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Photo Blog: Breaking down the edge defenders
As we cruise toward the 2012 NFL Draft, get a quick glimpse at prospect breakdowns for the best edge defenders from Andy Hart of Patriots Football Weekly.
![Bequette played end for the Razorbacks, but did linebacker drills at his Pro Day. He's an effort guy with an ability to get to the QB. He doesn't have great size or speed, but has the will.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/vdvxinupsetcq4ocwmjn.jpg)
Bequette played end for the Razorbacks, but did linebacker drills at his Pro Day. He's an effort guy with an ability to get to the QB. He doesn't have great size or speed, but has the will.
![Johnson has experience at outside linebacker early in his career under Al Groh as well as end experience of late. He doesn't have a ton of speed or quickness, but has the build for the edge.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/hl6dmiyrvvnkouhvrckm.jpg)
Johnson has experience at outside linebacker early in his career under Al Groh as well as end experience of late. He doesn't have a ton of speed or quickness, but has the build for the edge.
![Vernon is a bit of a projection after being suspended for six games last fall and then leaving school early. He's only 6-2, but weighs 261 and ran a 4.6. He could be a high-value prospect for the Patriots.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/khgp0z0stnkhzkr4gfpp.jpg)
Vernon is a bit of a projection after being suspended for six games last fall and then leaving school early. He's only 6-2, but weighs 261 and ran a 4.6. He could be a high-value prospect for the Patriots.
![Crick is probably more of a 3-4 end project, but he does have good pass rush skills at 6-4, 279. He's a relentless, solid athlete who finishes plays.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/vskwpdvbf1evfg9qoysb.jpg)
Crick is probably more of a 3-4 end project, but he does have good pass rush skills at 6-4, 279. He's a relentless, solid athlete who finishes plays.
![Irvin may be the best pure pass rusher in the draft. But he has lots of off-field questions and is a little undersized (6-2, 245) for the edge of the Patriots front.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/djspxxgewe6p6fdwmmp6.jpg)
Irvin may be the best pure pass rusher in the draft. But he has lots of off-field questions and is a little undersized (6-2, 245) for the edge of the Patriots front.
![Fills the Bill at 6-3, 260 with a 4.63 40. A high-energy player with a good first step. Seems to be better with speed than strength, but is relentless and will be a fan favorite wherever he gets drafted.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/mqbusfxloz6srjbsveag.jpg)
Fills the Bill at 6-3, 260 with a 4.63 40. A high-energy player with a good first step. Seems to be better with speed than strength, but is relentless and will be a fan favorite wherever he gets drafted.
![Branch is similar to Vinny Curry in that he's solid but not elite in terms of potential. He's got a good frame and decent athleticism with a little experience in space. I wish he were quicker.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/hdj0swtt1lqwfh6ug1be.jpg)
Branch is similar to Vinny Curry in that he's solid but not elite in terms of potential. He's got a good frame and decent athleticism with a little experience in space. I wish he were quicker.
![Curry is not as explosive a player as I'd like to see the Patriots add, but he had very good college production. He's a solid edge prospect with good effort and some ability to play in space.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/lqr1152dqtt75n6dsyek.jpg)
Curry is not as explosive a player as I'd like to see the Patriots add, but he had very good college production. He's a solid edge prospect with good effort and some ability to play in space.
![Coples is more of an end/tackle in New England, but it's hard to ignore his impressive frame and athletic potential.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/t2iwonpyccaaksenjupr.jpg)
Coples is more of an end/tackle in New England, but it's hard to ignore his impressive frame and athletic potential.
![Another guy with impressive measurables (6-3, 271, 4.64), Perry does a good job getting the edge in the rush. He'll need to develop his pass rush moves but Perry has clear potential.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/vc6nhltbmk5q4iol9cds.jpg)
Another guy with impressive measurables (6-3, 271, 4.64), Perry does a good job getting the edge in the rush. He'll need to develop his pass rush moves but Perry has clear potential.
![I'm not as high on Ingram as many are and I certainly don't think he should be a top-10 pick. He lacks elite measurables but you can't argue with his production and pass rush ability.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/qyj4gkbkwgrmhhesndvw.jpg)
I'm not as high on Ingram as many are and I certainly don't think he should be a top-10 pick. He lacks elite measurables but you can't argue with his production and pass rush ability.
![A big part of college football's best defense, Upshaw has everything but the height (6-1) to be a good OLB in the 3-4. Upshaw plays with a mean streak that can really boost a defense.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/lfsa51ywzjg7qvoiiyic.jpg)
A big part of college football's best defense, Upshaw has everything but the height (6-1) to be a good OLB in the 3-4. Upshaw plays with a mean streak that can really boost a defense.
![With the 21st overall pick the Patriots selected Syracuse DE Chandler Jones.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/ej68mj1odi3smd1xt8zu.jpg)
With the 21st overall pick the Patriots selected Syracuse DE Chandler Jones.
![Mercilus is a one-year wonder who led the country with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles last year. He has all the measurables Bill Belichick looks for at just under 6-4, 261 pounds with a 4.6-ish 40.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/patriots/vmqxryzzgngy4wem1t6y.jpg)
Mercilus is a one-year wonder who led the country with 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles last year. He has all the measurables Bill Belichick looks for at just under 6-4, 261 pounds with a 4.6-ish 40.