Position Breakdown: Defensive End

1.  Jadeveon Clowney (JR) 6'5 266 South Carolina
Analysis: One in 10 year talent. Elite athlete for size. A force to the QB. Fits in any scheme. Only questions are whether he'll give it his all. Takes plays off. Immaturity off the field.
Projection:  #1 Overall

2.  Dee Ford (JR) 6'2 252 Auburn
Analysis:  Explosive off the edge.  Non stop motor. Has experience standing up and playing in coverage. Played best vs top teams. Size may force him to play in 3-4 only. Struggles vs run.
Projection:  1st Round

3.  Kony Ealy (JR) 6'4 273 Missouri
Analysis:  Do it all defensive end. Good speed and quickness for size. Can play both DE spots and move inside to DT in passing situations. 4-3 fit only. Doesn't do well in space.
Projection:  Top 50

4.  Scott Crichton (JR) 6'3 273 Oregon State
Analysis: Elite explosion off the ball. Motor runs hot. Faster on tape than timed. Can translate speed to power. Able to operate in space. Struggles vs run.
Projection:  Day 2

5. Jeremiah Attaochu (SR) 6'3 252 Georgia Tech
Projection: Top 50

6. Demarcus Lawrence (JR) 6'3 251 Boise State
Projection:  2nd Round

7. Kareem Martin (SR) 6'6 252 North Carolina
Projection: 2nd Round

8. Trent Murphy (SR) 6'5 250 Stanford
Projection: Day 2

9. Jackson Jeffcoat (SR) 6'3 247 Texas
Projection: 4th or 5th Round

10. Cassius Marsh (SR) 6'4 252 UCLA
Projection:  4th or 5th Round

Player Profile: Scott Crichton

Height:  6'3
Weight:  273
School:  Oregon State
Position:  Defensive End
Ranking:  #3 Defensive End
Projection:  2nd Round

Strengths
-Experienced.  Started every game (38 starts) since redshirt freshman season. 
-Has the height and weight to play DE in a four man front
-Quick and explosive off the ball (1.62 10 yard split).  Already at the tackle before he can get set up
-Does a good job of translating speed into power.  Able to bull rush despite his size
-Moves well in space for somebody his size (273 lbs)
-A relentless pass rusher.  Takes it too offensive lineman.
-Has an assortment of pass rushing moves that allows him to keep tackles guessing
-Strong powerful punch
-Uses leverage and strong base to set the edge in the run game.
-Strong anchor who rarely is moved off his spot
-Had success lining up in 3 technique on passing situation.  Even played some NT against Oregon
-Has a knack for making splash plays.  Forced fumbles, strips, timely sacks
-Always around the ball.  Good instincts and football IQ
-Non stop motor.  Always going hard.  100% all the time
-Durable.  No injury issues to speak of

Weaknesses
-Not an elite athlete in terms of speed (4.84 40) and athletic ability.  Only average
-Lacks the ideal length for a DE (32 3/4")
-Inconsistent in the run game.  Can be washed out of play or fail to set the edge consistently 
-No experience playing in a two point stance or in coverage
-Can struggle to disengage from blocks and make plays

Summary
Every year in the draft we see a pass rusher come out of nowhere to be a first round pick.  Bruce Irvin and Shea McClellin are two examples.  This year that player could be Scott Crichton.  He isn't going to wow you with his athletic ability, but he is a flat out football player.  However Crichton is one of the most explosive defensive ends in this class.  He fires off the ball and uses his quickness and power to wreck havoc in the backfield.  The big downfall for Crichton is he will tend to struggle in the run game.  He can set the edge in the run game, but not very consistent.  Add in that he's only 6'2 and that could scare some teams off.  His best fit is going to be in a 4-3 as a right defensive end.  However he does better than expected in space so he could fit within a 3-4 team as pass rushing specialist at first.  Look for him to go in the early second round and be a steal for whichever team nabs him.  But also don't be surprised to see him go in the latter half of the first round to teams like New Orleans, Denver or Seattle. But more likely to teams like Houston, Oakland, or the Bills in round two.