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2021 NFL Prospect Rankings: Defensive Tackles

1. Christian Barmore

Alabama

Projected Round: 1

Ourlads' Snippet - Appears to be the next in line from the Alabama program that has been pumping quality defensive linemen into the NFL for years. Has just as much natural talent and upside of those who came before him, but he is slightly behind in the technique and consistency realms. Checks all the boxes when looking at measurables and there have been several flashes of him tying it all together. The height, length, and frame make him an attractive asset to try and develop. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

2. Alim McNeill

North Carolina St

Projected Round: 2/3

Ourlads' Snippet - Has played in multiple defensive schemes that had him play in multiple roles. The transition from 4-3 to 3-4 made the assumption his production would go down, but it went in the opposite direction. While he did prove he can two-gap inside, his upfield burst and explosion provided an extra punch to his game that can make him useable in many schemes. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

3. Daviyon Nixon

Iowa

Projected Round: 2/3

Ourlads' Snippet - His athleticism and instincts jump off the screen. Has a body that needs to develop more, specifically below the waist. In the meantime he will offer pass rush potential and should be a solid option to play a gap specific role where he can win the initial movement battle and use that hunger and natural strength to finish plays. Athletic frame with a lot of meat above the waist. Barrel-chested with thin, flexible ankles. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

4. Tyler Shelvin

LSU

Projected Round: 3/4

Ourlads' Snippet - Usually lined up at nose tackle and constantly demanded double team blocking against the run. He excelled at anchoring his position and keeping teammates free. Also showed some surprising speed in pursuit for such a big player. His run defense will be upper-tier but for teams that want their interior linemen to impact the passing game, he may not be their guy. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

5. Marvin Wilson

Florida State

Projected Round: 3/4

Ourlads' Snippet - Big and wide frame that comes with speed and short area burst. Chases a lot of action down from behind, will make impact plays far away from the point of attack. An absolute truck when he gets going that will inflict damage on contact. Brings elite force and power to the table when he is in full stride. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

6. Levi Onwuzurike

Washington

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet - Long strider with build up speed in space. Has a quality athletic profile with a wide frame that should be able to handle more muscle mass. A disruptive interior pass rusher who can make himself thin and slippery along the inside gaps. Shows fast and twitchy hands when engaged with the blocker. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

7. Tommy Togiai

Ohio State

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet - An athletic penetrator who can get off the ball well, but mostly excels with his post-engagement movement. Has twitchy, strong hands and can adjust his weight on demand to avoid getting locked onto. His switch is always on and will make an impact far away from the point of attack. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

8. Jay Tufele

USC

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet -A dirty-work player that already has NFL-caliber power presence and hand strength. A solid two-gap option that will occasionally surprise with quality pass rush skills that stem from his ability to shorten the pocket. His athletic upside may be best suited for a rotational role. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

9. Milton Williams

Louisiana Tech

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet - A terrific athlete with solid production. Is our top rated defensive tackle athletically for 2021. Good lateral movement. He can bend and turn the corner and flatten down inside. Gives fighting effort to pursue down the line. Quick when stunting and using slant moves. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

10. Osa Odighizuwa

UCLA

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet - Overall, Odighizuwa projects as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense with the versatility to play some snaps as a base defensive end. Needs to develop some pass rush moves. Long arms. Good power and explosiveness. Rolls his hips into contact and plays with low pads. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

11. Bobby Brown III

Texas A&M

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet - Has an enormously wide frame that carries 320+ pounds with ease. The movement in space can be downright scary. The amount of force he can create on contact is not common. His techniques and reaction times just aren’t there yet. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

12. Marlon Tuipulotu

USC

Projected Round: 4/5

Ourlads' Snippet - A fringe-sized interior defender who plays a powerful game capable of manning two gaps. A nose tackle candidate who will offer the occasional pass rush because of his ability to stack and shed lone blockers. Won’t profile as a high-end athlete and still has a lot of work ahead of him to make his techniques more consistent and repeatable. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

13. Ta'Quon Graham

Texas

Projected Round: 5/6

Ourlads' Snippet - A unique player when looking at his body type and style of play. Has elite length and a frame that plays extremely wide. Some ball clubs may think he is undersized when it comes to traditional height and weight, but he is learning how to use his physical gifts as a true strength play to play. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

14. Jonathan Marshall

Arkansas

Projected Round: 5/6

Ourlads' Snippet - Explosive first step quickness penetrating on the edge of a center, guard, or tackle. Reacts quickly on the snap. Feels pressure and can react on the move. Reacts to angles, traps, and combination blocks. Stout inline play strength that can stack a double team or split one. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

15. Tedarrell Slaton

Florida

Projected Round: 6/7

Ourlads' Snippet - Rare size, length and mass to occupy blockers. Very good athletic ability and movement skills for a big man. Has first step quickness. Easily anchors the point of attack. Sheds with power and quick hands. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

16. Austin Faoliu

Oregon

Projected Round: 6/7

Ourlads' Snippet - Projects as a depth player in a 4-3 defense with potential to develop into a good role player. Brings quickness and pass rush to an NFL club. Average size with good quickness and athletic ability. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

17. Khyiris Tonga

BYU

Projected Round: 6/7

Ourlads' Snippet - Has the potential of being a solid 2-gap defender inside. Can play the role of a boulder, getting off the ball well and taking up space plus blocks to help keep the linebackers clean. An aggressive and passionate player who will make his fair share of plays inside the tackle box as well. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

18. Jaylen Twyman

Pittsburgh

Projected Round: 6/7

Ourlads' Snippet - Has less than desired height and weight, however his long arms and ability to play low and quick can make him a menace to block in-line. Gets off the ball in a hurry and shows very twitchy lateral movement. If left alone on an island against a lone blocker, he shows multiple ways to win and penetrate. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

19. Darius Stills

West Virginia

Projected Round: 7/PFA

Ourlads' Snippet - An undersized but disruptive penetrator who can attack the passer from all angles. Primarily lined up over center but often stunted laterally. Has a knack for finding the creases in the line and his low center of gravity makes him a tough target to square up. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

20. Jordon Scott

Oregon

Projected Round: 7/PFA

Ourlads' Snippet - His impact on the game won’t always be found in the box score. He is an absolute wall in the middle that will occupy space and blockers. Delivers a violent punch off the ball with good hand placement and a natural low center of gravity. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

21. Isaiahh Loudermilk

Wisconsin

Projected Round: 7/PFA

Ourlads' Snippet - A competitive defender who presses the pocket as a pass rusher and fights to hold his ground as a run stuffer. He does a good job of keeping blockers off his linebackers, clearing the way for numerous stops. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

22. Roy Lopez

Arizona

Projected Round: 7/PFA

Ourlads' Snippet - Hyperactive interior defender who will get on the blocker in a hurry and play with violent hands. Often the aggressor, first to get his hands on. Maintains good pad level and shows a solid initial burst. Can put a blocker on his heels. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

23. Forrest Merrill

Arkansas State

Projected Round: 7/PFA

Ourlads' Snippet - He is the kind of blue-collar nose tackle that can quietly make other players better. His width and presence demand double teams. When he does get single teamed, he has shown the ability to stack and shed on his way to the ball carrier. Likely a late round pick that will find a role within a 3-4 scheme that needs a space eater inside. Order the Ourlads' Draft Guide for the full report.

24. Daniel Archibong