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Defensive tackles have escalated in value in the NFL draft in recent years because of their ability to rush the passer on the fastest possible path — a straight line.
Unfortunately, there’s not much of a pass-rushing threat with this year’s draft-eligible defensive tackles because for the most part they’re run stuffers.
This year’s collection of defensive tackles will have their best representation on Day 2 of the draft, Rounds 2 and 3, but they could have surprisingly good representation in the first round with Ohio State’s Kayden Proctor and possibly Clemson’s Peter Woods and Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter.
The draft is next week in Pittsburgh.
The Miami Dolphins have 11 picks.
On Day 1, the Dolphins have two first-round picks (Nos. 11 and 30).
On the second day, the Dolphins have one second-round pick (No. 43) and four third-rounders (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94).
On Day 3, the Dolphins have one fourth-round pick (No. 130), one fifth (No. 151), and two seventh-rounders (Nos. 227 and 238).
Here are the top five defensive tackles, in order:
McDonald (6-foot-2, 326 pounds) tallied an attention-getting 65 tackles, including 9 TFLs (tackles for losses). … He’s not necessarily a run-stuffer but that’s his specialty because he plays with power and leverage. McDonald’s considered high quality but not a game-changer.
Woods (6-2, 298) shows explosive traits against the pass and the run even though his stats of 30 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 3.5 TFLs are modest. His upside is his best asset. Woods can play in a 4-3 scheme or a 3-4 scheme.
Hunter (6-3, 318) was a rising star after the Senior Bowl, where he showed the speed and strength that allowed him to amass 41 tackles with an impressive 11 TFLs. Hunter, who also played at UCF, isn’t much of a pass rusher. He can effectively clog the middle in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
Banks (6-6, 327) only played three games due to a foot injury but his 2024 season featured 7 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. He uses his long arms to control blockers. Banks shows potential as a pass rusher although that part of his game needs refinement.
Miller (6-4, 321) is athletic and violent, which are traits that you don’t see in his 23 tackles and 4 TFLs. He was part of a rotation at Georgia but he excelled as a run stuffer. Miller’s not flashy but he’s highly effective at stopping the run.
Iowa State’s Domonique Orange (6-2, 322) is hard to move in the middle, which means you have to look beyond his 18 tackles to see why he’s projected to go on Day 2. … Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton (6-3, 293) is a bit undersized but tough to block, which is how he totaled 7 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. … Missouri’s Chris McClellan (6-4, 313) is agile and nimble, and his 6.0 sacks and 8 TFLs indicate he’s disruptive. … Florida State’s Darrell Jackson Jr. (6-5, 315) is a raw, big-bodied, high-upside prospect expected to go early on Day 3. … Texas A&M’s Albert Regis (6-1, 295) is a NT who can play DT, and he uses his fireplug-build to clog the middle.
Honestly, there’s not much here beyond the first round, which could include McDonald and Woods. The class looks good on Day 2, when Hunter, Banks and Miller should all go early, with an outside chance of one or two going in the first round. There’s not much star power here but there’s potential for lots of solid players.
The N.Y. Giants want to improve their interior DL but it won’t happen in the first round, when the Giants have the No. 5 selection.
Baltimore can’t be totally certain that Pro Bowl DT Nnamdi Madbuike will recover from his neck injury.
Atlanta struggled at run defense last season, finishing No. 24 in the league.
Cincinnati needs lots of defensive help but a DT, either a run-stuffer or pass-rusher, is a major need.
Houston, under coach DeMeco Ryans, an ex-NFL LB, understands the importance of DTs.
Jacksonville could use a pass rusher more than a DT, but ideally it’ll get a pass-rushing DT.
Kansas City is looking to build depth behind All Pro DT Chris Jones.
The L.A. Chargers have a DT contingent led by the resurgent Teair Tart, the rarely-used ex-Dolphins player, so they could use help.
The Dolphins drafted three DTs last year — Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers — to play beside veteran Zach Sieler and Matthew Butler. This crew will probably be deemed good enough that there’s no need for urgency in adding help in this year’s draft.
Continue reading...
Unfortunately, there’s not much of a pass-rushing threat with this year’s draft-eligible defensive tackles because for the most part they’re run stuffers.
