2011 NFL Draft: 20 Defensive Prospects With First-Round Talent

2011 NFL Draft: 20 Defensive Prospects with First Round Talent

With college players really evolving into bigger and faster athletes, many defensive players could be considered first round talent.

Granted, not every team will be selecting a defensive player with its first-round pick, but here we have 20 guys who have the talent to be picked in round one.

Is there anyone we missed? Is there anyone who doesn't belong? Let us know!

20. Cameron Jordan, DE/DT California

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TUCSON, AZ - SEPTEMBER 25: Defensive tackle Cameron Jordan #97 of the California Golden Bears during the college football game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Bear

Cameron Jordan is a perfect fit for a 3-4 defense, because that is the defense Cal runs currently at the college level.

Jordan can play any spot on the line but is probably best suited for defensive end.

Jordan's athleticism and size allow him to both play the run and rush the passer.

19. Greg Jones, MLB Michigan State

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EVANSTON, IL - OCTOBER 23: Greg Jones #53 of the Michigan State Spartans awaits the start of play against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 23, 2010 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 35-27. (Photo by Jonathan Dan

Greg Jones has had a slight decline in his stats during his senior year compared with his stellar junior year, but his Spartans only have a single loss, so I don't think it's anything to really focus on.

Jones is a prototypical middle linebacker who could come in immediately and secure the middle of any NFL defense.

This senior has a real nose for the football and is a superb tackler.

18. Stephen Paea, DT Oregon State

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EUGENE, OR - DECEMBER 03: Running back LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks rushes with the ball past tackle Stephen Paea #54 of the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium on December 3, 2009 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

Stephen Paea has played in relative obscurity in Oregon State, but NFL scouts will be surprised when this mammoth comes into the league and starts making plays from day one.

A true blue defensive tackle, Paea is perfectly suited to take on blockers and clog holes.

Paea has a great motor and rushes the passer as well as any tackle in the country.

17. Brandon Burton, CB Utah

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 20: Wide receiver DeMarco Sampson #1 of the San Diego State Aztecs makes a catch over cornerback Brandon Burton #27 of the Utah Utes at Qualcomm Stadium on November 20, 2010 in San Diego, California. Utah won 38-34. (Photo by Steph

Brandon Burton is an under-the-radar corner from Utah who possesses a good size and skill combination.

Although playing his entire career in the Mountain West, Burton has gone up against some great NFL-caliber receivers and has had some good success against them.

Burton runs a sub 4.4 forty time and measures six feet tall and 185 lbs.

Burton is going to make some NFL GM look really good.

16. Jeremy Beal, OLB Oklahoma

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NORMAN, OK - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Graham Harrell #6 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders is tackled by Jeremy Beal #44 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Memorial Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Jeremy Beal is a beast of an outside linebacker. At 6'3" and 263 pounds, he could easily be moved to defensive end in a 4-3 defense, but he is probably best suited for outside linebacker in a 3-4.

Beal has good speed off the edge, but after spending his college career at defensive end, his pass coverage could end up being a problem at the next level.

Beal will end up being a boom or bust product depending on what team selects him.

15. Allen Bailey, DE Miami

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FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners is sacked by defensive lineman Allen Bailey #57 of the Miami Hurricanes knocked down a pass attempt at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Allen Bailey began his college career at linebacker before being moved to defensive end by his Miami coaches.

At 6'3", 288 lbs., Bailey could play a pass rushing defensive tackle position, but his athleticism probably forces him to end wherever he lands in the draft.

Bailey has the speed and strength to be an every down defensive lineman at the next level.

14. Aaron Williams, CB Texas

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DALLAS - OCTOBER 02: Cornerback Aaron Williams #4 of the Texas Longhorns drops a pass intended for Ryan Broyles #85 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the second quarter at the Cotton Bowl on October 2, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Ima

During an extremely disappointing season for Texas, Aaron Williams remains one of the few bright spots for Longhorns fans.

As an underclassman, Williams could end up being a more attractive prospect for teams looking for help in the secondary. He is young enough that he is still developing.

Williams is not only good in pass coverage, but he is also physical enough to set up and help in run support.

13. Janoris Jenkins, CB Florida

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Janoris Jenkins #1 of the Florida Gators gets the crowd up during a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Much as was the case with Williams, Janoris Jenkins has been a bright spot during a down year at Florida. The junior has good measurables and is very fluid in pass coverage.

Jenkins does have a history of run-ins with the law. He was arrested, tasered and charged with misdemeanor affray and resisting arrest without violence.

If Jenkins is able to keep out of trouble, he could end up being a fantastic addition to any NFL roster.

12. Robert Quinn, DE North Carolina

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Thaddeus Lewis #9 of the Duke Blue Devils is sacked by Robert Quinn #42 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty

The only reason why Robert Quinn isn't ranked in the top five of this list is due to being ruled ineligible this season and the questions about how the year off has affected him.

Had this freakish athlete come out into the draft last season, he would have been a consensus first-round pick, but after the year off and with questions about his character brought up, it will be interesting to see just how far he has dropped.

Quinn might also drop because he was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a senior in high school that nearly ended his career. Although he has recovered, it isn't inconceivable for that to be a question mark during the draft process.

