2012 NFL Draft 3-4 defensive end rankings
by Dan Kadar on Dec 12, 2011 2:20 PM EST
in 2012 NFL Draft
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PrintOver the last five to 10 years, the 3-4 defense has become popular and no longer run by only a few teams. With that in mind, more draft followers are interested in which players can make the transition to the 3-4 out of college.
But not every defensive lineman can be worked into a 3-4 system. There is a lot more doing on with 3-4 defensive ends than you may think. The key, obviously, is that they have to play the run first. But more importantly, ends in a 3-4 have to be able to maintain two gaps, the B and C gaps, which are between the guard and tackle and between the tackle and tight end.
Size and strength are critical for a 3-4 end, which is why most of those in the NFL were college tackles. After the jump, my top 10 3-4 defensive end prospects.
| 1. Jared Crick | 6'6, 285 pounds | Nebraska |
| 2. Billy Winn | 6'4, 285 pounds | Boise State |
| 3. Devon Still | 6'5, 312 pounds | Penn State |
| 4. Fletcher Cox | 6'5, 295 pounds | Mississippi State |
| 5. Kheeston Randall | 6'4, 295 pounds | Texas |
| 6. Derek Wolfe | 6'6, 295 pounds | Cincinnati |
| 7. Trevor Guyton | 6'3, 289 pounds | California |
| 8. Tony Jerod-Eddie | 6'5, 302 pounds | Texas A&M |
| 9. Matt Conrath | 6'7, 280 pounds | Virginia |
| 10. Ryan Van Bergen | 6'6, 288 pounds | Michigan |
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Yeah, this list is about right for now.
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Dec 12, 2011 4:49 PM EST reply actions
I'd add Reyes from Connecticut to this list
He’s athletic enough to play end.
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."
I really want Crick on the Packers.
Value meets need. Hopefully he falls all the way to the end of the first.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Finally some Wolfe
Derek Wolfe is so underrated everywhere else.
by CharmCity55 on Dec 13, 2011 3:12 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Pretty terrible year for 5-techniques
The last few years have produced a number of good prospects, this year’s crop is underwhelming to say the least.
Follow me on Twitter @Pick_256
Winn and Randall had terrible seasons.
Crick won’t be very good imo. Of that list I like Still and Wolfe the most.
Jerry is the end all in Dallas.
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