NFL Draft Preview: Defensive Linemen
Mark Maske breaks down the draft position-by-position, leading up to the draft (April 26-27)
Virginia's Chris Long wouldn't be a reach if Miami drafted him with the first overall pick.
(By Andrew Shurtleff -- Associated Press)
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TOP PLAYERS
| Pos. | Player | Ht. | Wt. | School | The Skinny |
| End | Chris Long | 6-3 | 279 | Virginia | Might be safest pick in the draft |
| End | Vernon Gholston | 6-3 1/2 | 264 | Ohio State | Could play in either 4-3 or 3-4 scheme |
| End | Derrick Harvey | 6-4 1/2 | 252 | Florida | E. Roosevelt product looks like mid-first-rounder |
| End | Phillip Merling | 6-4 1/2 | 282 | Clemson | Better at stopping the run than rushing the passer |
| End | Calais Campbell | 6-7 1/2 | 282 | Miami | Seems to be falling behind Merling on many boards |
| Tackle | Glenn Dorsey | 6-1 | 313 | Louisiana State | Only concern may be lingering effects of leg injury |
| Tackle | Sedrick Ellis | 6-1 | 307 | Southern California | Looks headed for bottom half of top 10 |
| Tackle | Kentwan Balmer | 6-4 1/2 | 292 | North Carolina | Mobile enough to start at DE for part of college career |
| REDSKINS' INTEREST
| RAVENS' INTEREST
| |
| Defensive line is a position of need for the Redskins, so they could opt for Merling if he is available at No. 21. Another possibility is Campbell, especially given the Redskins' apparent proclivity for University of Miami players.
At close to 6-8, Campbell isn't a prototypical end, but he proved himself a fierce pass rusher in college.
| The Ravens don't have an immediate need at this position after selecting DT Haloti Ngata 12th overall in 2006. NT Kelly Gregg is adept at clogging the middle, and Trevor Pryce excels at applying pressure. Pryce is entering his 11th season, but the Ravens have Dwan Edwards behind him. Edwards was a second-rounder in 2004. |
