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Best Defensive Ends in 2008 NFL Draft - Mock Draft

by Kori Ellis on April 11th, 2008

1) Chris Long, Virginia
The unanimous top defensive end prospect in the 2008 NFL Draft. The son of Howie Long, there’s not much Chris Long can’t do from the defensive end position. Expect him to be drafted within the first five picks of the 2008 NFL Draft.

Chris Long at the Combine …

2) Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
A quick riser up the draft charts, Vernon Gholston is an extremely versatile defensive back who also has the ability to play linebacker in the NFL. While he wasn’t a consistent force at the college level, many scouts believe he could be just that in the NFL.

3) Derrick Harvey, Florida
With prototypical size for a defensive end, Derrick Harvey is a sure first rounder. He has good size, a good wingspan and giant hands. He’s not overly fast but he should be able to get to the quarterback soon after entering the NFL.

4) Calais Campbell, Miami
At nearly 6-foot-8, Calais Campbell is a gigantic defensive end prospect. While his size may scare off a couple of teams, he could end up using his height to make himself a dominant player on the NFL level.

5) Phillip Merling, Clemson
While he doesn’t have great technique yet, he has the needed athleticism and size to be a very good defensive end. Phillip Merling has a good motor and that alone will likely cause a team to draft him at some point in the first round.

Read more 2008 NFL Draft information.

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POSTED IN: 2008 NFL Draft, 2008 Projections, Draft Prospects