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by Steve Shoup

NFL Draft: Best Available Defensive Players for Day 3

April 26, 2013 in Defensive Player Rankings

Fanspeak's Defensive Rankings – Best Available:

DEFENSIVE TACKLE RANKINGS:

Jesse Williams, Alabama
Akeem Spence, Illinois
Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin
Kwame Geathers, Georgia
Everett Dawkins, FSU
Josh Boyd, Mississippi State
Cory Grissom, South Florida
Gilbert Pena, Mississippi
T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech
Anthony McCloud, FSU
Joe Vellano, Maryland
Jared Smith, New Hampshire
William Campbell, Michigan
A.J. Francis, Maryland
Izaan Cross, Georgia Tech
Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame
Abry Jones, Georgia

DEFENSIVE END RANKINGS:

Alex Okafor, Texas
John Simon, Ohio State
Malliciah Goodman, Clemson
Devin Taylor, South Carolina
Lavar Edwards, LSU
William Gholston, Michigan State
David Bass, Missouri Western State
Wes Horton, USC
Meshak Williams, Kansas State
Walter Stewart, Cincinnati
Michael Buchanan, Illinois
Scott Vallone, Rutgers
Stansly Maponga, TCU
Joe Kruger, Utah
Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky
Eric Martin, Nebraska
Tremayne Scott, Ohio

INSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS:

Kevin Reddick, UNC
A.J. Klein, Iowa State
Nico Johnson, Alabama
Steve Beauharnais, Rutgers
Vince Williams, Florida State
Steve Greer, UVA
Albert Rosette, Nevada

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS:

Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
Trevardo Williams, UConn
Sean Porter, Texas A&M
Brandon Jenkins, FSU
Jelani Jenkins, Florida
Cornelius Washington, Georgia
DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina
Chase Thomas, Stanford
Gerald Hodges, Penn State
Lerentee McCray, Florida
Keith Pough, Howard
Travis Johnson, San Jose State
Ty Powell, Harding
Brandon Sharpe, Syracuse
Etienne Sabino, Ohio State
Travis Long, Washington State
Nathan Williams, Ohio State
John Lotulelei, UNLV

CORNERBACK RANKINGS:

Jordan Poyer, Oregon State
B. W. Webb, William & Mary
Brandon McGee, Miami
Tharold Simon, LSU
Steve Williams, Cal
Johnny Adams, Michigan State
Josh Johnson, Purdue
Micah Hyde, Iowa
Terry Hawthorne, Illinois
Nickell Robey, USC
Marc Anthony, Cal
Adrian Bushell, Louisville
Branden Smith, Georgia
Travis Howard, Ohio State
Nigel Malone, Kansas State
Mike Edwards, Hawaii
Kahlid Wooten, Nevada
Aaron Hester, UCLA
Sheldon Price, UCLA
Demetrius McCray, Appalachian State
Rod Sweeting, Georgia Tech
Ryan Lacy, Utah

SAFETY RANKINGS:

Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma
Phillip Thomas, Fresno State
Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse
Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
Duke Williams, Nevada
Robert Lester, Alabama
Zeke Motta, Notre Dame
Josh Evans, Florida
Rashard Hall, Clemson
Sanders Commings, Georgia
Earl Wolff, NC State
Rontez Miles, California (Pa)
Cooper Taylor, Richmond
Brandan Bishop, NC State
Keelan Johnson, Arizona State
Bradley McDougald, Kansas
Kejuan Riley, Alabama State
Dexter McCoil, Tulsa
Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami

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by Steve Shoup

NFL Draft: Defensive Players Best Available for Day 2

April 26, 2013 in Defensive Player Rankings

Fanspeak's Defensive Players Rankings - Best Available:

DEFENSIVE TACKLE RANKINGS:

Kawaan Short, Purdue
Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State
Jesse Williams, Alabama
John Jenkins, Georgia
Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State
Akeem Spence, Illinois
Bennie Logan, LSU
Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin
Jordan Hill, Penn State
Kwame Geathers, Georgia
Everett Dawkins, FSU
Josh Boyd, Mississippi State
Cory Grissom, South Florida
Gilbert Pena, Mississippi
T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech
Anthony McCloud, FSU
Joe Vellano, Maryland
Jared Smith, New Hampshire
William Campbell, Michigan
A.J. Francis, Maryland
Izaan Cross, Georgia Tech
Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame
Abry Jones, Georgia

DEFENSIVE END RANKINGS:

