2011 NFL Draft: Top 10 Most Underrated Defensive Players
For those that love defense, this is the article for you.
Whether offensive-minded people like to admit it or not, "Defense wins championships."
These 10 underrated players have gone under the radar and could be steals in this draft.
With only a little over two months to go until draft weekend, who is your most underrated defensive player?
Use this slide as your guide.
10. Kenrick Ellis: DT, Hampton
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Ellis had a lot of potential after the 2007 season with South Carolina but was dismissed because of few too many off-the-field issues.
However, he found his way to Hampton University, where he got back on track and got to play all four years of college football.
While at Hampton, Ellis earned three All-MEAC team selections (two on first team in 2009 and 2010) but needs to continually keep his head screwed on straight.
Although he was suspended for the first game of the 2010 season, Hampton was humbled by the repercussions, which allowed him to act as a team leader the rest of the season.
9. Brooks Reed: OLB, Arizona
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Standing at 6'3" and weighing 257 pounds, Reed may seem to be undersized.
However, as we all know, it's what's on the inside that matters most.
With that being said, Reed does have the ability to play DE in a 4-3 front or OLB in a 3-4 front.
This situation is tricky because he is a bit light to play DE, but coming off the edge from the 3-4 front will give him that edge.
Whoever drafts him should use him as a situational pass rusher from the 3-4 and gradually work him into 4-3 schemes.
8. Allen Bailey: DE, Miami (Fla.)
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Even though he's a two-time All-ACC selection, scouts may have him lower than anticipated since he only received second team All-ACC honors as a senior.
That's a drop-off from 2009, when he earned a first team All-ACC nod as a junior.
Part of this is because he double-dipped between defensive end and defensive tackle as a junior, as opposed to just defensive end as a senior.
Regardless, that shows that not only is he a team player, but he also has versatility along the D-line to play in multiple schemes and fronts.
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7. Davon House: CB, New Mexico State
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House most likely has dropped in the prospect rankings because of his ankle injury prior to the Senior Bowl.
However, as the Aggies' shutdown corner for four complete years, House earned first team All-WAC selections in 2009 and 2010.
He started all 50 games through four years and recorded 11 interceptions for 319 yards.
He has the size you want in terms of height for a CB (6'0") but may need to add some muscle mass to his 184-pound frame.
6. Jabaal Sheard: DE, Pittsburgh
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Combine the defense-heavy draft with the scrutiny of the Big East for being a weak conference, and it's easy to see why Jabaal Sheard is only ranked as the eighth best DE.
He was selected to the 2010 American Football Coaches Association All-American team and first team All-Big East.
Sheard also started 39 consecutive games for the Panthers while totaling 142 tackles and 25 sacks in four years.
He had an off-the-field incident and was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
But he also received a bravery award for saving an elderly woman from her burning home.
So what will teams get with Sheard? You can only hope for the latter.
5. Jaiquawn Jarrett: FS, Temple
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Let's face it: When someone asks you about the University of Temple, the football program doesn't come to mind.
However, with Jaiquawn Jarrett at free safety the past three seasons, he definitely increased their exposure.
From the time he entered in as a freshman in 2007, Jarrett made an immediate impact for the Owls.
In 2009, Temple made its first bowl appearance in 30 years and only the third in school history.
As for Jarrett, he was the Owls' 2010 team MVP and earned All-American status from Pro Football Weekly in addition to being named first team All-MAC.
4. Tyler Sash: SS, Iowa
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Coming out of college with one year of eligibility left may be why he's projected to go in the third round, but he may go sooner if his consistency continues into the NFL combine.
A two-time All-American and All-Big Ten selection, Sash picked off 13 passes and returned them for an Iowa Hawkeye record 392 yards.
While that shows he is very dangerous with the ball, without it he may be even more deadly, as he totaled 217 tackles in three years AS A SAFETY.
He's definitely a versatile football player and can help with the rush or pass D.
Come draft weekend, if your team needs a safety, you may want it to at least consider Tyler Sash.
3. Greg Jones: ILB, Michigan State
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For as outstanding as Greg Jones played while at Michigan State, he didn't receive much exposure outside of East Lansing.
With much of the attention going to players like Ryan Kerrigan (deservedly so), Patrick Peterson and Nick Fairley, Jones has gone somewhat overlooked.
He was selected to the All-Big Ten first team three times and named a first team All-American twice.
Not to mention he was the 2009 Big Ten defensive player of the year and received the Michigan State football team MVP award in 2010.
Currently he is slated to go in the late second round to early third round, but don't be surprised if he goes sooner.
2. Pernell McPhee: DE, Mississippi State
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It must be tough as a defensive lineman in the SEC with Nick Fairley and Marcell Dareus receiving more publicity for the NFL draft.
However, McPhee has been rather underground since entering the college ranks.
His first two years were spent in junior college, where he received All-American honors twice.
Then he moved into the FBS with Mississippi State, and McPhee made the All-SEC team twice there as well.
Not to mention Mississippi State is in the SEC West division, which had FIVE of the six teams ranked in the Top 20 by season's end.
1. Mark Herzlich: OLB, Boston College
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For those of you that are fans of the movie The Program, Herzlich reminds me of the psycho DE Steve Lattimer.
However, his most prestigious aspect is his heart.
After the 2008 season, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer) and missed the entire 2009 season.
However, he made a comeback for the game he loves and played the entire 2010 season for the Eagles and finished third on the team with 65 tackles.
Prior to his disease, Herzlich was the 2008 ACC player of the year and earned All-American honors.
Now, he has just one more obstacle to overcome (the NFL).
However, the fact that he came back to play football after being diagnosed with bone cancer (and now has the opportunity to play in the NFL) displays that he has already overcome his most difficult obstacle—life.
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