1. Broderick Bunkley - Florida State Seminoles - 6'2" 304 lbs.

Positives

Shockingly good athlete for a DT. Nearly set the combine strength record (44 reps just one shy) and his 32.5" vertical was close to the stratospheric jump launched by consensus #1 DL Mario Williams. Explosive, cat-quick interior defensive lineman with the best first step among his peers. His motor constantly pushes the redline. High intensity dude plays with some nasty. Hard case willing to play hurt. An active and instinctive, downhill DT that makes a lot of plays in the backfield.

Negatives

Arrested for stealing a video game in 2003. There is a frightening disparity between the monster production he racked up in an incendiary senior campaign, and the rather pedestrian stats compiled in his three prior seasons (66 tackles and 9 sacks in 2005... 63 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2002-'04 COMBINED). History of knee and ankle injuries extending back to high school.

Numbers Game

25 - Florida State school record for TFL set his senior season... also 44 - his number of strength reps at the combine, one away from tying the record (set in 2006).

NFL Comparison

Bigger, stronger, more explosive Rod Coleman

Summary

A phenom that has been one of the fastest rising defensive players in the 2006 draft (along with teammate Ernie Sims). Has the best chance in his class to be a rare productive IDP scorer from the DT position, like contemporary stars Coleman and Kevin Williams, and former interior DL sack artists John Randle, Warren Sapp and La'Roi Glover. Superior natural talent, athletic gifts and penetration skills compared to another former teammate and fellow highly regarded Seminole DT alumni, Darnell Dockett. Some scouts think his physical traits and skill set are best aligned with the NT role in a 3-4, which would put a big damper on his IDP potential.

2. Haloti Ngata - Oregon Ducks - 6'4" 340 lbs.

Positives

Rare explosion, foot speed and agility for a 340 lb behemoth. The titanic power to control the point, win double teams and dominate one-on-one matchups. Has the field awareness to see the play develop, and the recognition skills to quickly react to what he sees. Can be more than a two gap block eater, with the aggressive mentality and penetration skills to be a disruptive force and wreak havoc in the backfield. Just 22, he has the frightening potential to get even stronger (already sports a 500 lb bench). Approximately as easy to budge as a Giant Redwood stump.

Negatives

Has been flagged by some scouts for having an inconsistent motor and taking some plays off (a recurring theme with many young DL). There have been some high profile (top 10 overall selection) busts at the position in recent years, such as Gerard Warren and Jonathan Sullivan, for instance.

Numbers Game

6 - The number of blocked kicks in his career, an excellent testament to his freakish athleticism given his massive stature.

NFL Comparison

Ted Washington with the moves of a break dancer

Summary

Though maybe the best "pure" DT prospect in his draft class, that doesn't necessarily translate to having the skill set most conducive to generating IDP points from the position (a distinction reserved for Bunkley). Has dominated at every level. Great things were predicted for him as a prep (a ridiculous 30 sacks his senior year propelled him to #1 overall defensive prospect in the nation status in multiple scouting publications), and he fulfilled that promise at the collegiate level. There is no reason to suspect that the arc and trajectory of his career will be deflected or unfold any differently as a pro. Prototypical size for a 3-4 NT, but the athleticism and movement skills of a smaller man to play DT in a 4-3, where he would be more valuable for fantasy ballers in larger, mandatory start DT leagues.

3. Claude Wroten - LSU Tigers - 6'2" 300 lbs.

Positives

Has the benefit of former HC Nick Saban's NFL pedigree tutelage, and the head start associated with having played in a pro style defense. Flashes the short area burst, power and well rounded skill set to be active in run support as well as a pass rushing threat. Was viewed by some scouts as a borderline first round prospect before a January arrest (see below).

Negatives

Postseason arrest for marijuana with intent to distribute got him kicked out of the Senior Bowl. A former JUCO transfer is not as experienced as many of his DT counterparts from the class of 2006. Didn't run at combine OR pro day workout. A 28.5" vertical and 8'10" broad jump are not top notch measurables in the explosiveness department. Reportedly didn't interview well, and some personnel types have questions about his character and football IQ, so his intangibles aren't a bright spot.