Damontre Moore, Texas A&M
Alex Okafor, Texas
Margus Hunt, SMU
John Simon, Ohio State
Cornellius Carradine, FSU
Sam Montgomery, LSU
Malliciah Goodman, Clemson
Corey Lemonier, Auburn
Devin Taylor, South Carolina
Lavar Edwards, LSU
William Gholston, Michigan State
David Bass, Missouri Western State
Wes Horton, USC
Meshak Williams, Kansas State
Walter Stewart, Cincinnati
Michael Buchanan, Illinois
Scott Vallone, Rutgers
Stansly Maponga, TCU
Joe Kruger, Utah
Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky
Eric Martin, Nebraska
Tremayne Scott, Ohio

INSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS:

Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
Kevin Minter, LSU
Kiko Alonso, Oregon
Kevin Reddick, UNC
Jon Bostic, Florida
A.J. Klein, Iowa State
Nico Johnson, Alabama
Steve Beauharnais, Rutgers
Vince Williams, Florida State
Steve Greer, UVA
Albert Rosette, Nevada

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER RANKINGS:

Arthur Brown, Kansas State
Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
Sio Moore, UConn
Trevardo Williams, UConn
Sean Porter, Texas A&M
Jamie Collins, Southern Miss.
Brandon Jenkins, FSU
Jelani Jenkins, Florida
Cornelius Washington, Georgia
Zaviar Gooden, Missouri
DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina
Chase Thomas, Stanford
Gerald Hodges, Penn State
Lerentee McCray, Florida
Keith Pough, Howard
Travis Johnson, San Jose State
Ty Powell, Harding
Brandon Sharpe, Syracuse
Etienne Sabino, Ohio State
Travis Long, Washington State
Nathan Williams, Ohio State
John Lotulelei, UNLV

CORNERBACK RANKINGS:

Johnthan Banks, Miss. State
Jamar Taylor, Boise State
Jordan Poyer, Oregon State
Darius Slay, Miss. State
Logan Ryan, Rutgers
Robert Alford, SE Louisiana
David Amerson, NC State
B. W. Webb, William & Mary
Will Davis, Utah State
Dwayne Gratz, UConn
Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn
Leon McFadden, San Diego State
Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
Brandon McGee, Miami
Tharold Simon, LSU
Steve Williams, Cal
Johnny Adams, Michigan State
Josh Johnson, Purdue
Micah Hyde, Iowa
Terry Hawthorne, Illinois
Nickell Robey, USC
Marc Anthony, Cal
Adrian Bushell, Louisville
Branden Smith, Georgia
Travis Howard, Ohio State
Kayvon Webster, South Florida
Nigel Malone, Kansas State
Mike Edwards, Hawaii
Kahlid Wooten, Nevada
Aaron Hester, UCLA
Sheldon Price, UCLA
Demetrius McCray, Appalachian State
Rod Sweeting, Georgia Tech
Ryan Lacy, Utah

SAFETY RANKINGS:

Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International
Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma
D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina
Phillip Thomas, Fresno State
Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse
Bacarri Rambo, Georgia
T.J. McDonald, USC
Shawn Williams, Georgia
Duke Williams, Nevada
J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern
Robert Lester, Alabama
Zeke Motta, Notre Dame
Josh Evans, Florida
Rashard Hall, Clemson
Sanders Commings, Georgia
Earl Wolff, NC State
Rontez Miles, California (Pa)
Cooper Taylor, Richmond
Brandan Bishop, NC State
Keelan Johnson, Arizona State
Bradley McDougald, Kansas
Kejuan Riley, Alabama State
Dexter McCoil, Tulsa
Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami

Download Fanspeak's FREE 2013 NFL Draft Guide!

Outside Linebacker Rankings

December 11, 2012 in Defensive Player Rankings

Outside Linebacker Rankings | 2013 NFL Draft Updated April 12:

1. Jarvis Jones, Georgia

2. Barkevious Mingo, LSU

3. Arthur Brown, Kansas State

4. Khaseem Greene, Rutgers

5. Sio Moore, UConn

6. Trevardo Williams, UConn

7. Sean Porter, Texas A&M

8. Jamie Collins, Southern Miss.

9. Brandon Jenkins, FSU

10. Jelani Jenkins, Florida

11. Cornelius Washington, Georgia

12. Zaviar Gooden, Missouri

13. DeVonte Holloman, South Carolina

14. Chase Thomas, Stanford

15. Gerald Hodges, Penn State

16. Lerentee McCray, Florida

17. Keith Pough, Howard

18. Travis Johnson, San Jose State

19. Ty Powell, Harding

20. Brandon Sharpe, Syracuse

21. Etienne Sabino, Ohio State

22. Travis Long, Washington State

23. Nathan Williams, Ohio State

24. John Lotulelei, UNLV

Another talented and deep position, including two elite talents in Jarvis Jones and Barkevious Mingo. Beyond them though it is a really strong class and perhaps not surprisingly is pretty pass rush centric. Over half of the top 15 outside linebackers project as solid-to-great edge rushers (in both 4-3 and 3-4). Even later in the draft a number of prospects have some pass rush ability to help out in a situational role.

