By ERNIE PALLADINO
The (Westchester, N.Y.) Journal News

Here are the top three draft prospects at each of the defensive positions.

DEFENSIVE END

1. Terrell Suggs, Arizona State, 6-3, 262: A slow clocking in the 40-yard dash has scouts thinking that maybe he's not a top five choice. But his numbers say otherwise, especially his NCAA record 24 sacks. The ASU record-holder with 44 sacks and 65 1/2 tackles for losses has a limitless upside, considering he's the youngest player in the draft at age 20 1/2.

2. Michael Haynes, Penn State, 6-3 1/2, 279: His numbers were helped by defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy drawing blockers away from him, but he's a good pass-rusher on his own merits. Two sacks, two pressures, and two forced fumbles at the Senior Bowl really caught scouts' attention.

3. Jerome McDougle, Miami, 6-2, 263: Natural pass-rush instincts make up for a lack of long arms and powerful upper body. A great game against Virginia Tech - eight tackles, four for loss, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries, was offset by a quiet showing against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Jimmy Kennedy, Penn State, 6-4, 322: He was nearly 400 pounds when he entered Penn State, but played his senior season at 310 before going up to his current weight. The fluctuations raise questions, but there's no doubting the production of this top 10 prospect as a vicious run-clogger fast enough to beat a double-team before it develops.

2. Dewayne Robertson, Kentucky, 6-1, 317: Extremely strong, with great leverage coming from a low center of gravity, this high first-round prospect can collapse the pocket and create all kinds of problems for quarterbacks. He had his best games against the best teams, and had no quality help to take the pressure off him.

3. William Joseph, Miami (Fla.), 6-5, 308: He was a four-year starter for the Hurricanes. Led Miami in 2002 with 29 quarterback pressures and 15 tackles for losses. He is Miami's best defensive tackle since Warren Sapp.

INSIDE LINEBACKER

1. E.J. Henderson, Maryland, 6-1, 242: A strong finish after back surgery put his final production at 8 1/2 sacks and 175 tackles, leading scouts to believe that when healthy, Henderson is a monster. A sure tackler, he'll be a solid presence at middle linebacker.

2. Gerald Hayes, Pittsburgh, 6-1, 240: Hayes is regarded as a solid linebacker, but not a dominant one. Getting into the right system will be key to his success, because he won't be able to dominate blockers.

3. Bradie James, Louisiana State, 6-2, 242: Speed and athleticism allowed him to become a consistent part of the action, and he can even drop into coverage at times. But he needs to get tougher and become a better run-stopper.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER

1. Boss Bailey, Georgia, 6-2, 233: Redskins corner Champ Bailey's little brother carries on the family tradition of excellence. A 46-inch leap - incredible for a linebacker - has some scouts projecting him as a safety.

2. Mike Nattiel, Florida, 5-11 1/2, 228: Balance and hustle enable this undersized linebacker to hang tough in traffic. He could turn into an every-down, weak-side linebacker as a pro, given his coverage ability and speed.

3. Chaun Thompson, West Texas A&M, 6-2, 241: He played outside and inside, but this small-school product needs to be in a system where he can settle down and learn one spot, perhaps as an edge rusher in a 3-4 defense. Might be worth a third-round gamble.

CORNERBACK

1. Terence Newman, Kansas State, 5-10, 189: Could be one of the top three players chosen because of his blinding speed, coverage abilities that could make him an immediate starter, and great talent as a kick returner. He produced five interceptions, 14 breakups, and a forced fumble in 2002, and even caught four passes as a wide receiver.

2. Marcus Trufant, Washington State, 5-11, 197: A tremendous week of practice at the Senior Bowl rocketed him from a late first-round pick to top 10 status. He's a sure tackler who is fast enough to chase down someone in the open field and tough enough to come up and stop the run.

3. Sammy Davis, Texas A&M, 5-11 1/2, 186: His numbers dropped in 2002 because teams stayed away from him. But he proved he can play a tight man coverage when necessary, rarely being beaten.

SAFETY

1. Troy Polamalu, University of Southern California, 5-10, 208: A great hitter with contagious enthusiasm, Polamalu could go at the end of the first round or early in the second. He finished his career with 278 total tackles, and was consistently the one defensive player for whom opponents had to account.

2. Mike Doss, Ohio State, 5-10, 203: More cerebral than physical, Doss is a true student of the game. Awareness of what everyone else's responsibility is makes him a solid position-type player.

3. Ken Hamlin, Arkansas, 6-2 1/2, 210: A suspension for breaking team rules before 2002 indicates some character issues, but there are no problems with his production. He led the Razorbacks with 159 tackles, and showed he's a complete player with four interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

PUNTER

1. Mark Mariscal, Colorado, 6-2, 200: A power punter who gets great distance and hang-time, his 42.4-yard net average ranked second in the nation and his 47.6-yard gross average on 67 punts led it. He had 18 punts downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

2. Mike Scifres, Western Illinois, 6-2, 236: He's an outstanding bad-weather punter who has the toughness to follow his punt downfield and help in coverage. Of his 61 career punts downed inside the 20, 54 traveled 50 or more yards.

3. Andy Groom, Ohio State, 5-11, 196: The former walk-on has a two-step approach that allows him to get punts off quickly. He has improved his pooch-punting skills, and can hold for placements.

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