A growing perception about this year's draft class is that the top-end talent skews to the defensive side of the ball. [
](http://brow.nz/2jA5sHx)
Our first roundup of mock drafts, which we rolled out last week, confirmed as much.
Thirty-six different defensive players were included in at least one of the 10 mock drafts we analyzed last week. If even half of those players land with teams in the first round, it will reaffirm the notion of this year's class being heavy on defense.
This week, we're breaking up those players into categories to get a feeling for the field less than a month until the Combine and about two and a half months until the long-awaited first round.
The mainstays (Included in eight or more of the 10 mock drafts)
1. DE Myles Garrett (Texas A&M)Highest projection: 1 (Browns)
Lowest: 2 (49ers)
Median: 1
2. DL Jonathan Allen (Alabama)Highest: 1 (Browns)
Lowest: 10 (Bills)
Median: 3
3. S Jamal Adams (LSU)Highest: 3 (Bears)
Lowest: 6 (Jets)
Median: 4.5
4. DB Marshon Lattimore (Ohio State)Highest: 5 (Titans)
Lowest: 15 (Eagles)
Average: 6
5. S Malik Hooker (Ohio State)Highest: 7 (Chargers)
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 7
6. LB Reuben Foster (Alabama)Highest: 2 (49ers)
Lowest: 12 (Browns)
Median: 9
7. DE Solomon Thomas (Stanford)Highest: 8 (Panthers)
Lowest: 31 (Falcons)
Median: 10
8. DL Derek Barnett (Tennessee)Highest: 8 (Panthers)
Lowest: 31 (Falcons)
Median: 14
9. S Jabrill Peppers (Michigan)Highest: 4 (Jaguars)
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 17
10. DB Marlon Humphrey (Alabama)Highest: 8 (Panthers)
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 17
11. DB Teez Tabor (Florida)Highest: 12 (Browns)
Lowest: 29 (Packers)
Median: 21
12. DE Taco Charlton (Michigan)Highest: 6 (Jets)
Lowest: 32 (Patriots)
Median: 21.5
13. DB Sidney Jones (Washington)Highest: 10 (Bills)
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 22
14. LB Takkarist McKinley (UCLA)Highest: 9 (Bengals)
Lowest: 30 (Steelers)
Median: 25
The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday. Take a look at his football career so far.
Powell (23) intercepts a pass intended for Alabama WR DeAndrew White, securing the win for Ohio State. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell (23) intercepts the ball in a game against Virginia Tech. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell (right) tackles Indiana's Mitchell Paige. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell (center) celebrates his interception against Maryland. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell (left) tackles Michigan State RB Gerald Holmes. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell (center) celebrates his interception during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl game against Notre Dame. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell during the Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl game against Notre Dame. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell runs a drill during NFL Pro Day at Ohio State University. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell reacts during a game against the Buffalo Bills. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Powell runs on the field in a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
Tyvis Powell (40) runs onto the field during player introductions before a game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers. The Browns claimed former Buckeye Tyvis Powell via waivers from Seattle on Monday.
The highly probables (Included in six-seven of 10 mocks)
DB Quincy Wilson (Florida)Highest: 14
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 16
DT Malik McDowell (Clemson)Highest: 17
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 21
LB Tim Williams (Alabama)Highest: 6 (Jets)
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 21
DE Charles Harris (Missouri)Highest: 15
Lowest: 2nd round
Median: 24.5
The jury's out (Included in two-four mocks)
DB Tre'Davious White (LSU)Highest: 11 (Saints)
LB Zach Cunningham (Vanderbilt)Highest: 17 (Redskins)
DE Carl Lawson (Auburn)Highest: 19 (Buccaneers)
LB Jarrad Davis (Florida)Highest: 22 (Dolphins)
LB Haason Reddick (Temple)Highest: 22 (Dolphins)
LB T.J. Watt (Wisconsin)Highest: 22 (Dolphins)
DT Caleb Brantley (Florida)Highest: 23 (Giants)
DB Gareon Conley (Ohio State)Highest: 29 (Packers)
The outliers (Included in one of 10 mocks)
DB Adoree Jackson (USC)Highest: 24 (Raiders)
S Budda Baker (Washington)Highest: 25 (Texans)
CB Cordrea Tankersley (Clemson)Highest: 26 (Seahawks)
DB Desmond King (Iowa)Highest: 26 (Seahawks)
S Obi Melifonwu (Connecticut)Highest: 26 (Seahawks)
DT Montravius Adams (Auburn)Highest: 28 (Cowboys)
DB Jourdan Lewis (Michigan)Highest: 28 (Cowboys)
LB Ryan Anderson (Alabama)Highest: 30 (Steelers)
S Marcus Williams (Utah)Highest: 31 (Falcons)
DE DeMarcus Walker (Florida State)Highest: 32 (Patriots)
