NFL draft: Defensive linemen

THE CREAM

VERNON GHOLSTON, OHIO STATE

The world has anointed Virginia's Chris Long as the top defensive lineman available in the draft, and perhaps the top player overall. But if you're looking for the most promising pass rusher -- and, after all, why else would you take a defensive lineman so high? -- Gholston might be your man.

This is a 266-pound man-child who plays defensive end but could be an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Extremely athletic and quick, Gholston could be a monster if he gets on the right team, one that allows him simply to tee off on the passer.

"I love getting after the quarterback and affecting the game that way," he said.

A linebacker in high school, Gholston bulked up from 238 pounds to play defensive end. (In the Buckeyes' scheme, he was occasionally asked to drop back in coverage.) He recorded 8 1/2 sacks as a sophomore and 14 as a junior before electing to leave school early.

A three-sack performance against Michigan cemented that decision. One of them came against the Wolverines' Jake Long -- one of only two sacks Long gave up in his college career.

"That was a big battle for me," Gholston said. "Going back to the previous year, he was tough competition. ... So I learned some new techniques to get better hands on him, and it worked."

AND THE CROP

CHRIS LONG, DE, VIRGINIA

Played at same school as Patrick Kerney and has a similar motor. A safe pick from a character and conditioning standpoint. Will he be a star? Uncertain.

GLENN DORSEY, DT, LSU

An old leg injury derailed his hopes of being the clear-cut No. 1 but it could still happen. Has the quickness and hands to be a consistent source of disruption inside.

DERRICK HARVEY, DE, FLORIDA

His size and combine measurable have given him a late push up the board. Probably the draft's third-best pass rusher.

SLEEPER

DRE MOORE, DT MARYLAND

Moore is a huge guy (6-5, 310 pounds) with huge questions about his work ethic. But his athletic ability makes him worthy of a flyer with a low-round pick.

PURPLE FEVER

In their history, the Vikings have taken more defensive ends in the first round of the draft than any other position. It's a perpetual need that, unfortunately for them, is one of the hardest to fill.

Nevertheless, there's a good chance they'll go fishing again. They will have a shot at Clemson DE Phillip Merling with the No. 17 overall, but he is recovering from a sports hernia that made his pre-draft evaluation incomplete. But whether it's Merling, Harvey or someone later in the draft, it would be a surprise if the Vikings don't emerge from draft weekend with at least one new defensive end.