NFL Draft 2011: Ranking the Top 10 Defensive Prospects in the Draft

There is no shortage of elite talent on the defensive side of the ball in the 2011 NFL draft class. Teams that want to bolster their front seven will find that there are impact players aplenty to choose from in the first round.

I will let you know who the top 10 defensive prospects are in this year's draft class and what makes these prospects so appealing to NFL scouts.

As always let me know your comments and opinions, positive or negative.

10. Adrian Clayborn (Iowa)

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Defensive end Adrian Clayborn #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by Christian

Questions have come up recently regarding Clayborn’s medical tests and that has raised some red flags, but the Iowa standout still has high value in this draft.

Adrian had his best season as a junior in which he recorded 63 tackles and 11 sacks for the Hawkeyes. The defensive end’s production dipped slightly as a senior, but scouts still feel that Clayborn is a sure-fire upper-round talent.

It should be noted that Clayborn was also charged with assault causing bodily injury after he allegedly punched a taxicab driver at two in the morning. Adrian will no doubt have to explain his actions regarding this incident and defend his maturity and character.

9. Aldon Smith (Missouri)

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

Of course quarterback Blaine Gabbert is stealing the majority of the draft headlines for Missouri, but do not sleep on defensive end Aldon Smith.

Smith has been an integral part of Missouri’s pass rush the past two seasons and is one of the most highly touted defensive ends to come out of the school since former first-round pick Justin Smith.

The 6'5", 260-lb. lineman recorded 17 sacks during the past two seasons and is climbing up draft boards because of his high productivity and potential.

Aldon will likely be picked below fellow defensive ends Nick Fairley, Da’Quan Bowers and J.J. Watt, but it is still probable that the Missouri product falls in the first round.

8. J.J. Watt (Wisconsin)

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ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 20: J.J. Watt #99 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates a fourth quarter interception with Patrick Butrym #95 while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Wisconson won the

J.J. originally attended Central Michigan before transferring to the school where he would eventually make his mark in Wisconsin.

Watt has the speed and strength to possibly play as an outside linebacker in the NFL. Watt’s speed and skills were on full display last season in Madison where he recorded seven sacks and forced two fumbles.

J.J. is projected to be selected as a mid- to late-first-round pick by most mock drafts.

It’s unclear what role J.J. will play on defense, but either way expect this defensive tackle to make noise in the NFL.

7. Robert Quinn (North Carolina)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Defensive lineman Robert Quinn of North Carolina runs through a drill during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Robert Quinn was just one of many highly touted prospects on North Carolina’s 2010-2011 defensive unit, but Quinn was able to show last season why he stood out above the rest of his teammates.

Quinn recorded 52 tackles and 11 sacks for the Tar Heels as a junior and showed the type of potential that gets the attention of scouts and personnel all across the league. At 6'5", 270 lbs. it is unclear what Robert’s future NFL position will be, although it is certain that he will be selected to help bolster a team’s front seven on defense.

6. Prince Amukamara (Nebraska)

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Prince Amukamara #21 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers misses a chance at an interception from Scotty McKnight #21 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the second half of their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Neb

I will skip all the played-out jokes about Prince and royalty because frankly I have already grown tired of them.

All that needs to be known is that Prince is a legitimate first-round talent and should immediately bolster an NFL team’s defensive secondary at cornerback.

Amukamara recorded 119 tackles throughout his past two seasons at Nebraska and was one of the leaders of Bo Pelini’s improved Cornhusker defensive unit.

Prince likely won’t be able to leapfrog fellow cornerback prospect Patrick Peterson, but it would be shocking to see Amukamara go anywhere besides the first round in the draft.

5. Von Miller (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

Miller recorded a ridiculous 33 sacks and 178 tackles throughout his four seasons at Texas A&M. This production in itself would be enough to garner considerable draft buzz.

Add in the fact that Miller drew rave reviews at the recent NFL scouting combine and has great size for a defensive end at 6'3", 243 lbs. and you will see why Von is such a highly regarded prospect.

In a year where there is no shortage of talented defensive end/linebacker prospects, Miller is making a furious climb up draft boards and appears to be one player whose name will be off the board sooner rather than later.

4. Nick Fairley (Auburn)

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Nick Fairley #90 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates the Tigers 22-19 victory against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (

Nick Fairley was always well respected by those who followed college football, but the defensive tackle from Mobile, Alabama truly became a household name after he registered a dominating performance in the BCS national title game.

The title game performance made Fairley known to the masses, but the defensive lineman has been in scouts’ sights for some time now. Nick recorded 12 sacks last season and was a constant disruptive force for Auburn that always seemed to be in the opponent’s backfield.

The 298-lb. Fairley mixes his brute strength with a deceptive quickness that allows him to always be in the middle of the play. Nick will be one of the first players taken off the board and whoever drafts this defensive tackle will be receiving a player that they can build around.

3. Patrick Peterson (LSU)

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Patrick Peterson #37 of LSU stretches before working out during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Patrick Peterson is simply a game-breaking threat in the defensive secondary and most teams have little doubt that the LSU product can contribute in the NFL as a rookie.

Patrick notched 135 tackles and seven interceptions throughout his three-year career at LSU and was one of the leaders on a Tigers defense that only gave up 18.2 points per game last season.

All indications are that Patrick Peterson will be a top-10 selection in the upcoming draft and it would not be far-fetched to think that Peterson might start as a rookie in the league.

2. Da'Quan Bowers (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 was a consensus 5-star recruit coming out of high school and now he is one of the consensus top prospects in this April’s draft.

Some became skeptical of Da’Quan after he only compiled four sacks throughout his first two seasons at Clemson, but Bowers quieted any doubters during his junior season in which he recorded 67 tackles and 16 sacks.

Scouts love Bowers for his versatility and envision that he can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme. Some people are hesitant to put too much stock in Bowers because of the fact that he only had one standout season, but nevertheless Da’Quan’s athleticism and ability cannot be denied.

1. Marcell Dareus (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)

Honestly, what is there not to like about Marcell Dareus?

The junior linebacker combines great size at 6'4", 306 lbs. with an elite skill set that has NFL scouts drooling.

Dareus put his skills to use on the gridiron for the Crimson Tide as well, where he amassed 66 tackles and recorded 11 interceptions throughout his past two seasons in Tuscaloosa.

There is little doubt in anyone’s mind that Marcell’s skill will translate over to the NFL game and it is because of the defensive tackle’s NFL-ready package that Dareus will likely be a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.