Midseason NFL Draft outlook: Defensive tackle

The college football season continues to churn on, so there’s no better time to take an early look at the top five players position-by-position who are eligible for the NFL Draft as well as two other players to watch.

Today, we move on to the defensive tackle spot.

NFL Draft outlook: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receiver | Tight End | Offensive line | Defensive end

Recruiting: McDowell picked Michigan State over Michigan, Ohio State and Florida State on National Signing Day, but it wasn’t so simple. According to reports, there was some family disagreement about McDowell’s decision and his signed LOI didn’t arrive in East Lansing until early April.

Stats: In a disappointing season for the Spartans, McDowell has recorded 27 tackles (four for loss) and he has 0.5 sacks. The former five-star also has three quarterback hurries in six games.

Farrell’s take: I admit it, the first time I saw McDowell I thought he was a bit soft and too raw to be special despite his size and amazing physical gifts. He was at our first Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour in Atlanta, and I was underwhelmed considering the hype. The next year in Chicago, he was a different player and he played lower and more physical. Now he’s one of the best gap-shooting defensive tackles in college football with a first-round NFL ceiling. The Spartans are struggling and McDowell is clearly being keyed on more than ever, but he’s still be very solid.

Recruiting: The former four-star defensive tackle committed to Clemson over Florida midway through his senior season. Watkins had offers from all over the country but had narrowed it down to the Gators and Tigers leading up to his decision.

Stats: Watkins has registered 23 tackles with 4.5 sacks along with three quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick so far this season.

Farrell’s take: I remember Watkins battling it out for defensive line MVP honors at our Charlotte VTO Camp back in the day with current NFL player Jonathan Bullard and each brought something different to the table. While Bullard was more athletic and natural as a pass rusher, Watkins was more powerful and was very quick with his hands on the inside. He’s a gap shooter, the kind of defensive tackle the NFL covets, and has been very active in pass rush this season.

Recruiting: Brantley decommitted from Florida hours before the Gators were to play Louisville in the Sugar Bowl, only to recommit a few days later. Florida State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU and others were in the mix, but after some suspense Florida landed him.

Stats: Brantley has recorded nine tackles (two for loss) with one sack in six games this season. He also has numerous quarterback pressures.

Farrell’s Take: Brantley was a big, athletic kid out of high school who could not only stuff the run but also get after the passer. He was more of a pocket flusher than a pure sack guy and that continues now. He doesn’t show up in the stat sheet as much as you’d expect, but when you break down the film, he makes the pocket small and uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks quite often.

Recruiting: A few weeks before National Signing Day Lotulelei committed to Utah over Oregon State, BYU, Cal, Utah State and others. He is the younger brother of Star Lotulelei, who played for the Utes and is now a defensive tackle with the Carolina Panthers.

Stats: Lotulelei has 11 tackles with two for loss and one sack this season as Utah is allowing just over 18 points per contest.

Farrell’s take: I remember there was some hype about Lotulelei either because of his brother Star, who was excellent at Utah and became a first-rounder, or because he was athletic for a big guy. So when I first saw him, I expected more. He had good size, but I didn’t see a ton of athleticism or pass-rushing ability. That’s why he had him outside our top 30 defensive tackles in 2013 and as a high three-star we didn’t feel great about putting a fourth star on. But like his brother, who was also a high three-star, he’s proven to be better than expected.

Recruiting: Vea, who had 296 tackles and 19 sacks during his time at Milpitas, Calif., committed to Washington over Cal, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Tennessee and Utah.

Stats: Vea has 21 tackles (4.5 for loss) with 3.5 sacks so far this season. He has also recorded one forced fumble for a Washington defense that has forced 14 fumbles and is only giving up about 14 points per game.

Farrell’s Take: Vea was ranked as a big defensive end for us out of high school but played on the nose his senior year and was very active. He started off as a four-star pass rusher for us but dropped to three stars as he got bigger but lost some quickness. He was a tough evaluation because he hadn’t played a ton of football and was very effective when he played, but he was a ‘tweener for us and it was hard to figure out what scheme he would fit into. He’s found his home as a defensive tackle and is rising on many scouts' lists.

Recruiting: Jones, a former Penn State commit, picked Notre Dame in the summer before his senior season. Prior to his pledge to the Irish Jones had a top five of Virginia Tech, Louisville, Notre Dame, North Carolina and Penn State.

Stats: In a disappointing season for Notre Dame, Jones has accumulated 17 tackles (1.5 for loss). Jones also has an interception, two quarterback hurries and he’s blocked two kicks.

Farrell’s take: This is an interesting one because I saw Jones quite often. He was originally ranked by some of our competitors as a five-star, mainly because of how big and long he was, but when I first saw him I saw nothing close to that ranking. He dropped a bit throughout the process including 40 spots after an average showing at the U.S. Army Bowl, and he had a big boom-or-bust tag on him. In fact, we thought he’d be a better offensive tackle at the next level than defensive tackle. It’s taken some time, but he is starting to play more physical and putting it together.

Recruiting: Shortly after landing his offer and going on his official visit, Walker committed to the Sooners in January and shut down his recruitment. LSU was a childhood favorite, but the Tigers did not offer. Colorado State, Houston, Iowa State, New Mexico and others were involved.

Stats: Walker has only played in four games so far this season and has recorded seven tackles (two for loss) with four pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.

Farrell’s take: It’s not a great year at defensive tackle for the 2017 draft as Walker isn’t considered anything close to a top two-round guy, at least to me. But he’s the best of the rest and when healthy he can make some big plays. He was a three-star guy who did push up a bit at the end of the recruiting cycle after overcoming some injury issues and some bad weight, but he has played better than that so far.