Even longtime league observers are impressed with the group of defensive linemen available in this year's NFL draft, which will be held Thursday through Saturday.
“Every now and then, you roll across years where you’ve got an abundance of talented players at one position," said Arizona Cardinals general manager Rod Graves, in his 10th season with the team and in the league for 23 years. "This is a unique year as it relates to defensive linemen. This group is athletic and I think we’ll see an immediate impact by these players."
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock projects that nine defensive ends could be taken in the first round. The group includes North Carolina's Robert Quinn, Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers, Missouri's Aldon Smith, Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, California's Cameron Jordan, Wisconsin's J.J. Watt, Iowa's Adrian Clayborn, Ohio State's Cameron Heyward and Georgia's Justin Houston.
Also, Pittsburgh's Jabaal Sheard and Arizona's Brooks Reed are highly rated defensive end prospects.
"We're a 4-3 team and we think there's some real quality depth as pass rushers at defensive end ... that goes into the second round," St. Louis Rams general manager Billy Devaney said.
Most of the intrigue revolves around Quinn and Bowers. Quinn didn't play last season because he was suspended by the NCAA for receiving improper benefits. After turning in a weak showing at the NFL scouting combine, Quinn bounced back with a strong Pro Day. He showed the explosiveness that he possessed for the Tar Heels during the 2009 season.
Teams seem willing to overlook his suspension.
"You have to make your own judgments on what exactly happened," Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert said. "It’s unfortunate. ... I don’t think it’s that big of a deal."
Bowers had a big season for Clemson. He finished with 15 1/2 sacks as a junior and at the NFL scouting combine compared himself to Julius Peppers of the Chicago Bears.
Bowers was considered a potential No. 1 overall pick before having knee surgery in January and then running a slow 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day.
"He's obviously a super productive guy," Heckert said. "He's legit. He's a bigger guy. We were talking about the undersized guys, but this is a big guy that can rush the passer. Anytime you can get a guy like that, you'd have to be interested."
Some don't automatically dismiss the comparison to Peppers.
"I can see that, but that's obviously a big comparison, because Julius is having a heck of a career," Heckert said. "I think that's probably a little wait-and-see there. But I can see why they're talking [about] similarities."
Clayborn is another defensive end who might be slipping on draft boards. He has Erb's Palsy, a condition since birth that leaves his right arm weaker than his left.
"It's something that he's played with his whole life," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. "I still think he's a first-round pick. I've consistently had him at 27 going to Atlanta."
To go along with the deep group of defensive ends are three talented defensive tackles projected to go in the first round: Alabama's Marcell Dareus, Auburn's Nick Fairley and Illinois' Corey Liuget. Fairley is considered a one-year wonder by some scouts.
"If they performed well for that one year, that’s a good thing," Heckert said. "But you have to dig into why they weren’t performing that way or why they weren’t even playing up to that point."
Fairley, who knocked three quarterbacks out of games last season, has to fight against the notion that he's a dirty player. He had questionable tackles in games against LSU, Arkansas and Georgia.
His hit on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray late in the game set off fights that led to two Auburn players ejected for half of the following Alabama game.
"I think he's a tough player, he really is," Heckert said. "I guess there's a fine line. I was fortunate to have Jon Runyan play for us in Philadelphia for a long time and some people called him dirty, but he's a tough player. ... I think it's more toughness than being a dirty player."
