NFL Draft debate: Defensive tackle

As the NFL Draft nears, there will be more debates about which player should be chosen first at a specific position. Defensive tackle is definitely a hot topic and today Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell and Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney discuss who should be taken first at that position and why.

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Why Robinson is No. 1: Robinson isn't universally considered to be the best defensive tackle on his own team as Jarran Reed checks more boxes for some. When you watch Robinson on film, I’ll admit there are inconsistencies and it depends on which game you’re watching. When he’s on, he’s on -- and other times he can be put on skates too often.

Pad level is his biggest issue, but be sure of this: it’s not a physical issue of flexibility and it is correctable. When you put all the other strengths Robinson has with a correctable flaw, you have the top defensive tackle in the draft when it comes to potential.

I can see why Gorney likes Sheldon Rankins because he plays with better natural leverage and is more scheme versatile, but Robinson has more potential to be great. We’ll find out in a few years whether Robinson made Reed better or if it was the opposite as I doubt both will turn into Pro Bowl players.

I’ll take the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder who just needs to play lower.

Farrell’s NFL comparison: Sharrif Floyd, Minnesota Vikings

1) A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama

2) Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

3) Jarran Reed, Alabama

4) Andrew Billings, Baylor

5) Jonathan Bullard, Florida

Why Rankins is No. 1: Every box is checked with Rankins. His versatility means he can play in any kind of system. He’s a compact, violent defensive tackle who makes plays. He has superior athleticism to any other defensive tackle in this draft.

There is this perception that Robinson is a freak athlete, but that didn’t prove true at the NFL Combine. What did show in Indianapolis is that Rankins has far better athleticism and compact strength as he had better numbers in all of the testing events compared to the Alabama standout. Rankins has such a special combination of a powerful lower half, light feet so he can move well and that playmaking ability and versatility NFL franchises look for in defensive tackles. He could really be special.

The Louisville star probably needs to add some good weight and he didn’t play against elite competition every week like Robinson, did but Rankins will almost assuredly be the first defensive tackle off the board. If the lack of elite size is a fear, it shouldn’t be because Rankins is so powerful and athletic he’s too good to pass up.

Farrell’s pick of Robinson makes sense on many levels and he’s a tremendous football player with outstanding size -- plus he and Rankins are utilized at that position differently -- but Rankins can do more and that’s why he’s No. 1 right now.

Gorney’s NFL comparison: Kawann Short, Carolina Panthers

1) Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

2) A'Shawn Robinson, Alabama

3) Jarran Reed, Alabama

4) Andrew Billings, Baylor

5) Chris Jones, Mississippi State