Scouting the pro prospects: Defensive linemen

Mario Williams surprised many as the top overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He led a group that included Haloti Ngata, Kamerion Wimbley, Brodrick Bunkley, Tamba Hali, Manny Lawson, John McCargo and Mathias Kiwanuka as defensive linemen selected in the first round. So the cupboard should be bare, right?

Not so fast.

Among defensive linemen, Quentin Moses stands out. (Getty Images)

Among the top prospects for the 2007 draft, pass rushers appear to be the most ready to bloom. Several of the nation's most productive sack artists return in 2006, highlighted by Georgia's Quentin Moses, Clemson's Gaines Adams and Central Michigan's Dan Bazuin (who averaged nearly 1.5 sacks per game last season).

The defensive tackle class isn't quite as flashy, but certainly offers some intriguing upside, especially among the underclassmen.

An in-depth look at the country's elite defensive linemen, as well as several others to keep an eye on:

1. Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia, 6-5, 255 pounds, Sr.

This tall, lanky edge rusher emerged from David Pollack's shadow to once again give the Bulldogs one of the fiercest sack artists in the country. A first-team All-SEC performer in 2005, Moses finished second in the SEC with 11.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. Before last season, Moses had shown flashes of brilliance, registering a combined nine sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in limited duty over his first two years, but had no starts.

Moses was considered a possibility to enter the NFL Draft a year early after his strong initial season as a starter in 2005, but he decided to return to Georgia. Blessed with instincts and a great first step, expect a monster senior season from Moses in 2006.

2. Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson, 6-5, 260, Sr.

Gaines Adams (Getty Images)

Though Mario Williams and Mathias Kiwanuka earned much of the national attention, there may not have been a more dominant defensive end over the last month of the 2005 than Adams. For the year, Adams had 29 quarterback pressures, 9.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss to lead Clemson in all three areas. His nine passes broken up set a record for a Clemson defensive lineman. Over the final six games, he had 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 16 quarterback pressures.

Like Moses, Adams' athleticism and upside earned him plenty of speculation as a possible early declaration for the NFL Draft. He is blessed with great size, burst off the edge and rare instincts for the position, and Adams is likely a future first-round pick. Scouts are particularly intrigued by his long arms. Adams recognized in 2005 that he can make plays for his defense without getting to the quarterback, leading the team in passes broken up (nine).

3. Dan Bazuin, DE, Central Michigan, 6-3, 258, Sr.

Bazuin (Provided to SportsLine)

Bazuin's accomplishments for Central Michigan might test some of the more dedicated fans of the game, but he certainly deserves the high acclaim of this list. Bazuin posted 16 sacks in 11 games last season, second only to Elvis Dumervil's 20 for Louisville. Bazuin was far from just a pass rush specialist, as he also led the nation with 26.5 tackles for loss.

The 2005 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Bazuin already ranks as the team's career leader with 25 sacks. Fans won't have to wait long to see Bazuin in action on the national stage, as the Chippewas open the 2006 season at home on national television against Boston College on Aug. 31.

4. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC, 6-4, 265, Jr.

Lawrence Jackson (Getty Images)

Don't look now, but the Trojans have another All-American candidate at defensive end. While first-team Pac-10 selection Frostee Rucker was nothing to sneeze at in 2005, the team clearly was missing the dominant presence Kenechi Udeze, Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody provided in recent seasons. Jackson, already a two-year starter, has developed into a similar dominating force.

He impressed in 2003 as a redshirt freshman by recording 32 tackles and six sacks. This past season, however, Jackson emerged as arguably the best defensive lineman in the Pac-10. He paced the Trojans with 10 sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He also finished with 46 total tackles on his way to first-team All Pac-10 honors. College fans may want to appreciate this junior in 2006 in case he bolts early for the NFL.

