The SEC and defensive linemen

NFL Draft guru Mike Detillier caused a bit of a stir in these parts in his analysis of Brandon Thompson when he said this to TI recently:

"Some people might take this as offensive, but he's really looked to me like an SEC player," said Detillier, who publishes the M&D Draft Report. "He looked like one of those SEC defensive tackles that can push that inside pocket and just continually get after it."

For several years, I've argued that the SEC has separated itself from other conferences by producing significantly more elite skill players at quarterback, running back and receiver. The NFL Draft numbers over the last decade provide a lot of support for that belief.

There's also a belief by a lot of folks, including Detillier, that the SEC has been a cut above in large part because of its ability to churn out dominant defensive linemen. Top-of-the-head recollections of the last five BCS title winners invariably produce visions of pillagers up front. Guys like Fairley, Dareus, Dorsey, Cody and Dunlap.

But what do the numbers say? It's a bit of a different story if you're comparing the SEC with, say, the ACC.

The ACC has actually represented pretty well over the last five drafts in terms of first-round picks on the defensive line, totaling six picks to the SEC's 10. And you could argue that Phillip Merling as the 32nd pick in the 2008 draft essentially brings the ACC's first-round total to seven because the Patriots forfeited their first-round pick that year.

In second-round picks over the last five drafts, the ACC holds a 6-5 edge.

So the SEC is up 15-13 on the ACC in first- and second-round picks on the defensive line over the last five drafts.

And looking ahead to the 2012 draft, the presence of Quentin Coples, Thompson and Andre Branch as possible first-round selections means the ACC will continue to hold its own as far as NFL numbers go.

So the SEC's supposed advantage in producing elite defensive linemen might not be as monstrous as a lot of folks think.

LW