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?

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


2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings

Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

The draft is half empty – there’s one guy at the top and there’s a whole lot of whatever tackle prospects right after.

The draft is half full – there should be fantastic value after the second round. If you’re under the belief – as you should be – that it takes ridiculous dumb luck to get a steady starter after the after the first 60ish picks, this is a nice draft to take a few fliers on prospects for the defensive interior from around 75 on.

From the college perspective, the top defensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft are …

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15. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State

Size: 6-2, 296

The Good: A tough guy with power, he’s a rock of a tackle with the strength to makeup for his lack of bulk. The overall numbers might not be there, but he was able to hold up well against the run and he’s not worn down. He only played 22 games and was in a rotation, but …

The Not-So-Good: He only played 22 games and was in a rotation. He can move, but he’s not any sort of NFL pass rusher, and his lack of raw bulk might not be enough for some teams. He never quite stood out as an elite player on an elite defense with all three of his career sacks coming last year.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s an NFL defensive tackle who won’t turn into any sort of star, but can fill in and be a tough player in the interior who won’t lose his battles. The ceiling on what he’ll be at the next level is low, but you’ll hold serve on a play when he’s in there.

Projected Round: Fifth


14. Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky

Size: 6-4, 327

The Good: Very big, very good against the run, and with enough experience to know what he’s doing after being the main man on the UK nose for the last three years, it’s just this simple – stick him inside and let him take up a whole lot of space.

The Not-So-Good: There’s only one note here. He’s not an interior pass rusher at the next level, and he’s not going to give you a whole lot of big stats or anything flashy.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s not enough to his game to go in the first four rounds, but everyone needs a few tackles who can eat up the run against the power teams. He’ll be a low-risk pick who’ll stay on a team to give someone with a good group of pass rushers a giant guy to work around.

Projected Round: Sixth


13. Cam Sample, Tulane

Size: 6-3, 267

The Good: Undersized but extremely quick, he’s a pass rusher and a factor in the backfield with 10.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss and 163 stops in his four years or work. He might not be an elite athlete, but he’s got the skills to play inside as a smallish-fast option or on the end.

The Not-So-Good: A true tweener, he’s not quite as explosive as you might like for a player of his size, and he’s not bulky enough to hold up as a true NFL tackle. He’ll get blown up by the bigger next-level blasters.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll be a bit of a specialist, but he’ll fit someone’s scheme as a reliable, energetic option who can add a different look to a defensive interior and bring a play or two in the backfield.

Projected Round: Fourth


12. Darius Stills, West Virginia

Size: 6-1, 278

The Good: An undersized firecracker of a tackle, he and his brother Dante – who decided to stay in school for another year – grew into one of the Big 12’s best tandems.

Darius is always moving, he’s got a burst off the ball, and he’ll fight and make things happen behind the line with 10.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss over the last two years.

The Not-So-Good: He’s just way too small. He’s not going to be a regular NFL starter unless he’s surrounded by bulk or is in the right scheme, and he doesn’t have the frame to carry more good weight. Even worse, he can’t do anything to take away from his quickness.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s a situational defender, but he’ll bring the motor and the fire every time he’s in there. He’ll get engulfed by the bigger blockers, but he’ll work his way into backfields and make teams worry every time he’s in.

Projected Round: Fourth


11. Marlon Tuipulotu, USC

Size: 6-2, 307

The Good: He might not be the exact size some would like, but he plays big, can’t be moved, and he’s quick enough to get into the backfield. A mainstay on the USC line over the last three seasons, he came up with 102 tackles with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss during the span, but his real worth is as a tough guy run defender.

The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t have the mass many might like. He gets pounded on by the bigger, brutish blockers, and he’s not quite quick enough at an NFL level to be considered much of a inside pass rusher on a consistent basis.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not going to be anyone’s anchor – he doesn’t have the raw size – but he’ll be an ultra-productive part of a good rotation. He’ll always bring the effort and the fight – stick him inside and don’t worry.

Projected Round: Fourth

NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings Top Ten

NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings 2020: From The College Perspective

Who are the defensive tackles who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?

Who are the defensive tackles who’ll matter in the 2020 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?


