DRAFT COUNTDOWNSunday: Newton rises againMonday: Ingram’s issueTuesday: Wonderlic concernsToday: Dareus vs. FairleyThursday: Replacing Peyton
Former Tampa Bay and Oakland defensive tackle Warren Sapp doesn’t see a need to compare the two most menacing monsters in this year’s NFL draft.
“One had a career, and one had a year,” Sapp said recently on NFL.com.
Marcell Dareus, who was solid for three seasons at Alabama, and Nick Fairley, who dominated in 2010 for Auburn, are expected to be the first two defensive tackles taken Thursday night. They likely will be among the first 10 picks after comprising one of the most discussed tandems in recent weeks in terms of who should go before the other.
With one day remaining until the show begins in New York City, most projections have the 6-foot-3, 319-pound Dareus going second overall to the Denver Broncos and the 6-4, 291-pound Fairley going eighth to the Tennessee Titans. The Titans’ defensive line coach is Tracy Rocker, who had the same role at Auburn the past two seasons.