Time for batch two of positional rankings. We move to the defensive side of the ball here.
SAFETY
1. Phillip Thomas- Fresno State- Looked at by many as a third round pick, I expect this ballhawk to rise rapidly after the Senior Bowl. He has a nose for the ball and the time in the spotlight will really help his draft stock. Grade: 34
2. Eric Reid- Florida- A tall safety, Reid is known for thundering hits. A true junior, Reid also has some of the higher potential at the position. Grade: 41
Up Next: Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams
CORNERBACK
1. Dee Miliner- Alabama- It seems like Bama churns out one star defensive player each year. The cream of their class this year is Miliner. A corner with size and speed, Miliner is strong enough to even guard tight ends, most notably locking down top tight end Tyler Eifert in the title game. Grade 4
2. Logan Ryan- Rutgers- I've been calling Logan's rise since before he was even a starter at Rutgers. The guy can flat out ball. He plays the run better than most linebackers, and was the best pure man to man corner in college last year. I am higher on him than most, but I expect whoever takes him to be very satisfied. Grade 8
3. Tharold Simon- LSU- Normally I only do 2 write-ups but I am making an exception here for Simon because I like him so much. After watching Seattle, I am certain that tall CBs are a new market inefficiency. We are going all Moneyball up in here! Simon is listed at 6'4 on some sites, which is insane considering how good a cover corner he is. Like Ryan, I am taking huge risk projecting him this high, but I feel it will be validated on the field in upcoming years. Grade 17
Next Up: Xavier Rhodes and Jonathan Banks
Outside Linebackers 4-3
1. Khaseem Greene- Rutgers- When you watch that Logan Ryan tape, you will probably also notice a dreadlocked monster chasing the ball. The back-to-back Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Greene chases down ballcarriers at prolific rates, covers in the slot, makes plays in the backfield, and is has an uncanny ability to lock up while stripping the ball. The only knock on him is his advanced age. Grade 11
2. Arthur Brown- Kasas State- Brown is essentially a lesser Greene. He plays sideline to sideline and has amazing athleticism. The K-State defense is not the same when he is off the field. Brown may find himself undrafted on Day 1, but that doesn't mean he was undeserving. Grade 30
Outside Linebackers 3-4
1. DaMontre Moore- Texas A&M- I'm not as high on Moore as most are, yet I still recognize his ability to terrorize opposing offenses. The edge rusher is a bit limited on potential, and does not stack up well against former Aggie Von Miller, but then again who does? Moore should be used similarly to Aldon Smith when he first enters the league. Grade 14
2. Dion Jordan- Oregon- The enigmatic and oft-injured linebacker has loads of talent. He is able to glide with receivers on one play and dominate a lineman the next. The problem is that he doesn't have much tape to back it up and he has trouble staying on the field. That said, if utilized properly Jordan has all the tools to dominate at the next level. Grade 18
3. Jarvis Jones- Georgia- USC turned down Jones. His spinal cord issues did not hinder him in college, but, like USC, pro teams will find it difficult to ignore his troubling circumstances. Without the injury, he would be the clear number one prospect in the draft. Jones still looks top ten bound. Like Lattimore, I feel I have to give him two separate grades. Grades: Injury Considered 20 Healthy 1
SAFETY
1. Phillip Thomas- Fresno State- Looked at by many as a third round pick, I expect this ballhawk to rise rapidly after the Senior Bowl. He has a nose for the ball and the time in the spotlight will really help his draft stock. Grade: 34
2. Eric Reid- Florida- A tall safety, Reid is known for thundering hits. A true junior, Reid also has some of the higher potential at the position. Grade: 41
Up Next: Bacarri Rambo and Shawn Williams
CORNERBACK
1. Dee Miliner- Alabama- It seems like Bama churns out one star defensive player each year. The cream of their class this year is Miliner. A corner with size and speed, Miliner is strong enough to even guard tight ends, most notably locking down top tight end Tyler Eifert in the title game. Grade 4
2. Logan Ryan- Rutgers- I've been calling Logan's rise since before he was even a starter at Rutgers. The guy can flat out ball. He plays the run better than most linebackers, and was the best pure man to man corner in college last year. I am higher on him than most, but I expect whoever takes him to be very satisfied. Grade 8
3. Tharold Simon- LSU- Normally I only do 2 write-ups but I am making an exception here for Simon because I like him so much. After watching Seattle, I am certain that tall CBs are a new market inefficiency. We are going all Moneyball up in here! Simon is listed at 6'4 on some sites, which is insane considering how good a cover corner he is. Like Ryan, I am taking huge risk projecting him this high, but I feel it will be validated on the field in upcoming years. Grade 17
Next Up: Xavier Rhodes and Jonathan Banks
Outside Linebackers 4-3
1. Khaseem Greene- Rutgers- When you watch that Logan Ryan tape, you will probably also notice a dreadlocked monster chasing the ball. The back-to-back Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Greene chases down ballcarriers at prolific rates, covers in the slot, makes plays in the backfield, and is has an uncanny ability to lock up while stripping the ball. The only knock on him is his advanced age. Grade 11
2. Arthur Brown- Kasas State- Brown is essentially a lesser Greene. He plays sideline to sideline and has amazing athleticism. The K-State defense is not the same when he is off the field. Brown may find himself undrafted on Day 1, but that doesn't mean he was undeserving. Grade 30
Outside Linebackers 3-4
1. DaMontre Moore- Texas A&M- I'm not as high on Moore as most are, yet I still recognize his ability to terrorize opposing offenses. The edge rusher is a bit limited on potential, and does not stack up well against former Aggie Von Miller, but then again who does? Moore should be used similarly to Aldon Smith when he first enters the league. Grade 14
2. Dion Jordan- Oregon- The enigmatic and oft-injured linebacker has loads of talent. He is able to glide with receivers on one play and dominate a lineman the next. The problem is that he doesn't have much tape to back it up and he has trouble staying on the field. That said, if utilized properly Jordan has all the tools to dominate at the next level. Grade 18
3. Jarvis Jones- Georgia- USC turned down Jones. His spinal cord issues did not hinder him in college, but, like USC, pro teams will find it difficult to ignore his troubling circumstances. Without the injury, he would be the clear number one prospect in the draft. Jones still looks top ten bound. Like Lattimore, I feel I have to give him two separate grades. Grades: Injury Considered 20 Healthy 1
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