1. Sedrick Ellis, 6′1, 309, USC: Ellis ran a slow 40 at the combine, clocking in over 5.2 seconds. But, one lackluster 40 doesn’t affect his status in my eyes, not only because he can fit in a 3-4 (which he played in at USC) or a 4-3, and he’s got a cleaner bill of health than Glenn Dorsey.

2. Glenn Dorsey, 6′2, 297, LSU: The big question with Dorsey is not about whether or not he can play in a 3-4, but just how serious his injury issues are. He’s played well the past couple of seasons despite constant injury worries, so there’s no question about if he can play through pain. But, will those injuries come back to haunt him down the road? Only time will tell, but it might make one of the teams at the top balk at taking him. There’s no discounting it though, if he’s healthy, he can be a great player on the next level.

Dorsey shouldn’t fall out of the top 10, and there’s a good chance that he’ll still be drafted before Ellis, but it might hinge on which direction the Raiders decide to go at #4.

3. Kentwan Balmer, 6′5, 308, North Carolina: Balmer is rated a little lower than Ellis and Dorsey, but he should be off the board sometime in the mid to late first round. He’s a terrific run defender, but he can make an impact in the pass rush as well (3.5 sacks in 2007).

Balmer started the year a little off the radar, but took advantage of his only full year as a starter to make a big splash and fly up draft boards. He’d be a great fit for a team like Jacksonville, since he can play and be effective at both tackle and end.

4. Trevor Laws, 6′1, 304, Notre Dame: Notre Dame had a terrible year, but Laws was one of the bright spots, and like Balmer, helped his stock greatly with a big senior season.

Laws was all over the field for the Irish, and he needed to be. He had an astounding 112 tackles - that’s right, 112 tackles for a defensive tackle (53 solos, 59 assists) - 8 tackles for loss, four sacks, seven QB hurries, five pass breakups, three blocked kicks, and two fumble recoveries.

Even more than his numbers, Laws helped himself out in front of the scouts at the combine, running better than the likes of Balmer, Ellis, and Pat Sims, and moving well in the drills. He’s one of those high-effort guys, much like a Chris Long, who you know you’re going to get 110% from on every down. He’s a solid second-round pick.

5. Pat Sims, 6′2, 310, Auburn: Sims declared for the draft after an excellent junior season (37 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 12 QB hurries), where he was named first-team All-SEC by the AP - despite playing with a broken hand.

Sims could have very well benefited from staying for his senior season. He has only two seasons of college football under his belt, and only one as a starter (he redshirted in 2004, and didn’t play in 2005). If he’d stayed for his senior season, he would have likely been a first-round lock in 2009. He had a chance to push himself into the first round with a great combine, but it looks like he’ll go in the second, which isn’t bad by any means.

6. Dre Moore, 6′4, 305, Maryland: Moore is also one of the big pre-draft risers, after a solid showings at the Senior Bowl and at the combine. What stops him from being one of the elite prospects, however, is inconsistency. He could jump into the second round, but won’t be off the board past the third.

7. Red Bryant, 6′4, 318, Texas A&M: Bryant has great size and strength, and decent enough quickness to cause a lot of problems for offensive linemen. He can get after the QB, but his best asset on the next level will be stopping the run. Like Moore, he could land in the bottom of the second, but if not, he’ll be taken in the third.

8. Andre Fluellen, 6′2, 296, Florida St.: Fluellen was very highly-rated coming into his senior season, but struggled with injuries and missed three games and started only five of 10 after being a regular starter the past two seasons.

Fluellen has a great blend of strength and quickness, and while he’s better against the run, he’s an effective in the pass rush (12 QB hurries in 2005).

After starting at the Senior Bowl, he didn’t work out at the combine. He may not be a first-day pick thanks to the injuries, but I think he could go in the third round.

9. DeMario Pressley, 6′3, 301, North Carolina St.: Pressley is another DT prospect who was highly-rated coming into 2007 before struggling with injuries that likely caused his draft stock to drop.

Pressley’s got great quickness for his size, but has room to improve on technique. He’ll likely be a third or fourth-round pick.

10. Ahtyba Rubin, 6′3, 315, Iowa St.: Rubin took advantage of the postseason all-star games and the combine to improve his stock, and shouldn’t fall past the fourth round, and maybe even the third. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him go as high as the second.

Rubin’s not extremely quick, but he has great strength, as judged by his 35 bench press reps at the combine. If he learns how to use it to its fullest advantage, then he could be a terror.

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