2012 DE Class
NFL Draft Analyst
Posted September 29, 2011
Quinton Coples, North Carolina
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 272
40 time: 4.71
Coples is a big, strong and overpowering DE. He is very athletic and uses his hands extremely well. He has great versatility, awareness and technique. Coples is my number 1 rated DE at the beginning of the year and he has not let me down. He has been impressive so far this season. He has the skill, size and athletic ability to be either a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB.
Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.72
Upshaw is listed as a linebacker at Alabama but I like him as a rush OLB as much as a linebacker so I am listing him in my DE section too. He got injury early last season and only started 11 games but still registered 7 sacks and 14.5 TFL. He is an incredible athlete and terrible edge rusher. He offers great versatility which is why I have him listed second on my list.
Brandon Jenkins, Florida St.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.68
Jenkins has great speed and good burst around the edge. He's got good size and talent. He's got all the tools he needs to succeed at the DE position. However he only has one sack this season. He needs to step it up if he wants to improve on his numbers from last year (13.5 sacks, team MVP). Jenkins is very talented and could be a 4-3 DE or 3-4 OLB. He just needs to start producing at a higher level this season.
Devin Taylor, South Carolina
Ht: 6-7 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.69
I had Taylor rated with a 2nd round grade before the season started and so far I have only watched one game of him. He did not look as dominant as I was expecting. I am keeping him as a second round pick for now because he hasn't put a lot of pressure on the QB and he has struggled against the run too. I watched a lot of him last year and Taylor definitely has a ton of potential but he needs to become a better playmaker. This is an important year for him and he needs to step up.
Vince Curry, Marshall
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.66
Curry is a tremendous athlete that excels at rushing the passer. He's got size, strength and speed. He has a relentless motor and looks like he is ready to pick up where he left off last season. Level of competition is a concern but he could sneak into the 2nd round of the draft.
Brandon Lindsey, Pittsburgh
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.65
Lindsey is a strong DE who is very quick. He relies on his quickness to beat a lot of the linemen he faces, which won't work in the NFL, but once he adjusts to the speed of NFL football he could turn out to be a solid pass rusher in the league. He started off this season pretty well against Buffalo and Maine but didn't do too much against Iowa. I know, he was going up against stand out lineman Riley Reiff (who I have been very impressed with this season) but he needs to perform better against strong competition in order to improve his stock.
Shea McClellin, Boise St.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 262
40 time: 4.77
One of my favorite DE's in this draft. McClellin has a lot of skills that he brings to the table. He is fast, quick off the edge and plays great in big games. I love a player who does well under pressure. McClellin is climbing draft boards already and it is only week 4 of the season.
Bruce Irvin, West Virginia
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 245
40 time: 4.54
Irvin is a natural pass rusher. He had 14 sacks last year for West Virginia; that's incredible. He is very quick and athletic. He has very good technique and shows great fundamentals in his game. He currently has a 2nd round grade.
Donte Paige-Moss, North Carolina
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 260
40 time: 4.69
He was beating out of a starting position by Sophomore Kareem Martian. However, from what I've seen out of Paige-Moss has been pretty good this season, if he can continue to produce on the field he could still be drafted in the 2nd or 3rd round.
Shayne Skov, Stanford
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 244
40 time: 4.59
Another linebacker that I believe could be a great fit as a rush OLB. Unfortunately for Skov he will miss the remainder of this season due to a knee injury. Hopefully he can use this season to get healthy and prepare for his senior year.
Chase Thomas, Stanford
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 240
40 time: 4.76
Another outstanding pass rusher. He looks to be a natural fit as a 3-4 rush OLB. He already has 3.5 sacks this season; his stock is definitely on the rise.
Jake Bequette, Arkansas
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 271
40 time: 4.80
Bequette is off to a slow start this season. He injured his hamstring earlier this season and his return is still unknown. This is disappointing news because he had a terrific season last year and looked like he would be able to take the next step this season. Hopefully he can get healthy quickly and get back on the field.
Andre Branch, Clemson
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 260
40 time: 4.73
Branch is a big and strong defender that plays with great strength. Teams almost have to double team him all the time. Branch has been a lot better than I thought he would be so far and if he keeps it up the sky is the limit for this young defender.
Frank Alexander, Oklahoma
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.73
I have been impressed with Alexander so far this season. He plays with great strength and toughness. He also makes big plays. He has the tools to excel at his position and if he keeps up his play this year he could sneak into the first or second round.
Melvin Ingram, South Carolina
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 276
40 time: 4.75
Ingram is a talented player who has a great amount of versatility. He is big, strong and knows how to use his hands to get through linemen. He is also a strong pass rusher; he hasn't registered a sack yet this season but he does have an INT and fumble for a TD.
