OVERALL
This draft is highlighted by two defensive tackles in Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis. After these elite prospects, the talent level drops off substantially and there may not be another player at this position selected in the first round. Nevertheless, there are several very fine prospects in Rounds 2 and 3 who seem to be flying under the radar.
PROSPECTS IN THE TOP 100
1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU 
2. Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC 
3. Pat Sims, DT, Auburn 
4. Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC
5. Frank Okam, DT, Texas 
6. Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
7. Demario Pressley, DT, NC State
8. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M 
9. Andre Fluellen, DT, Florida State
ADDITIONAL NOTEWORTHY PROSPECTS
Trevor Laws (6’1”, 305 lbs, Notre Dame) - See below.
Marcus Harrison (6’3”, 315 lbs, Arkansas) - Harrison is a large man with good explosiveness for his size. He is very strong and can be a beast at the point of attack. At the same time, he has decent quickness and can make an impact in the pass rush.
Nick Hayden (6’4”, 290 lbs, Wisconsin) - This Badger is a relentless player on the interior. He is extremely strong and very, very physical at the point of attack. He is not the athlete that some of these players are, but that does not always matter at this position.
Other Prospects: Letroy Guinn (6’3”, 305 lbs, Florida State); Carlton Powell (6’2”, 290 lbs, Virginia Tech); Jason Shirley (6’5”, 325 lbs, Fresno State); Ahtyba Rubin (6’2”, 315 lbs, Iowa State)
UNDERRATED
Frank Okam - Every year, I continue to wonder when NFL teams will realize that SIZE MATTERS. Year after year, these big, bruising 330+ pound tackles come into the league and get passed over in the draft and then go on to play well in the league down the road. Okam, at 347 pounds, has the size and technique to dominate football games. He is a master at drawing and demolishing double teams, and he rarely gives any ground at the point of attack. If there are any 3-4 teams out there that want to take their game to the next level, they should pluck Okam, throw him in at NG and watch him cause a ruckus!
OVERRATED
Kentwan Balmer - Scouts seem to be enamored with this UNC defensive tackle, and truthfully, I question it. At 6’4”, 308 lbs, Balmer has the size and ability to play a 3-technique (in a 4-3) or a 5-technique (in a 3-4), but after running only a 5.28, how athletic is he? On film, I see a player who moves well, but he certainly has a questionable motor and does show that nasty side. I think both attributes can doom an NFL defensive tackle.
SLEEPER
Dre Moore - I really don’t know how this guy is floating under the radar. At 6’4”, 308 lbs, Moore scorched a 4.88 forty time at the Combine. Coming from Maryland, a traditional 3-4 scheme, Moore translate perfectly to a DE in the scheme (one of the more valued positions in the league). Not everyone is cut out to play the position at the next level, but Moore’s size and speed make him a great prospect.
BEST VALUE
Pat Sims - Sims surely has his question marks. After quitting the team in 2005, many question his passion for football. However, if you can somehow get past that, he is an excellent football player. He is a determined tackle with quick feet and a mean streak. If a team is out there that is confident that they can keep him motivated, he might be a steal in the middle of Round 2.
HOTTEST NAME
Trevor Laws - As you will notice, Laws is not on my Top 100. Should he be there? Not sure right now… and that should say something. In reviewing ND game tape and keeping my ear close to the rumor mill, I never heard much from Laws prior to the Senior Bowl. But no one has gained more momentum from that point on in this group than Laws. He put up some great numbers in Indy and has been climbing up the boards. His great strength and motor seem to be very enticing to scouts and he is on the verge of breaking into the 1st Round. |
