Is Bigger Better in 2010 NFL Draft? DEFENSE (Part 2)

Cornelius ButterfieldJan 19, 2010

I've given General Managers plenty to analyze on offense, now let's look at what the small schools have to offer on defense.

RAMS. Sure a QB would be nice, but it's time to think defense. There are some big school names that everyone has scouted, but many small schools have the size and weight to match. Defensive tackle Callahan Bright, 6' 3" 330 lbs., from Shaw. Shaw University is in Raleigh, NC. Bright had some problems in the past, but might mature under the right coach. Also, take a look at defensive end Austen Lane, 6' 6" 255 lbs. from Murray State. And James Ruffin, 6' 3" 265 lbs., from Northern Iowa. Also, Gerard Bryant, Sr., 6 ft 250 from St Lawrence University.

BUCS. They need more push up front, pressure on opposing QB's, more sacks. Defensive end Danny Batten, 6' 3" 254 lbs. South Dakota State, Randy Earl, 6' 3" 282 lbs. Mankato State. DE Marcus Crump, 6' 6" 245 lbs. St. Augustine college in Raleigh, NC.

CHIEFS. Middle line backers. Chiefs need to stop the run. They give up way too much. Corner back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, 6' 0" 200 lbs. Indiana (PA) LB Prince Hall, 5' 11" 244 lbs. Central Washington, CB Kelvin Rodgers, 6' 1" 180 lbs. Mankato State. Also Kyle Gesswein, Jr., 6'2'' 228 from Delaware Valley, and Sam Kershaw, Jr., 6' 230 lbs., from Mount Union.

BILLS. Here's is another team that must stop the run. Defensive end Austen Lane, 6' 6" 255 lbs. Murray State, tackle Callahan Bright, 6' 3" 330 lbs., from Shaw, and defensive end Danny Batten, 6' 3" 254 lbs. South Dakota State. Also if he remains unsigned, Christian Anthony, 6' 4" 260 lbs., defensive end from Grambling State.

JAGUARS. A major problem is the number of tackles on defense. To bring up their percentage, look to Randy Earl, 6' 3" 282 lbs. Mankato State, defensive end James Ruffin, 6' 3" 265 lbs., from Northern Iowa, and again, how about Christian Anthony, 6' 4" 260 lbs. Grambling State. Also Marcus Crump from St. Augustine.

BRONCOS. Their picks could go either way, offense or defense. The say games are won on defense. (Is that really true?) Let's put more power in the defensive line. Look to defensive tackle Callahan Bright, 6' 3" 330 lbs., from Shaw, tackle Randy Earl, 6' 3" 282 lbs. Mankato State, and maybe if he's still available, tackle Vladimir Ducasse, 6' 5" 325 lbs., from Massachusetts. Vladimir played on offense, but he has the size, so maybe a try on defense.

DOLPHINS. Stop the run! Let's start with Linebackers, then work on the defensive line later. Prince Hall, 5' 11" 244 lbs. Central Washington, I'm thinking a good wide receiver can be converted to defense, so how about Andre Roberts, 5' 10" 185 lbs., from The Citadel, and Armanti Edwards, 5' 11" 180 lbs., Appalachian State, or Chris Carter, 6' 0" 198 lbs., from Cal-Davis.

GIANTS. They also need pass defense. Linebackers. From West Texas A&M outside linebacker Brandon Swain, 6' 4" 255 lbs. Kyle Gesswein, Jr., Delaware Valley, Nick Nikolich, Sr., Illinois Wesleyan, or a wide receiver Terrell Hudgins, 6' 2" 227 lbs., from Elon. who can play defense.

TITANS. Stop the pass! Again line backers or corner backs are needed. Linebacker Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, 6' 0" 200 lbs. Indiana (PA), Corner back Kelvin Rodgers, 6' 1" 180 lbs. Mankato State, and Chris Richards, 6' 0" 184 lbs. Stony Brook. Again look at wide receivers that have the speed to play defense. Push for defensive players.

STEELERS. Again stop the pass. Line backers are needed. Take a look at the ones just mentioned for the Titans, but also include these linebackers, Brandon Hudson, a senior from Salisbury, and Brett Parker, from Mary Hardin-Baylor.

FALCONS. Some help in the back field, left and right line backers. We've mentioned plenty of small school picks, maybe a wide receiver can be moved over from Offense, like wide receiver Andre Roberts, 5' 10" 185 lbs. The Citadel, or Armanti Edwards, 5' 11" 180 lbs. Appalachian State.

PATRIOTS. They too need to beef up their defense. Christian Anthony, 6' 4" 260 lbs. Grambling State would be a good fit. Defensive end, Marcus Ball from UW-Stout, and from Occidental, Alex Wertheimer. 6'4” 240. 2009, Div III All-American. Even though Oxy plays the likes of Menlo College, University of La Verne and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, he could make NFL weight.

EAGLES. Pressure defense. More aggression from the front four on defense. Stronger defensive tackles, and guards. Defensive end Danny Batten, 6' 3" 254 lbs. South Dakota State, tackle Randy Earl, 6' 3" 282 lbs. Mankato State. And why not tackle Casey Knips, 6' 7" 305 lbs. South Dakota State?

CARDINALS. Linebackers need help. Sam Kershaw, Jr., Mount Union or Kyle Supianoski, Jr., UW-Whitewater. Or maybe wide receiver can become defensive, like wide receiver Terrell Hudgins, 6' 2" 227 lbs. Elon, or A.J. Jackson, 6' 5" 235 lbs. California (PA), and Chris Carter, 6' 0" 198 lbs. Cal-Davis. And again high on the list should be Andre Roberts, 5' 10" 185 lbs., from The Citadel, and Armanti Edwards, 5' 11" 180 lbs. Appalachian State.

SAINTS. Offense is solid. Take a look at the same players I picked for the Cardinals. Outside linebackers can be strengthened. These collegiate wide receivers have the speed, and can virtually play either offense of defense. Just watch the QB's eyes, and go for the ball.

And we didn't even mention defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill, from Stillman College. Here is a 6'3'' 329 pounder who has a vertical jump is 30 inches, and shows the talent to tackle whatever an NFL offense throws at him.

SPECIAL TEAMS. The kickers and punters could be better this year, but still there are potential free agents that need mentioning.

KICKERS. Alex Groh, Occidental
Travis Atter, Chadron State
Shawn Bibeau, North Dakota State
Nick Hope, Wayne State, in Nebraska
Taylor Wilkins, Sam Houston State

How about the players you won't find on the college roster. Antonio Gates didn't play football in high school or in college. He tried out for the San Diego Chargers and look at him now.

Matt Cassel didn't start a single game at USC. Not much chance when you're behind Carson Palmer and then Matt Leinert.

This is just a small part of small school talent. You know players I've missed. They'e out there. Certainly you don't have to be part of a big time football program to play in the NFL. Just ask Jake Delhome (La Lafayettete), Brian Westbrook (Villanova), or Adrian Peterson from (Georgia Southern).

That's my take. Any comments