NFL All-Underrated Team - Defense (with Scouting Reports)

DE Scott Solomon, Rice

• Solomon plays hard every play.  Not great as a pass rusher, but he gives relentless effort.  The former Rice defensive lineman is strong against the run which would work well as a 3-4 DE or a 4-3 strong side DE.  He would be a better player in a 3-4 scheme so that he could better utilize his strength.

DT Chigbo Anunoby, Morehouse

• This guy is large (6’4” 328 lbs) with room to add bulk.  Another guy that is not good at rushing on pass plays, but would be a good run stuffer.  He would look good in a couple years as a NT in a 3-4 scheme.  Anunoby will have to work on his bulk and his technique, but he was born with the biggest necessity for a NT…size.  Don’t be surprised if his name is called in the 7^th or even 6^th round.

DE Ryan Van Bergen, Michigan

• At 6’6” 283 lbs, Van Bergen has good size for a 3-4 DE.  He is strong against the run as evidenced by his 12.5 tackles for loss.  His five sacks show that he has some potential as a pass rusher.  He’s a guy that you don’t hear much from, but isn’t that what you want in a 3-4 DE?  Ask Aaron Smith.

OLB Delano Johnson, Bowie State

• Johnson is the perfect build for a 3-4 OLB.  He has work to do with his pass rushing ability, but that is because he didn’t have much experience of it with Bowie State.  He has the potential to take the James Harrison route as an undrafted free agent who needs a couple years of work.  He may never make it to Harrison level as I don’t see him as mean and nasty, but his athletic ability is pretty high for where he is likely to be selected.

ILB Shawn Loiseau, Merrimack

• As explained by Walter from WalterFootball.com, he has “good instincts” and is a “tough player.”  Those are great praise for an ILB, who has to put his nose in every running play.  He is an okay athlete, but a better football player.  That being said, his ceiling is not tremendously high.  He is more of a Larry Foote than a Lawrence Timmons.  He’s not flashy, but he competes.

ILB Carmen Messina, New Mexico

• Messina is the Mountain West Conference’s all-time leading tackler, with 454 career tackles.  He also was tied for 6^th for most tackles in the nation this season with 142.  He led the Mountain West in tackles as a sophomore, junior, and senior.  Messina also took third place from Brian Urlacher on New Mexico’s all-time tackles list. 

OLB Frank Alexander, Oklahoma

• Alexander was made aware of a heart condition prior to the combine.  Therefore, he had to wait until Oklahoma’s pro day to perform for the scouts once he was cleared.  The health question has allowed Alexander to slide on some lists.  He has good size and speed for the position, but will need to work on his pass rushing repertoire to avoid being shut down by the better OT’s in the league.

CB Antonio Dennard, Langston

• Not to be confused with Alfonzo Dennard from Nebraska who recently got into some trouble.  Antonio shows the ability to turn his hips in coverage and the skills to cause some turnovers.  At just over 5’10”, Dennard doesn’t have great height but he is aggressive and physical.  He does well in run support.  He may be a player that the Steelers look at as a Priority Free Agent (an undrafted player who is high on a team’s list).

CB Jeremy Lane, Northwestern State

• Lane has long arms and loose hips, both essentials for a cornerback who measures in at only 5’11”.  He’ll need to add some bulk to his frame to improve his tackling ability.  He plays the run well and is able to lay a big hit.  He will have to contribute on special teams initially, but with some hard work Lane end up starting on a team that expects run support from the cornerbacks.

SS Corey White, Samford

• White struggles against the pass.  If he finds himself in position to make a play on the ball, he will.  However, he has to be more instinctive, as he struggles to stay with receivers.  His forte is against the run.  He can play up at the line much like Troy Polamalu does from time to time.  He has good size for a safety, but was a CB while at Samford.

FS Janzen Jackson, McNeese State

• Jackson is another defensive back who is strong against the run.  However, Jackson also does fairly well in pass coverage.  He needs to work on his footwork and technique, though.  The good news is those are coachable aspects.  He began his college career with Tennessee but was kicked off the team in 2010; that will concern general managers.  His skill set says round 4, but it’s likely he will be a 7^th rounder or go undrafted.