This year’s collection of defensive tackles will have their best representation on Day 2 of the draft, Rounds 2 and 3, but they could have surprisingly good representation in the first round with Ohio State’s Kayden Proctor and possibly Clemson’s Peter Woods and Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter.
The draft is next week in Pittsburgh.
The Miami Dolphins have 11 picks.
On Day 1, the Dolphins have two first-round picks (Nos. 11 and 30).
On the second day, the Dolphins have one second-round pick (No. 43) and four third-rounders (Nos. 75, 87, 90 and 94).
On Day 3, the Dolphins have one fourth-round pick (No. 130), one fifth (No. 151), and two seventh-rounders (Nos. 227 and 238).
Here are the top five defensive tackles, in order:
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Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
McDonald (6-foot-2, 326 pounds) tallied an attention-getting 65 tackles, including 9 TFLs (tackles for losses). … He’s not necessarily a run-stuffer but that’s his specialty because he plays with power and leverage. McDonald’s considered high quality but not a game-changer.
Peter Woods, Clemson
Woods (6-2, 298) shows explosive traits against the pass and the run even though his stats of 30 tackles, 2.0 sacks and 3.5 TFLs are modest. His upside is his best asset. Woods can play in a 4-3 scheme or a 3-4 scheme.
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Hunter (6-3, 318) was a rising star after the Senior Bowl, where he showed the speed and strength that allowed him to amass 41 tackles with an impressive 11 TFLs. Hunter, who also played at UCF, isn’t much of a pass rusher. He can effectively clog the middle in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
Caleb Banks, Florida
Banks (6-6, 327) only played three games due to a foot injury but his 2024 season featured 7 TFLs and 4.5 sacks. He uses his long arms to control blockers. Banks shows potential as a pass rusher although that part of his game needs refinement.
Christen Miller, Georgia
Miller (6-4, 321) is athletic and violent, which are traits that you don’t see in his 23 tackles and 4 TFLs. He was part of a rotation at Georgia but he excelled as a run stuffer. Miller’s not flashy but he’s highly effective at stopping the run.
Best of the rest
Iowa State’s Domonique Orange (6-2, 322) is hard to move in the middle, which means you have to look beyond his 18 tackles to see why he’s projected to go on Day 2. … Oklahoma’s Gracen Halton (6-3, 293) is a bit undersized but tough to block, which is how he totaled 7 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. … Missouri’s Chris McClellan (6-4, 313) is agile and nimble, and his 6.0 sacks and 8 TFLs indicate he’s disruptive. … Florida State’s Darrell Jackson Jr. (6-5, 315) is a raw, big-bodied, high-upside prospect expected to go early on Day 3. … Texas A&M’s Albert Regis (6-1, 295) is a NT who can play DT, and he uses his fireplug-build to clog the middle.
Class Grade: C+
Honestly, there’s not much here beyond the first round, which could include McDonald and Woods. The class looks good on Day 2, when Hunter, Banks and Miller should all go early, with an outside chance of one or two going in the first round. There’s not much star power here but there’s potential for lots of solid players.
Teams in need
The N.Y. Giants want to improve their interior DL but it won’t happen in the first round, when the Giants have the No. 5 selection.
Baltimore can’t be totally certain that Pro Bowl DT Nnamdi Madbuike will recover from his neck injury.
Atlanta struggled at run defense last season, finishing No. 24 in the league.
Cincinnati needs lots of defensive help but a DT, either a run-stuffer or pass-rusher, is a major need.
Houston, under coach DeMeco Ryans, an ex-NFL LB, understands the importance of DTs.
Jacksonville could use a pass rusher more than a DT, but ideally it’ll get a pass-rushing DT.
Kansas City is looking to build depth behind All Pro DT Chris Jones.
The L.A. Chargers have a DT contingent led by the resurgent Teair Tart, the rarely-used ex-Dolphins player, so they could use help.
Dolphins’ focus
The Dolphins drafted three DTs last year — Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips and Zeek Biggers — to play beside veteran Zach Sieler and Matthew Butler. This crew will probably be deemed good enough that there’s no need for urgency in adding help in this year’s draft.
Continue reading...