Tags: Anthony Barr, Arthur Brown, Barkevious Mingo, Brandon Jenkins, Brandon Magee, C.J. Mosley, Cameron Lawrence, Chase Thomas, Cornelius Washington, DeVonte Holloman, Etienne Sabino, Gerald Hodges, Jamie Collins, Jarvis Jones, Jelani Jenkins, Kenny Tate, Khaseem Greene, Lerentee McCray, Michael Mauti, Nathan Williams, Sean Porter, Sio Moore, Travis Long, Trevardo Williams, Zaviar Gooden Comments Off

by Steve Shoup

Inside Linebacker Rankings

December 11, 2012 in Defensive Player Rankings

Inside Linebacker Rankings | 2013 NFL Draft- Updated April 12, 2013

1. Alec Ogletree, Georgia

2. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

3. Kevin Minter, LSU

4. Kiko Alonso, Oregon

5. Kevin Reddick, UNC

6. Jon Bostic, Florida

7. A.J. Klein, Iowa State

8. Nico Johnson, Alabama

9. Steve Beauharnais, Rutgers

10. Vince Williams, Florida State

11. Steve Greer, UVA

12. Albert Rosette, Nevada

Though not a really deep class, there are still some pretty talented players at this position. Ogletree, Te’o and Minter could all end up day one starters and project to be very good players. Later, other options like Alonso, Reddick, Bostic and Klein all have the potential to develop into that level. Though the position currently looks pretty thin, there are a number of 4-3 outside linebackers, who would move inside for 3-4 teams.

Tags: A.J. Klein, Albert Rosette, Alec Ogletree, Bruce Taylor, Greg Blair, Jonathan Bostic, Kevin Minter, Kevin Reddick, Kiko Alonso, Manti Te'o, Nick Clancy, Nico Johnson, Shayne Skov, Steve Beauharnais, Will Compton Comments Off

by Steve Shoup

Defensive Tackle Rankings

December 11, 2012 in Defensive Player Rankings

Defensive Tackle Rankings | 2013 NFL Draft Updated: April 12

1. Sharrif Floyd, Florida

2. Sheldon Richardson, Missouri

3. Star Lotulelei, Utah

4. Kawaan Short, Purdue

5. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

6. Jesse Williams, Alabama

7. John Jenkins, Georgia

8. Sylvester Williams, UNC

9. Brandon Williams, Missouri Southern State

10. Akeem Spence, Illinois

11. Bennie Logan, LSU

12. Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin

13. Jordan Hill, Penn State

14. Kwame Geathers, Georgia

15. Everett Dawkins, FSU

16. Josh Boyd, Mississippi State

17. Cory Grissom, South Florida

18. Gilbert Pena, Mississippi

19. T.J. Barnes, Georgia Tech

20. Anthony McCloud, FSU

21. Joe Vellano, Maryland

22. Jared Smith, New Hampshire

23. William Campbell, Michigan

24. A.J. Francis, Maryland

26. Izaan Cross, Georgia Tech

27. Kapron Lewis-Moore, Notre Dame

28. Abry Jones, Georgia

Talented position group from top to bottom, with elite prospects up top and a number of high upside guys in the middle of this group. Later in the draft, good quality depth can be found as well. Will probably make one of biggest early impacts of any position in this draft (as a whole).

Tags: Defensive Tackle Rankings, John Jenkins, Johnathan Hankins, Star Lotulelei Comments Off

by Steve Shoup

Defensive End Rankings

December 7, 2012 in Defensive Player Rankings

Defensive End Rankings | 2013 NFL Draft Updated: April 12:

1. Bjoern Werner, FSU

2. Dion Jordan, Oregon

3. Ziggy Ansah, BYU

4. Damontre Moore, Texas A&M

5. Datone Jones, UCLA

6. Alex Okafor, Texas

7. Margus Hunt, SMU

8. John Simon, Ohio State

9. Cornellius Carradine, FSU

10. Sam Montgomery, LSU

11. Malliciah Goodman, Clemson

12. Corey Lemonier, Auburn

13. Devin Taylor, South Carolina

14. Lavar Edwards, LSU

15. William Gholston, Michigan State

16. David Bass, Missouri Western State

17. Wes Horton, USC

18. Meshak Williams, Kansas State

19. Walter Stewart, Cincinnati

20. Michael Buchanan, Illinois

21. Scott Vallone, Rutgers

22. Stansly Maponga, TCU

23. Joe Kruger, Utah

24. Quanterus Smith, Western Kentucky

25. Eric Martin, Nebraska

26. Tremayne Scott, Ohio

*Note: Most of these prospects are versatile enough to stand-up in a 3-4 defense, and some of the bigger ends would kick inside in a 4-man front.

