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NFL draft: Top 10 defensive tackles
Posted: March 23, 2009
Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a quick look at the top 10 draft prospects at defensive tackle:
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1 1/4, 330).
Raji was a highly regarded prospect entering the 2007 season but was forced to miss that year after he was ruled academically ineligible. However, he came back to have an impressive senior season and then bolstered his stock at the Senior Bowl, showing he can make an immediate impact as an NFL starter. Though he doesn't have the name recognition of Matthew Stafford or Michael Crabtree, Raji will be a top-10 pick and become a game-changing player. He is the uncommon player who can make an impact as a two-gap tackle, a nose tackle or a hole-shooting one-gap tackle.
2. Fili Moala, USC (6-4, 305).
Moala has been overshadowed by other USC defenders most of his career, but there are not many negatives to his play and he has the tools to be a good NFL starter. During the Senior Bowl, Moala proved he is every bit as athletic as he appears on film and has the strength that few at his position do. He is not a huge tackle, but his ability to play with leverage and natural strength enables him to hold up well at the point of attack. He has the talent to start at tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4.
3. Evander "Ziggy" Hood, Missouri (6-2 7/8, 300).
He doesn't immediately jump out on film, but the more you evaluate him the more he impresses you. He is a very quick, athletic tackle and has the long arms and strength to defeat blocks and hold his ground, though he needs to play with leverage more consistently. He has the versatility to play tackle in any 4-3 scheme but might be even more valuable as an end in a 3-4. Hood has risen significantly this spring, but don't be concerned that he is a "tryout" player. Defensive tackles often move up when they prove at all-star games they can handle NFL requirements, which are often hidden by college schemes.
4. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-1 2/4, 299).
Jerry hadn't received a ton of attention entering his senior season, but he came on strong in 2008 to boost Mississippi's defense and improve his draft stock. No doubt, his age (24) and inconsistency at finishing plays are concerns, but defensive tackles with his burst off the snap, strength and athleticism are very hard to find. To reach his potential, he needs to play with leverage more consistently. Look for Jerry to excel as a starter at the next level.
5. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-2 3/4, 331).
Brace is "the other defensive tackle" from Boston College and didn't receive much national recognition playing next to Raji. However, Brace also has the tools to become a quality NFL starter. His stock has been rising mainly because of the combination of athleticism and strength he flashed at the Senior Bowl. However, he lacks the burst and quickness that Raji has shown consistently.
6. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1 3/8, 301).
Marks could have helped himself by staying in college another season and improving his production. He has the necessary athleticism and strength but must play with more intensity and better technique on every snap. Teams should be careful with him because at this point in his career, his production doesn't match the athleticism.
7. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5 1/4, 288).
Gilbert is going to spark huge debates in draft rooms because his production does not match his talent level. He played primarily at tackle in 2008 but started at both end and tackle in 2007. Though he shows good initial quickness at tackle, he lacks the explosive burst as an end to threaten the corner as a speed rusher. Gilbert may be drafted higher than graded here but will struggle to become a productive NFL starter without greater aggressiveness and consistency.
8. Corey Irvin, Georgia (6-3 1/8, 302).
To start at the next level, Irvin will have to prove his athleticism trumps inconsistent production. He is not going to be an ideal fit for every defense because of his lack of technique, but he would fit well as an under tackle in a 4-3 or as an end in certain 3-4 schemes. During spring workouts, he has helped himself by flashing good athleticism.
9. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-1 7/8, 303).
Though Walker has not tested off the charts this spring, he's a hard-working player who rarely comes off the field and gets the job done. He is not going to make many plays outside the hash marks but is active inside and always seems to be around the ball. Walker must improve his strength and play with move consistent leverage and hand use, but he should develop into a solid NFL player.
10. Clinton McDonald, Memphis (6-1 3/4, 289).
A two-time team captain, McDonald plays with a never-say-die attitude. However, he lacks ideal height and weight and will have to continue to prove himself to become an every-down player in the NFL. He helped himself with a strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game, and NFL teams are debating how productive he can be. Though he does not fit the mold of a top tackle, he will be a mid-round pick who could become a starting tackle down the road.
