Scouting the pro prospects: Defensive Linemen

While there is a steep drop-off after the top elite senior defensive linemen available for the 2008 draft, there is a trio of players scouts are certain to jump on early.

Some scouts have compared Glenn Dorsey to Warren Sapp. (Getty Images)

LSU's Glenn Dorsey and Southern California's Sedrick Ellis head the defensive tackle class. Dorsey, NFLDraftScout.com's No. 1-rated player overall, has a combination of strength and explosiveness that has some comparing him to Warren Sapp. Ellis is the best player on a Trojans defense that could see every current starter eventually play on Sundays, and Virginia's Chris Long is following in the footsteps of his father, Howie.

Once Dorsey, Ellis and Long are off the board, however, the waters get murky. There is talent to be found at both positions on the second day, but scouts will have to carefully weigh the promise of upside with the danger of inconsistency in picking among the next tier of defensive linemen.

An in-depth look at my current top 12 senior defensive linemen for the 2008 draft:

1. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU, 6-2, 316, 5.06 (40-yard dash)

The top overall senior prospect according to NFLDraftScout.com, Dorsey considered leaving LSU after last season but returned despite being given a first-round grade by the NFL Advisory Committee. Blessed with a combination of size, strength and quickness that scouts have compared to Warren Sapp, Dorsey is almost guaranteed to be a top five pick.

Chris Long (Getty Images)

2. Chris Long, DE, Virginia, 6-4, 275, 4.79

It took 48 picks for the Oakland Raiders to land Howie Long in 1981. It won't take nearly as long for some lucky team to draft his son. Like his father, Chris is a good athlete with the size and strength scouts are looking for. His excellent technique, instincts and pure hustle make him one of the safer picks in the draft.

Sedrick Ellis (Getty Images)

3. Sedrick Ellis, DT, Southern California, 6-1, 305, 4.96

Capable of playing the nose in the 3-4 or the 3-technique in the 4-3 alignment, Ellis is a potential top 10 selection despite being ranked here as the third best senior defensive line prospect. He has very good burst off the line of scrimmage, but it is his strength and ability to locate the ball that make Ellis such a unique prospect.

L. Jackson (Getty Images)

4. Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern California, 6-5, 268, 4.89

Jackson's size and strength at the point of attack makes him one of the better run-defending ends in the draft. He lacks the burst off the snap scouts prefer, and has struggled with consistency throughout his career. His play has improved as a senior and his grade is rising as the year progresses.

Red Bryant (Getty Images)

5. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M, 6-5, 328, 5.16

A classic run-stuffer in the middle, Bryant has proven himself to be a difference-maker each season since earning Freshman All-American honors in 2004. He's not going to generate much in terms of pressure on the quarterback (four career sacks through Oct. 15), but Bryant's value is his ability to occupy multiple blockers, opening up opportunities for his teammates.

Tommy Blake (Getty Images)

6. Tommy Blake, DE, TCU, 6-3, 258, 4.73

Blake entered the season as a potential top 20 selection, but a series of bizarre medical leaves from the team has his stock in flux. When healthy, Blake plays with great burst off the snap and is a natural playmaker who has averaged 55 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks over the past two seasons. This year, however, he has twice been granted medical leave from the team for undisclosed reasons, and has barely seen the field.

D. Pressley (Getty Images)

7. DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina State, 6-3, 298, 5.16

Pressley signed with the Wolfpack as a highly touted prospect and quickly emerged from a unit that included first-round picks Mario Williams, Manny Lawson and John McCargo, and second-round pick Tank Tyler. Pressley has struggled with injuries as a senior, but flashes the combination of quickness and strength every team is looking for.

K. Balmer (Getty Images)

8. Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina, 6-5, 298, 5.12

There isn't a defensive tackle in the country whose stock has risen as dramatically as Balmer's in 2007. Entering the season, Balmer was considered a tease. Blessed with a rare combination of size and athleticism, Balmer simply didn't make enough plays. This year he's among team leaders in every significant defensive category.

Trevor Laws (Getty Images)

9. Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame, 6-1, 295, 5.18

Another defensive lineman looking to parlay a breakout senior campaign into a high draft selection, what Laws lacks in prototype size he more than makes up for with instincts and hustle. Among team leaders in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks, Laws has been Notre Dame's most impressive player this season.

Chris Ellis (Getty Images)

10. Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech, 6-5, 256, 4.74

Ellis is a classic example of the player-vs.-prospect debate. Ellis' career statistics aren't eye-popping (13 sacks in 45 games), but his raw tools do demand attention. Capable of lining up at either defensive end position and even as a rush linebacker, Ellis could prove to be more productive in the NFL than he has been with the Hokies.

W. Gilberry (Getty Images)

11. Wallace Gilberry, DE, Alabama, 6-3, 265, 4.93

Gilberry represents the other side of the player-vs.-prospect debate. While his size and speed numbers don't jump off the chart, Gilberry simply makes plays. He recorded three or more tackles in 75 percent of his games last season and has shown a rare ability to make plays as an end in Nick Saban's 3-4 alignment this season. Gilberry isn't flashy, but is considered by many to be among the country's most underrated all-around defensive ends.

Frank Okam (Getty Images)

12. Frank Okam, Texas, DT, 6-5, 320, 5.24

Teams looking to take a gamble on greatness will have to strongly consider Okam. When he's playing with passion, Okam is impossible to block one-on-one. Blessed with rare size and strength and surprising quickness, Okam is a potentially dominant run defender who can sneak through for an occasional pressure. He has improved dramatically this season, but has struggled mightily with consistency throughout his career.

Rob Rang is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, published by The Sports Xchange.