5. Quinn Pitcock, DT, Ohio State, 6-3, 298, Sr.

Quinn Pitcock (Getty Images)

Not considered as flashy as some of the other highly touted defensive tackles of this class, but is recognized as a consistent blue-collar worker. He's no slouch in the athleticism department, as his 36-inch vertical at nearly 300 pounds can attest. However, Pitcock's greatest asset on the field is his raw strength and determination. He enters his senior campaign with 37 games of experience and will be looked upon as a leader, as he is one of only two returning starters for the Buckeyes defense.

He has earned all-conference accolades after each of the past two seasons, averaging 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks over that span. Pitcock is learning to use his explosive leaping ability to his advantage, coming through with a tipped interception as a sophomore and a blocked kick last year. Still improving, Pitcock should legitimize his status as a top defensive line prospect this season.

6. Marcus Thomas, DT, Florida, 6-3, 290, Sr.

Marcus Thomas (Getty Images)

With an intriguing combination of size and burst, he can break through the line and make the big play -- but tends to lose leverage and is only so-so against the run. He struggled along with his defensive line teammate, Ray McDonald, to consistently make plays. Thomas finished with 47 tackles in only two starts in 2003, but dropped to 39 tackles in 2004 while starting 12 games. He finished this past season with 45 tackles and showed improved burst at the point of attack, registering 10.5 tackles for loss, good for second on the team, as well as 4.0 sacks.

Thomas also has developed into a special teams force, blocking two kicks last year, including one against Florida State that was returned for a touchdown -- the only blocked kick returned for a score by the Gators since 1979.

Thomas underwent successful hernia surgery this past spring and is expected to enjoy a bit of a breakout campaign. Scouts know of him now, but there are those who feel he'll leap to the top of the defensive tackle class. Has struggled with consistency at times, but there is no denying this kid's raw athleticism and potential.

7. Frank Okam, DT, Texas, 6-5, 315, Jr.

Texas' Frank Okam (Getty Images)

Okam continued his ascent as one of the top defensive line prospects in the country with a strong sophomore season to follow up on his Freshman All-American campaign of 2004. He immediately caught the attention of the media and rival coaching staffs with 22 tackles, six tackles for loss and two sacks in 2004. Okam more than doubled his production this past season, finishing with 48 tackles, five tackles for loss and another sack last year.

Scouts are particularly intrigued by Okam's instincts, as well as his obvious physical prowess. Okam has rare size for the position and uses it well. Not only is he effective in clogging running lanes, but he reads the quarterback nicely and uses his height to rattle the quarterback. In only 25 career games, Okam has already batted down 12 passes.

Okam, a junior, will be playing without departed Rodrique Wright next to him in 2006. That said, Okam is viewed as one of the real gems of the defensive line class, and with another strong season could easily vault himself to the top of the tackle group.

8. Brandon Mebane, DT, Cal, 6-3, 305, Sr.

Brandon Mebane (Getty Images)

Over the past several years, Oregon's Haloti Ngata was the defensive tackle from the Pac-10 that every team had to account for. With the former Duck moving on to the NFL, college fans should shift their focus to Mebane, who is becoming a similar force at the point of attack. The first-team All Pac-10 defender finished with only 22.5 tackles last season, but 16.5 of those were behind the line of scrimmage, including seven sacks.

With the loss of 2005 draft prospects Ryan Riddle at defensive end and Lorenzo Alexander at defensive tackle, Mebane was the obvious focus of every opponent's blocking scheme. Though his numbers don't appear particularly impressive, Mebane is considered a high-quality defensive tackle and is recognized not only for his size and athleticism, but has also gained attention for his dedication and intensity.

9. Baraka Atkins, DL, Miami, 6-4, 263, Sr.

Baraka Atkins (Getty Images)

The versatile Atkins has seen action at defensive tackle and end for the Hurricanes, and could be on the verge of a breakout final season. Atkins has 34 career starts and leads all returning Hurricanes with 13 career sacks. Along with the sacks, Atkins has averaged 42 tackles and seven tackles for loss over the past three seasons.

