NFL Draft 2011: Nick Fairley and The Top 5 Can't-Miss Defensive Prospects

Draft talk is in full swing with the NFL Combine just weeks away. This draft looks to be top-heavy on defense, in fact, the top three picks could all be defensive lineman.

They may not play the most glamorous positions in football, but these guys are likely to get the most coveted positions on the draft board—the top 10.

Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, wideout A.J. Green and others are sure to make an impact at the next level. But they'll do so because of the players willing to do the dirty work.

Let's take a look at arguably the top-five defensive players available in this year's NFL draft. The future is now.

Da'Quan Bowers, Defensive End, 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)

Bowers has been projected as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft for most of the past few months.

His 67 tackles and 16 sacks last season are merely a sign of things to come. Bowers was honored with the Bronko Nagurski and Ted Hendricks awards in 2010.

Marcell Dareus, Defensive End, Alabama

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus #57 of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches play against the Mississippi State Bulldogs November 13, 2010 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Alabama's star DE will almost assuredly go in the top 10 in this year's draft.

Dareus was a big reason the Tide held the nation's top ranking for the first month of the 2010 season.

Patrick Peterson, Cornerback, Louisiana State

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BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 20: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers nearly intercepts a pass in the final seconds against Markeith Summers #16 and Korvic Neat #28 of the Ole Miss Rebels as time expired at Tiger Stadium on November

Peterson is a lock-down corner and might just be the best player in the draft.

His performance at the NFL Combine will go a long way in determining how high he goes in April's draft. 

Peterson won the Chuck Bednarik Trophy as the nation's best defensive player in 2010. He also received the Jim Thorpe Award honoring the best defensive back in the country.

Von Miller, Defensive End, Texas A & M

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Jordan Jefferson #9 of the Louisiana State University Tigers throws under pressure from Von Miller #40 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by C

Von Miller is a freak.

His 111 tackles and 28 sacks over the last two seasons don't do his physicality justice. Miller won the Dick Butkus Award for the 2010 season.

Nick Fairley, Defensive Tackle, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers reacts during their Tostitos BCS National Championship Game against the Oregon Ducks at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen

Nick Fairley's 12 sacks spear-headed the Tigers defense on their way to the National Championship.

With only two seasons under his belt, Fairley still has tremendous upside.

The 2010 Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award winner is reportedly the top prospect heading into the NFL Combine, slated to begin Feb. 24.