The Top 25 Offensive, Defensive Linemen in the 2012 NFL Draft

To many fans, nothing is more exciting than watching the trenches. Whether the quarterback gets sacked or the running back breaks a 70-yard touchdown run, the exciting play starts at the line of scrimmage. 

In a matter of moments, the defensive lineman busts out of his stance and initiates contact with the offensive lineman. The slightest move can made the difference between a play for the defense or a play for the offense. 

A quarterback can be sacked 50 times in a season (David Carr) or 10 (Peyton Manning). Sure many factors go into this, but the offensive line is a key component. 

A run and pass defense both start along the defensive front. With blockers taken up, the linebackers are allowed to roam free. And nothing makes a cornerback look better than a hurried throw.

These aspects of a play often go unnoticed, but they are quite frequently the driving force behind a play.  Here's a look at the Top 25 offensive and defensive linemen in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Brandon Lindsey, DE, Pittsburgh

Lindsey will likely move to linebacker in the NFL as he is only 6'2" 250, but this will definitely be a better fit for him. Lindsey doesn't have any truly dynamic pass rush moves, but he has a good motor and football intelligence, both of which can be better utilized standing up.

Lacking a true pass-rush repertoire, Lindsey is more or less relying on his smarts and motor. He is relentless in all aspects of the game and forces his way to the play. Few players possess the same level of determination and desire to make a play on the field.

Lindsey doesn't project particularly well as a pass rusher, but his versatility and effort will make him a relatively high draft pick.

Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State

A former top recruit, Adams has the ability to be a dominant left tackle but has never shown it on the field.  The 6'8" 310 lb lineman has the desired athleticism but really needs to add strength in order to succeed.

At times, the Ohio State left tackle will show the potential of a top draft pick, but he will also look terrible and get beat in the pass and run game. Adams's biggest problem is an apparent lack of desire and nastiness. He doesn't finish off blocks well and seems rather nonchalant while on the field.

If Adams finally demonstrates the desire to be great, he could really excel in 2011. But he has a lot of work to do and needs play with more passion.

Bobby Massie, OT, Ole Miss

Massie is a 6'6" 325 lb offensive tackle that has shown the ability to be a solid second-round draft pick.  He will probably play right tackle at the next level due to a lack of quickness, but is a solid run blocker and projects well to the strong side.

Massie struggles with technique but is strong enough that he can be sloppy to an extent. However, this will not work in the NFL and he must improve his hand placement in pass protection.

A bit of an unknown at the moment, Massie could surprise some people in 2011 and end up as a highly discussed draft prospect.

Nathan Williams, DE, Ohio State

Williams is a hybrid pass rusher that has already demonstrated the ability to drop back into coverage.  The 6'3" 255 lb DE hasn't been overly productive thus far due to a lack of opportunities, but he makes plays when in the game.

The Ohio State player has a tremendous motor and fights to make a play. While he does need to work on developing some pass rush moves, the ability is there for Williams to blossom as a pass rusher in 2012.

Williams is particularly appealing to 3-4 defenses due to his experience in coverage and he is more than capable of standing up. Few pass rushers already have this type of experience and Williams should improve in 2012, possibly ending up as a first-round selection.

Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State

At this point, Adcock is more of an athlete than a player. The 6'6" 320 lb tackle has great feet and the ability to keep up with the best of speed rushers. Long arms also aid this task, and defenders are rarely able to get close enough to make an impact.

However, Adlock lacks a mean streak and doesn't seem overly interested in finishing off blocks. He lacks power and can be driven into the backfield on run plays. Defenders easily disengage from blocks to make plays, and Adcock can't seem to stick with a lineman.

Adcock needs to grow as a player, but his size and athletic ability make him an intriguing prospect to a team in need of offensive line help.

Ben Jones, C, Georgia

Jones is a slightly undersized center at 6'3" 300 lbs but is big enough to get by. A player that gets by with grit, intelligence and nastiness, Jones is far from a great center but is the type of player fans and coaches love.

Just watching Jones, it is apparent that he plays with passion and wants nothing more than to pummel his opponent. He plays with abandon in the run game and attacks the second level. 

Jones probably won't be a high draft pick but his style of play will give him a landing spot and the adoration of fans. 

Baker Steinkuhler, DT, Nebraska

Steinkuhler is a versatile player that is capable of playing in any defensive scheme.  The 6'6" 290 lb Steinkuhler has great quickness and burst for a defensive tackle and uses his athleticism to get after the quarterback.

Steinkuhler's best fit may come as a 3-4 defensive where he isn't quite so small for his position. While he may not be a great run stopper regardless of scheme, the 3-4 will better utilize his length and athletic ability.

Bruce Irvin, DE, West Virginia

As a 6'3" 245 lb pass rusher, Irvin lacks a true position in the NFL. He possesses tremendous burst and fantastic quickness which makes him a viable edge rusher. However, he simply cannot be an every down player at his size.

