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This from Wes Bunting at National Football Post:
The National Football Post | NFP Top 5 Defensive Rankings
He has some interesting rankings, including:
- Aaron Maybin and Robert Ayers as the #1-2 DE with Everette Brown/Brian Orapko/Tyson Jackson as #3-4-5. On Orapko, he notes: "The real surprise is that I moved Orakpo, the consensus No. 1 defensive end on most draft boards, to fourth. The more tape I watch of him, the less I feel he has the first step to consistently reach the corner and get after the passer. He doesn’t play as strong as his weight room numbers indicate, and I don’t think he has the fluidity to play OLB in a 3-4."
- Jarron Gilbert as the #2 DT in the draft after BJ Raji: " Second is Gilbert, a versatile lineman who has the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Gilbert made a living in opponents’ backfields last season and has the burst, power and length to create plays versus the run and pass. He is simply one of the draft’s top defensive linemen and has the ability to be effective in any scheme and at any position."
- Connor Barwin as the #2 OLB after Aaron Curry (followed by Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing and Larry English): "Barwin, who’s been flying up draft boards ever since he made the switch to defense in his senior season, possesses impressive athletic tools. His combination of instincts and motor makes him an intriguing 3-4 outside linebacker. He still has a bit of developing to do from a technique standpoint, but he offers more upside than any of the linebackers listed below him."
- Sean Smith as his #1 CB prospect, ahead of Malcolm Jenkins: "It’s rare to find a cornerback with the size, fluidity and footwork that Sean Smith possesses, and this type of skill set is the main reason he’s No. 1 on my board. I think Smith might have the most upside of any player in the draft, and with some time to improve on his technique he has the ability to become a very good man-to-man corner." Even more surprisingly, Darius Butler didn't make his top 5 list.
- Sherrod Martin as the #1 and Chip Vaughn as the #4 safeties (ahead of Patrick Chung at #5, and Louis Delmas who didn't make his top 5): On Martin: "Martin, the versatile defensive back from Troy, is being considered at both the free safety and cornerback spots. He’s one of the smoothest DBs in this year’s class and has the ability to make it at either position. However, his ball skills and impressive range in the center field-type role scream ball-hawking safety." Re Vaughn: "Vaughn and Chung round out the group. Both are physical, hard-hitting defensive backs, although Vaughn displays much better range and fluidity in coverage. Chung gets by on his instincts, but he doesn’t display the same type of recovery speed possessed by Vaughn."
Interesting stuff. I agree with some of it, such as Orapko not being fluid enough to be a 3-4 OLB, liking Gilbert, Barwin and Sean Smith a lot, and not being so high on Tyson Jackson. But I see Sean Smith as a FS more than a CB (and would have him as the #1 FS, ahead of Sherrod Martin and Rashad Johnson), and I find the exclusion of Darius Butler puzzling. I don't see Aaron Maybin as the #1 DE right now (possibly in 2011, but he needs to develop more). And as I've made abundantly clear, I like Louis Delmas as a SS/FS hybrid similar to Michael Griffin in 2007.
The National Football Post | NFP Top 5 Defensive Rankings
He has some interesting rankings, including:
- Aaron Maybin and Robert Ayers as the #1-2 DE with Everette Brown/Brian Orapko/Tyson Jackson as #3-4-5. On Orapko, he notes: "The real surprise is that I moved Orakpo, the consensus No. 1 defensive end on most draft boards, to fourth. The more tape I watch of him, the less I feel he has the first step to consistently reach the corner and get after the passer. He doesn’t play as strong as his weight room numbers indicate, and I don’t think he has the fluidity to play OLB in a 3-4."
- Jarron Gilbert as the #2 DT in the draft after BJ Raji: " Second is Gilbert, a versatile lineman who has the ability to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Gilbert made a living in opponents’ backfields last season and has the burst, power and length to create plays versus the run and pass. He is simply one of the draft’s top defensive linemen and has the ability to be effective in any scheme and at any position."
- Connor Barwin as the #2 OLB after Aaron Curry (followed by Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing and Larry English): "Barwin, who’s been flying up draft boards ever since he made the switch to defense in his senior season, possesses impressive athletic tools. His combination of instincts and motor makes him an intriguing 3-4 outside linebacker. He still has a bit of developing to do from a technique standpoint, but he offers more upside than any of the linebackers listed below him."
- Sean Smith as his #1 CB prospect, ahead of Malcolm Jenkins: "It’s rare to find a cornerback with the size, fluidity and footwork that Sean Smith possesses, and this type of skill set is the main reason he’s No. 1 on my board. I think Smith might have the most upside of any player in the draft, and with some time to improve on his technique he has the ability to become a very good man-to-man corner." Even more surprisingly, Darius Butler didn't make his top 5 list.
- Sherrod Martin as the #1 and Chip Vaughn as the #4 safeties (ahead of Patrick Chung at #5, and Louis Delmas who didn't make his top 5): On Martin: "Martin, the versatile defensive back from Troy, is being considered at both the free safety and cornerback spots. He’s one of the smoothest DBs in this year’s class and has the ability to make it at either position. However, his ball skills and impressive range in the center field-type role scream ball-hawking safety." Re Vaughn: "Vaughn and Chung round out the group. Both are physical, hard-hitting defensive backs, although Vaughn displays much better range and fluidity in coverage. Chung gets by on his instincts, but he doesn’t display the same type of recovery speed possessed by Vaughn."
Interesting stuff. I agree with some of it, such as Orapko not being fluid enough to be a 3-4 OLB, liking Gilbert, Barwin and Sean Smith a lot, and not being so high on Tyson Jackson. But I see Sean Smith as a FS more than a CB (and would have him as the #1 FS, ahead of Sherrod Martin and Rashad Johnson), and I find the exclusion of Darius Butler puzzling. I don't see Aaron Maybin as the #1 DE right now (possibly in 2011, but he needs to develop more). And as I've made abundantly clear, I like Louis Delmas as a SS/FS hybrid similar to Michael Griffin in 2007.