Julian Miller, West Virginia
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 260
40 time: 4.72
So far no sacks this year for Miller. However, I am not too worried for his draft stock though, he has proven over the last couple seasons that he can consistently get after the QB. Consistency is a hard thing to find in young prospects.
Nick Perry, USC
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.57
Perry has started the season off strong. He looks explosive and quick off the ball. He currently has 2 sacks, 3 TFL and 1 forced fumble. If he continues this play, he will definitely improve his draft stock.
Jonathan Massaquoi, Troy
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.70
Massaquoi is a great edge rusher would excels at getting after the QB. The level of competition is a concern and I am sure there will be an adjustment once he gets in the NFL but he has natural born talent at the DE position. I believe he could be a good find at DE or rush OLB.
Taylor Thompson, SMU
Ht: 6-6 Wt: 287
40 time: 4.80
Named to First Team Conference USA last season. He had 5.5 TFL and 4.5 sacks last season. Thompson is an underrated prospect, but needs to improve his numbers and production this season.
Cam Johnson, Virginia
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.65
Cam Johnson is player with a good amount of experience and versatility. He has played in both the 3-4 and the 4-3 defensive schemes. He plays hard and it relatively quick for his size.
Vince Browne, Northwestern
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.80
Browne is a guy who has a terrific motor and good speed off the edge. He gives 100% on ever play. He had a great season last year and needs to improve on those numbers this season.
Adewale Ojomo, Miami
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 270
40 time: 4.77
Missed the Maryland game due to a suspension. Played pretty well against Ohio St. I really like his point of attack and his ability to stand up linemen, but I really want to see him be more consistent in both of those areas. He is a mid to late round pick right now
Jacquies Smith, Missouri
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.70
Unfortunately for Smith, he dislocated his elbow during the first game of the season; but he is expected to play this week (week 4). He had 5.5 sacks last season. I really want to see him get back to 100% healthy and see if he can build on those numbers last season.
Josh Biezuns, Wyoming
Ht:6-2 Wt: 249
40 time: 4.75
Started his career at FB, then moved to LB and now DE. He got his season off to a good start at DE, last week against Bowling Green he sacked QB Matt Schilz forcing a fumble, then recovering the ball which lead to the game winning TD. The level of competition is obviously a concern, but Biezuns is showing good promise and potential.
Ethan Johnson, Notre Dame
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 300
40 time: 5.00
Looks like a perfect 3-4 DE. He has had some experience in both DT and DE positions. Johnson is a strong DE that offers good pass rush. For a 3-4 DE, that is impressive.
Brad Madison, Missouri
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.81
Madison started off the season with 3 sacks in his first game. He is off to a great start and could be a player that could rise up teams draft boards this season. He had 7.5 sacks and 11 TFL last year. With Aldon Smith gone, Madison has the opportunity to step up and become a playmaker.
Cordarro Law, Southern Miss
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 261
40 time: 4.67
Outstanding DE who has a great amount of experience and skill. He had 11.5 TFL and 5 sacks last season.
Oliver Vernon, Miami
Ht: 6-4 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.75
Vernon is suspended for the first six games this year. He has the NFL size but needs to become more consistent this season. He's got potential but he needs to improve on being a more consistent playmaker.
Darius Fleming, Notre Dame
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 255
40 time: 4.65
Had 11 TFL and 6 sacks last year. He is a leader and playmaker for the Irish.
Malik Jackson, Tennessee
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 265
40 time: 4.74
Had 5 sacks and 11 TFL last season. Jackson has the size and strength but needs to produce more on the field.
Kentrell Lockett, Ole Miss
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 248
40 time: 4.79
Granted a sixth year of eligibility due to injury. Lockett is a strong player with good quickness. He is a team captain and a leader on the defense. Unfortunately, he has been plagued with injuries. He hurt his shoulder at the beginning of his career at Ole Miss and hurt his ACL last year, causing him to miss the whole season.
Nathan Williams, Ohio St.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 260
40 time: 4.67
He had 4.5 sacks and 8.5 TFL last season. He unfortunately got injured in the Toledo game. He will miss some time due to arthroscopic knee surgery.
Kyle Wilber, Wake Forest
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 240
40 time: 4.70
Had 14.5 TFL and 6 sacks last season.
Jack Crawford, Penn St.
Ht: 6-5 Wt: 273
40 time: 4.80
Missed last season with injuries.
Broderick Binns, Iowa
Ht: 6-1 Wt: 261
40 time: 4.79
Darius Nall, UCF
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 245
40 time: 4.69
Adrian Robinson, Temple
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.60
Jonathan Rainey, New Mexico
Ht: 6-2 Wt: 250
40 time: 4.70
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