Line 'em up again; for the second straight year, many of the top players are linemen, including Tennessee's John Henderson - Defensive Analysis

Football Digest, June, 2002 by Barry Wilner

JUST LIKE LAST YEAR, NFL TEAMS will love what they see on the defensive line. Several impact players at tackle and end are available, led by the superb Julius Peppers, who probably could play in the NBA, too.

John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth, teammates at Tennessee, very likely will go at the high end of the first round. The NFL has a thing for big-time defensive tackles who block up the middle and also can get into the backfield, a la Warren Sapp.

There also are several hot prospects from the secondary, including as many as five from national champion Miami. But the best defensive backs on the board are from Texas (cornerback Quentin Jammer) and Oklahoma (safety Roy Williams).

This is a weak year for linebackers. In fact, it's entirely possible that none will be taken in the first round. Look for Northwestern's Napoleon Harris to be the first linebacker chosen.

Here are our position-by-position rankings of the premier defensive prospects:

ENDS

1. JULIUS PEPPERS, North Carolina, 6'5", 288 pounds

Peppers might have been able to play in the NBA, but he has opted for the NFL, where he could turn into a superstar. His long reach enables him to block passes, adding another dimension to his game. He also holds up well vs. the run. Some scouts see him as a franchise-type player.

2. Kalimba Edwards, South Carolina, 6'5", 255

Edwards has excellent speed off the line, which gets him to the passer and also aids him in run pursuit. A terrific athlete who might wind up as a combination linebacker/end, Edwards was a cornerstone of the turnaround at South Carolina.

3. DWIGHT FREENEY, Syracuse, 6'1", 248

Freeney needs to add weight, but he has a great burst and is relentless in pursuing the ball. Some teams have thought about him as a linebacker, but he hasn't played in coverage. Besides, sacks are his specialty.

4. CHARLES GRANT, Georgia, 6'3", 277

Although he might have benefited from another season in college, Grant has the size and quickness the pros can't ignore. When he is on, Grant is as good as anyone. The problem is, he isn't consistent enough.

5. AKIN AYODELE, Purdue, 6'2", 253

Ayodele doesn't have much size, but he should bulk up in the pros. He explodes off the line and knows how to get to the quarterback. His run defense, however, could use some work.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Will Overstreet, Tennessee; Alex Brown, Florida; Bryan Thomas, Alabama-Birmingham; Ryan Denney, BYU; Dennis Johnson, Kentucky.

TACKLES

1. JOHN HENDERSON, Tennessee, 6'6", 298

Injuries slowed him early in his senior season, but he came on strong at the end. Still, he was better as a junior, when he won the Outland Trophy. His high-end motor and willingness to learn will help him make a quick impact in the pros.

2. WENDELL BRYANT, Wisconsin, 6'3", 295

An intelligent player who has a great work ethic, Bryant is a load for blockers to handle. Bryant, who has all sorts of leadership qualities, will be a nice fit for an NFL club seeking a character-type player.

3. RYAN SIMS, North Carolina, 6'3", 292

A huge performance in the postseason, especially at the Senior Bowl, lifted Sims toward the top of the list. Sims is an intelligent player who learns quickly and rarely misses an assignment.

4. ALBERT HAYNESWORTH, Tennessee, 6'5", 308

Although he's a bit rough around the edges, Haynesworth was a force last season. He'll need more coaching in the NFL than Henderson will, but he should be a factor if he gains some consistency.

5. ANTHONY WEAVER, Notre Dame, 6'3", 283

Notre Dame hasn't produced much big-time NFL talent in recent years, but Weaver appears to be the exception. He is very athletic, works hard, and will make some plays on the outside.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Larry Triplett, Washington; Alan Harper, Fresno State; Dorsett Davis, Mississippi State; Eddie Freeman, Alabama-Birmingham; Nate Dwyer, Kansas.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS

1. NAPOLEON HARRIS, Northwestern, 6'2", 246

Far and away the best linebacker in a mediocre class, Harris blends speed and power. But after playing some end, he needs to re-adjust to being an outside linebacker. His coverage skills are solid, and he knows how to rush the quarterback.

2. BEN LEBER, Kansas State, 6'2", 244

Leber projects as a strong-side backer, but he has played inside, too. He's smart and understands positioning and angles. But he also can be indecisive.

3. JAMES ALLEN, Oregon State, 6'2", 225

Although he isn't real big, Allen could be a Derrick Brooks-type player because of his quickness and pursuit. Allen hits hard and is aggressive in all aspects, but he isn't particularly instinctive.

4. SALEEM RASHEED, Alabama, 6'0", 229

Of the outside backers, only Harris has Rasheed's kind of speed when it comes to closing in on the ball carrier. Rasheed also hits well and should be a factor on special teams. He is just now starting to come into his own.

5. RAONALL SMITH, Washington State, 6'2", 240

Smith is a former running back who is fast and athletic and makes big plays. But he is inexperienced and tends to wear down.

OTHERS TO WATCH: Kevin Bentley, Northwestern; Will Witherspoon, Georgia; Chris Campbell, Miami; Jashon Sykes, Colorado; John Duckett, Virginia.