Chris Long is one of the best linemen in the country... and why not? His father is former NFL star Howie Long.

10.  Tom Zbikowski-SS-Notre Dame
Zbikowski’s stock has dropped dramatically since the beginning of the season due some inconsistency in coverage and fact that Notre Dame has been horrendous all season long.  With that said Zbikowski still is one the best raw talents on the defensive side of the ball in the draft.  His ability to stuff the run with an explosive thump is a painful reminder of how the safety position used to be played years ago.  With a good secondary coach he could develop into an impact player in coverage.  Zbikowski’s speed makes him a huge threat on special teams.  Look for Tom Zbikowski to go in the late first round.

9.  Keith Rivers-OLB-USC
Keith Rivers has all the tools of a successful outside linebacker.  Rivers has the speed to make plays in coverage and the size to stuff the run in the backfield.  Rivers size and speed also makes him one of those new hybrid linebackers/defensive ends that can explode in through the offensive line for a sack or drop into coverage.  Look for Rivers to go in the top 20 in this year’s draft.

8.  Dan Conner-LB-Penn State
Dan Conner can play both inside and outside linebacker.  Conner is a good outside linebacker with good speed and instincts.  His lack of athleticism is keeping him from being a great outside linebacker.  Conner’s tackling ability and instincts combined with his reckless abandon for his own safety could make him a great inside linebacker.  His speed makes him a sideline-to-sideline tackler.  Conner has some character flaws but it shouldn’t keep him from being drafted in the top 20 in April.

7.  Kenny Phillips*-S-Miami
Kenny Phillips has the ability to fly up to the line of scrimmage and meet the back in the hole with a loud pop.  Phillips could play both safety positions but he is better on the strong side because of his ability to stuff the run.  Kenny also has the speed to run with most wide receivers when out in coverage and has the hands to make a play on the ball.  As an underclassmen Phillips could stay for another year and develop his skills for another year.  If he decides to come out early he will be one of the top defensive players taken somewhere between 15 and 20.

6.  Malcolm Jenkins*-CB-Ohio State
Malcolm Jenkins has everything needed to be the next shutdown corner in the NFL.  Whether he is in press coverage, soft coverage, or zone he will make the play.  Along with the coverage abilities he can come up and make tackles.  Jenkins is one of best tackling cornerbacks in the nation.  One of his most impressive abilities is to be able to make a move on the ball and either deflect the pass or intercept it.  Malcolm Jenkins will be taken early in the first round if he leaves Ohio State early.

5.  James Laurinaitis*-MLB-Ohio State
James Laurinaitis is the most ferocious, toughest and tenacious linebacker in all of college football.  His speed and tackling ability makes him a sideline-to-sideline player.  Laurinaitis’ play has put him at the top of the list for the Bednarik Trophy.  Laurinaitis’ size doesn’t slow him down in pass coverage either.  He has a knack for finding the ball and making an explosive play that leaves opposing players on the ground wondering where that train came from.  Should Laurinaitis choose to leave Ohio State early, he will be taken in the top 10-15 picks.  He will be an impact player immediately.

4. Derrick Harvey*-DE-Florida
Derrick Harvey has an explosive first step off the ball, and has some speed to keep going on his way to the quarterback.  Harvey could use another year at Florida to develop his strength and pass rush techniques.  Even though Harvey has problems against the run, his pass rush speed will make very valuable at the next level.  Should he enter the draft after this season he will still be taken high in the first round due his ability to rush the passer.  He can always develop better as an all around player when he gets to the NFL.

3.  Calais Campbell*-DE-Miami
Calais Campbell has seen his production slip this year, but that could have a lot to do with all the attention that he is receiving from opposing teams.  Campbell has the size and instincts to make plays in the run game and combine that with great athletic ability, he has all the tools to cause a mess in the passing game.  Campbell’s size and strength will cause even the best of lineman to struggle to block him.  When Campbell gets double teamed due to his skills, he opens up holes for linebackers to make the play.  If Campbell chooses to leave Miami a year early he could end up as one of the top defensive players taken.

2.  Chris Long-DE-Virginia
Chris Long will be a Pro Bowl defensive end in the NFL for years to come.  He has everything needed to make it into a starting lineup as rookie next year.  His size makes him an unmovable rock in the running game. Long’s power and quickness makes him a devastating pass rusher.  His tenacity and instincts keeps him in a play even when he is beat off the line.  The only thing that could keep him down in the draft is his history with injuries.  Chris Long will be taken in the top five in this years NFL draft.

1.  Glenn Dorsey-DT-LSU
A man of Dorsey’s size should not be able to move as well as he does.  Dorsey has an explosive first step and a great ability to stop and change directions, which helps him make so many plays in the backfield.  Even with a double team it is incredibly hard to consistently block Dorsey because of his size and instincts.  Dorsey will best fit a team with a one-gap scheme on the defensive line.  Dorsey and Long will be in a race for the first defensive player taken in the draft.
 

Honorable Mention

Vernon Gholston*-DE-Ohio State
Reggie Smith*-CB-Oklahoma
Rey Maualuga*-MLB-USC

*- Indicates draft eligible underclassman