NFL draft: Top 10 defensive tackles
Posted: March 23, 2009
Russ Lande and his team of former NFL scouts take a quick look at the top 10 draft prospects at defensive tackle:
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1 1/4, 330).
Raji was a highly regarded prospect entering the 2007 season but was forced to miss that year after he was ruled academically ineligible. However, he came back to have an impressive senior season and then bolstered his stock at the Senior Bowl, showing he can make an immediate impact as an NFL starter. Though he doesn't have the name recognition of Matthew Stafford or Michael Crabtree, Raji will be a top-10 pick and become a game-changing player. He is the uncommon player who can make an impact as a two-gap tackle, a nose tackle or a hole-shooting one-gap tackle.
2. Fili Moala, USC (6-4, 305).
Moala has been overshadowed by other USC defenders most of his career, but there are not many negatives to his play and he has the tools to be a good NFL starter. During the Senior Bowl, Moala proved he is every bit as athletic as he appears on film and has the strength that few at his position do. He is not a huge tackle, but his ability to play with leverage and natural strength enables him to hold up well at the point of attack. He has the talent to start at tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4.
3. Evander "Ziggy" Hood, Missouri (6-2 7/8, 300).
He doesn't immediately jump out on film, but the more you evaluate him the more he impresses you. He is a very quick, athletic tackle and has the long arms and strength to defeat blocks and hold his ground, though he needs to play with leverage more consistently. He has the versatility to play tackle in any 4-3 scheme but might be even more valuable as an end in a 3-4. Hood has risen significantly this spring, but don't be concerned that he is a "tryout" player. Defensive tackles often move up when they prove at all-star games they can handle NFL requirements, which are often hidden by college schemes.
4. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-1 2/4, 299).
Jerry hadn't received a ton of attention entering his senior season, but he came on strong in 2008 to boost Mississippi's defense and improve his draft stock. No doubt, his age (24) and inconsistency at finishing plays are concerns, but defensive tackles with his burst off the snap, strength and athleticism are very hard to find. To reach his potential, he needs to play with leverage more consistently. Look for Jerry to excel as a starter at the next level.
5. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-2 3/4, 331).
Brace is "the other defensive tackle" from Boston College and didn't receive much national recognition playing next to Raji. However, Brace also has the tools to become a quality NFL starter. His stock has been rising mainly because of the combination of athleticism and strength he flashed at the Senior Bowl. However, he lacks the burst and quickness that Raji has shown consistently.
6. Sen'Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1 3/8, 301).
Marks could have helped himself by staying in college another season and improving his production. He has the necessary athleticism and strength but must play with more intensity and better technique on every snap. Teams should be careful with him because at this point in his career, his production doesn't match the athleticism.
7. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5 1/4, 288).
Gilbert is going to spark huge debates in draft rooms because his production does not match his talent level. He played primarily at tackle in 2008 but started at both end and tackle in 2007. Though he shows good initial quickness at tackle, he lacks the explosive burst as an end to threaten the corner as a speed rusher. Gilbert may be drafted higher than graded here but will struggle to become a productive NFL starter without greater aggressiveness and consistency.
8. Corey Irvin, Georgia (6-3 1/8, 302).
To start at the next level, Irvin will have to prove his athleticism trumps inconsistent production. He is not going to be an ideal fit for every defense because of his lack of technique, but he would fit well as an under tackle in a 4-3 or as an end in certain 3-4 schemes. During spring workouts, he has helped himself by flashing good athleticism.
9. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-1 7/8, 303).
Though Walker has not tested off the charts this spring, he's a hard-working player who rarely comes off the field and gets the job done. He is not going to make many plays outside the hash marks but is active inside and always seems to be around the ball. Walker must improve his strength and play with move consistent leverage and hand use, but he should develop into a solid NFL player.
10. Clinton McDonald, Memphis (6-1 3/4, 289).
A two-time team captain, McDonald plays with a never-say-die attitude. However, he lacks ideal height and weight and will have to continue to prove himself to become an every-down player in the NFL. He helped himself with a strong performance at the East-West Shrine Game, and NFL teams are debating how productive he can be. Though he does not fit the mold of a top tackle, he will be a mid-round pick who could become a starting tackle down the road.
