Welcome to draft season! This is the 10th of 11 positional breakdowns leading up to the NFL draft (Thursday-Saturday). Here are my top 10 defensive tackles:
— 1. Jordan Davis (Sr., Georgia, 6-foot-6, 341 pounds)
Imagine if your refrigerator came to life and could beat you in a foot race. Davis' 4.78-second 40-yard dash in Indy suggests there's some potential as a pass disruptor in the NFL. The Outland (top interior lineman) and Bednarik trophy (top defensive player) winner is an immovable object who could anchor a run defense for years to come. Projected: Round 1
— 2. Devonte Wyatt (Sr., Georgia, 6-2, 304)
Wyatt was dominant at the Senior Bowl and showcased his explosive athleticism at the combine. His first step is as good as it gets in this draft class. He ran a sub-11-second 100-meter dash in high school at 280 pounds. Projected: Round 1
— 3. Travis Jones (Sr., Connecticut, 6-4, 325)
Jones was a three-star recruit at guard in 2018. He is a space-eating nose tackle, but there's potential for more. He produced 25 pressures from the interior last season and was voted the top defensive tackle on the National team during Senior Bowl practices. Projected: Rounds 1-2
— 4. Perrion Winfrey (Sr., Oklahoma, 6-3, 290)
Winfrey earned MVP honors during the Senior Bowl after a dominant week of practice. He features an explosive first step with violent hands as a pass rusher. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 5. Phidarian Mathis (Sr., Alabama, 6-4, 310)
Mathis was the emotional leader of the Crimson Tide. He has the ability to play all three downs, contributing as a pass rusher and a run defender from various spots along the defensive line. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 6. DeMarvin Leal (Jr., Texas A&M, 6-3, 283)
Leal features inside-outside versatility and explosiveness, but will need to work on becoming an asset against the run after not taking a step forward his junior season. His immense potential never fully materialized in college — he was the No. 2 defensive tackle in the 2019 recruiting class. Projected: Rounds 2-3
— 7. Matthew Butler (Sr., Tennessee, 6-3, 297)
Butler was a three-year starter and team captain for the Volunteers who made a leap from his junior to senior season where the production finally started to match the physical traits. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— 8. John Ridgeway (Sr., Arkansas, 6-5, 321)
Ridgeway was a four-year letterman in wrestling, winning the state championship his senior year. After four solid years at FCS-level Illinois State, he arrived in Fayetteville in 2021 and didn't look out of place against better competition in the SEC. Projected: Rounds 3-5
— 9. Thomas Booker (Sr., Stanford, 6-3, 301)
If Georgia's Davis and Wyatt didn't exist, we'd be raving more about what Booker did in Indy. He's a highly intelligent, two-year team captain with explosive athletic traits and scheme versatility who would make a solid developmental selection on Day 3. He blocked three extra-point attempts in his career. Projected: Rounds 5-6
— 10. Eyioma Uwazurike (Sr., Iowa State, 6-6, 316)
Uwazurike's size, athleticism and versatility is a defensive line coaches dream. He played in the second-most games in school history (60), including five bowl games and blocked a field goal in each of the past two seasons. Projected: Rounds 4-5
— BONUS. Neil Farrell Jr. (Sr., LSU, 6-4, 330)
Farrell exhibits surprising quickness for a nose tackle and showcases excellent vision while tracking running backs in the backfield. He has a history of foot and ankle issues. Projected: Rounds 4-6
— BONUS. Haskell Garrett (Sr., Ohio State, 6-2, 300)
Garrett is a prototypical 3-technique tackle with a quick first step and the ability to penetrate from the interior. Projected: Rounds 5-7
— BONUS. Eric Johnson (Sr., Missouri State, 6-4, 299)
Johnson was a no-star defensive end recruit out of high school who became a five-year starter for the Bears. Impressive performances at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Senior Bowl created buzz around the league. Power and explosive athleticism make him an intriguing prospect. He recorded four blocked kicks in his career (two field goals and two extra-point attempts). Projected: Rounds 4-7
