technique and grasp the concepts of his position.
5) Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
College: Alabama
Position: Safety
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 208 lbs.
Possible fits: DET, STL, CHI
The skinny: He doesn¹t just have the best name in the draft but Alabama product is also the best safety in the class. Clinton-Dix especially excelled in coverage where he had seven interceptions in 19 career starts in the toughest conference in college football. He has the range but needs to bulk up.
6) Darqueze Dennard
College: Michigan State
Position: Cornerback
Age: 22
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 197 lbs.
Possible fits: DET, TEN, PIT
The skinny: Dennard has the body type of a cover cornerback. He’s got solid size to contest with top-flight receivers and is coming off a season where he was given the Thorpe Award for the top defensive back. The knock on Dennard is his athleticism but he put on a solid display with one of the best broad jumps at the Combine. He’s dealt with some injuries during his college career and durability remains a concern.
7) Ryan Shazier
College: Ohio State
Position: Outside linebacker
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-1 Weight: 237 lbs.
Possible fits: GB, ARI, CLE
The skinny: Three-down linebackers with high-end speed and athleticism (4.36 40-yard dash at his pro day) offer tremendous value on the field. That’s exactly where Shazier stands out, but it’s not his only strength. The Ohio State product led the Big 10 in tackles last season (143) and has 22.5 tackles for loss. Not only that, he displayed solid coverage skills that should have him land in the second half of the first round.
8) C.J Mosley
College: Alabama
Position: Inside linebacker
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 234 lbs.
Possible fits: BAL, NO, NE
The skinny: Mosley is a smart and effective tackler than can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. He doesn’t have the prototypical size of a middle linebacker but he more than compensates with his smarts, work ethic, and coverage abilities. He offers high-end potential but some are concerned with his injury history. He underwent several surgeries in his college career and it’s worth wondering if he can handle the grind of the NFL.
9) Calvin Pryor
College: Louisville
Position: Free safety
Age: 21
Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 207 lbs.
Possible fits: CHI, BAL, NE,
The skinny: Pryor is right up there with Clinton-Dix for the top safety in the draft class. He¹s a mauling, hard-hitting free safety who is at his best in the run game. He doesn’t have elite speed or size but he’s smart, tough and will be able to start from Day 1. The Louisville product has been one of the draft’s fastest risers as we head towards May 8.
10) Timmy Jernigan
College: Florida State
Position: Defensive tackle
Age: 21
Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 299 lbs.
Possible fits: CHI, DAL, NO
The skinny: Jameis Winston and Kelvin Benjamin got most of the attention during Florida State’s run to a BCS title but Jernigan played a important role on the defensive side of the ball. Like Donald, he offers an ability to rush from the inside of a defensive line and he’s just as effective at stopping the rent. He’s scheme-versatile and could fit in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. At FSU, he only started one year so there’s a bit of a risk there.
Just missed: CB Justin Gilbert (Oklahoma State), CB Jason Verrett (TCU), DL Louis Nix (Notre Dame), CB Kyle Fuller (Virginia Tech), DE Dee Ford (Auburn), DE Kony Ealy (Missouri)
