Now, the dirty side of the ball. Here are next year's Defensive prospects for the draft.

I have also added what defensive scheme fits each player better, (ala 43 LEs, or Zone Corners) in order from best fit to worst (all within the realm of possibility)

DEs

1. Carlos Dunlap, Florida

Height: 6-6. Weight: 290, Estimated 40: 4. 72

Dunlap, much like Mario Williams and Julius Peppers before him, is an Uber Prospect. He has compiled 13.5 TFL (tackles for loss) and 9.5 sacks last year. His speed, at his size, is beyond freakish...it's almost surreal. This guy is far and away the best player in the draft.

Scheme Fits: 43 RE, 43 LE, 34 RE

Compares to: Mario Williams (Texans)

Top 3 Pick

2. Sergio Kindle, Texas

Height: 6-4. Weight: 254, Estimated 40: 4.55

A scary fast speed SLB who will put his hand in the dirt as a DE a few times a game, Kindle put up 12.5 TFL and 10 sacks in his first season as a starter. WOW. Along with having one of the coolest names in the draft (sorry Colt McCoy), he is the best 34 Rush LB prospect. However, he has a LONG way to go in coverage.

Scheme Fits: 34 Rush LB,  Pressure 43 SLB, 43 RE

Compares to: Terrell Suggs (Ravens)

Top 15 Pick

3. Brandon Graham, Michigan

 

Height: 6-1.5. Weight: 270, Estimated 40: 4.75

Once a highly toughted MLB recruit, Brandon Graham has done nothing but dominate at Michigan as a DE. Last year, he posted 10 sacks and 20 TFL. That is astounding ability to stop the run, while maintaining lots of pressure on the QB.  With his size and speed, and upside for that matter, being relatively new to the position, Graham will be a hell of an NFL player.

Scheme Fits: 43 LE

Compares to: Justin Tuck (Giants)

Top 25 Pick

4. Greg Hardy, Ole Miss

 

Height: 6-5. Weight: 260, Estimated 40: 4.58

In an injury plagued season, this speed rusher still put up 9 sacks and 10 TFL. When healthy, he is so dynamic off the line, and can pull moves so quickly even Mike Strahan would be left in awe of his prowess.

Scheme Fits: 43 RE, 34 Rush LB (Not smoothly)

Compares to: John Abraham (Falcons)

Top 30 Pick

5. Corey Wootton, Northwestern

 

Height: 6-7. Weight: 271, Estimated 40: 4.80

A gigantic,  run stopping monster, Wootton will make for a great 34 DE, having notched 16 TFL and 10 sacks last year. Should put on some bulk.

Scheme Fits: 34 LE, 34 RE, 43 LE, 43 UT

Compares to: Ty Warren (Patriots)

Top 50 Pick

6. Brandon Lang, Troy

Height: 6-4. Weight: 249, Estimated 40: 4.83

Another stout run stopper in this class, Lang put up 19 TFL and 12.5 sacks last year. However, he is too light to play in a 34.

Scheme Fits:43 LE, 43 RE

Compares to: Aaron Kampman

Top 50 Pick

7. Jerry Hughes, TCU

Height: 6-2. Weight: 248. Estimated 40: 4.64

19.5 TFL and 15 sacks. That is a dream season for this pass rushing specialist. He will transition to LB for a 34 team in the NFL

Scheme Fits: 34 Rush LB

Top 50 Pick

Compares to: Shawn Merriman

8. George Selvie, USF

 

Height: 6-4. Weight: 250, Estimated 40: 4.69

Selvie had a monterous Sophmore year with 14.5 sacks, but then faced double and triple teams all last year, only posting 5.5 sacks and 8 TFL.  He should bounce back this year, putting him up as another great speed rusher/rush linebacker prospect.

Scheme Fits: 34 Rush LB, 43 RE

Compares to (when at very best): Jason Taylor (Dolphins)

Top 60 Pick

 

DTs:

 

1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska

Height: 6-4. Weight: 305, Estimated 40: 5.00

There might not be a better player in the Big 12 at any position than Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh. With his rare combination of strength, quickness, speed and superb fundamentals, Suh has already been projected as a top-5 draft pick. If he can better or simply maintain his production from last season (team-high 76 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss), there's no reason he won't be one of the first players off the board come April.

