DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Justin Smith, Missouri -- Based on his dominating junior campaign that saw the 6-foot-4, 268-pounder lead the Tigers with 97 tackles and set a Missouri single-season record with 11 sacks, Smith is now regarded as the elite defensive player in the draft along with Florida DT Gerard Warren. Not only does Smith close quickly from the outside with his 4.6 speed, but he also has the strength (26 reps) necessary to make him a complete performer at the DE spot. Drafted by Cincinnati, first round (4th)

2. Andre Carter, California -- When you talk about consistency over the long haul, make sure you put Carter at or near the top of the list. He was a major force in the Pac-10 over the last four years, even though the opposition knew he was the primary Golden Bear defensive player they had to contain. While he won't tilt a room he walks into (checks in at 6-4 and around 260), keep in mind that Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary of the Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens also lack imposing size. Drafted by San Francisco, first round (7th)

3. Jamal Reynolds, Florida State -- Qualifies as a natural pass-rusher who can give OTs fits with his quick takeoff and ability to close with a rush. The concern, though, is how Reynolds will hold up against the run, in addition to the fact that he did level off some during the mid-to-later stages of the 2000 season. But in the end, proven sack artists like Reynolds figure to be difficult to overlook during the middle portion of round one. Drafted by Green Bay, first round (10th)

4. Aaron Schobel, TCU -- All the talk with the Horned Frogs centered around skilled RB LaDainian Tomlinson (and rightfully so), but you can't overlook the impact Schobel had on an underrated TCU defense. Schobel hustles for 60 minutes, is always looking to strip the ball from the QB when he moves in, and does a great job of redirecting when his initial move is thwarted. This consistency of play is the reason why it wouldn't surprise me if Schobel landed in the late first or early second round. Drafted by Buffalo, second round (46th)

5. Kyle Vanden Bosch, Nebraska -- High-energy performer whose determination and hustle allow him to show up on the scene in pursue-and-chase situations to the opposite side of the field. In the NFL, the concern will be how well he'll hold up against massive bookend tackles. So while he's not necessarily starting material for some teams, he would be ideal in a rotation-type system where a relentless performer like Vanden Bosch could take advantage of any drop in concentration by the OT. Drafted by Arizona, second round (34th)

6. Paul Toviessi, Marshall -- After registering just two sacks in '99, the athletically gifted 6-6, 260-pounder became a huge factor on a game-to-game basis last season for the Thundering Herd. In addition to his career-high 80 tackles, Toviessi added 12 stops behind the line and seven sacks. With his size, long arms and 4.68 speed, I would expect to see him come off the board during the third round. Drafted by Denver, second round (51st)

7. DeLawrence Grant, Oregon State -- Although he's under 6-3, Grant has his weight up to 280 pounds and also ranks as one of the stronger DEs in the draft, bench-pressing 420 pounds. Last season, he was off to a great start over the first five games, but over the latter half of the campaign, he totaled just two sacks. While he struggled some battling through double teams, Grant proved to be a playmaker when he was on top of his game. That's why he could prove to an effective situational performer in the NFL. Drafted by Oakland, third round (89th)

8. David Warren, Florida State -- Lacks ideal size at 6-2¼ and between 250-255 pounds, but Warren is one of the fastest DEs (4.53), finishing last season with nine sacks, 19 tackles for loss, four caused fumbles and one interception that he returned 34 yards. Size is really the only key negative with Warren, who should be able to make some things happen at the pro level as a third-down pass rusher.

9. Karon Riley, Minnesota -- A standout at both SMU and Minnesota, Riley was at one point early in the season ranked as one of my top 25 senior prospects. While his rating dropped some as the season went along, defensive coordinators in the NFL have to be intrigued with his speed (4.71), strength (bench presses 400-plus pounds) and ability to operate in zone-blitz packages. Riley's versatility and pass-rush potential could make him a third- or fourth-round possibility. Drafted by Chicago, fourth round (103rd)

10. Cedric Scott, So. Mississippi -- At 6-6 and 281 pounds, Scott was a real force in Conference USA, coming through with impressive efforts against both Tennessee and Alabama. He anticipates the snap count well and is an all-out hustler, but he plays a little high and struggles some when redirecting his charge. Overall, though, his steady production and impressive effort at the Senior Bowl could make it possible for Scott to figure as a late first-day possibility. Drafted by NY Giants, fourth round (114th)

11. Monty Beisel, Kansas State -- Lacks ideal height at 6-3½ for a DE spot in the NFL, but when you combine his speed (4.75), strength (25 reps) and athletic ability (34½-inch vertical jump) with his production last season at KSU, it's easy to see why Beisel has been garnering a great deal of favorable commentary in the weeks leading up to the draft. This past season, he finished with a team-leading 102 tackles, including 19 stops behind the line, 10½ sacks, 20 QB hurries and three forced fumbles. How is that for results on the gridiron! Drafted by Kansas City, fourth round (107th)

12. Ellis Wyms, Mississippi State -- Although he was a key part of the Bulldogs' defensive-line rotation over the last four years, Wyms started just nine games (eight last season). During the 2000 campaign, the 6-3¼, 285-pounder flashed the necessary pass-rush ability but needs to show a bit more consistency from week to week. Would figure as a solid choice in the fifth or sixth round.

