In the public forum, the defensive linemen available in the NFL April 22-24 draft have largely been collated into Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy and a bunch of other guys hoping to find their way.
NFL scouts don’t see it that way. But because it’s a rare year when two defensive tackles are near, or at, the top of the league’s draft boards, it’s easy to get that impression from all that’s been said or written so far.
Beyond Suh and McCoy, there are quality defensive linemen to be found, including Penn State’s Jared Odrick, who could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. Odrick was a disciplined, unselfish player for the Nittany Lions. He battles from start to finish.
There are several linebacker-defensive end types available too. They’re looking at making a move similar to the one Elvis Dumervil made for the Broncos, having gone from defensive end to outside linebacker and leading the NFL in sacks last season.
Georgia Tech’s Derrick Morgan (12-1/2 sacks in 2009), Texas’ Sergio Kindle and Michigan’s Brandon Graham lead the way there. The 268-pound Graham, an upfield demon, is a player who could fit into the Broncos’ defensive scheme. He led big-time college football with 26 tackles for a loss last season — and he creates turnovers.
Graham is more polished in the pass rush than the Broncos’ Robert Ayers was when Ayers entered the draft last year and Graham has a more consistent body of work in college.
Graham had three seasons of at least 8-1/2 sacks, two seasons with 10 sacks.
South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul could be a first-round pick. Pierre-Paul has enormous upside to go with explosiveness. But he’s a risk, having played in just 13 games at the Division I-A level and having started only seven of those.
Some personnel people have said he reminds them of Jevon Kearse, who had never played from a three-point stance when the Tennessee Titans lined him up at left defensive end in his rookie season (1999).
That’s a stretch, because Kearse was quicker than Pierre-Paul’s 40-yard dash time (4.78 seconds, electronic clock). Kearse had also played extensively in the Florida Gators’ defense and played with tremendous instinct and drive over a longer period of time.
The team that drafts Pierre-Paul hoping to find another Kearse could be disappointed.
Southern California’s Everson Griffen and UCLA’s Brian Price could also be first-round picks. Price likely follows Odrick on most teams’ draft boards.
Price plays better than his performances in workouts. Teams looking for a defensive tackle to penetrate and get upfield will give him plenty of consideration.
Texas Christian star Jerry Hughes could go in the second round. Hughes, who entered college football as a running back, is the kind of pass rusher 3-4 teams are looking to draft. Alabama’s Terrence Cody is a nose tackle who probably will be off the board before the start of the third round.
Texas’ Lamarr Houston, a Doherty High School graduate, also is a former prep running back and one of the better defensive line prospects. Houston made 20 tackles for a loss from an inside position last season. That alone makes him attractive to NFL teams.
Tyson Alualu, who played in 51 games for California, has been a climber on draft boards in recent weeks. He plays hard and is a tough guy in a crowd.
East Carolina’s Linval Joseph is another nose tackle to consider for the teams that miss out on getting Cody.
Down the board, Arkansas State’s Alex Carrington, Louisiana Tech’s D’Anthony Smith and Clemson’s Ricky Sapp are worth a look.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