Another very deep position group, with both impact talent and good later round depth. As noted many of these guys will be drafted as either rush linebackers in 3-4 schemes, so while the actual distinction can get confusing, one thing is clear throughout this class and that is that they can rush the passer. There are a number of impact rushers in this draft class, and while many of them will be off the board in the top two rounds, there are some intriguing later round options as well.

Tags: Alex Okafor, Bjoern Werner, Corey Lemonier, Cornellius Carradine, Damontre Moore, Datone Jones, David Bass, Devin Taylor, Dion Jordan, Ezekiel Ansah, Jackson Jeffcoat, Joe Vellano, John Simon, Lavar Edwards, Malliciah Goodman, Margus Hunt, Michael Buchanan, Morgan Breslin, Quanterus Smith, Quinton Dial, Sam Montgomery, Scott Crichton, Travis Johnson, Wes Horton, William Gholston Comments Off

by Steve Shoup

2013 NFL Draft Safety Rankings:

November 13, 2012 in Defensive Player Rankings

Safety Rankings | 2013 NFL Draft Updated: April 12:

1. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

2. Matt Elam, Florida

3. Jonathan Cyprien, Florida International

4. Eric Reid, LSU

5. Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma

6. D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina

7. Phillip Thomas, Fresno State

8. Shamarko Thomas, Syracuse

9. Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

10. T.J. McDonald, USC

11. Shawn Williams, Georgia

12. Duke Williams, Nevada

13. J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern

14. Robert Lester, Alabama

15. Zeke Motta, Notre Dame

16. Josh Evans, Florida

17. Rashard Hall, Clemson

18. Sanders Commings, Georgia

19. Earl Wolff, NC State

20. Rontez Miles, California (Pa)

21. Cooper Taylor, Richmond

22. Brandan Bishop, NC State

23. Keelan Johnson, Arizona State

24. Bradley McDougald, Kansas

25. Kejuan Riley, Alabama State

26. Dexter McCoil, Tulsa

27. Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami

This is probably one of the stronger safety classes in recent years, despite the fact that there probably isn’t a top 10 talent among the group. You have four guys who are probably top 50 talents, which is more than what you’d typically find.

In addition to the top tier, there is a really good second tier of about 8 guys, who should be able to start early and play at a high level. Though depth begins to thin out beyond that, you are talking about 12 pretty high level safety prospects which is well above the norm.

Tags: 2013 NFL Draft, Position Rankings NFL Draft Comments Off

by Steve Shoup

2013 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings:

November 13, 2012 in Defensive Player Rankings

Cornerback Rankings | 2013 NFL Draft Updated: April 12:

1. Dee Milliner, Alabama

2. Desmond Trufant, Washington

3. Johnthan Banks, Miss. State

4. Jamar Taylor, Boise State

5. Xavier Rhodes, FSU

6. Jordan Poyer, Oregon State

7. Darius Slay, Miss. State

8. Logan Ryan, Rutgers

9. Robert Alford, SE Louisiana

10. David Amerson, NC State

11. B. W. Webb, William & Mary

12. Will Davis, Utah State

13. Dwayne Gratz, UConn

14. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn

15. Leon McFadden, San Diego State

16. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

17. Brandon McGee, Miami

18. Tharold Simon, LSU

19. Steve Williams, Cal

20. Johnny Adams, Michigan State

21. Josh Johnson, Purdue

22. D.J. Hayden, Houston

23. Micah Hyde, Iowa

24. Terry Hawthorne, Illinois

25. Nickell Robey, USC

26. Marc Anthony, Cal

27. Adrian Bushell, Louisville

28. Branden Smith, Georgia

29. Travis Howard, Ohio State

30. Kayvon Webster, South Florida

31. Nigel Malone, Kansas State

32. Mike Edwards, Hawaii

33. Kahlid Wooten, Nevada

34. Aaron Hester, UCLA

35. Sheldon Price, UCLA

36. Demetrius McCray, Appalachian State

37. Rod Sweeting, Georgia Tech

38. Ryan Lacy, Utah

Though there is really only one corner worthy of a top 15 selection (Dee Milliner), the corner position, like much of this draft has a nice balance of early talent and projectable players late. The one knock in this group is that many of the guys will probably max out as number 2 corners or slot guys. There is a good balance in terms of having a number of guys with various strengths. There are some big physical corners that fit better in press man systems, quick slot guys, and other quicker guys with good technique who fit better as off man or zone coverage corners.

Tags: 2013 NFL Draft Cornerback Rankings, Dee Millner, Jonathan Banks 1 Comment »

by Steve Shoup