Though Atkins has played much of his collegiate career at defensive tackle, including all 11 games in 2005, he lacks the strength and mass to remain at this position at the next level. Atkins does play with the technique required for the position, however, and has shown the instincts, physicality and determination to play inside. He will be playing back outside at defensive end in 2006.

10. Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee, 6-4, 305, Sr.

Justin Harrell (Getty Images)

Though defensive linemen Jesse Mahelona and Parys Haralson earned much of the praise for a talented Tennessee defensive line over the past few seasons, Harrell clearly has the most potential. Blessed with great size and surprising athleticism, Harrell first truly emerged as a sophomore in 2004, registering 26 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was particularly effective in the 2005 SBC Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M, a game in which he earned Defensive MVP honors for his three-tackle, one-sack, one-forced-fumble effort.

This past season, Harrell further improved his production by registering 39 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two interceptions while picking up second-team All-SEC honors.

Harrell has already been placed on the Lott Trophy and Bednarik Award lists. There are those who feel he'll prove to be the best defensive lineman from Tennessee since the days of John Henderson and Albert Haynesworth.

Others to watch

Mkristo Bruce, DE, Washington State, 6-6, 258, Sr.: Blessed with prototype size and surprising speed off the edge, Bruce has developed into one of the top pass rushers in the Pac-10. He earned second-team honors last year after posting 67 tackles, including 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries.

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska, 6-6, 280, Sr.: Though fans outside the Big 12 might not have noticed, the Blackshirt defense roared back to life last season. Nebraska led the nation with 50 sacks, many due to the pass rushing skills of Carriker, a senior defensive end with NFL size and athleticism. Carriker finished with 9.5 sacks and earned first-team Big 12 accolades.

Tim Crowder, DE, Texas, 6-4, 270, Sr.: Consistent, reliable defensive end who has seen a lot of time on this defensive line and has improved a great deal. He has 128 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, 7.5 of which are sacks. Crowder led the team this past season with 20 quarterback pressures, though he amassed only 3.0 sacks. The 34-game starter is viewed as consistent, but not necessarily the explosive edge rusher some teams are looking for.

LaMarr Woodley, DE/LB, Michigan, 6-2, 274, Sr.: With the 3-4 defensive scheme becoming en vogue in the NFL again, rush linebackers like Woodley have become even more intriguing to scouts. Woodley, with 20 starts in his 36 career games, has 141 career tackles, along with 36 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He has been recognized as a Big Ten honoree after each of the past two seasons.

Victor Abiamiri, DE, Notre Dame, 6-4, 260, Sr.: Abiamiri signed with Notre Dame as one of the elite defensive line prospects in the entire country and, after starting seven games as a freshman, expectations were high. With only one start as a sophomore, however, Abiamiri needed a strong junior campaign to get his collegiate career back on track. He responded to the challenge last season, finishing with 48 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, a team-high eight sacks and seven quarterback hurries. He needs just half a sack and five tackles for a loss in '06 to enter Notre Dame's all-time top 10 in both categories.

Martin Jackson, DE, Alcorn State, 6-4, 252, Sr.: Every year there is a relatively small-school defensive lineman who storms up the draft board. NFL scouts are hoping Jackson is this season's DeMarcus Ware, and the Alcorn State star certainly has aspects of his game reminiscent of the former Troy playmaker. Like Ware, Jackson has seen time at linebacker and has dominated this level. Jackson earned All-American honors in 2005, finishing with 52 tackles and leading the SWAC with 17 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks.

Chris Ellis, DE, Virginia Tech, 6-5, 250, Jr.: The recipient of one-on-one blocking for much of his early career, Ellis won't have Darryl Tapp lining up opposite him in 2006. That said, those close to the Virginia Tech program feel Ellis has the size, athleticism and drive to continue Tech's tradition of producing explosive edge rushers. Ellis certainly flashed ability last season, racking up 41 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks.

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