NFL Draft Day 3: Best Players Available- Defense

Big Board NFL Draft

Defensive End:

  • Sam Acho, Texas
  • Pernell McPhee, Miss. State
  • Greg Romeus, Pitt
  • Brandon Bair, Oregon
  • Ricky Elmore, Arizona
  • Cliff Matthews, S. Carolina
  • Pierre Allen, Nebraska
  • Ugo Chinasa, Oklahoma State
  • Markus White, FSU

Analysis:

The position has thinned out some, but there are still a few quality defensive ends available and probably will be through the 5th round. After this it gets pretty dicey but there are a few guys with upside.

Defensive Tackles:

  • Christian Ballard, Iowa
  • Jerrell Powe, Miss.
  • Lawrence Guy, Arizona State
  • Ian Williams, ND
  • Martin Parker, Richmond
  • Cedric Thornton, S. Arkansas
  • David Carter, UCLA
  • Chris Neild, WVU

Analysis:

The tackle position is pretty picked over as well but my guess is value will hold through the 6th round. Nose tackles are pretty rare at this point but there are a couple with good value.

Linebackers:

  • Chris Carter, Fresno State (OLB)
  • K.J. Wright, Miss. State (OLB)
  • Greg Jones, Michigan State (ILB)
  • Quan Sturdivant, UNC (ILB)
  • Colin McCarthy, Miami (OLB/ILB)
  • Lawrence Wilson, Conn. (OLB)
  • Mark Herzlich, BC (ILB)
  • Casey Matthews, Oregon (ILB)
  • Ross Homan, Ohio State (ILB)
  • Doug Hogue, Syracuse (OLB)
  • Adrian Moten, Maryland (OLB)
  • Scott Lutrus, Conn. (OLB)
  • Cheta Ozougwu, Rice (OLB)

Analysis:

A few of the top backers are gone, but I think there is a lot of good day 3 value here. I’m sure most of these names will go in the top 2 rounds today, but they should all be good value picks. All these guys should at least be good special teamers and some will have a nice impact in year one.

Safeties:

  • Tyler Sash, Iowa
  • Jeron Johnson, Boise State
  • Shilo Keo, Idaho
  • Quinton Carter, Oklahoma
  • DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
  • Joseph Lefeged, Rutgers
  • Eric Hagg, Nebraska
  • Robert Sands, WVU
  • Ahmad Black, Florida

Analysis:

I actually really like the depth of this class, and I think there are a lot of quality safeties still on the board. Most of these guys will need at least a year to be a starter, but I love the potential. Look for some good late round finds from this group.

Cornerback:

  • Davon House, New Mexico State
  • Brandon Burton, Utah
  • Buster Skrine, Chattanooga
  • Richard Sherman, Stanford
  • Brandyn Thompson, Boise State
  • Josh Thomas, Buffalo
  • Kendrick Bruney, UNC
  • Justin Rogers, Richmond
  • Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State
  • Jalil Brown, Colorado
  • Chris Rucker, Mich. State
  • Chykie Brown, Texas
  • Cortez Allen, Citadel
  • Devon Torrence, Ohio State

Analysis:

Extremely deep position, with a number of quality nickel and dime corners still on the board. I think good value can be found well into the 7th round and we will see a number of teams get some late round gems.


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