NFL Draft 2012: Is Quinton Coples the Best Defensive Player on the Board?

Defensive end Quinton Coples has always had the talent to be a star. Unfortunately, he never really produced at a high level during his career at North Carolina. Bu thanks to a dominant week at the Senior Bowl and his unrivaled size and athleticism, he has been rocketing up draft boards.

Coples is 6'6", 281 pounds, and is not only powerful, but has a quick first step and the ability to run by tackles on the edge. He projects as a pure defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and has drawn more than a few comparisons to another former Tar Heel, Julius Peppers.

His work ethic and motor have been questioned in the past, but he was the best player at the Senior Bowl and his upside is ridiculously high. Someone will take him off the board very quickly on draft day. On ability alone, he is probably the best defensive player in the 2012 NFL draft, and after Andrew Luck and Matt Kalil, he might be the best all-around player on the board. 

In four years at UNC, Coples totaled 23.5 career sacks, and in 2011 he only had 7.5 with everyone focused on stopping him. That's a bad sign, but with some other good defensive linemen around him, maybe he could be turned loose for some one-on-one matchups. 

Coples has elite quickness going forward and laterally, especially when you consider his size. He has developing instincts, and he could really blossom under a good defensive line coach.

Between he and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, the top of the draft is outstanding for defensive difference makers. Claiborne is more of a sure thing in my opinion, but Coples certainly provides more upside. 

Neither guy should last long on draft day and both could be gone in the top five.