Highly drafted rookie defenders are often counted on by their teams to start. But for IDP owners it's essential to find out which have landed in high-production positions and which rookies will be every-down players. Linebackers that are removed on passing downs lose big-play potential. Defensive linemen that rotate lose tackle and sack opportunities to their teammates. Defensive backs' stat lines can be affected greatly by the players in front of them.

Here's a look at 30 rookies' situations after the first round of minicamp season.

Top Ten Defensive Linemen

1. Redskins DE Brian Orakpo

The unfair Vernon Gholston comparisons aside, Orakpo can play. He tore up the Combine like Gholston, but the 2008 Nagurski Award winner (given to D-I's best defender) is a proven senior with stats to back up his big name. The IDP risk is that he'll only have position eligibility at linebacker, where his tackle count would likely fall well short of LB standards. Orakpo practiced as a stand-up strong-side 'backer this spring, moving to left end on passing downs.

2. Bengals DE Michael Johnson

The Bengals are already finding creative ways to get this first-round talent with a third-round motor on the field, trying him at outside linebacker during their recent minicamp. Johnson could do a lot more damage on the line, however. Bengals RE Antwan Odom and LE Robert Geathers are both better suited for nickel-rushing roles, and at 6'7/260 Johnson has every-down size.

3. Bills DE Aaron Maybin

The 2008 Big Ten sack leader clearly has the tools to be a top NFL pass rusher. Maybin proved at his Pro Day that he can move effectively at 6'4/249, despite playing in the 230-pound range last season. Whether he'll be able to hold up as a three-down strong-side end at this level is questionable. First, Maybin has to beat out veterans Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney. Then, he must keep the weight on through a rigorous 16-game season. Maybin should threaten for 5-6 sacks as a rookie, but the odds are against him playing full time right away.

4. Colts DT Fili Moala

GM Bill Polian has made it clear that Moala isn't just a two-down "big body." The Colts traded up to draft Moala 56th overall, and he'll immediately replace smallish Eric Foster on the first team. Indianapolis is tweaking its scheme, but Moala will rush the passer first. He also comes from a similar Tampa 2 defense at Southern Cal and should have no trouble picking up the system.

5. Chiefs DE Tyson Jackson

Assuming Glenn Dorsey secures the starting right end job over rookie Alex Magee, Jackson will slot in at LDE. That's Ty Warren's position in GM Scott Pioli's old defense with the Patriots. Warren is highly productive when healthy, but Jackson lacks his pass-rush ability and Kansas City is unlikely to suddenly fix its woeful run defense, limiting blitzing chances. Expect a respectable tackle count, but only 3-4 sacks from Jackson as a rookie.

6. Falcons DT Peria Jerry

Atlanta will use Jerry as a nose tackle/three-technique hybrid like the Saints did with Sedrick Ellis last year. Jerry would be a better bet for production at the penetrating "three" spot -- his college position -- but Jonathan Babineaux isn't losing his job. Jerry figures to add weight and play nose in base sets, helping Atlanta fix its 25th-ranked run defense. But it will limit his IDP numbers.

7. Packers DL B.J. Raji

Coach Mike McCarthy claims Ryan Pickett will be starting in Week 1, but we'll believe it when we see it. Coordinator Dom Capers' new 3-4 system requires the nose tackle to blitz and contain, and Raji can do both. Pickett isn't an up-field lineman. Raji's IDP ceiling isn't high because of the scheme, but he'll likely win the starting job in camp and be a three-down player.

8. Buccaneers DE Kyle Moore

Jimmy Wilkerson and Greg White are ahead of Moore on the depth chart at left defensive end, but both lack Moore's length and run-plugging potential. The Bucs will likely rotate all three, with White dominating nickel downs. Still, Moore could emerge with the most snaps by season's end because he projects as the most complete player of the bunch.

9. Raiders DE Stryker Sulak

Sulak, NCAA's leader in forced fumbles as a senior, will battle Jay Richardson and Trevor Scott at weak-side end. The incumbent starter, Richardson has little pass-rush ability and is in line to be replaced. Scott and Sulak are similar undersized rushers, but Sulak is 6'5/250 to Scott's 6'5/240. Sulak could surprise with 6-7 sacks and extra glory stats mixed in if he wins the job.

10. Ravens DE/OLB Paul Kruger

It remains to be seen how this high-motor Utah Ute will be used. New coordinator Greg Mattison could ask Kruger to bulk up and eventually replace Trevor Pryce at five-technique defensive end, or stay at his current weight (6'5/255) and act as an outside linebacker/end hybrid. Kruger probably isn't going to see the field much this year, but he'd have more long-term potential at Pryce's position.

Notably Left Out: Steelers DE Ziggy Hood, Texans DE Connor Barwin, Patriots NT Ron Brace, Panthers DE Everette Brown, Bears DT Jarron Gilbert, Chiefs DE Alex Magee, Titans DT SenDerrick Marks, Buccaneers DT Roy Miller, Bears DE Henry Melton, Raiders DE Matt Shaughnessy, Falcons DE Lawrence Sidbury, Jaguars DT Terrance Knighton

Top Ten Linebackers

1. Rams MLB James Laurinaitis

Coach Steve Spagnuolo showed supreme faith in Laurinaitis by immediately moving incumbent MIKE 'backer Will Witherspoon to the weak side to make room. An exceptionally productive collegiate, Laurinaitis is a sound bet for 100 tackles as a rookie, and St. Louis' lack of quality linebackers makes him pretty likely to be a three-down starter. Teams will continue to run up the gut constantly against the Rams, leading to a boatload of tackle opportunities.

2. Bengals ?LB Rey Maualuga

It's unclear if Maualuga will play the middle or strong side. The Bengals surprisingly kept Dhani Jones at MIKE during minicamps, with Maualuga backing up Rashad Jeanty at SAM. Jones broke down last season, however, and Maualuga figures to see starts inside at some point. Still, he's a better dynasty pick. Maualuga is certainly Cincinnati's middle linebacker of the future.

3. Seahawks SLB Aaron Curry

Seattle's LB corps looks great on paper with Curry on the strong side, but that isn't typically a desirable IDP position in new coordinator Gus Bradley's Cover 2 system. Bradley comes from Tampa Bay, where last year's starting SAM backer (Cato June) made a mere 67 tackles. Curry will get more because he's already a better player, but he'll be overrated based on big-name status by less knowledgeable owners.

4. Packers OLB Clay Matthews

For the starting weak outside linebacker position, Matthews shouldn't have any trouble holding off Brady Poppinga in camp. That role requires more of a pass-rush threat than Poppinga (three sacks in four seasons) can provide. Matthews is coming from USC's Cover 2 scheme and may start the year slow, but he's a solid bet for 6-7 sacks. Just don't expect many tackles.

5. Broncos OLB/DE Robert Ayers

New coordinator Mike Nolan wants Ayers to gain weight so he can play some end and also rush with his hand up. But Ayers could lose explosiveness at 290 pounds and is expected to stay on the line more initially. While numbers like DE/OLB Justin Smith posted for Nolan last year (73 tackles, 7 sacks) in San Francisco would be terrific, it remains to be seen where Ayers will be position eligible.

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