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Defensive Tackle Profiles
By: John McMullen
Defensive tackle is another position in which most NFL teams are in desperate need. You would be hard pressed to find many teams that are comfortable with both a solid run stopper and a pass rush threat to collapse the pocket. Therefore, expect as many as five defensive tackles in this draft who will both be first rounders and future starters. Here are the best:
- Jared DeVries Iowa 6-3 270
DeVries has probably been the most consistent defensive lineman in the country over the past three years at Iowa and will merit a high first round grade. He brings to the table great size, good athleticism and determination. Jared is a penetration player who can blow up the run or harass the passer. He has a great motor and can chase from sideline to sideline. Devries is a bit undersized and does get blocked a little too much but overall you are looking at an outstanding player with the rare quickness to compensate for his lack of size.
- Anthony McFarland LSU 6-0 290
A short and squatty overachiever who always gives a big time effort and is very quick, active and instinctive. Obviously he lacks the prototypical height but he makes up for it with his quickness, strength and hustle. Anthony penetrates and makes plays. He flies around the field and can run from sideline to sideline showing excellent pursuit and the speed to chase down plays from the backside.
- Ed Chester Florida 6-3 294
Chester is a wild card who is coming off a knee injury from a year ago. He easily has first round talent including a rare first step that lets him shoot the gap and make plays in the opposition backfield. Ed is a high motor player with great speed and quickness as well as outstanding strength. He has the ability to be an elite run stopper and inside pass rush threat. He would easily be rated as the number one defensive tackle if there were no questions about his knee.
- John Thornton West Virginia 6-3 300
Thornton looks the part of a big time nose tackle with the strength and bulk to dominate versus the run as well as decent quickness in his pass rush. John should be a solid first and second down player early in his career with the ability to clog up the best of NFL run games.
- Gary Holmes Washington State. 6-6 327
A massive, physically intimidating player. Holmes has the bulk to be a real difference maker inside but something is lacking. He doesn't play up to the level of his impressive physical ability and lacks great movement skills often having trouble changing directions. Nevertheless, with his measurables Holmes has the potential to be a dominant pass rusher from his inside position as well as a solid run stuffer that will require a double team on nearly every snap. Looks like a boom or bust type pick.
- Reggie McGrew Florida 6-2 300
McGrew is an underclassman who will seriously consider coming out. He is a prototypical short, stubby nose tackle that is nearly immovable versus the run. McGrew is also very athletic and has a lot of quickness in space as well as great strength at the point of attack. He does needs to develop better pass rush skills but he also has enough quickness to shot the gap and blow up plays in the backfield.
- Marcus Spriggs Troy State 6-4 310
Spriggs is a small college sleeper with big time ability. He is a transfer from Ohio State so you know he has the athletic ability big time schools look for. Marcus' problems have been a lack of strength and consistency. Some nice coaching on the next level may develop him into a player.
- Jason Wiltz Nebraska 6-4 310
Wiltz is another huge, wide guy who's strength is run defense. He isn't very fast or athletic but he does play hard and won't stop until the whistle. Jason is an overachiever who makes plays with his head and his heart and could help as a two down player in the NFL.
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