You know who is at the top of defensive end rankings for the 2014 NFL Draft (Jadeveon Clowney). You know why he’s there (insert your own quip about being a transcendent prospect). You even know the perceived issues (consistent work ethic).
2014 NFL Draft defensive end rankings
You know who is at the top. After that the intrigue begins.
Scott Halleran
But after Clowney is where this group is intriguing. While his NFL Scouting Combine numbers may not have indicated it, Missouri’s Kony Ealy is is a good athlete for the position but also capable of lining up inside to create unique blitz packages. Auburn’s Dee Ford is a master speed rusher. What he may lack in stereotypical size and strength he makes up for quickness and burst.
After that tier, players like Demarcus Lawrence of Boise State and Scott Critchton of Oregon State are next up. Lawrence is another versatile player (as it Louisville’s Marcus Smith). Crichton is a classic 4-3 left end who is solid across the board.
Looking for an under-appreciated player who fits the same mold? UCLA’s Cassius Marsh could be a nice late-round find.
| 1. Jadeveon Clowney | 6'5 1/4, 266 pounds | Defensive end | South Carolina * |
| 2. Kony Ealy | 6'4, 273 pounds | Defensive End | Missouri * |
| 3. Dee Ford | 6'2, 252 pounds | Defensive end | Auburn |
| 4. Demarcus Lawrence | 6'2 7/8, 251 pounds | Defensive end | Boise State * |
| 5. Scott Crichton | 6'2 7/8, 273 pounds | Defensive end | Oregon State * |
| 6. Marcus Smith | 6'3 3/8, 251 pounds | Defensive end | Louisville |
| 7. Kareem Martin | 6'5 7/8, 272 pounds | Defensive end | North Carolina |
| 8. Aaron Lynch | 6'5, 249 pounds | Defensive end | South Florida ** |
| 9. Jackson Jeffcoat | 6'3, 247 pounds | Defensive End | Texas |
| 10. Chris Smith | 6'1, 266 pounds | Defensive end | Arkansas |
| 11. Michael Sam | 6'2, 261 pounds | Defensive end | Missouri |
| 12. Brent Urban | 6'7, 295 pounds | Defensive end | Virginia |
| 13. Larry Webster | 6'5 3/4, 252 pounds | Defensive end | Bloomsburg |
| 14. Cassius Marsh | 6'4, 252 pounds | Defensive end | UCLA |
| 15. Will Clarke | 6'6 1/4, 271 pounds | Defensive end | West Virginia |
| 16. IK Enemkpali | 6'0 3/4, 261 pounds | Defensive end | Louisiana Tech |
| 17. James Gayle | 6'3 7/8, 259 pounds | Defensive end | Virginia Tech |
| 18. Chaz Sutton | 6'4, 248 pounds | Defensive End | South Carolina |
| 19. Ben Gardner | 6'4, 277 pounds | Defensive end | Stanford |
| 20. Josh Mauro | 6'5 7/8, 271 pounds | Defensive end | Stanford |
| 21. Jeoffrey Pagan | 6'3, 310 pounds | Defensive end | Alabama * |
| 22. Jamil Merrell | 6'4, 255 pounds | Defensive end | Rutgers |
| 23. Darryl Cato-Bishop | 6'3, 266 pounds | Defensive end | North Carolina State |
| 24. Jonathan Newsome | 6'2 5/8, 247 pounds | Defensive end | Ball State |
| 25. Ryne Giddins | 6'3, 253 pounds | Defensive end | South Florida |
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