Some defenders look like early-impact players
Cris Carter's draft analysis:
• Overview | AFC: East - North - South - West | NFC: East - North - South - West
Craig James' draft analysis:
• Overview - QBs - WRs - More offense - Defense
I've written a lot about how this draft ultimately will be judged by the impact of the players at the glamour positions, but that doesn't mean it's not a solid draft for defensive players.
On the defensive line some good players are coming out. End Will Smith and tackle Tommie Harris are two guys who can have an impact early in their careers. Kenechi Udeze at USC has some apparent injury problems that could cost him a couple of places in the draft, but then again it could just be scouts trying to put questions in other organizations' minds.
There's a pretty solid group of linebackers coming out this year, but most of them are small – in the 6-foot-1 range. Only a couple of them are big guys in the 250-pound range. There may be no outstanding players in the class, but I think they will show they are capable linebackers and outstanding special teams players.
D.J. Williams of Miami really strikes me as an outside linebacker with upside. He went to the Hurricanes as a running back and rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a senior in high school. He's a 250-pound guy who can move and has made a nice adjustment over to the defensive side.
If you're looking for a linebacker sleeper, West Virginia's Grant Wiley is one of my favorites from covering games last season. He's an inside linebacker, an all-Big East selection and a nice young man. I'm pulling for him and believe he will be a solid player.
In the secondary, Sean Taylor may have the biggest early impact of any player – offense or defense – in the draft. This guy is the real deal. He can light up receivers going across the middle. He's got size and presence.
The jury's out for me on DeAngelo Hall. There's no question about his speed and punt return abilities, but many teams are coveting him as a cornerback. He already has been talking about himself as wanting to follow in Deion Sanders' footsteps, but he needs to be quiet and go play football. He first needs to prove in the secondary that he is the man.
Overall, it's a very solid draft. I'm not sure if there are any great players out there, but a guy like Gallery could elevate the overall quality of this year's draft when people are assessing it down the line.
Send Yahoo! Sports analyst Craig James a question or comment for potential use in a future column.
