The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP 10 DEFENSIVE TACKLES IN THE 2021 DRAFT
Here are the top 10 defensive tackle prospects (with projected round) for the 2021 NFL draft, which is set for April 29-May 1:
1. Christian Barmore, Alabama, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds (first round): Barmore is considered the only defensive tackle with a sure-fire firstround grade this year. He plays with great power against the run and possesses a solid first step when providing an interior pass rush. As a defensive tackle, Barmore led the Crimson Tide with eight sacks in 2020, indicating how disruptive he can be. Barmore is still a raw NFL prospect, but the potential is great given how he played during Alabama’s national championship season. He has a tendency to get away from his assignments at times, which will need to be corrected.
2. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington, 6-2, 290 pounds (first/second round):
Onwuzurike possesses natural athleticism that allows him to move laterally and work through multiple gaps. Given his quickness along the interior, Onwuzurike is tough to deal with, as he is rarely slowed when single-blocked. Onwuzurike totaled seven sacks over the past three seasons.
3. Milton Williams, Louisiana Tech, 6-3, 284 pounds (second/third round): A lighter defensive tackle, Williams could stand to put on some weight. At the same time, his frame and athleticism allow him to squeeze through gaps and get into the backfield. Williams has 10 sacks over the past three seasons. He was an overlooked prospect in high school, with FBS offers only from Louisiana Tech, New Mexico and Tulsa.
4. Marlon Tuipulotu, USC, 6-1, 307 pounds (second/ third round): Although he’s not tall, Tuipulotu is a stout defensive tackle who plays the run exceptionally well. Tuipulotu uses his hands well and rarely gets pushed back. In four years at USC, he recorded 8.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and batted down three passes.
5. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa, 6-3, 313 pounds (third round):
Nixon is quick off the snap with his interior pass rush. He began his college career at Iowa Western Community College before transferring to Iowa as a sophomore. Over the past two years, Nixon recorded 8.5 sacks and forced a fumble. He was a unanimous All-american as a redshirt junior in 2020.
6. Jay Tufele, USC, 6-2, 305 pounds (third round): Tufele opted out of the 2020 season but was a first-team All Pac-12 selection in 2019. He has a great get-off and defends the run well. Tufele showed the ability to provide an interior pass rush, too, as he totaled 4.5 sacks during the 2019 season.
7. Alim Mcneil, N.C. State, 6-1, 317 pounds (third round): Mcneil displayed good power at the point of contact during his collegiate career. Although he had 5.5 sacks in 2019, he recorded only one this past season. He still was named to the ALL-ACC first team and had an impressive interception that was returned for a touchdown. Mcneil was a Freshman All-american in 2018.
8. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA, 6-1, 282 pounds (fourth round):
Odighizuwa possesses some ideal NFL physical traits. Among those is his 83 ⅛-inch wingspan. After recording four sacks and six tackles for loss in 2020, Odighizuwa was named to the All-pac 12 first team. He primarily played nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme in college.
9. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State, 6-1, 296 pounds (fourth round): Togiai showed good strength when defending the run during his career with the Buckeyes. While he can stand to improve his pass-rushing skills, he did record the first three sacks of his career in 2020 and was a second-team All-big Ten selection.
10. Bobby Brown III, Texas A&M, 6-4, 321 pounds (fifth round): Brown has great size to play defensive tackle in the NFL. A first-team ALLSEC player, Brown recorded 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2020. Brown has an 85½-inch wing span with 34¾-inch arms. While Brown has the physical tools, he’s still considered a raw prospect who has a lot to learn.
TEAMS IN NEED: Browns, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Packers, Raiders, Texans.
NEED AREA FOR FALCONS?
No. While depth is great to have, the Falcons have a premier defensive tackle in Grady Jarrett.
TOP FIVE DTS FOR 2022 DRAFT: Georgia’s Jordan Davis, Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey, Texas A&M’S Demarvin Leal, Alabama’s DJ Dale, Clemson’s Tyler Davis.