11. Drake Nevis, DT LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - OCTOBER 24: Quarterback Chris Todd #12 of the Auburn Tigers is sacked by Drake Nevis #92 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on October 24, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Drake Nevis is the latest defensive lineman to come out of the defensive line factory in Baton Rouge.

Nevis struggles on occasion getting off blocks, but he has a quick first step and has the ability to disrupt nearly every play.

It is almost a certainty that Nevis will be a first-round pick for the pure reason that he is an explosive defensive lineman, and that is not something easily found.

10. Rahim Moore, S UCLA

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Safety Rahim Moore #3 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Rahim Moore is one of the few draft-eligible safety prospects that has NFL skill this year.

As Moore is one of the few prospects that I see every week, I have a more discerning eye for him. He struggles at times against the run and has been beaten pretty badly a few times this year. However, he has shown the ability to change his style of play because teams have stopped throwing at him.

Moore led the NCAA in interceptions last year as a sophomore, but a large reason for that was because he shared the defensive backfield with current Titans rookie Alterraun Verner. Moore got a lot of his interceptions because teams stayed away from Verner and attacked the side of the field Moore helped protect.

I think Moore will stay in college for his senior year, but when he does come out, he will be a first-round selection.

9. Von Miller, OLB Texas A&M

Von Miller was bred to be an outside linebacker. He has a perfect combination of size and speed to cover much of the field.

Miller led the country in sacks a season ago and has shown an outstanding ability to reach the quarterback.

The senior could play in either the 3-4 or 4-3 defensive scheme and is a three down linebacker.

8. Nick Fairley, DT Auburn

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 16: Defensive lineman Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates a play during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

In a year dominated by defensive linemen, Nick Fairley has really made a jump into the elite group. He has shown himself to be an explosive pass rusher with a great motor.

Fairley is the epitome of a 4-3 defensive tackle and will make a great addition to any defense.

Teams have started really keying on Fairley, and his production has dropped slightly after his fast start to the season. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the next level.

7. Ryan Kerrigan, DE Purdue

The thing that sets Ryan Kerrigan apart from other defensive ends is his nonstop motor. He is an unstoppable force coming off the edge.

Kerrigan's toughness make him a perfect example of a Big Ten football player.

Wherever he ends up, Kerrigan will be a welcomed addition to the front seven of any team.

6. Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa

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IOWA CITY, IA - NOVEMBER 20: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes takes the field for the Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA college football game at Kinnick Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Iowa City, Iowa. Ohio State won 20-17 over

Adrian Clayborn has gotten a lot of attention from opponents this year, preventing him from having the same impact that he is capable of.

With a high motor, Clayborn will be a first-round pick this year, and a high one at that.

Clayborn's size makes him a perfect fit for either a 3-4 or 4-3.

5. Akeem Ayers, OLB UCLA

Akeem Ayers

Akeem Ayers is a freak. Pure and simple.

Along with Rahim Moore, Ayers is one of the prospects that I watch regularly, and a few times a game Ayers will make a play that only he can make.

If you rewatched the first half of UCLA's upset of Texas this year, you would see that Ayers was singlehandedly beating the Longhorns.

At 6'4", 250 lbs., he has a perfect NFL body and the speed to play in any scheme.

Ayers has also been known to put his hand in the dirt and play some defensive end, and his first step off the line makes him an unbelievable pass rusher with a great combination of size and speed.

4. Prince Amukamara, CB Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 30: Cornerback Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver T.J. Moe #28 of the Missouri Tigers during first half action of their game at Memorial Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Lincoln

Prince Amukamara could be starting in the NFL right now for a number of teams. Because of that, he is going to be not only a first rounder this year, but probably a top 10 pick.

Amukamara doesn't have an interception this season, but that is really because no quarterback has even tried to challenge him. If they did, they would find it was a mismatch against them.

While Amukamara hasn't had a ton of production this year, he has great instincts and the ability to come down with really any ball in the air.

3. Patrick Peterson, CB LSU

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BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers celebrates after scoring a touchdown by posing as the Heisman Trophy against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge

Drafting Patrick Peterson will fill two holes for whatever team gets him. Peterson is not only a shutdown corner, but he is also the best return man in college football today.

Peterson's 6'1", 211-lb. frame means that he could potentially move to safety to start his career, but he is fast enough and tall enough to match up with any big NFL receiver.

Wherever Peterson is drafted, he will make an impact immediately.

2. Marcel Dareus, DE/DT Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 02: Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Florida Gators at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The lasting image of Marcel Dareus' career in college football will be his interception, spin move and return for a touchdown in last year's BCS title game against Texas.

Dareus has a rare combination of size and speed that will make him an unstoppable force at the next level.

With the ability to play either 3-4 defensive end or 4-3 defensive tackle, Dareus will be one of the first few defensive prospects off the board.

1. Da'Quan Bowers, DE Clemson

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AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 18: Da'Quan Bowers #93 of the Clemson Tigers against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Da'Quan Bowers is a prototypical NFL defensive end. While he was a highly rated defensive end coming out of high school, this year has shown that he is possibly the best draft-eligible defensive end this year.

Bowers has a ridiculously high motor and plays through the whistle. He has a great first step and leads the nation in tackles for loss.

Bowers will likely be the first defensive player off the board, and wherever he goes, he will likely be starting from day one.