A rush on defensive ends

Every year going into the draft, there are teams that are looking for an elite pass rusher, either in a defensive end or an outside linebacker. Lawrence Taylor changed the way the game is played and how it is drafted. Everyone is looking for the next LT. The problem is there will never be another player like him. But that doesn't stop them from looking.

The biggest problem teams face, especially at the top of the draft, is taking a player who turns into a bust, seemingly from the start. Many wondered if this was going to happen with the Houston Texans when they selected Mario Williams first overall in 2006 instead of taking Reggie Bush or Vince Young. Williams started slowly, battling injuries and nearly impossible expectations. But in his third season he put it all together and has been a dominant defensive end ever since. Bush and Young have both struggled, but they do have something that Williams does not-playoff appearances, and in the case of Bush, a Super Bowl Ring. The Texans nearly made the playoffs in 2009. Look for them to make a charge in 2010.

In 2007, two ends went in the Top 10, Gaines Adams and Jamaal Anderson. Neither player has been effective, with Gaines being traded in the 2009 season. He was looking to make a fresh start in Chicago, but sadly passed away in the off season. Anderson has yet to make an impact in Atlanta. In 2008 the New York Jets selected Vernon Gholston with the sixth overall selection. He has had even less success. After two seasons he is buried on the depth chart, and the Jets have gotten little return on their investment.

In 2009, Kansas City selected Tyson Jackson with the 3rd overall selection. Jackson was billed as the next Mario Williams. His size and speed brought on the comparisons, but he is not a good fit in the Chiefs 3-4 scheme. Which goes to show that when selecting an end you not only need to take a player who has the physical skills but you need to take a player who can fit into your teams system.

The top defensive ends in the upcoming 2010 NFL Draft are Derrick Morgan, Jason Pierre-Paul and Brandon Graham. All three players look like they are a good fit for a 4-3 scheme. If they are placed in a 3-4 system they are going to need to adapt to working as an outside linebacker in order to be effective. Aaron Kampman in Green Bay had trouble adjusting to the 3-4. Imagine what it is going to be like for a rookie coming into the league.

There is a lot of depth and quality at the defensive end position going into the 2010 NFL Draft. Teams looking for their next pass rusher can very likely get the player they are looking for at the top of the second round. But if there is a run on defensive ends there could be more players from that position taken in the first round than any other position. Everyone is looking for the next Lawrence Taylor or Mario Williams. They may not get that player this year, but it's not going to stop them from trying.