Scheme Fits: 43UT, 34RE

Compares to: Haloi Ngata (Ravens)

Top 5 Pick

2. Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma

Height: 6-4. Weight: 295, Estimated 40: 5.00

This kid is another of top DTs of this stellar class.  He put up 6.5 sacks and 10 TFL last year, against the numerous Big 12 spread offenses.  He has so much raw power and agility, and his upside is beyond sight. He would thrive as either an undertackle in a 43 or an end in a 34.

Scheme Fits: 43UT, 34RE, 34LE

Compares to: Darnell Dockett (Cardinals)

Top 10 Pick

3. Terrance Cody, Alabama

Height: 6-5. Weight: 365, Estimated 40: 5.53

The top nosetackle in the draft, Terrance Cody is the human equivalent of a mountain. His 365 pounds clogs up the middle against rought SEC offenses, and will translate to more run-stuffing in the NFL. But, he has been known to take plays off, and his conditioning is very questionable.

Scheme Fits: 34NT, 43NT

Compares to: Shaun Rodgers (Browns)

Top 15 Pick

4. Arthur Jones, Syracuse

Height: 6-4. Weight: 294, Estimated 40: 5.04

Dominating the Big East to the tune of 31.5 career tackles for loss (in 3 seasons), Jones will earn a top 20 grade next spring if he can prove recovered from the torn pectoral suffered in February.

Scheme Fits: 34RE, 43NT, 34LE

Compares to: Shaun Ellis (Jets)

Top 30 Pick

5. Vince Oghobaase, Duke

Height: 6-6. Weight: 310, Estimated 40: 5.10

Oghobaase relied on his massive frame to make plays at the line of scrimmage until last season. With the arrival of coach David Cutcliffe and an improved conditioning program, however, Oghobaase played with greater strength, technique and tenacity as a junior, finishing second to only 2009 top-10 pick B.J. Raji from Boston College in sacks among ACC defensive tackles. An improvement on his 2008 campaign (51 tackles, six sacks) could place Oghobaase in first-round contention - a feat no Blue Devil has met since the Giants used a supplemental first-round pick on quarterback Dave Brown in 1992.

Scheme Fits: 43NT, 43UT, 34NT

Compares to: Vince Wilfork

Top 30 Pick

6. Boo Robinson, Wake Forrest

Height: 6-2. Weight: 326, Estimated 40: 5.02

This 43 nose tackle plays much bigger than his actual size, and has an uncanny ability to help the linebackers behind him (Aaron Curry).

Scheme Fits: 43NT, 43UT

Compares to: Mike Patterson (Eagles)

Top 50 Pick

OLBs:

1. Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri

Height: 6-1. Weight: 235, Estimated 40: 4.52

149 Tackles. 5 Sacks. 3 INTs. That is Sean Witherspoon. He is the Missouri defense. Not only did he post all these stats, but he did so essentially alone (save for Saftey William Moore) in a cover 2 43/4-2-5 hybrid defense. His lateral speed and fluid play recognition makes him a nearly perfect OLB prospect.

Scheme Fits: Cover 2 43 WLB, SLB.  Pressure 43 SLB. 34 WILB.

Compares to: Rocky Macintosh (Redskins)

Top 20 Pick

2. Navarro Bowman, Penn State

Height: 6-1. Weight: 228, Estimated 40: 4.58

Bowman is a speedy run stopping, albeit undersized, OLB who put up 106 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 4 sacks, and broke 4 passes up for the Nittany Lions last year.  He made a couple stupid decisions and got put on probation, but I assure you, he will still go 1st Round.

Scheme Fits: Pressure 43 SLB, WLB, Cover 2 43 SLB

  Compares to: Derrick Johnson (Chiefs)

3. Rico McCoy, Tennessee

Height: 6-1. Weight: 222, Estimated 40: 4.55

McCoy's most valuable asset is his speed. He put up 83 tackles last year, but would have had more if he had some more bulk. If he can lay on the muscle, he'll have great upside.

Scheme Fits: Cover 2 43 WLB, Pressure 43 WLB, 34 WLB

Compares to: Michael Boley

Top 50 Pick

 

MLBs

1. Brandon Spikes, Florida

Height: 6-3. Weight: 244. Estimated 40: 4.66

He is the passionate, beastly leader of the Florida defense. Last year he posted 87 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks, and 4 INTs. He has the ability to read offenses like books, and the potential to be the NFLs next HOF MLB.

