Sedrick Ellis a Better DT Than Glenn Dorsey? Mike Mayock Thinks So

NFL Network's Mike Mayock, who for my money is the best NFL draft analyst anywhere, offers this explanation for why he ranks USC's Sedrick Ellis -- and not LSU's Glenn Dorsey -- as the best defensive tackle in the 2008 NFL draft:

"They are both great football players and it's a very difficult evaluation between the two as to who is better because they are both top-10 picks. What I like about Ellis is that he played nose tackle in a 3-4 defense at USC and that will appeal to 3-4 NFL teams. In addition, he will also appeal to the 4-3 teams because he has the quickness to play the "three technique." Dorsey is a great football player and I give him credit for playing through injuries the past few years. However his durability is a concern."

I think Mayock makes a pretty good case, particularly about the versatility of Ellis, who looks like he could play anywhere -- I even think he could be a 4-3 defensive end if that's what the team drafting him needs. Dorsey is pretty much your standard 4-3 defensive tackle, and I'm not sure where else he could play.

I also think there was a long period of time when Dorsey wasn't particularly productive during his senior season. Obviously, the fact that he was playing through a knee injury is the primary reason for that, but when NFL scouts analyze tape, they'll see a lot more highlight-reel plays from Ellis than they will from Dorsey, and that can't help but sway them.

One other note: USC listed Ellis at 285 pounds while LSU listed Dorsey at 299. There is no way on earth that Dorsey only outweighs Ellis by 14 pounds. I'm putting the over-under for Dorsey's combine weigh-in at 320.