NFL draft analysis: defensive linemen

Marcell Dareus said his path to the NFL began when someone noticed him playing on the swings at a park as a fifth-grader in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala.

"People came and said, 'You're a big guy, why don't you come play [football]?'" Dareus said. "I started playing. I didn't have the money for it. But we played and we had a good time. I started watching Warren Sapp [and] what he did and I'm like, 'Why can't I do that?' So I pushed myself to do what he did."

Dareus will take the next step in trying to follow in Sapp's footsteps when he's selected with one of the first picks in the draft. The 6-4, 306-pound defensive tackle is considered by many to be the No. 1 overall prospect in the draft.

Dareus is a disruptive lineman who can rush the passer and is stout against the run. He also has the versatility to play in different schemes, having played in Nick Saban's 3-4 defense at Alabama.

"Playing with Coach Saban and playing a pro-style defense, I'm ready for the league," Dareus said. "We did all the plays the NFL teams would do and did a lot of things that came with it, a lot of stunts, a lot of things we had to learn, a lot of coverages and calls. I'm ready for all that, the training, all the way around."

This defensive line class is the deepest in many years, particularly at defensive end. Asked if he considered himself the best lineman in the draft, Dareus said "kinda, sorta."

"I can say I think I'm the most versatile D-lineman here," he said.

"He's relentless, he plays hard," Cleveland Browns General Manager Tom Heckert said. "I think he spent a lot of time this year with a high ankle sprain, and he played through it. He's a high-motor guy and he does not stop and he makes a ton of plays for a defensive tackle."

Fairley's stock soared after a dominating performance against Oregon in the national championship game. The 6-4, 291-pounder is an extremely athletic defensive tackle who explodes off the ball. He racked up 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks and was named the top defensive lineman in college football this past season. He is considered a top-10 pick, but there are questions about his work ethic and character.

Quinn is an extremely athletic pass rusher, but he was forced to sit out the 2010 season after being declared ineligible by the NCAA for accepting gifts from an agent. At 6-4 and 265 pounds, Quinn can play defensive end or outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He has a lot of raw talent as a pass rusher, but he needs to develop his game and become an all-around player.

Opinions on Bowers have fluctuated all over the place in mock drafts because of a right knee injury. Bowers had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in January. There were conflicting reports about whether he ultimately might need microfracture surgery. Teams certainly will thoroughly investigate his knee, but there's no denying Bowers (6-4, 275) is an explosive rusher off the edge when healthy. He led the nation with 15.5 sacks and added 26 tackles for loss this past season.

Ellis transferred to Hampton after starting his career at South Carolina. His talent is not an issue but his character raises red flags. He was dismissed from South Carolina for rules violations. He also was arrested for assault and suspended for the first game in 2010. On the field, Ellis (6-5, 345 pounds) is a prototypical nose tackle who is disruptive in the middle of the line. His off-the-field problems could cause him to fall to mid-rounds.