2014 NFL Draft: Finding the Best Schematic Fit for Top Defensive Linemen

2014's NFL draft has quite a few talented defensive linemen. In figuring out which is the best scheme fit for each of these players, multiple aspects of their talent need to be taken into consideration. Here, we'll look at the top 10 defensive linemen on my personal board.

Minnesota's Ra'Shede Hageman, Florida State's Timmy Jernigan, Notre Dame's Louis Nix III, Stanford's Trent Murphy, Pittsburgh's Aaron Donald, Missouri's Kony Ealy, UCLA's Anthony Barr, Georgia Tech's Jeremiah Attaochu, Buffalo's Khalil Mack and South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney make up the top 10 defensive linemen in this year's draft.

To help differentiate where these players fit best, here's a guide that breaks down all of the techniques along the defensive line:

0: Lines up right over the center. Normally a 3-4 NT.

1: Lines up in the A-gap between the C and OG. Normally a 4-3 NT or 3-4 NT.

2: Lines up over the OG. Normally a 4-3 DT.

3: Lines up between the OG and OT. Normally a 4-3 DT and 3-4 DE.

5: Lines up over the OT. Normally a DE in either scheme.

6: Lines up between the OT and TE. Normally a DE in either scheme.

7: Lines up over the TE. Normally a DE in the 4-3.

9: Lines up off the outside of the TE. Normally a DE in the Wide 9 4-3.

10. Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota

Best Schematic Fit: 4-3 defensive tackle

Ra'Shede Hageman is one of the most explosive athletes off the line in this year's defensive line class. His best fit is a role that can take advantage of his massive 6'6", 310-pound size in addition to his versatility along a defensive front.

NFL teams would be wise to put him at defensive tackle in either the 1- or 3-technique and just let him rip through a defense. He can eat doubles, get after the quarterback and play the run well. However, his fit in the 3-4 is cloudier, as he may not be an ideal fit at either end or nose tackle.

9. Timmy Jernigan, Florida State

Best Schematic Fit: 4-3 defensive tackle in a 1-technique

When looking at his natural abilities, Timmy Jernigan stands out as an ideal penetrating defensive tackle. Most seem to think that means he's going to fit into the 3-technique under the tackle role in a 4-3. However, he projects best as an A-gap attacker in the 1-technique.

Jernigan's great leverage and bowling-ball frame allow him to stuff the run effectively and eat double-teams. The Florida State defensive tackle needs to improve his hand usage and technique as a pass-rusher before a team relies on him as the primary 3-technique inside.

8. Louis Nix III, Notre Dame

Best Schematic Fit: 3-4 nose tackle

Louis Nix needs to play in a 0-technique nose tackle role when he gets drafted. Ideal scheme fits are San Diego and Houston, as they would allow him to play in the two-gapping, space-eating role that he's accustomed to from his time with the Fighting Irish.

His biggest weakness is his inability to create pressure effectively on every snap. He's a pure run-stuffing defender who devours double-teams. He also does this weird spin move that needs to be completely removed from his repertoire because it just looks like he's trying to force a holding call.

7. Trent Murphy, Stanford

Best Schematic Fit: 4-3 defensive end

After playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 during his career at Stanford, Trent Murphy would be best at a weak-side defensive end role in the 4-3. He showed competence there in the Senior Bowl, and an NFL team would be able to teach him the intricacies of the position.

He can control the edge well against the run. However, his true strength is as a pass-rusher. He can bend the edge effectively against almost any tackle. This led to his NCAA-leading 15.0 sacks during his senior year.

6. Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh

Best Schematic Fit: 4-3 defensive tackle in a 3-technique

Aaron Donald is arguably the most explosive pass-rusher in this year's draft. He's a bit undersized at just 6'1" and 285 pounds. He uses his leverage effectively and has the kind of burst that Geno Atkins has in Cincinnati as a 3-technique.

Donald wins almost the exact same way that Atkins does, but he doesn't have the talent as a run defender that Atkins has at this point. Donald should play the 3-technique role in the 4-3 since he'll be asked to penetrate on every single play.

5. Kony Ealy, Missouri

Best Schematic Fit: Strong-side 4-3 defensive end

While some seem to think Kony Ealy is a legitimate option as a 3-4 outside linebacker or even a weak-side end, he's just too stiff of an athlete to play those spots. His ideal role would be something similar to what Michael Bennett, Greg Hardy or even Justin Tuck has played.

He can sometimes flip inside to end or even play 5-technique in a 3-4. Ealy is a bit of a project at this point, especially against the run. But if he can improve his hand usage, he will be a solid pro on the strong side of a defense.

4. Anthony Barr, UCLA

Best Schematic Fit: 4-3 weak-side defensive end in a 9-technique

This is one of the most specific alignments out of any player in this article. It's for good reason. Anthony Barr is a poor fit as a defensive lineman unless he's going to play in the Wide 9 alignment that few teams in the NFL use.

Barr is at his best when he can use his athleticism to chase down a quarterback from the blind side. His length and frame make him a good developmental prospect along the lines of John Abraham. He's not great against the run and would be a poor fit if he has to set the edge every single down.

3. Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech

Best Schematic Fit: Strong-side defensive end in a 4-3

Jeremiah Attaochu can play any linebacker spot in any scheme. He can also play defensive end on either side in the 4-3. However, his best fit is at strong-side end in the 4-3 just like Cameron Wake in Miami.

Attaochu is a bit undersized for the 4-3, but he can bend the edge, rush from the 9-technique and even understands how to set the edge effectively against the run. With his high-level athleticism, he can also drop into coverage in zone-blitz plays that allow him to play short zones.

2. Khalil Mack, Buffalo

Best Schematic Fit: 3-4 outside linebacker/4-3 defensive end hybrid

Khalil Mack played as an outside linebacker and defensive end in Buffalo's scheme. The NFL will see a guy who can play outside linebacker in the 3-4 the way that Terrell Suggs or even Clay Matthews III has.

An NFL team should use him with his hand down in 7- and 9-techniques. He's an explosive athlete who can dominate a tackle from those roles. An NFL team could also use his athleticism in zone blitzes to completely confuse opposing offenses.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina

Best Schematic Fit: 4-3 defensive end

While Jadeveon Clowney is arguably the best athlete among defensive linemen in the entire draft, his ideal role in an NFL defense would be as a 7-technique defensive end in the 4-3. He wins by inside moves more than outside moves in the same kind of way that Michael Strahan used to win as a pass-rusher.

On top of that, his run defense is instinctual, and he understands how to flow to the ball properly. Clowney could be moved around in other schemes though and should be used as a 9-technique defensive end and at linebacker in some alignments if he's going to be maximized properly.

All stats used are either from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required), ESPN, CFBStats or the NFL. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac and Rotoworld.

Scott Carasik is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He covers the Atlanta Falcons, college football, NFL and the NFL draft. He also runs DraftFalcons.com.

Follow @ScottCarasik