Player Rankings (Defensive Top 5)

Tackle
1.  Sharrif Floyd, Florida
2.  Star Lotulelei, Utah
3.  Sheldon Richardson, Missouri
4.  John Jenkins, Georgia
5.  Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State

Analysis:  Hankins is sliding down the draft boards, but that was more of him being overrated than anything.  The opposite of that is Sharrif Floyd who has shot up draft boards and with Star Lotulelei's heart issue will probably be the first DT taken.  One thing that amazes me is that a lot of people don't know how good Sheldon Richardson is.  He realistically could go in the top 10.

Nose Tackle
1.  John Jenkins, Georgia
2.  Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State
3.  Jesse Williams, Alabama
4.  Kwame Geathers, Georgia
5.  Montori Hughes, Tennessee-Martin

Analysis:  Most of the time the top nose tackle doesn't go in the first round.  This year we could see two.  Jenkins has top 15 talent, but him being out of shape and other off the field issues could have him slided.  Hankins isn't your tradional 2 down NT, but he can still be very successful at the position.

3-4 End
1.  Star Lotulelei, Utah
2.  John Jenkins, Georgia
3.  Jonathan Hankins, Ohio State
4.  Datone Jones, UCLA
5.  William Gholston, Michigan State

Analysis:  The player really to watch is Datone Jones from UCLA.  He probably only fits in the 3-4, but he'll be very good because he can rush the passer an still be able to play two gaps.  One player that a lot of people aren't talking about is William Gholston.  He can play in the 4-3, but he's probably a better fit in the 3-4 because he isn't a explosive pass rusher, but does great taking on contact and still being able to make plays.  He could be a poor mans Calais Campbell.

4-3 End
1.  Damontre Moore, Texas A&M
2.  Bjoern Werner, Florida State
3.  Barkevious Mingo, LSU
4.  Dion Jordan, Oregon
5.  Alex Okafor, Texas

Analysis:  We could see three or four ends go in the top 10 this year.  The top is a battle between Moore and Werner.  However don't be surprised if Werner slides because he doesn't project well to the 3-4 and most teams in the top 10 are 3-4.

Rush linebacker
1.  Jarvis Jones, Georgia
2.  Barkevious Mingo, LSU
3.  Damontre Moore, Texas A&M
4.  Ezekial Ansah, BYU
5.  Alex Okafor, Texas

Analysis:  Jarvis Jones is an elite pass rusher and will be a force in the 3-4 because he can also drop into coverage.  However he might not be the first taken because of concerns about his past spinal issues.  Ezekial Ansah is a player who will probably go higher because of his potential.  But he is still very raw.

Outside Linebacker
1.  Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
2.  Arthur Brown, Kansas State
3.  Jelani Jenkins, Florida
4.  Nico Johnson, Alabama
5.  Gerald Hodges, Penn State

Analysis:  Khaseem Green and Arther Brown are two linebackers that are tackling machines who will be excellent on 4-3 teams.  After them there is a big drop off where the next three mgiht not go till the end of the third round.

Inside Linebacker
1.  Alec Olgetree, Georgia
2.  Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
3.  Kevin Minter, LSU
4.  Kevin Reddick, North Carolina
5.  Jonathan Bostic, Florida

Analysis:  We've had some good inside linebackers the past few years and this year might be no different.  This year we could see three guys go in the first round.  Olgetree is a guy that should go in the top 15, but because of some off the field concerns he'll likely go in the later half of the first round.

Cornerback
1.  Demarcus Milliner, Alabama
2.  Desmond Trufant, Washington
3.  John Banks, Mississippi State
4.  Xavier Rhodes, Florida State
5.  Blidi Wreh-Wilson, UConn

Analysis:  Desmond Trufant really showed his capabilities at the Senior Bowl and that really helped his stock.  Wreh-Wilson is another player that has seen his stock shoot up.  But watch out for Xavier Rhodes who many people aren't talking about, but has the skills to be a good NFL corner.  Plus he has good size, so he'll be enticing to teams.

Safety
1.  Kenny Vaccaro, Texas
2.  Matt Elam, Florida
3.  Eric Reid, LSU
4.  Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma
5.  Phillip Thomas, Fresno State

Analysis:  Vaccaro is the star of this and will likely be taken early.  Prospects with his cover skills are hard to find and normally go high.  Elam and Reid are two high quality strong safeties who could find their way late into the first round, but more than likely they are 2nd rounders.