NFL Draft: Top five defensive tackles as draft nears
The NFL Draft is coming up in a few weeks. With the NFL Combine and pro days in the rear-view mirror, here is our ranked list of top defensive tackles heading into the draft.
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Recruiting: A few weeks after a decommitment from Auburn, Williams made his pledge to Alabama in the summer before his senior season. He had visited with the Crimson Tide in the spring while still committed to the Tigers.
Buzz: If it weren’t for the Arizona Cardinals attempt to possibly pick Kyler Murray No. 1 and the freakish ability of defensive end Nick Bosa, Williams would be in the conversation even more for the top overall pick. At 6-foot-3 and 303 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash at 4.83 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. His performance there drew rave reviews. Williams was unstoppable this past season posting 70 tackles (18.5 for loss) with seven sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. He should be one of the top few picks in the draft.
Farrell’s take: Williams shot up the rankings charts for us after a great performance at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star week where he showed he could play defensive end or defensive tackle. He’s shown his athleticism in college and his ability to get after the passer from the inside makes him a special prospect at the NFL level.
Recruiting: In May before his senior season, Oliver committed to Houston and then-coach Tom Herman. He named the Cougars the front-runner in April. LSU, Alabama, Texas and many others were involved with the five-star prospect.
Buzz: Oliver is still projected somewhere in the middle of the first round but a recent report said the Philadelphia Eagles were not impressed with their interview of Oliver and there was the jacket incident this season at Houston that was probably a mistake on both the sides of Oliver and then-Houston coach Major Applewhite. On a recent conference call, ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said he felt Oliver was playing the wrong position in college and should have been much more of a gap-shooter than he was with the Cougars.
Farrell’s take: When I first saw Oliver I thought he was too blocky and stout to be a dominant defensive tackle but then I watched him shoot the gap time and time again at the Under Armour All-America week and how he got after the passer and I was convinced he was a five star. Oliver could be the next Aaron Donald at the NFL level.
Recruiting: Wilkins took official visits to Clemson, Stanford, Penn State, Ohio State and Boston College prior to committing to the Tigers at the Under Armour All-America Game.
Buzz: In four seasons at Clemson, Wilkins finished with 192 tackles and 16 sacks and those numbers are even more impressive considering so many other elite defensive linemen were playing around him to clean up as well. On a recent call, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said it was a good decision for Wilkins and those other top-notch d-linemen to return this past season because they won a national title. The former five-star is also projected somewhere in the mid-range of the first round.
Farrell’s take: Wilkins was a kid I found early as he was a local prospect to my area and was very special athletically. He’s another who could play defensive end and defensive tackle at any level and works very hard. In any other year he would be the No. 1 defensive tackle for sure. When I saw his freshman film in high school I knew I was watching something special.
Recruiting: On National Signing Day, Gary picked Michigan over Clemson. The Wolverines were considered the front-runner for some time. Alabama and Auburn were also in the running late in the recruiting cycle.
Buzz: On NFL.com there are six mock drafts and in five of them Gary is taken off the board by the seventh pick. The former five-star to the New York Giants with the sixth overall pick seems to be picking up steam but there are definitely still lingering questions. Gary is unquestionably one of the best athletes in this draft but he had only 9.5 sacks in three seasons with the Wolverines.
Farrell’s take: Gary was our No. 1 player in the country coming out because he was such a great athlete and like many others on this list showed he could play end or tackle. His sack total isn’t impressive but he’s a disruptive player who could dominate on the inside at the NFL level. I’ve watched him go from a stiff, upright giant to a flexible, athletic freak from his freshman year in high school until now.
Recruiting: In December of his senior season, Lawrence committed to Clemson over Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, NC State, North Carolina and others. The Gators were considered his favorite team growing up, but the Tigers won out.
Buzz: The former five-star looked great measuring at the combine at 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds but after running the 40-yard dash he pulled up with a minor injury. That was a missed opportunity since the defensive line group was so loaded in Indianapolis and Lawrence could have shined in front of every NFL executive. Plus, Lawrence missed the College Football Playoff after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. In three seasons with the Tigers, Lawrence finished with 131 tackles but only 10 sacks. He should still be a late first-round pick.
Farrell’s take: Lawrence was our No. 2 player in the country coming out of high school and showed he could get after the passer from the middle despite his massive size. He’s the biggest of this group and probably the best against the run and if he slides out of round one I’d be surprised and some team will get lucky in round two.