Scheme Fits: Pressure 43 MLB, Cover 2 MLB, 34 Ted LB, Pressure 43 SLB, Cover 2 43 SLB

Compares to: Ray Lewis (Ravens)

Top 15 Pick

2. Rolando McClain, Alabama

Height: 6-4. Weight: 248. Estimated 40: 4.69

McClain is a monster of a MLB, with a real nose for the football. He is a hard hitter, but hasn't done much in zone coverage, although he's solid in man.  He has the ability to play as a Strongside backer, if he doesn't find a home on the middle.

Scheme Fits: Pressure 43 MLB, Pressure 43 SLB, 34 Ted ILB.

Compares to: Takeo Spikes (49ers)

Top 20 Pick

3. Sean Lee, Penn State

Height: 6-2. Weight: 234. Estimated 40: 4.63

Coming of an ACL tear, Lee is moving inside from the Strongside. If he can restore his former range and hard hitting ability, he will return to being a first round prospect.

Scheme Fits: 34 Mike LB, Pressure 43 MLB, Pressure 43 SLB

Compares to: Zach Thomas (Cheifs)

 

CBs

1. Trevard Lindley, Kentucky

Height: 6-0. Weight: 177. Estimated 40: 4.41

Last year, as a sophmore Lindley put up 37 tackles, 11 passes broken up, four interceptions and a pick-six.  He is a great man on man guy, but also excells in zone.

Scheme Fits: 43 Man and 43 Zone

Compares to: Resean Mathis (Jaguars)

Top 20 Pick

2. Joe Haden

Height: 5-11. Weight: 185. Estimated 40: 4.42

Last year, Haden posted 87 tackles, 12 pass break ups, and 3 INTs.  Great zone corner, but surprisingly good in press and against the run.

Scheme Fits: 34 Press Coverage, 43 Zone

Compares to: Leigh Bodden (when he was with the Browns)

3. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia

Height: 6-2. Weight: 200. Estimated 40: 4.50

Dowling is a zone-corner or free saftey, and his future is probably as a Free Saftey in the NFL.

Scheme Fits: 43 Zone CB, Cover 2 43 Free Saftey, 43 Cover 3 FS

Compares to: Antrell Rolle (Cardinals)

Top 45 Pick

Ss

1. Eric  Berry

Height: 6-0. Weight: 195. Estimated 40: 4.37

The obscenely talented player is the valedictorian of this incredible class.  Last year he recorded 72 tackles, 8.5 TFL, six passes broken up, three sacks and seven interceptions.  He is not only astounding in coverage, but can wrap up the ball carrier as well. He is the best blitzing Saftey out of college in years.

Scheme fits: Any at FS or SS, he is that versitile

Compares to: Ed Reed (Ravens)

Top 10 Pick

2. Taylor Mays

Height: 6-4. Weight: 225. Estimated 40: 4.39

He is the freak of the draft. And because of his freakish athleticism, he has been able to make up for his poor decision making and lack of field awareness. He still picked up 49 tackles, 8 TFL, and 3 INTs. I don't like him as a prospect, but if he can figure out the world around him, he will be a damn good player.

Scheme Fits: SS in any scheme

Compares to: A taller Roy Williams

Top 15 Pick

3. Reshad Jones, Georgia

Height: 6-2. Weight: 207. Estimated 40: 4.49

This fundamentally sound FS put up 76 tackles and five interceptions last year as a sophmore. His intellect on the field is stunning, always knowing where and what he is doing. Matched with his size and coverage abilities, he is only narrowly ranked behind Taylor "Frankenstein" Mays.

Scheme Fits: FS in any scheme

Compares to: Sean Taylor (RIP)

Top 15 Pick

4. Myron Lewis, Vanderbilt

Height: 6-3. Weight: 202. Estimated 40: 4.52

Last year, this dominant FS had 76 tackles, five sacks, seven TFL, five interceptions and six passes broken up. He is a great blitzing saftey, and his tackling is the best of this class of safteys.

Scheme Fits: FS in Pressure 43, SS in Cover 2 43, FS in 34

Compares to: Brian Dawkins (Broncos)

Top 30 Pick

 

 

And that's all for now everyone. Next, the long awaited Mock Draft.