Irvin uses his great first step to get an edge on the tackle, then uses his superb quickness to get to the quarterback. He does need to develop more rush moves, but with his athletic ability, the West Virginia defensive end should be a dynamic edge rusher.

Irvin is too small to even play 3-4 outside linebacker and will either need to bulk up or be utilized as a situational player.

Andrew Datko, OT, Florida State

Datko is a tackle that excels in the run game but needs to show improvement as a pass protector. The Florida State lineman shows good power in the run game and does a great job of moving on from one defender to the next.

While Datko has good strength, he can be pushed back far too easily in pass protection and is sometimes driven all the way to the quarterback. However, Datko doesn't just struggle with power rushers; he also isn't very good with speed and needs to work on his feet.

Due to his lack of pass-blocking ability and good strength in the run game, Datko projects more as a right tackle and is unlikely to play on the blind side in the NFL.

Cordy Glenn, OG, Georgia

At 6'5" 345 lbs, Glenn is a massive road-grading offensive lineman that can really open up some holes.  Though Glenn plays offensive tackle for Georgia, he is extremely unlikely to remain on the outside and projects as a guard in the NFL.

Glenn has power and quickness for a guard but needs to improve his technique and consistency. He gets sloppy with his hand placement and footwork and struggles to block in the second level.

The interior offensive line will help hide Glenn's slow feet and utilize his power, and he should be a quality-guard prospect for a team with a power offensive line.

Andre Branch, DE, Clemson

A physical specimen, Branch just needs to put it all together.  The 6'5" 260 lb Clemson end has all the ability to dominate offensive linemen, yet he had just six sacks in 2010.

Branch needs to work on his technique, but more importantly, he needs to play with more passion. He doesn't seem overly interested in attacking the line of scrimmage and plays too tentatively.

In order to be a first-round pick, Branch will finally need to produce up to his ability. While this could easily happen, even if it does, his lack of prior production will hurt his stock.

Michael Brewster, C, Ohio State

While he is no Nick Mangold, Michael Brewster is an excellent center and a player worthy of a high draft pick. The Buckeye lineman is rather tall and lanky at 6'5" 295 lbs and may project better to guard.

A smart player with great quickness and technique, Brewster just needs to improve his power. If he can add 15 pounds, there is no reason that Brester can't be a first-round draft pick.

Though he is not as powerful as many first-round centers, Brewster is great in pass protection and has some of the best finesse skills of all college interior linemen.

Donte Paige-Moss, DE, North Carolina

Though Paige Moss isn't overly big at 6'4" 260 lbs, his best attribute is his power. The North Carolina defensive end has good burst but lacks the quickness to beat offensive tackles.

Paige-Moss uses strong hands to disengage from blocks and is actually quite good against the run.  While his size does hinder him some, Paige-Moss is capable of playing defensive end in the NFL due to his block-shedding ability.

He will never be a great pass rusher, but the Tarheel can be a solid player, especially if he improves his quickness on the edge.

David DeCastro, OG, Stanford

DeCastro has prototypical guard size at 6'5" 310 lbs and could be an elite interior line prospect. The Stanford guard has the quick feet and mean streak to dominate in every aspect of the game.

DeCastro does a great job in the second level and finishes blocks with vigor. Few guards are better pass blockers and he does a great job of maintaining balance.

While many guards are dumpy, DeCastro is built with a solid base that helps him to rarely use ground at the point of attack. If he keeps it up, DeCastro could easily be a first-round selection in 2012 and profiles as an elite guard.

Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska

The 6'6" 290 lb Crick is stuck between defensive tackle and defensive end. An extremely quick and explosive tackle, Crick is a dominant interior pass rusher that can rattle the most poised of quarterbacks.

At end, the Nebraska defender is big and strong against the run. He powers through tackles and makes plays in the backfield while never getting blown off the ball.

With all of this in mind, Crick's best position is at 3-4 defensive end. The position combines the best of Crick's strengths and he could dominate. His value could be pushed down due to his lack of a true position in a 4-3, but Crick will be a valuable player to teams that run 3-4 defenses.

Kelechi Osemele, OG, Iowa State

A left tackle at Idaho State, Osemele projects as a guard in the NFL, although there are some who think the 6'6" 350 lb Cyclone could remain at tackle.

Osmele has fantastic power and looks surprisingly fit for his size. As a guard, Osemele has quick feet and can play in the second level as well. However, if he stays on the outside, Osemele's lack of quickness will be taken advantage and he will be a liability in the pass game.

Along the interior line, Osemele projects similarly to Carl Nicks who has developed into one of the NFL's best. The sky is the limit for the young, versatile offensive lineman.

