Dorsey is a monster talent at DT, but will injury concerns scare teams off?

Team after team has built a champion from the grunts out. This past season, the New York Giants controlled one of the best offenses in history with their pass rush. The lesson is not lost on the rest of the NFL. A lot of attention will be devoted to these men, especially on the defensive side.

LT

Jake Long (Michigan) – Like 2006, there are a pair of linemen at the top. Long is more NFL ready, and was outstanding throughout college. In addition to his skills, he is also the consummate team player.

Ryan Clady (Boise State) – More of a technique player than Long, Clady is also a much better athlete. His small school background hurts a little, but everyone knows who he is.

Chris Williams  (Vanderbilt) – In some years, he would be on top of the board. He does not have Clady's upside or Long's motor, but he's versatile and he is a natural LT.

Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) – Otah has slipped a little. Or perhaps the rest of the class passed him. Huge and powerful, with great leg drive, his style screams “run blocker”. A project.

Sam Baker (Southern Cal) – It says something that he falls here. Like many Trojan linemen, the expectations were sky high. Too high, it seems.

Chad Rinehart (Northern Iowa) – Out of nowhere, relatively speaking, he torched the Combine. He has all the small conference problems, but great measurables.

Heath Benedict (Newberry) – Another great specimen from a small school. He has a long way to go learning pass blocking.

This class compares to 2006, and that is high praise. There should be four taken in the first 50 picks, maybe many as six. Grade: A.

RT, C and OG

Gosder Chelius (Boston College) – If Marvel Comics drew a RT, he would look like Chelius. The word “density” could use his picture. He even has an NFL preferred college on the resume, but you worry about the speed rush.

Carl Nicks (Nebraska) – If Chelius is the Marvel version, Nicks is from central casting. Good technique and outstanding strength in the arms and legs. Again, speed rushers will bother him.

Branden Albert (Virginia) – The best true guard in this draft, and a natural pulling guard.

Roy Schuening (Oregon State) – He's not for every system, but for a trapping team Schuening is ideal.

John Sullivan (Notre Dame) – He can play anywhere inside. His explosion off the ball is exceptional. Intense, gritty, a coach on the field.

Robert Felton (Arkansas) – This is Darren McFadden's walking hole in a defense. He's also very versatile.

Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) – This is the best true center. Solid size and strength, with good explosion. Also excellent leadership skills.

There are no clear first round picks, but then the depth kicks in, and this is solid depth. Slower OT often move inside. Grade: B-.

DE

Chris Long (Virginia) – Everyone knows he's Howie Long's son. What matters is that he also plays like his dad. Stout against the run, technically sound, constant effort, and he makes plays.

Vernon Gholston (Ohio State) – The undisputed star of the Combine. The speed is easily LB grade, with the strength of a NT. Could this be 2008's Mario Williams?

Phillip Merling (Clemson) - Merling is difficult to place. He's a beast, with a strong bull rush, but also enough quickness to make plays laterally. However, he has had surgery, and cannot work out.

Quentin Groves (Auburn) – Where Merling is powerful, Groves is quick. He has the pass rush skills that teams pay for, but is soft at the point of attack.

Calais Campbell (Miami) – Going into the season, one of the favorites. His mediocre season and disappointing numbers have pushed him out of the elite group, and possibly further.

Derrick Harvey (Florida) – Harvey and Ellis project as possible 3-4 OLB. Harvey is the better of the two in space.

Chris Ellis (Virginia Tech) – Like Harvey, a tweener. Not quite as talented as Harvey, but plays with more attitude and fire.

A high demand position, with two major stars: Long and Gholston. As always, the talent thins fast. Grade: A- .

DT

Glen Dorsey (LSU) – If not for a chronic leg problem, he might be the first on every board. He's the whole package at DT: power, technique, quickness, football smarts, work ethic.

Sedrick Ellis (Southern Cal) – Ellis rivals Dorsey, which says a lot about this class of DTs. After the Trojan's disappointing season, there were questions, but he has answered them. Ellis can play either 3-4 or 4-3.

Kentwan Balmer (North Carolina) – A powerful man, has been more a run stuffer than a pass rusher. But he has the ability to play the gap and penetrate. Consistency and desire are called into question. 

Pat Sims (Auburn) – He's a project, but he may have passed Balmer. Sims is an exceptional athlete for his size, but needs to add strength. He once quit a team mid season, so coachability is a concern.

Outstanding at the top, with Ellis and Dorsey, but thin later in the day. Day two talent is excellent. Grade: B+.