Other defensive ends of note:
Dwayne Missouri, Northwestern
Fred Wakefield, Illinois
Anthony Herron, Iowa
Justin Kurpeikis, Penn State
Rodney Bailey, Ohio State (Drafted by Pittsburgh, sixth round (181st))
Derrick Burgess, Mississippi (Drafted by Philadelphia, third round (63rd))
Otis Leverette, Alabama-Birmingham (Drafted by Miami, sixth round (187th))
Colston Weatherington, Central Missouri State
Reggie Hayward, Iowa State (Drafted by Denver, third round (87th))
Saul Patu, Oregon
Randy Garner, Arkansas (Drafted by Atlanta, sixth round (167th))
Felipe Claybrooks, Georgia Tech
DeAngelo Lloyd, Tennessee
Joe Tafoya, Arizona
Roland Seymour, Florida State
LaDairis Jackson, Oregon State
Rod Kelly, Northeastern State (Okla.)
Devon Finn, Illinois State
Ross Kolodziej, Wisconsin
Menson Holloway, UTEP (Drafted by San Francisco, sixth round (191st))
Jaqua Thomas, Oklahoma State
Satema Gali, BYU
Antwan Lake, West Virginia
Bryan Ray, Wake Forest

DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Gerard Warren, Florida -- With his 6-4, 325-pound frame, cat-like quickness and ability to wreak havoc along the interior, Warren has always been viewed as one of the top 1-3 players in the draft. Last season, he led the Gators with 23 QB hurries, with his effort against Tennessee a real attention-getter. In that game, Warren recorded 10 tackles, one stop behind the line, two QB hurries and also caused two fumbles. Drafted by Cleveland, first round (3rd)

2. Richard Seymour, Georgia -- Possesses eye-catching physical ability at 6-6¼, 298 pounds, while proving his mettle on the field over the last three seasons. Seymour recorded 12 tackles against both Kentucky and Ole Miss, proving to be a real force against the run. While he shows fairly good block/shed technique, Seymour finished last season with just one-and-a-half sacks; he'll need to do a better job at the pro level when it comes to finishing things off. Even so, with his upside potential, it now appears that he won't have to wait very long on draft day to hear his name called, possibly figuring in the top 10 overall if things fall right. Drafted by New England, first round (6th)

3. Damione Lewis, Miami (Fla.) -- Would have likely been a sure-fire top 10 choice had it not been for a broken toe he suffered early in the season against Washington. The injury kept him out of two games while causing him to operate at less than 100 percent until the latter portion of the campaign. Despite the injury, he still managed to perform at a high level in certain games, which is a credit to his toughness and desire. The 6-2½, 293-pounder utilizes leverage, shows outstanding initial quickness and is a very instinctive DT. Due to the injury-plagued senior campaign, Lewis could end up going to the Jets at pick No. 19 or slide into the latter stages of round one. Drafted by St. Louis, first round (12th)

4. Marcus Stroud, Georgia -- With the great success of the Baltimore Ravens huge DT tandem of Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams, you can rest assured that Stroud will be expected by a number of clubs to have a similar impact. The physically gifted 6-6, 322-pounder can really clog the middle, creating a disturbance with his ability to utilize his straight-ahead power as a bull rusher. In the NFL, he'll need to work on redirecting his charge and closing with a rush. Stroud figures in the middle portion of round one. Drafted by Jacksonville, first round (13th)

5. Willie Howard, Stanford -- While he didn't take over games on a regular basis last season, the opposition knew that he always had to be accounted for on every snap. Howard has put in the time necessary to improve his pass-rush techniques while playing the game at a super-high intensity level. In the NFL, the 6-3½, 293-pounder could figure at any spot along the defensive front. That versatility makes Howard a very solid early-mid second-round choice if he's still available at that point in the draft. Drafted by Minnesota, second round (57th)

6. Shaun Rogers, Texas -- Like Miami's Lewis, you would have probably seen Rogers end up in the middle portion of round one had it not been for a high ankle sprain suffered against Houston on Sept. 23 that limited his effectiveness until late in the campaign. What the NFL has to do is go back and evaluate junior film of Rogers when he led the Longhorns with 27 tackles for loss, which was the second-best total in school history. Drafted by Detroit, second round (61st)

7. Kris Jenkins, Maryland -- Entering the 2000 season, Jenkins was viewed as something of an underachiever, totaling just one-and-a-half career sacks. But he put it all together as a senior, finishing with 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks and 18 QB hurries. His 62 tackles also were an indicator of his steady and sometimes dominating performances. With his imposing size (6-foot-5, 317), closing speed (4.98), strength (33 reps) and athletic ability (31-inch vertical jump), I wouldn't be surprised to see Jenkins end up in the late first or early second round. Drafted by Carolina, second round (44th)

