2012 NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle

This is a pretty standard 4-3 DT class. Last year had some great players up top. Once again a lot of these guys could play anywhere on the DL but these rankings are how I think they work as a 3 technique 4-3 DT.

1.      Fletcher Cox—Miss. St.—6’4”-298—Top 20—94—This guys climbing up peoples draft boards real fast. He has good measurables 34.5” arms and an amazing 4.79 40 makes him look good. In college he played the 4-3 DT spot and saw a lot of guard and center double teams. He shows good effort, has a solid burst when lining up across from the tackle which makes him appealing as a 3-4 DE. He’s definitely a 1st round talent, I don’t think he’s a top 10 game changer type. 3-4 is his ideal fit.

2.      Michael Brockers—LSU—6’5”-322—1st—94—Bill Parcells is real high on this guy. He’s got a vicious swim move. Huge man that carries 320 well. Only 1 year as full time starter. Real young kid which makes him a projection as to how he’ll develop. Plays strong and with speed but measured in with a 5.33 40 and only 19 reps. But he’s got good feet, and played real well. I think he is scheme diverse and could be a 4-3 DT or an equally effective 3-4 DE. I think it’s a toss up between him and Cox with the scheme determining who teams will like more.

3.      Jerel Worthy—Mich. St.—6’2”-308—1st/2nd—93—I watched him play a couple times this year and kept noticing how many plays he made. On film he shows very inconsistent effort, but when he wants to he can blow up run plays, get down the line of scrimmage, and rush the passer from the interior. He uses his hands very well, plays with leverage, and has the ability to push blockers into the backfield. He’s an impressive player when he feels like playing and for this reason will fall into the 20’s. Should stay as a 4-3 DT. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RmnbaMcdmI

4.      Devon Still—Penn. St.—6’5”-303—1st/2nd—92—He has the perfect body for a 3-4 DE except his arms are a hair over 33”. Another Parcells favorite. Holds his ground pretty well against double teams, but doesn’t beat them like Brockers does. Shows a tremendous burst when lined up across from a tackle which makes him better in a 3-4. Definitely a 1st round caliber talent. Better than Odrick was. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2uZ-b0GgEQ

5.      Dontari Poe—Memphis—6’4”-346—1st—91—Everyone knows about the 4.87 40 for a 350 pounder. Reputation is that he takes plays off, I didn’t see it on film. What I did see was a good burst, clear strength and very little impact on the game. Even when he’s in a one on one matchup he doesn’t show the ability to win. This guy screams bust. I would compare him to a bigger Marvin Austin from last year.

6.      Derek Wolfe—Cinci—6’5”-295—2nd-4th round—87—Guy is a solid solid player. Makes very few mistakes and doesn’t get pushed around. He’s gonna fall a bit, but I think he is going to be a very valuable pick for whoever gets him. He’s very strong, is able to extend his arms and make plays in the running game, and shows a surprising burst in open space. I think he belongs in a 3-4. Pro comparison would be Ty Warren when he was good.

7.      Kendall Reyes—UConn—6’4”-299—1st/2nd—87—Good straight line speed (4.79) for a big guy but doesn’t have the light feet you wanna see. Similar prospect to Muhammed Wilkerson last year, but Wilkerson was a better athlete. 34.5” arms are nice, combine that with 36 reps and his speed and he looks like a 1st round talent. But on film he gets stuck to blockers and doesn’t have the necessary hand skills or agility to get off. Still worth a 2nd rounder.

8.      Alameda Ta’amu—Washington—6’3”-348—1st/2nd—87—This is a big man. Consistently gets double teamed. You see consistent effort out of him and good hands. He’s not elite because he lacks that quickness, but his strength and required attention make him worthy of a 2nd round pick. A lot like Phil Taylor but without the weight/character concerns.

9.      Brandon Thompson—Clemson—6’2”-314—2nd day—82—Does the dirty work on the inside. A stout guy that belongs at the 4-3 DT. Some people are real high on him, I like him, but don’t think he is exceptional. I see a little Corey Luiget in his game, but Liuget is definitely better and especially more dynamic.

10.  Billy Winn—Boise St.—6’4”-294—2nd day—80—Probably has the best burst of the DT’s in this draft. Unfortunately he doesn’t play very strong, though he uses his hands reasonably well. He can make plays with his quickness and agility, but gets easily shield blocked. Didn’t play the best competition in the mountain west. 32.5” arms means he probably wont play well as a 5 technique, but his lack of strength (24 reps) means he’ll have trouble on the inside. I think he’d make an excellent sub package interior rusher and be even more with added strength.

11.  Nick Jean-Baptiste—Baylor—6’1”-335—3rd day—77—Short but large and stout. He can play the nose effectively and showed dominant play in the east-west shrine game. He a real strong player who can get significant push up the middle.

12.  Mike Martin—Michigan—6’1”-306—3rd round/day—71—No film out there on this kid, but his stature screams 4-3 DT. He was a stud at the senior bowl which made up for a disappointing senior season. He belongs in the 3rd round, but don’t be surprised if he slips.

13.  Jared Crick—Nebraska—6’4”-279—2nd day—86—When I watched him play in college he reminded me a lot of Justin Smith, unfortunately Smith has 20+ pounds on Crick. He’s still a disruptive presence, he’s just gonna have to find his role. Sub package? Bulk up and play DT? Good motor and uses his hands as well as any DT in this draft. Even though he doesn’t have a true position, as a football player he’s still worth a 2nd.