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May 1, 2014The NFL is a passing league. In order to succeed, teams must have players who can disrupt the passing game and get to the quarterback. For a defensive line to be considered successful, however, they must also be able to stop the run. Teams have different schemes and seek out different skill sets. The 2014 draft is not very deep in defensive linemen but the top of the group is very talented including a player who may very well best player in the draft Here are my top five defensive linemen.
1) Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney is widely considered to be the best prospect in 2014 NFL Draft, representing the best defensive end to come out of the draft in many years. The 6-foot-6-inch, 266-pound defensive lineman is a freakish athlete who ran an unbelievable 4.53 seconds 40-yard dash. He is considered to be the most athletic player in the draft at any position because of this combination of size and speed. Clowney has an initial burst off the line that is unmatched by any other prospect. He has multiple moves that he uses to get past offensive linemen like swim moves and bull rushes. The former Gamecock also has the agility and flexibility that gives him the ability to get past linemen using his flexible lower body to get around the corner very quickly.
ESPN’s Todd McShay says, “Clowney has a freakish combination of length, initial burst and power as a pass-rusher, and he is a highly disruptive run defender.” The only question about him is his effort and desire to play hard on every down.. Clowney did not have the great stats this season because he was double- and triple-teamed most of last year. He has the ability to be a double-digit sack artist in the NFL and one who can take over the game on the defensive side of the ball. Due to his talent and ability, Clowney can play in any NFL system.
2) Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Pittsbugh’s Aaron Donald is considered by many to be the best defensive tackle in the draft. The Panther product was highly productive last season, winning many awards for his outstanding play. His best attribute is his initial burst and technique to get to the quarterback. Donald ran a blistering 4.68 seconds 40-yard dash that shows his explosive burst for an interior lineman. He uses a blend of good feet, leverage, and hands to push defenders back along with his speed to get around them. Many high-profile draftniks’ believe he is the best pass rusher of all the defensive tackles in the NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper says, “Donald’s ability to disrupt from the interior with quickness, power and violent hands is unmatched in this draft.” He had 28.5 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks last season at Pittsburgh. The only downside for Donald is that he is a smaller defensive tackle who will need to improve on his run-stopping ability by adding some bulk to his frame. Donald can play the 3-4 defensive end position or play the more likely position of 4-3 defensive tackle.
3) Dee Ford, Auburn
Auburn’s Dee Ford is another explosive defensive end who can get off the line very quickly. He had 14.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks last season. The Tiger alum is a guy who will be able to get the quarterback at the next level because of his very good initial burst and high motor to never stop pushing toward the ball. Ford can get around the corner very quickly because of his good initial get-off and flexible hips to bend under offensive tackles.
Ford has a couple flaws that could hurt him in the pros. He is a smaller defensive end who can be controlled because of his frame. That fact could confine him to a pass-rush specialist until he can add a few more pounds.
Todd McShay says, “Ford’s greatest strength is his ability to apply pressure to opposing QBs as a speed rusher, due to his explosive “get-off” burst and violent hands to keep blockers off his body.” But the pass rusher is a very valuable player for any NFL team because of the increase in passing. Ford can play both the 4-3 defensive end or as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He must be able to improve his ability in coverage to be able to fit in a 3-4 scheme.
4) Kony Ealy, Missouri
Missouri’s Kony Ealy goes along with the previous three linemen in that he is an athletic defensive lineman with very good speed and burst off the line. The former Tiger has very good height and length for defensive end at 6-feet-4-inches. He is one of the quickest guys in the draft when it comes to getting off the ball. This advantage coupled with his length and flexibility, makes him a dangerous pass rusher.
Ealy is very good off the edge because he can go both outside and inside the tackle using a speed to get past. Gil Brandt of NFL.com says, “Ealy is a very athletic player with great quickness and a lot of upside.” The biggest blemish for Ealy is that he is not very strong and is not sound with technique when going against a blocker. Blockers can swallow him up because of his lack of strength and bad technique. He gets caught too high in trying to push up field which gives opponents the ability to control him. He will be a pass-rushing specialist until he improves his strength and technique. Ealy will be able to play either a 4-3 defensive end or could evolve into an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.
5) Louis Nix III, Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s Louis Nix is the best pure nose tackle in the 2014 NFL Draft. He is a stout defensive tackle with very good athletic ability for such a big man. The 6-foot-2-inch, 331-pound lineman is a strong player who can be very disruptive in the running game. He will be a great fit for teams that need help stopping the run as he takes up two blockers allowing others to get free and make the tackle.
Doug Farrar of SI.com says Nix “takes double teams on a regular basis, which fits the nose tackle profile — he’s a guy who will do the dirty work so others can blow through and make plays.” Nix has great size for prototypical nose tackle. He can get off the ball very fast for his size, which helps him be more productive than most nose tackles in the passing game. The Irish mauler was not consistent enough in college and he also is not going to be a huge factor as a pass rusher, but he will fit in well as 3-4 nose tackle.
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For the rest of Joe Gilbert’s top-ranked players, please go to the WFNY Big Board.
4 Comments
This looks like a list of the guys least likely to be picked by the Browns.
I’ll be shocked if they use another top ten pick on another defensive lineman when there are so many other positions of need. That being said Clowney hands down is the best DL in this draft class IMO. It’ll be interesting to see who drafts him and the scheme he plays under. His physical skills translate to any scheme although I must admit being a fan of the 4-3 I see him ideally as a pass rushing end.
Love Clowney.
While I don’t think the Browns will necesarily draft any of these five guys, I wouldn’t put taking an interior lineman past them. For some reason, they haven’t inked the fifth-year option for Phil Taylor and appear willing to move on without Athyba Rubin given his compensation. I like John Hughes, but if he’s all you have, you need some depth. Just my two pesos.
Later in the draft sure but hopefully not in rounds 1-3.