NFL draft preview: Defensive tackles

April 19, 2012|By Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune reporter
  • Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox works out during the NFL combine in February.
Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox works out during the NFL combine in February. (Joe Robbins/Getty photo)



The best

1. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State, 6-4, 298. This is the best interior pass rusher in the draft. He has an explosive first step and can run down ball carriers. Cox plays with good strength and leverage and shows good reactions. He came out of school early and has the potential to keep developing and improving. He still is learning from a technical standpoint, but he is far enough along to contribute early. Cox is a former defensive end and could play there in a 3-4 defense. He is tough and has solid intangibles.

2. Dontari Poe, Memphis, 6-3, 346. He has amazing movement skills for a player his size, which he demonstrated at the combine. Poe is the premier nose tackle prospect in the draft, and 3-4 teams love him. He is a powerful man with great balance and body control. Even though he is huge, he is not fat. He did not play up to his athleticism in college. He is raw and has a lot to learn, especially with hand usage. Poe probably never will be a pass rusher, but he should be an outstanding run stuffer. Some scouts question his motor, but others believe he plays hard but wore down at times because he played so many snaps.

3. Michael Brockers, LSU, 6-5, 322. This is a big run defender who can be dominant. He probably would fit best as a 3-4 end but could be an interior player in a four-man front. Brockers has not offered much as a pass rusher and often was off the field on passing downs in college, but he could develop in that area. The early entrant is a raw player with potential to develop. He plays hard and has excellent strength. He can collapse a pocket.

4. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State, 6-2, 308. Worthy is a big, physical player who can get off the snap and penetrate the gap. He is stout at the point and has a good presence on the field. He is athletic and flexible. He left school early and still is developing. If he gets with the right coach in the right system, he can really take off. Worthy was penalized quite a bit for undisciplined play.

5. Kendall Reyes, Connecticut, 6-4, 299. Reyes is a safe pick who can play multiple positions and fit in multiple schemes, including the under tackle in a four-man front. He can rush the passer and push the pocket with power. He is a strong run defender. He moves well for his size and has surprising athleticism. He doesn't always play as hard as he could, and his pad level sometimes gets high.

6. Devon Still, Penn State, 6-5, 303. The son of former NFL player Art Still is a gifted lineman. Still is strong and athletic, and he can penetrate. He is very explosive off the ball, but his motor does not always run high. He was inconsistent in college. He can dominate at times, and he often stepped up against better competition. He would fit in a 3-4 as an end as well. He has played for four years and is NFL-ready.

7. Alameda Ta'amu, Washington, 6-2, 348. A gigantic space eater, Ta'amu is an ideal nose tackle candidate. He flashes great power and can be very disruptive. He has some pass-rushing ability for his size, and he gets his pads low. He can dominate one-on-one and hang in versus double teams. He was the talk of Senior Bowl practices. Ta'amu has been an inconsistent player who does not always give full effort. His conditioning has been problematic. He also has some medical issues that could cause him to fall in the draft.

8. Brandon Thompson, Clemson, 6-2, 314. This is a powerful nose tackle prospect who will clog the middle of the field. He isn't flashy and doesn't make a lot of big plays, but he is solid and doesn't make many mistakes. Pass rushing is not his thing. He is best as a running-down player.

9. Billy Winn, Boise State, 6-4, 294. He has the ability to play three technique, nose tackle or five technique in a 3-4. Winn has not made a lot of plays, but he is explosive and quick and could develop as a pass rusher. He is well-built and has strength and athleticism. He needs to play with more consistent effort.

10. Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati, 6-5, 295. This is a productive player who finds ways to be disruptive. Wolfe has a feel for the game but is not a premier athlete. Some consider him an overachiever. He runs well and plays with intensity. He plays with power in the running game. He uses his long arms to create separation. His best fit could be as a 3-4 end.

11. Mike Martin, Michigan, 6-1, 306. A high-effort player who wears down blockers, Martin is not the most gifted athletically. He doesn't have the kind of quickness the best interior pass rushers have, but his relentlessness might make up for it. He is powerful and has been a consistent player. He is durable and reliable. Some see him as a two-down player only.