The 2024 NFL draft class of defensive tackles isn’t the deepest we have ever seen but as we saw at the scouting combine there are plenty of intriguing prospects. The top two prospects are likely going way too high for the Cleveland Browns to consider but there was plenty to like from players that will be.
Cleveland will likely bring back someone like Maurice Hurst but some other long-term players with pass-rush upside tested well in Indianapolis last week. Andrew Berry likes to draft a year early so they could retain someone like Hurst while also drafting a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
However, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows as a few of the defensive tackles at the combine saw their draft stock take a hit due to poor testing. You must be careful about paying too much attention to athletic testing as it’s just a small part of the overall evaluation process.
Here’s a look at the defensive tackles who saw their stock rise as well as who saw it fall at the combine last week.
Stock Up: Braden Fiske, Florida State
What a showing for Flordia State’s Braden Fiske who nearly got a perfect relative athletic score with a 9.88 out of 10. Fiske started his career at Western Michigan where he played in 42 games before playing in all 13 with the Seminoles this year.
It was a step up in competition for Fiske and he was ready for the task, absorbing double teams and pushing the pocket vertically as a pass rusher. The impact he has doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet but he has all the makings of a three-down player at the next level.
Cleveland would likely need to use their second-round pick if they wanted Fiske as a player with this upside won’t likely slide to the third round. But he showed ridiculous explosion and overall athleticism at the combine as his draft stock soars.
Stock Down: T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
It was odd during the Senior Bowl when Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat opted not to weigh in. Well, we may have gotten some insight as to why when he came in at 366 pounds which isn’t that big of a deal for a defensive tackle though it is still high.
As expected the athletic testing didn’t go well for Sweat who is more known as a run lane stuffing player anyway. However, there are effort concerns when I watch his tape as the absence of significant athletic upside adds to the concerns I have with him and his ability to be anything more than an early-down run-stopper at the next level.
Stock Up: Ruke Orhorhoro, Clemson
Clemson’s Ruke Orhorhoro is one of the best run defenders in this class with plenty of pass rushing upside. Over his time in college, he consistently got better year after year and if he continues to develop pass rush moves he can be a three-down player in the NFL.
He showcased his great strength with 29 reps of 225 pounds at the combine last week. Orhorhoro was one of the better overall athletes at the combine and he looked great moving through the drills showing his agility and quickness.
The former Tiger will need to work on some of the more technical aspects as a pass rusher but with the way he moved on the field, he has great potential if he puts it all together.
Stock Down: Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
Keith Randolph Jr. is more of a run stuffer which was why it was surprising that he only came in at 298 pounds at the combine. Watching his tape it seemed like his playing weight was higher than that so that was a bit of a shock.
He could’ve helped his stock a little if he showcased his strength so not bench pressing might have hurt his stock as well. Though his testing wasn’t terrible it certainly didn’t help his stock with an average vertical and broad jump paired with average running as well.
All in all, Randolph is likely a day-three pick anyway but he didn’t help his case much in Indianapolis.
Stock Up: Kris Jenkins, Michigan
One of my favorite players in this year’s draft is Michigan’s Kris Jenkins who had a solid combine. Jenkins had an impressive season for the National Championship-winning Wolverines as both an above-average athlete and pass rusher.
His 4.91 40-yard dash at 299 pounds was impressive and when you add in the 1.7-second 10-yard split you see just how explosive he can be off the line of scrimmage as both a rusher and a run defender.
His poor shuttle time was a bit of a concern but overall he moved well through the drills and showed his great athleticism to help his draft stock rise anymore.