Numbers Game

12 - the number of sacks Wroten had in just two years at LSU (a significant number for an interior DL).

NFL Comparison

Tommie Harris

Summary

Extends the lineage of outstanding pro DL prospects developed by LSU in recent seasons (also Marcus Spears, Marquise Hill and Jarvis Green). No priors to his high profile scrape with the law. It is important to read to the end of the brochure when trying to place a matter like this in perspective. It was a red flag in the background of potential future HOFers Warren Sapp and Randy Moss, as well as slackers Todd Marinovich and Onterrio Smith... poster children for the dark side of the herb. It remains to be seen how big a hit his draft stock takes (see Anttaj Hawthorne in 2005). Some scouts think he has more upside than Spears.

4. Gabe Watson - Michigan Wolverines - 6'3" 330 lbs.

Positives

Good athleticism, exemplified by a somewhat unusual resume for a DT. Had the versatility to grade out as one of the top defensive AND offensive linemen in the country (second team USA Today All-American offensive lineman), as well as kicking for his team several seasons, and participating in track and wrestling. Can be a force in the run game, and is about as hard to move as the anchor for a battle ship. Extremely disruptive when he is in condition, playing low, and with leverage and proper pad level. Elevated his stock at the Senior Bowl.

Negatives

Pattern of inconsistent effort naturally leads to concerns he will get content and not work as hard once he signs a big contract. Was benched early in his senior season (reportedly for motivational purposes, but a red flag is still a red flag). Has stamina issues. Could be a few Happy Meals away from an imminent weight problem.

Numbers Game

366 (lbs.) - Watson's highest known weight (the history of DTs with weight issues BEFORE they enter the league is ominous).

NFL Comparison

A frisky Sam Adams when motivated

Summary

Enrolled in the Department of Kinesiology, so he can recommend blunt force trauma therapies to his opponents after pounding them for three hours on Sunday. With the proliferation around the NFL of 3-4 defenses, there will be no shortage of teams willing to overlook his troubling inconsistent production (seemingly traced to wavering motivation and effort), in the hopes they can push the right buttons. Physically, there is no question he is what the scouts are looking for. If he plays up to his capability and comes anywhere near realizing his formidable potential, has Pro Bowl caliber talent. Doesn't have the skill set and traits associated with being a difference maker in IDP leagues (like Ngata).

5. Rodrique Wright - Texas Longhorns - 6'4" 303 lbs.

Positives

NFL pedigree bloodlines. His Uncle Elmo ("Tickle Me") was a former WR who was a first round pick of the Chiefs 35 years ago. He is also the cousin of current Seahawk (and fellow former star Longhorns interior DL) Cedric Woodard. Can be a force both in the run game and rushing the QB when he wants to be.

Negatives

Gets neutralized a lot for a player with his natural ability and seems to disappear for stretches of the game. Sloppy technician, gets too high and loses leverage, needs to use his hands better to disengage and not get wired on to the blocker. There are some questions about whether he has the desire and requisite intensity to be an impact starter at the next level. Has regressed the past two seasons. Best year by far was his sophomore season (80 tackles and 7.5 sacks). COMBINED for 82 tackles and 5.5 sacks his junior and senior seasons (did suffer an ankle injury in 2004). Erratic effort and inconsistent production sets off yellow alerts and klaxon alarms with scouts.

Numbers Game

2 - the number of relatives Wright has that made it to the NFL.

NFL Comparison

A slacker Richard Seymour

Summary

Texas has produced some quality DL in recent years, and been a DT factory specifically (Shaun Rogers, Casey Hampton and Marcus Tubbs). If Wright prepares better and works harder, he has a chance to extend this bright NFL lineage further. Has the athleticism to surprise and be one of the better players at the position to emerge from this class. But based on tendencies, that can't be taken as a given.