2020 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings

Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

It’s an okay group of tackles with a few superstars up top and a whole slew of promising-to-terrific starting prospects right after. It’s an amazingly athletic group of big men who can do a little of everything right, but there aren’t many Coke machines – gigantic guys who’ll just sit there and take up space, in a good way – and the power isn’t the same as it’s been in the last few years. Even so, this is a good class to get excited about.

From the college perspective, here are the top defensive tackles in your 2020 NFL Draft, starting with the ones who’ll be in the mix, and then diving into the five who’ll actually matter over the next ten years of the pro football world.

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15. Larrell Murchison, NC State

Size: 6-2, 297

The Good: Extremely athletic and quick, he might be undersized, but he can move. Always working and always grinding, he’s a producer who came up with 80 tackles with 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in his two seasons. He’ll never take a play off.

The Not-So-Good: He’s just not quite big enough. The bulk is missing to avoid getting bullied around by the power blockers. For his good combine numbers, he’s not quite as smooth as you might like for an athletic tackle.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Make him a part of your rotation and he’ll be fine. He’ll never be an anchor or a power tackle against the run, but he’ll always bring it. He can be a playmaker in the backfield at a good mid-round value.

Projected Round: Fifth


14. Raequan Williams, Michigan State

Size: 6-4, 308

The Good: One of the main men on a good MSU line over the last four seasons, he made 157 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and 29 tackles. With great length and anticipation, he became great at batting down passes as his career went on. He’s got good enough skills to do just about everything you want in an NFL defensive tackle.

The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t do any one thing at a high NFL level. He’s got enough quickness and power to get by, but he’s not going to be anyone’s anchor and needs to be a part of a rotation.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s enough to his game to take him in the middle rounds and expect enough versatility and skill to be a great part of a line. He might be a backup, but he’s got starting traits with the upside to surprise a bit if he’s surrounded by good bulk.

Projected Round: Fifth


CFN in 60: 2020 1st Overall Draft Pick Odds
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13. Rashard Lawrence, LSU

Size: 6-2, 308

The Good: He’s the alpha-guy with the make-up to make a D line his from Day One. Quick enough to get behind the line, and strong enough to bull his way into the backfield, he made 114 tackles over his last three seasons with eight sacks and 19 tackles for loss. His game is about his nastiness – he’ll take on everyone on the inside to make a play.

The Not-So-Good: He’s not quite the Coke machine type of tackle you want for the interior – he’s not bulky enough. He’s not enough of an athlete for the position to be seen as a consistent pass rusher, and he’s been banged up with an ankle injury that has to be all okay from the start.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s just enough parts missing to think he’ll be a force with the move up to the next level, but you really, really want this guy as a part of your defense. He might not be the most talented player up front, but he’ll be the one who sets the tone and takes on the leadership responsibilities.

Projected Round: Third

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12. James Lynch, Baylor (DE)

Size: 6-4, 289

The Good: A pass rusher with just enough size to work inside or out, he turned into a killer behind the line last season with 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss with 41 tackles. Don’t get hung up on his lack of bulk – he’s strong enough to hold his own against raw bulk. He’ll overcome his size issues with tremendous quickness.

The Not-So-Good: His game doesn’t necessarily work at the next level, at least as a tackle. He’s athletic, but he’s more of a powerful bull rusher who might be scheme specific as a 4-3 tackle if someone wants him for the interior.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll keep on working and keep on getting into backfields enough in a training camp to push hard for a starting spot. He might not be for every defensive line, but he’ll adapt his style and use his tools to become a dangerous interior pass rusher.

Projected Round: Third


11. Marlon Davidson, Auburn (DE)

Size: 6-3, 303

The Good: Versatile enough work in any style as an end or a tackle, he’s a quick veteran who has been through the SEC wards for the last four years. Durable enough to last throughout his career and battle through the bumps and bruises, he played 50 games with 174 tackles with 14.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss. He improved as a pass rusher as his career went on, but he’s strong enough to handle life in the interior in a 4-3 set.

The Not-So-Good: He’s way too much of a tweener. He played at under 280 pounds, but check in at just over 300 at the combine – does his weight matter in one way or another? His best fit might be on the outside, but he’s not a speed rusher.

NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s not a lot of boom but there’s possibly a bust depending on where someone wants to use him. He’s a solid all-around D lineman who can start, but there isn’t enough about his game to stand out by NFL standards. On the plus side, he’s got enough overall skills to be a possibility almost anywhere on any line.

Projected Round: Third

NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings Top Ten