ARodJetsFan Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Linemen By Jason Powell, Associate Editor April 5, 2005 5:00 PM ET David Pollack is projected as a mid-first-round draft pick. As many as eight defensive linemen could be selected in the first round of the 2005 draft. And that's not even counting Shawne Merriman (Maryland) and Demarcus Ware (Troy), who are linebacker/defensive end combo players (we'll cover them in our upcoming linebackers feature). Yet while this is a deep year for defensive lineman, it might also be the second consecutive year that a defensive lineman is not be selected in the top-10. Of course, being selected outside the top-10 didn't stop Dwight Freeney or Charles Grant from becoming premier defensive players. With any luck, some members of the 2005 draft class might be mentioned in the same breath as those elite linemen a few years from now. Marcus Spears, LSU Height: 6-4 Weight: 298 Likely Draft Position: Early First Round Possible Destinations: Lions, Chargers, Chiefs, NFL Comparison: Julius Peppers If there is any defensive lineman versatile enough to draw comparisons to Panthers' defensive end Julius Peppers, it would be Spears. After all, he was the most sought after high school tight end in the nation and spent time playing on both sides of the ball during his freshman season at LSU. It's hard to say whether Marcus' future pro team will use him on offense. Nevertheless he has the skills and attributes to be a dominant defensive player at the pro level. He is coming off an impressive senior season in which he logged 49 tackles and nine sacks. However, Spears is just coming into his own as a pass rusher, having been limited to just 10 sacks prior to 2004. Unlike most of the other defensive ends in this year's draft class, Marcus would help his game by dropping a few pounds from his ample mid-section. Erasmus James, Wisconsin Height: 6-4 Weight: 263 Likely Draft Position: Mid First Round Possible Destinations: Vikings, Rams, Cowboys NFL Comparison: Mike Rucker James' stock soared following an impressive workout at the scouting combine. Unfortunately, some scouts are questioning his durability due to a hip injury that caused him to miss the entire 2003 season. He also missed a game last season due to an ankle injury. No, we can't explain why the same scouts were so high on him last month are suddenly concerned about injury issues they were aware of long before the scouting combine. What we can tell you is that James is a speed rusher who relies on his quickness. He lacks ideal size and strength, so don't be surprised if he is asked to bulk up after the draft. The big question is whether he can add weight and still maintain his speed burst. Were it not for his injury issues, James would likely be a top-five pick. Dan Cody, Oklahoma Height: 6-4 Weight: 270 Likely Draft Position: Mid First Round Possible Destinations: Vikings, Rams, Cowboys NFL Comparison: Charles Grant Like James, Cody lacks ideal size for the end position. As such, he will get pushed around at times by some of the bigger offensive tackles. Dan makes up for his size deficiencies with a quick first step and is notorious for getting a good jump on the snap. Dan shares the same hyperactive nature that fueled defensive tackle John Randle for 14 seasons. Randle was famous for having a motor that wouldn't quit until, well, he quit (retired), and Cody takes a similar approach to the game. We are stunned that scouts aren't making a bigger fuss over the fact that Dan took some time away from the Trojans in 2001 to seek treatment for clinical depression, especially since he even confessed that he considered walking away from the game. Given the Ricky Williams debacle in Miami last season, we wouldn't be surprised if some teams take notice of this glaring red flag in the days leading up to the draft. Travis Johnson, Florida State Height: 6-4 Weight: 290 Likely Draft Position: Mid-to-Late First Round Possible Destinations: Bengals, Packers, Broncos NFL Comparison: Jason Ferguson Character issues might cause some teams to shy away from T.J., who was charged with sexual assault of a female student prior to the 2003 season. He was eventually acquitted in that case, but even the accusation could prove to be a public relations nightmare, particularly with teams that are trying to repair their images for one reason or another. On the flipside, Johnson might benefit as a result of being the only true defensive tackle among the first-round linemen. Travis won't blow anyone away with his speed or pass-rushing ability, but he is a fierce run-stopper as his 175 collegiate tackles shows. He also logged 43.5 stops for losses at Florida State, which is the third-best in school history. T.J. began taking medication last year after being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. He responded with a monster senior season, which might lead scouts to feel that he has more talent than his early college numbers would indicate. David Pollack, Georgia Height: 6-2 Weight: 261 Likely Draft Position: Late First Round Possible Destinations: Seahawks, Packers, Falcons NFL Comparison: Dwight Freeney Pollack logged 36 sacks in 44 starts for the Bulldogs, but some scouts are questioning whether his small stature will limit him in the pro game. Keep in mind that he is the an inch taller and just seven pounds lighter than Colts' defensive end Dwight Freeney, who was met with the same skepticism coming out of college. Pollack is also a solid player against the run thanks to his good positioning and sure tackling ability. He's also one of the few defensive linemen in this year's draft class who didn't suffer any significant injuries in college. The big concern of scouts is that some of the bigger offensive linemen will swallow a player of Pollack's size. However, he developed a reputation for fighting off linemen with his fast hands and athleticism throughout his college career. Other defensive tackles to watch: Mike Patterson (USC), Anttaj Hawthorne (Wisconsin), Luis Castillo (Northwestern) Jonathan Babineaux (Iowa). Other defensive ends to watch: Matt Roth (Iowa), Shaun Cody (USC), Justin Tuck (Notre Dame), Chris Canty (Virginia). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomShane Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 Erasmus James is one baaaaaaaaaaaaad mothefakka. David Pollack annoys me, but he'll probably be a 10-sack guy somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionelRichie Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 David Pollack, Georgia NFL Comparison: Dwight Freeney and browning nagle was the next joe namath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Strangelove Posted April 12, 2005 Share Posted April 12, 2005 and browning nagle was the next joe namath I thought that was Glenn Foley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARodJetsFan Posted April 12, 2005 Author Share Posted April 12, 2005 and browning nagle was the next joe namath Just for clarification, I did not write this, this is courtesy of the draft/fantasy football guru's over at Fanball.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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