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USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

10 defensive tackles for the Eagles in the 2023 NFL draft

Philadelphia had one of the NFL’s best defensive lines in the NFL last season.

Still, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham have returned, while Ndamukong Suh, Linval Joseph, Robert Quinn are free agents and Javon Hargrave signed with the 49ers.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman will undoubtedly address the position during the NFL draft, and we’re highlighting ten defensive tackles that fit.

Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

A massive defensive tackle (6-4, 312), Benton can dominate at the point of attack and would pair well with Jordan Davis or Javon Hargrave.

DJ Dale, DT, Alabama

Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Dale started 12 of 13 games in 2021 (18 tackles, four for loss with two sacks).

In 2022, Dale was a reserve, logging 17 tackles, 3.5 for loss with 2.5 sacks, and a career-high 14 pressures, per PFF.

Karl Brooks, DT, Bowling Green

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Brooks played defensive end in college, but he played defensive tackle during Senior Bowl practices.

Brooks looked explosive as a pass rusher.

Cameron Young, Mississippi State

Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

He’s no Fletcher Cox, but the Bulldogs’ defensive tackle has the talent to continue the tradition.

Young appeared and started in all 13 games in 2022, finishing with 37 tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks.

Bryan Bresee Clemson DT

Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Bresee, a junior, had 5 1/2 tackles for a loss and 3 1/2 sacks in 10 games last season as a second-team All-ACC selection.

Siaki Ika Baylor DT

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

At 6-foot-3 and 335 pounds, Ika is an anchor in the middle of the defensive line and nearly impossible to block one-on-one.

Jaquelin Roy LSU DT

Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Standing 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, Roy had 97 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and one forced fumble during his time in Baton Rouge.

In 2022, the massive defensive tackle had 49 tackles and 0.5 sacks as a space eater.

Dante Stills West Virginia DT

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

A tweener at defensive tackle, Stills broke out in 2021, earning first-team All-Big 12 status by leading his squad with 15 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 12 starts (36 total tackles, one interception).

Stills’ production dropped in 2022 (26 tackles, nine for loss, two forced fumbles), though he topped WVU with 4.5 sacks, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors again.

Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

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The all-American defensive tackle could be a player to watch for the Eagles.

Carter was a 2021 second-team All-SEC selection after logging 37 tackles, 8.5 for loss with three sacks, two blocked kicks, and two starts in 15 games.

In 2022, Carter led a Bulldogs defense that allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (77.1), garnering first-team Associated Press All-American and all-conference honors despite missing time during Georgia’s title run with knee and ankle injuries.

Carter finished the season with 32 tackles, seven for loss with three sacks, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 13 games and nine starts.

The Eagles always do their due diligence on prospects, and adding Carter would help alleviate the pain of losing Javon Hargrave.

Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida

[Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs Kentucky Wildcats
A mid-round prospect out of the University of Florida, Dexter ran a 4.93 40-yard dash while standing 6’6 300 pounds at the NFL scouting combine.

Last year in 13 games for Florida, Dexter logged 55 tackles, 4 TFL, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one interception.

Moro Ojomo, Texas, DT

Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Ojomo only started five of the 12 games he played this season, but he’s an athletic marvel and a game wrecker as a pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, Ojomo generated a pressure rate of 17.2 percent and a pass rush win rate of 24.1 percent.

Calijah Kancey, DT, PITTSBURGH

Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami, Florida native was a unanimous All-American, the 15th in Pitt program history, and the first player to accomplish the feat since Aaron Donald (2013).

Kancey recorded 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 11 games.

Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

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Mazi Smith made our list of 15 players to watch if Philadelphia trades down in the NFL draft, and the former Michigan defensive tackle met with the Birds on a top 30 predraft visit.

The 6-foot-3-inch 330-pound Smith topped all defensive tackles at the scouting combine with 34 bench press reps.

An athletic freak who could pair perfectly with Jordan Davis, Smith will need to work on his moves inside while getting his motor to match his size and strength.

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