8. Casey Hampton, Texas -- Tremendously consistent and productive veteran of the collegiate wars, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors for his effort last season. The 6-1¼, 315-pounder is quick, incredibly strong (34 reps) and has a superior motor. To accomplish what he did last season, without Shaun Rogers at his best at the other DT spot due to his injury, is a testimony to Hampton's ability and approach. Figures to be a quality choice in the early portion of round two. Drafted by Pittsburgh, first round (19th)

9. Ryan Pickett, Ohio State -- Was generally regarded as one of the more effective run-stopping DTs in the Big Ten, using his 6-2¼, 310-pound frame and natural explosion to create problems for the centers and guards he faced. However, he still needs to show more consistency and continue to upgrade from a technical standpoint. In the end, though, look for a team to roll the dice on round two for an up-and-coming talent like Pickett who opted to leave Ohio State with another year of eligibility still remaining. Drafted by St. Louis, first round (29th)

10. Ron Edwards, Texas A&M -- Solid, durable 6-3¼, 293-pounder who shows the necessary initial quickness and plays the game with the effort and intensity level you look for. Edwards needs to improve his ability to battle through the double team, but in the late first-day or early second-day area, he would make a great deal of sense. Drafted by Buffalo, third round (76th)

11. Daleroy Stewart, So. Mississippi -- Proved to be a reliable performer within the Golden Eagles' defensive structure, doing most of his damage around the line of scrimmage. However, with his impressive physical skills, Stewart is the type who could go on to make more of a name for himself in the NFL than was the case at Southern Mississippi. Drafted by Dallas, sixth round (171st)

12. Kenny Smith, Alabama -- Lacked a little in the consistency department, but there were games over the last two years where the 6-3½, 300-pounder looked like an early-round draft choice. He shows fairly good limited-area quickness, can definitely hold up from a strength standpoint (27 reps) and is a quality athletic talent. Drafted by New Orleans, third round (81st)

13. Tyrone Robertson, Hinds Junior College -- After moving from Georgia to Hinds Junior College, Robertson made his presence felt, as you would expect, proving to be a dominating performer in a number of games. Remember, when operating at a DT spot in '99 for the Georgia Bulldogs, Robertson also showed future star quality, coming through with quality efforts against both Auburn (four tackles) and Florida (five tackles, one sack). While he's a developmental prospect, the intriguing long-range potential he displays could make it possible for Robertson to come off the board in the fourth- to sixth-round area.

14. Willie Blade, Mississippi State -- Flashed big-time ability in several games last season, with his effort against Florida and Texas A&M particularly impressive. Because he didn't always perform up to such standards, there figures to be some mixed opinion with Blade in terms of the final evaluation process. I could see him going as early as round three, or drop into the fifth- to seventh-round area. Drafted by Dallas, third round (93rd)

15. Ennis Davis, USC -- Now two years removed from a major knee injury during the Trojans' Sun Bowl loss to TCU in '98, Davis opened the 2000 campaign with a rush. But his performance leveled off the rest of the way as the 6-3½, 303-pounder struggled to re-establish himself as a dominant force. Davis definitely has talent, but he was unable to secure the early-round grade I once envisioned.

16. John Schlecht, Minnesota -- Rugged, hard-nosed, extremely determined 6-0½, 295-pounder who won't provide you with many style points. But he uses his awesome strength and tenacity to create just enough of a disturbance around the line of scrimmage. Could settle in as an effective backup DT at the pro level.

17. Mario Monds, Cincinnati -- At 6-3½, 338 pounds and with 4.98 speed, Monds has the size, athleticism and quickness to project as an early-round draft choice in the NFL. However, I didn't see him apply that physical ability on a consistent basis. There were instances when he had some trouble locating the ballcarrier when he had used the necessary technique to get the best of the guard/center he was working against. With the talent and potential he displays in certain games, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Monds was selected in the fourth- or fifth-round area. Drafted by Washington, sixth round (186th)

Other defensive tackles of note:
Mario Fatafehi, Kansas State (Drafted by Arizona, fifth round (133rdt))
Jace Sayler, Michigan State
Shawn Worthen, TCU (Drafted by Minnesota, fourth round (130th))
Derrick Chambers, Florida
Cecil Caldwell, South Carolina
Maake Kemoeatu, Utah
Kris Kocurek, Texas Tech
Cleveland Pinkney, South Carolina
Loren Kaiser, Nebraska
John Nix, So. Mississippi
Eric Downing, Syracuse (Drafted by Kansas City, third round (75th))
Marcus Bell, Memphis (Drafted by Arizona, fourth round (123rd))
Rickie Simpkins, Syracuse
Lance Legree, Notre Dame
Joe Brown, Ohio State
Michael Bland, Hampton