NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings 2021: From The College Perspective

Which defensive tackles will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

2. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

Size: 6-3, 290

The Good: When he’s on, he’s the interior pass rushing prospect you’re looking for. In his three years he came up with seven sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and a whole lot of pressure as he got better and better in his three seasons.

He might to be huge, but his makes up for it with his tremendous quickness and burst off the ball. Don’t get hung up on his lack of 300+ pound bulk; he can hold his own against the run and he get get tough when needed.

However, you’re getting him to collapse the pocket and someone everyone has to account for so the ends can shine.

The Not-So-Good: The lack of size is going to be a problem for some.

Again, he’s strong enough to hold up, but he’s not the space-eater who’s going to be a brick wall on the inside. There’s a bigger problem, though, of consistency. He disappeared way too often, making the times when he’s rolling stand out all that much more.

After opting out of last year, the momentum and scouting buzz from a strong 2019 appears to be gone.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not for everyone, but he’ll explode for someone. He’s not your normal NFL defensive tackle, he not really the prototype, and he’s not going to be an anchor for where you’re going to need to take him. But if you want a guy who’ll destroy a gameplan or two and get to the quarterback enough to matter, here you go.

Projected Round: Second

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