Updated 2012 NFL Draft defensive end rankings

by Dan Kadar on Nov 22, 2011 10:00 AM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

These rankings received a complete overhaul, other than North Carolina's Quinton Coples being ranked first. Although Coples has had a disappointing season, he's still the best end in the class. We'll see him drop in the overall rankings.

The big riser here is Whitney Mercilus of Illinois. He's broke through with a monstrous season with 13.5 sacks up to this point. More on Mercilus later today. Melvin Ingram of South Carolina is another big riser, though it's uncertain what his best NFL position will be.

Check out the full rankings after the jump and provide your own.

1. Quinton Coples | 6'6, 285 pounds | DE | North Carolina - Prospect notes | Profile

2. Whitney Mercilus | 6'4, 265 pounds | DE | Illinois *

3. Andre Branch | 6'5, 260 pounds | DE | Clemson - Prospect notes

4. Melvin Ingram | 6'2, 276 pounds | DE/DT | South Carolina

5. Nick Perry | 6'3, 250 pounds | DE | Southern California *

6. Vinny Curry | 6'4, 252 pounds | DE | Marshall - Prospect notes

7. Brandon Jenkins | 6'3, 245 pounds | DE | Florida State * - Prospect notes

8. Cam Johnson | 6'4, 265 pounds | DE | Virginia

9. Devin Taylor | 6'6, 250 pounds | DE | South Carolina * - Prospect notes

10. Bruce Irvin | 6'2, 235 pounds | DE/OLB | West Virginia - Prospect notes

11. Jack Crawford | 6'5, 273 pounds | DE | Penn State

12. Brad Madison | 6'4, 265 pounds | DE | Missouri

13. Jake Bequette | 6'5, 271 pounds | DE | Arkansas - Prospect notes

14. Frank Alexander | 6'4, 255 pounds | DE | Oklahoma

15. Jacquies Smith | 6'4, 250 pounds | DE | Missouri - Prospect notes

16. Donte Paige-Moss | 6'4, 260 pounds | DE/OLB | North Carolina * - Prospect notes

17. Malik Jackson | 6'5, 270 pounds | DE | Tennessee

18. Shea McClellin | 6'3, 258 pounds | DE | Boise State

19. Chandler Jones | 6'5, 247 pounds | DE | Syracuse *

20. Alex Okafor | 6'4, 260 pounds | DE | Texas *

21. Jonathan Massaquoi 6'2 251 pounds | DE/OLB | Troy - Prospect notes

22. Vince Browne | 6'5, 265 pounds | DE | Northwestern - Prospect notes

23. Julian Miller | 6'6, 260 pounds | DE | West Virginia

24. Broderick Binns | 6'2, 261 pounds | DE | Iowa

* denotes underclassman

QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | MLB | CB | FS | SS

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Comments

This is not a great class if you need a #1 rusher

But even so, I don’t think players will be pushed up the draft board due to lack of talent in front of them. Aside from Mercilus and Jenkins, I think the other underclassmen should stay in school.

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Nov 22, 2011 10:14 AM EST reply actions

Blah. Don’t like Andre Branch at all.

The Curse of Lombardi
#TeamFireAndyReid
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by d-jackfan10 on Nov 22, 2011 12:18 PM EST reply actions

Disagree on this one. I think he's a pretty good developmental prospect.

Shame on DPM…only a couple months ago when he was a top ten pick. I still maintain that he’ll be able to pull a “Carlos Dunlap” with the talent he has but only if he gets his shit together.

I support the Giants like bras support Kim Kardashian's boobs. It can be a struggle, we've had some jiggles, but we're still firm.

by BigBlueIntervention on Nov 22, 2011 12:23 PM EST up reply actions

I feel pretty blah about the class in general. Anyone stick out to you?

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Nov 22, 2011 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Not really. There are some guys with potential but thats really it. I like Devin Taylor a lot, I think his best football is ahead of him. I also like Melvin Ingram but he’s sort of in no man’s land as far as finding a position in the pros.

The Curse of Lombardi
#TeamFireAndyReid
"Stats are for fantasy and losers. Winning is an attitude."

by d-jackfan10 on Nov 22, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions