The 2010 draft class seems to look very physical on the defensive side of the ball .This Season we had a great time watching several rookies establishing their place in the NFL. The 2009 rookie class shined more on the offensive side of the ball. Rookies like Mark Sanchez, Beanie Wells, Micheal Crabtree, Percy Harvin, Jeremy Maclin etc… already made a huge impact to their individual teams.

Defenses truly win championships. To be a successful defensive player in the NFL you have to have that mentality where you want to hurt opposing players. You have to know in your head that you’re faster, more physical, and tougher then your opponent; there is no other way to look at it. Defenders in my eyes play with more heart then offensive players, because successful defenders, like Ray Lewis, play the game till it is over no matter the outcome.

Defensive line:

The best player in this rookie class on the D-line has to be Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska. The senior had 12 sacks (4th best in the nation) and had 47 tackles with one interception in his final year in Nebraska. This big boy is really good with his hands and can easily push blockers out of his way to get to the quarterback or tailback behind the line. Suh weighs in at 300 pounds and is 6′4″ and is probably the best defensive player in the draft.

Derrik Morgan DE (Jr.) Georgia Tech- This 6′4″ stand out at defensive end weighs in at 275 pounds, but he still has great speed to beat you off the edge and tremendous power to push opposing blockers off their feet. Morgan had two force fumbles this season and came away with 12.5 sacks on the season. He may not of competed in the Orange bowl against Iowa, but this big boy will bring great depth to any defense in the NFL. He is bright, quick, and is a good learner.

Jerry Hughes DE/LB (Jr.) TCU- Hughes can play both the linebacker position and or defensive end. Hughes cashed in on 11 sacks this season and one forced fumble. With Hughes size and weight he would play a better weak linebacker or a strong side linebacker because of his speed and agility to get to the quarterback. In the NFL with Hughes only being 260 he could get man handled on the D-line. Hughes could be a good nickel formation blitzer and he is even good in coverage.

Terrance Cody NT (Sr.) Alabama- Cody is one of the biggest guys in the draft. He weighs in around 365 pounds and is a force that you do not want to be reckon with. Playing the nose tackle position is one of the hardest positions in football to play. You are there to stop the run and your job is to put your big body in the way of any holes that open. Cody reminds me kinda of Vince Wilfork from the Patriots a very tough physical guy who does not lose any momentum through out any game. I see Cody being a late first round pick or even an early second round pick.

Brian Price DT (Jr.) UCLA- Price is very good off the line, he has the agility to swim move blockers and put the running back on the ground before getting back to the line of scrimmage. Price had 23.5 tackles for loss, and sacked the QB seven times. Price looks to have the same poise and playmaking abilities like the great Warren Sapp. Price comes from a good football program at UCLA and will give any team that extra impact they are looking for.

Linebackers:

Rolando McClain (Jr.) Alabama- Mclain looks to be the best linebacker in this years rookie class. He seems to have great leadership skills and intensity just like future hall of famer Ray Lewis. McClain is a heavy hitter and a good tackler, but he can also drop back into coverage. McClain came away with two interceptions, 12.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, and brought the quarterback down 4 times. McClain will be an immediate impact to any teams defense and with that said i believe he will be at least a top ten pick.

Sergio Kindle LB/DE (Sr.) Texas- Kindle is a perfect fit for any 3-4 defense. His size and speed make him so unstoppable from the outside corner. Kindle help make that Texas defense so strong through the years. His senior year right before heading into the National Championship Game he came away with 47 tackles, 3 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss. He is not afraid to talk a little trash and to get right in your face. I love players like that. Kindle is a good wrap up and tackler and hardly lets anyone break through his clutches. Kindle might be a good fit in New England, i guess we will see in April.

Brandon Graham LB/DE (Sr.) Michigan- Graham is know for using leverage, speed, aggressiveness and a nasty streak to dominate offensive tackles. He is not very big and he has short arms, but he still manages to find the quarterback or runningbacks. Graham led the nation with 26 tackles for loss, and he racked in 10.5 sacks. Graham looks to be a tough outside blitzer and come from any side of the ball. Graham is another great LB perfect for a 3-4 defense, which we are seeing alot more of in today’s NFL. Graham is even turning heads in this years Senior Bowl practices, he is even getting compared to LaMarr Woodley who is also a graduate from Michigan.

Sean Weatherspoon (Sr.) Missouri- He is not the biggest or the fastest in this years class, but he is a straight tackling machine. Weatherspoon is very solid in the run game and can cover very well. Weatherspoon can read quarterbacks very well and he is usually in every play. Weatherspoon is probably the best open field tackler in his rookie class. He hardly lets people by him. I would use Weatherspoon in a more of a zone coverage defense so he can read the field and make the tackle anywhere.

Brandon Spikes (Sr.) Florida- Spikes did miss three games due to a suspension for eye gouging an opponet. None the less Spikes is still a top 5 LB in his rookie class. Spikes comes from a tough football school in Florida and playes in a tough conference. He is very smart on the field reading the quarterback or bringing down the halfback. Spikes is very tough and physical player and comes from a championship defense. He might slip on most draft boards due to his suspension, but what ever team drafts him is drafting a true warrior.

Secondary:

Eric Berry (Jr.) Tennessee- Berry is extremely fast and has great agility, but he is not afraid to lay the wood just ask Knowshon Moreno. He had two interceptions this year, after coming away with seven the previous year. Berry is a tough physical safety who can tackle anywhere on the field. Berry is on his way to becoming a top 5 pick in this years draft. Berry will bring high intensity to any team he is often compared to all pro safety Ed Reed.

Joe Haden (Jr.) CB Florida- Haden has pretty good speed, but his strength is coverage. He hardly bites on fakes and is a clean tackler, and he may be under 6 foot but he does not let that get in his way. Haden playes the cornerback position with alot of strength and he is very good at differentiating run and pass plays to break toward the line of scrimmage. Has good instincts when the ball is in the air. Haden came away with 4 INT’s, 53 solo tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks.

Earl Thomas (soph.) Texas- Thomas was a runnier up for the Jim Thorpe award (nation’s top defensive back). Very tough and mental player. knows where the ball is going to be and usually makes a play. Very fast and agile player with decent hands. Thomas had 8 interceptions and scored twice. He is a good solid tackler and a very smart playmaker.

Taylor Mays (Sr.) SS USC- Mays has really great speed, but he is terrible in pass coverage. I am not sure if he has trouble reading the field or the receiver, but he is a solid tackler and he might be better off being converted to a linebacker spot. I mean this guy is 6′ 3″ 230 pounds with really good speed. I would make him a pass rusher for sure and he does not have trouble tackling at all.