Brandon Jenkins, DE, Florida State

Jenkins is an athletic pass rusher at 6'4" 260 lbs with the ability to make plays in the backfield. The Florida State end racked up 13.5 sacks in 2010 and demonstrated the capacity to be a true threat.

With excellent burst and fluidity, Jenkins projects well to a 3-4 defense as well and could easily play linebacker. In fact, unless he gains weight, Jenkins will likely have to make a position change in the NFL, though it is not an absolute certainty.

Jenkins's upside makes him a worthwhile pick, but he needs to add more pass rush moves in order to dominate. 

Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

A former tight end, Reiff is an athletic tackle that is still developing as a player.  The Hawkeye's natural athleticism and quick feet give him a jump start over pass rushers and he can hold hold his own against the best.

He needs to continue to refine his technique and develop as a player, and some extra weight would not hurt in the power game.  Reiff isn't a great tackle, but he is smart and athletic enough to be a high draft pick.

With Iowa's great coaching staff, Reiff should improve in 2011 and emerge as a first-round pick. 

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

The 6'5" 350 lb Poe combines ridiculous size and athleticism to make him a potentially elite player.  There are defensive tackles in the NFL or NCAA with more potential, and the Tigers' DE could be a star.

Poe is eerily similar to Shaun Rogers from a physical standpoint, which goes to show his enormous potential. A possible 3-4 nose tackle or 4-3 interior player, Poe provides versatility as well as his tremendous talent.

A raw player, Poe needs to develop and show a strong work ethic in order to be a high draft pick, but he has a good chance of being a first-round selection.

Matt Kalil, OT, USC

The younger brother of Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil, the USC offensive tackle already has an impressive NFL pedigree. Kalil is an athletic offensive tackle at 6'7" 295 lbs and can keep up with the quickest of speed rushers.

He is capable of being bull rushed and needs to become more stout at the point of attack, but on the whole, Kalil is a formidable blindside protector. With his type of athleticism and size, he has the ability to be one of the NFL's best pass protectors.

With NFL teams passing even more, few players on the offensive side of the ball are more valued than a great pass blocker, so expect Kalil to be an early pick.

Marcus Forston, DT, Miami (FL)

Forston is another Miami defensive tackle with tons of potential. An inconsistent player in 2010, Forston showed flashes of greatness but needs to play at a high level in every game.

The typical 3 technique defensive tackle, Forston shoots the gaps and attacks the backfield.  Quarterbacks fear him and interior linemen find him too quick to block.

A deadly first step and great agility makes him a pass-rushing threat as well as a formidable run stopper.  A more consistent 2011 season could transform the Hurricane tackle into an elite draft prospect.

Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

In a seemingly endless line of Tarheels defensive players, Coples stands out. A solid player in every aspect of the game, the 6'6" 270 lb defensive end can excel in any situation. 

While he isn't an elite pass rusher, Coples has the strength and size to be productive. However, he really stands out in the run game and, despite his slim frame, he could bulk up and play defensive end in a 3-4 defense. 

Coples is, in many ways, similar to Derrick Morgan of the Tennessee Titans. He will likely never be a great pass rusher, but he will produce and be a solid player for many years.

Devin Taylor, DE, South Carolina

Taylor is the rare defensive end with the ability to be a legitimate Top 5 pick. Most NFL defenses prioritize the pass rusher position above all others, and an elite one is incredibly valuable. Taylor is a freak athlete at 6'7" 260 lbs and is capable of truly taking over a game. 

Taylor flashed his ability last year as a sophomore when he accumulated 7.5 sacks and if he continues to develop, watch out. An already productive player, Taylor has much room to improve and needs to work on his technique. 

However, even with Taylor's production, he is still raw. In 2011, the South Carolina defensive end will need to demonstrate that he is capable of stepping up his game. If he does, he could be scary.

Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State

Worthy is the type of defensive lineman that is constantly making his presence felt. Whether it's getting after the quarterback, tackling the runner in the backfield or just maintaining his gap, he is always involved in the play. 

A quick player with decent size at 6'3" 310 lbs, the Spartan lineman has all the desired physical tools.  He isn't a truly elite athlete, but he has the ability to be an excellent player, especially if he improves his technique. 

Though he is no Ndamukong Suh or Gerald McCoy, don't be shocked if Worthy reaches Nick Fairley status and is contending to be a Top 10 pick. 

Jonathan Martin, OT, Stanford

Martin has arguably the most important job in college football: Protecting Andrew Luck's blind side.  At 6'6" 305 lbs, Martin has a big frame but could stand to add more bulk. A good athlete who excels with his intelligence and technique, Martin has good burst and excels in the second level. The Cardinal left tackle has excellent arm extension and does a nice job of keeping defenders at a distance. 

While not a truly elite left tackle prospect, Martin has the potential to be worthy of a high selection in the 2012 draft at a position that is constantly becoming more valued. If Martin's feet have improved since 2011, he could even enter elite status.