Cole’s Corner: 2021 Defensive Tackle Prospect Rankings

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I am fully confident that more defensive players will be drafted this year than offensive players. Many position groups have lots of depth and many teams need some defensive difference makers.

This year’s defensive tackles will not wow you, but they have some great size. Many could be mid-round pickups with much greater potential.

Here are my top Defensive Tackle prospects:

1. Christian Barmore – Alabama

Barmore is without a doubt the cream of this crop. He has excellent vertical push, disrupts a lot in the backfield and plays like a bull in a china shop. Barmore needs more reps but he should quickly get those as an immediate starter in the NFL.

Pick Range: 1^st Round

2. Tommy Togiai – Ohio State

Togiai best fits as a 4-3 DT or an early down DE in a 3-4 base. He is an excellent run stuffer due to his power. Togiai might get underestimated for his strength but he did 40 reps in the bench press during the OSU pro day. He is ready for immediate action.

Pick Range: Late 1^st – 2^nd Round

3. Jay Tufele – USC.           

Tufele is an every down tackle. He is a fantastic combination of quickness with adequate size. Tufele is disruptive and commands attention from multiple blockers. He just needs some coaching on reading blocking schemes ahead of time.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

4. Levi Onwuzurike – Washington

Onwuzurike is a smaller 4-3 DT. He is a talented pass rusher and plays with solid leverage. He is the most unique player in this group with his style of play, but that also brings a downside… need to work on his ability to stop the run.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

5. Daviyon Nixon – Iowa       

Nixon is fairly physical and athletic. I would not expect many numbers just yet but he could certainly fill a missing spot in the middle and eat up some blocks. There is plenty of potential with his tough hand fighting and athletic tools. He could eventually become a star.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 3^rd Round

6. Tyler Shelvin – LSU       

Shelvin is a massive nose tackle. At 6’3” and 362 pounds, he can plug the hole against a team looking to run up the middle. Shelvin was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and was fairly tough in college. He opted out of last season so his motor coming into next year could be a question. Shelvin would be a fantastic fit in a 3-4 defense needing a big nose tackle.

Pick Range: 2^nd – 4^th Round

7. Marvin Wilson – Florida State

Wilson schematically fits in a 4-3 base defense. He is best when bull rushing on passing downs. He is always looking to be on the attack, going after the quarterback. Wilson is an average run defender but would be a nice addition for depth.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

8. Marlon Tuipolotu – USC

Tuipolotu plays angry and has a fairly high motor. He can be pretty relentless but that can sometimes draw him out of position. Tuipolotu schematically is best in a 4-3.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

9. Alim McNeil – NC State

McNeil is a controller at the line of scrimmage. He absorbs space and splits gaps up the middle. He is best as a 3-4 NT but could be a 4-3 DT.  McNeil is still improving as a pass rusher.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 4^th Round

10. Darius Stills – West Virginia

Stills is smaller at 280 pounds which makes him built for quickness. He is a high-pressure generator and stays low on first movement. He can also close down a ball carrier better than most tackles. If he is against a more fleetfooted offensive lineman, he can easily be stood up. Stills would be fine as a 4-3 DT but I would prefer to see him play as a 3-4 DE.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

11. Osa Odighizuwa – UCLA

Odighizuwa has some nice speed with agility and pass rushing flashes. He reminds me of Jadaveon Clowney coming out of college. The talent level is not close but the frame looks similar on tape. He is between a defensive tackle and a defensive end at a leaner 6’2” 280. The team that drafts him will likely put more weight on or make him cut. There is some upside here if used correctly.

Pick Range: 3^rd – 5^th Round

12. Jaylen Twyman – Pittsburgh

Twyman shoots gaps well and can get after the QB. His physique does not turn heads of NFL scouts but with more strength and technique added to his game, Twyman could be a steal.

Pick Range: 4^th – 5^th Round

13. Milton Williams – Louisiana Tech

Williams produced in college and perhaps there is a chance he could produce well at the next level. He possesses decent agility and I like his motor. I’m just not as sold as others out there because he needs some more coaching and the right scheme. What that scheme is, it’s hard to tell – 4-3 DT, 3-4 DE or even 4-3 DE. Time will tell.

Pick Range: 4^th – 5^th Round

14. Naquan Jones – Michigan State

At 6’4” and 323 pounds, Jones has some ideal size in the middle. He controlled gaps well for MSU and opened up space for his linebackers coming downhill. A team that needs some depth but isn’t desperate for a DT will find some solid value here.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

15. Tedarrell Slaton – Florida 

Slaton is a well-balanced 360 pounder. He does not look his weight because he holds a lot of that in his legs. He a 3-4 nose tackle that stays low in his stance and submarines under blockers. He could be crucial in goal line stand situations. Slaton just needs to work on balance.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round

16. Bobby Brown III – Texas A&M

Brown is a defensive anchor in the middle and usually stands pat at the point of attack. He will be a fantastic pickup as a late round 4-3 DT. Opposing offensive lines won’t be able to move him, though there should be a question if he will make the effort to make some play himself.

Pick Range: 5^th – 7^th Round