The 2012 NFL Draft is quickly coming upon us. With less than ten days until Andrew Luck’s name is called by Roger Goodell, we will be offering our position-by-position rankings with final grades on most of the draftable prospects.
Today we look at the defensive tackles in the 2012 NFL Draft:
3-Techniques and 4-Nose Tackles
1. Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St.
Height: 6040 Weight: 298
Cox is a plus athlete that has the versatility to play 3T or 5T. He’s hands down the top player at both positions which should ensure he’s drafted in the top 15 of the 2012 NFL Draft. His motor is special but needs to play with better pad level.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Top 15
Final Grade: 6.9
2. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Height: 6036 Weight: 346
Poe is an elite size, strength, speed guy. He’s a rare specimen that lacked big time collegiate production. I don’t see the lack of production as a major flaw in his armor and think he’s worth the risk because guys like him don’t come around often. Special set of tools with his athleticism.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Top 25
Final Grade: 6.5
3. Michael Brockers, DT, LSU
Height: 6050 Weight: 322
Brockers is a raw talent that brings a tantalizing skill set. His versatility to play 4NT and 5T will open his options up to 32 teams which should allow him to be drafted in the top 20 picks. He lacks the elite burst is a concern and raises questions about his ability to get the QB in a consistent fashion.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Top 20
Final Grade:6.4
4. Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
Height: 6023 Weight: 308
Jerel Worthy has the potential to be the most disruptive DT in this class. Consistency has been his issue since stepping foot on the MSU campus. He flashes early and often in games but has a tendency to disappear late and has to come off the field often for a breather.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 1-2
Final Grade: 6.1
5. Brandon Thompson, DT, Clemson
Height: 6020 Weight: 314
Thompson’s best fit is as a 4NT. He’s a thickly built run stopper that lacks pass rush skills to be a factor in that facet of the game. I think he can be an impact player on first and second down and a good DL coach may be able to make him into an effective pass rusher.
2012 NFL Draft: 2
Final Grade: 5.9
6. Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
Height: 6013 Weight: 306
Martin is a bodybuilder in a defensive tackle body. Guy is jacked and former high school wrestling standout. I admit, my affinity for wrestlers turned DT’s may sway my grade but I love everything about this guy. Plays with a low center of gravity with freakish strength. Probably not an impact play maker but should be able to disrupt enough to challenge early for playing time.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 2-3
Final Grade: 5.9
7. Devon Still, DT, Penn St.
Height: 6047 Weight: 303
Still has the frame to a force in the run and pass game. He definitely looks the part and possesses enough athleticism to be a factor early. That said, I see average instincts and eyes. More concerning is a motor that runs hot and cold. He was dominant at times and fell off the face of the earth at others. A little bust factor with Still. If Still goes in the first, someone may be very disappointed.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 2
Final Grade: 5.9
8. Derek Wolfe, DT, Cincinnati
Height: 6051 Weight: 295
Wolfe may be best suited for 5T but has value as a 3T. Wolfe produced 19.5 sacks in three seasons as a starter at UC. Wolfe is getting some attention from national media types (most notably Mel Kiper) as a late first rounder. I think he’s a value at the end of round two, beginning of round three. He could be taken a little higher by a 30 base team as a 5T.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 2
Final Grade: 5.9
9. Kendall Reyes, DT, Connecticut
Height: 6041 Weight: 299
Reyes is probably best suited as a 5T but could play inside as a 3T. He flashes often in games but then disappears. He’s carrying a first round grade by many prognosticators but I don’t see enough to think more than third rounder with this guy.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 2
Final Grade: 5.9
10. Mike Daniels, DT, Iowa
Height: 6000 Weight: 291
Iowa has been a factory for undersized DT’s into NFL ranks. Daniels is a better overall player than Christian Ballard who was drafted in the 4th round in 2011. Daniels is an explosive penetrator that has outstanding athleticism. He may be a sub-package guy because he won’t be able to hold up against the run in the NFL but he offers a ton of pass rush ability.
2012 NFL Draft projection: 4
Final Grade: 5.5
11. Alameda Ta’amu, DT, Washington
Height: 6024 Weight: 348
Ta’amu is a prototypical two-gap nose tackle in the NFL. His combination of strength and athleticism for his size will make him a valuable commodity in the NFL. Ta’amu gets a downgraded because of inconsistent effort and major conditioning issues. Reports have Ta’amu as high as 390 pounds at UW. Too often Ta’amu is being washed out for a man of his size and strength. Ta’amu carries a higher grade than Daniels because of his primary position as a 3NT.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 3
Final Grade: 5.6
Best of the rest:
12. Dom Hamilton, DT, Missouri Final Grade: 5.4
13. Jaye Howard, DT, Florida Final Grade: 5.3
14. DaJohn Harris, DT, USC Final Grade: 5.3
15. Akiem Hicks, DT, Regina Final Grade: 5.2
16. Billy Winn, DT, Boise St Final Grade: 5.4 (5T)
17. Hebron Fangupo, DT, BYU Final Grade: 5.1
18. Marcus Forston, DT, Miami Final Grade: 5.0
19. Kheeston Randall, DT, Texas Final Grade: 5.0
Nose Tackles
1. Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis
Height: 6036 Weight: 346
Poe is an elite size, strength, speed guy. He’s a rare specimen that lacked big time collegiate production. I don’t see the lack of production as a major flaw in his armor and think he’s worth the risk because guys like him don’t come around often. Special set of tools with his athleticism. He tops our list of “30” front NT’s as well as being our second overall DT
2012 NFL Draft Projection: Top 25
Final Grade: 6.5
2. Josh Chapman, DT, Alabama
Height: 6010 Weight: 316
Chapman is in the mold of a Casey Hampton type NT. He won’t make a lot of splash plays but he will require extra blockers to keep him from plugging the middle. The ultimate “tough guy” that played through tears in his ACL and meniscus that were suffered October 1.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 3-4
Final Grade: 5.7
3. Alameda Ta’amu, DT, Washington
Height: 6024 Weight: 348
Ta’amu is a prototypical two-gap nose tackle in the NFL. His combination of strength and athleticism for his size will make him a valuable commodity in the NFL. Ta’amu gets a downgraded because of inconsistent effort and major conditioning issues. Reports have Ta’amu as high as 390 pounds at UW. Too often Ta’amu is being washed out for a man of his size and strength.
2012 NFL Draft Projection: 3
Final Grade: 5.6
Best of the Rest:
4. Hebron Fangupo, NT, BYU Final Grade: 5.2
5. Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, NT, Baylor Final Grade: 5.1
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