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Lining up Warren tops list of defensive lineman
There may not be the opportunity to rack up sacks and the publicity that follows, but ask Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis what first-rate defensive tackles can mean to a team. Florida's Gerard Warren doesn't have the mammoth size of Sam Adams or Tony Siragusa, but it's hard to find 325-pound tackles who can move like him. He may not be in the same class as Warren Sapp or Corey Simon, the sixth pick last year. But Warren has great quickness and plays with leverage; if he learns to use those tools consistently, he won't be far behind. The first defensive end to be chosen will most likely be Missouri's Justin Smith, perhaps as high as the Top 5. Smith isn't big, just 267 pounds but is both quick and fast, having run a 4.55 40. Skeptics fear he'll be another Mike Mamula, but I think will be a much better football player if he adds another 15-20 pounds. But the depth of defensive line prospects is at tackle, including two likely first-rounders from Georgia, Richard Seymour and Marcus Stroud. Seymour is the more versatile of the two. At 6-6, 300, he probably can play either tackle or end. He gets off the ball quickly, disengages from blockers well and knows how to use his hands. Once he recovers from recent ankle surgery, Texas tackle Shaun Rogers can become a force -- if he disproves his reputation of not being the hardest worker. Then again, Adams had that same rep coming out of college. Some feel Rogers might be best suited to play nose in a 3-4 scheme. University of Miami tackle Damione Lewis can be a great penetrating one-gap player in a 4-3 defense. Teams like the Jets, Chiefs and Packers are always looking for explosive, John Randle -type tackles, and Lewis seems to be from that mold. The more you stunt him, the more problems he will create. One interesting scenario to watch on draft day will be what happens if Cal's Andre Carter is still on the board when the Jets pick at No. 19. Carter's father, Rubin Carter, was a standout nose tackle with the Broncos and is the Jets' new defensive line coach. Even though he's only 249 pounds, Carter plays hard and could be productive. If he's still around, will the Jets gamble to see how far the apple fell from the tree? Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Chat with Pat at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesdays.
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