Potential outweighs immediate impact
Class looks low on elite talent, so development key
Miami Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly ends our 10-part series looking at the top prospects in the upcoming NFL draft (April 29-May
1) with the defensive tackles. This year’s class of defense tackles lacks any studs, and players with polish. Maybe in a season or two a handful will blossom into reliable contributors for top-15 defenses.
Alabama’s Christian Barmore:
Barmore’s explosive first step, violent hands and ability to push the pocket with his upper-body strength makes it appear as if he’ll be a three-down defender in a 4-3 scheme. But he struggles when facing interior linemen his size, and has a tendency to freestyle too much.
Washington’s Levi Onwuzurike: Onwuzurike played all across the line as part of a talented Huskies defense, which didn’t play the 2020 season because of COVID19. He’s undersized for his position, but is strong for his size (6-3, 290) and has the ability to anchor. He might be best suited as a 3-4 defensive end in the NFL.
Iowa’s Daviyon Nixon: Nixon is a powerful, nimble 3-technique defensive lineman, who excels at getting skinny and shooting the gap to produce sacks (8.5 in two seasons as a Hawkeyes starter). He might start out in a rotational role, but has a three-down skill set that might lead to him becoming a top-50 selection.
Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Twyman: Twyman played on a sensational Pittsburgh defensive line, and produced 10.5 sacks in 2019. His lack of size (6-2, 300) and explosiveness could limit him, but he has potential as a 4-3 rotational tackle with solid upside. He rarely ends up on the ground as a run defender.
NC State’s Alim McNeill: McNeill has the frame (6-2, 315) and lower-body power that will convince 3-4 teams that he can be a nose tackle in the NFL. He’s a good athlete, and tests well, so plenty of teams will think he can become an unmovable pillar of granite in a year or two, when he learns the intricacies about how to play nose tackle.
Best of the rest: USC’s Jay Tufele and Marlon Tuipulotu each have the raw tools to become NFL starters, but might need some developmental time. The same applies for LSU’s Tyler Shelvin, Texas A&M’s Bobby Brown III, Florida State’s Marvin Wilson and Ohio State’s Tommy Togiai, who are all projected to be selected on the second day of the draft.
Class Grade - D: We might see the first round come and go without a defensive tackle being selected in 2021. That’s a legitimate possibility because none of the top-ranked defensive tackles have enough appeal to warrant an early selection. As a result, some players projected as secondday picks could slide into Day 3 because of a possible surplus being created.
Teams in need: Browns, Packers, Cowboys, Saints, Buccaneers and Seahawks all have a need for defensive tackle help, either right away, or in a season or two. The way this draft is set up, those teams could possibly wait to select a 300-pounder. But don’t be surprised if another half dozen teams select a defensive tackle for depth purposes.
Dolphins’ focus: Miami’s struggles against the run last season improved once Raekwon Davis become a full-time starter. But the Dolphins still need to improve their overall run defense, which allowed 4.5 yards per carry last season.
The addition of Adam Butler, who produced 17 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 26 quarterback hits in four seasons with the Patriots before signing with Miami this offseason as the replacement for Davon Godchaux, who signed with the Patriots. Butler’s presence should help the unit tighten the screws in the 2021 if everyone can remain healthy.
Davis, a double-team eating defensive tackle, might be tried at defensive end if the Dolphins can find a legitimate nose tackle, which is much like finding a needle in a haystack.
Previously addressed
Edge rushers Safeties Cornerbacks Linebackers Receivers Offensive line Tight ends Tailbacks Quarterbacks