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2015 Draft
Defensive Tackles
This page will be a work in progress and updated frequently. Come back often and watch it develop.

1 Leonard Williams DT x USC 1.74 6050 302 1st

"The Big Cat" - Absent the two elite QB's (Winston and Mariota), Williams would be rated by most as "top prospect in this year's draft." Stands out regardless of where he lines up...combines effortless athleticism with pure power...Rang observes that you can nitpick about his less than perfect consistency and technique but that's about all you can do.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine. Instead, he focused on his positional workout, which was conducted by Tennessee Titans defensive line coach Giff Smith. Williams had an off-the-charts workout."

Combine - Forty: 4.97; Arm: 34.6; BP: NA; VJ: 29.5.5; BJ: 8-10; 3C: 7.59; 20S: 4.53; 60S: NA;....

2 Danny Shelton DT x Washington 1.88 6020 229 1st

Rang describes him as "built like a coke machine" (more of a Wilfork type guy) and says his numbers suggest a productive sack-machine, but this would be misleading. He's a classic 2-gap run stuffer who relies on heft and power to bull-rush defenders into the enemy backfield. His forte is pursuit. Has the classic big DT potential Achilles (i.e. has to watch his weight; wears down late in games etc.).

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...stood on his testing results from the NFL Scouting Combine and had a very good workout at the pro day. The Bucs' D-line coach put Shelton through an exhausting workout and Shelton got fatigued at the end of it, but fought through it. Several NFL Media analysts project Shelton as a top-20 pick."

Combine - Forty: 5.64; Arm: 34.6; BP: 34; VJ: 30.5; BJ: 7-11; 3C: 7.99; 20S: 4.65; 60S: NA;..

3 Eddie Goldman DT x Florida State x 6030 320 x

Lacks flashy numbers but has progressed steadily and has the size and versatility to really make his mark...Quick off the ball...ood hand use...plays with knees bent...but not a consistent pass rush threat...needs a clear lane to draw a bead on ballcarriers and then tends to collide with them rather than explode into them. Reminds PFDG of Corey Lluget...

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40 in 5.27 seconds on both attempts. He had a 26-inch vertical jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.87 seconds and the three-cone drill in 7.62 seconds. Goldman is another prospect who had a good positional workout. Six NFL teams are set to host Goldman."

Combine - Arm: 33.2; No drills...

4 Michael Bennett DT x Ohio State x 6020 288 x

This might be a Dockett-type pick for us...Highly active interior lineman with range and quickness...plays with outstanding balance and high motor...But not a mammoth power guy who can root out a powerful opponent in the trenches.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40 in 4.98 and 5.03 seconds. He had a 35 1/2-inch vertical jump. He strained his right hamstring running the second 40, so he did not do the 20-yard short shuttle or three-cone drill. Bennett was outstanding in the Buckeyes' run toward the national championship last season, playing outstanding football in the final three games. If he were to play all the time at that level, he'd be a first-round draft pick."

Combine - Arm: 33.6; No drills.

5 Malcom Brown DT x Texas 1.75 6020 319 x

Carries his impressive size and weight well...penetrator type DT...looks natural in his movement...often quickest off the ball. But needs to play with geater overall power.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...stood on his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine and concentrated on his positional workout, which was challenging. Each of the three defensive line coaches in attendance at the pro day took turns putting Brown through drills. Brown worked through the very tough workout and was impressive. A number of NFL Media analysts project Brown to be a first-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft."

Combine - Forty: 5.05; Arm: 33.6; BP: 26; VJ: 29.5; BJ: 8-2; 3C: 7.84; 20S: 4.59; 60S: NA;...

7 Carl Davis DT x Iowa 1.87 6050 320 x

Centerpiece of Hawkeye defense...played mostly one-gap..."Excellent blend of size, strength and athleticism"...Rang makes seemingly contradicting observations when he points out that Davis "plays with excellent base strength"...but "too often he plays small." (Suggestion - watch him on tape)....

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...stood on his combine testing results, except for the bench press. He performed 28 reps of 225 pounds on the bench at the pro day. Davis has very good flexibility and moves well. He also has good lower-body strength."

Combine - Forty: 5.07; Arm: 34.6; BP: NA; VJ: 33.0; BJ: 8-7; 3C: 7.91; 20S: 4.47; 60S: NA;...

8 Xavier Williams DT x Nothern Iowa x 6020 325 x

Rang terms him "scheme versatile" and could see him as a three-technique in a four-man front or a five technique in a 3-4. He mention Xavier's "terrific length" but there are no stats showing his arm-length and we don't view 6-2 as all that tall...lacks prototypical brute strength and will occasionally let his pads rise.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40-yard dash in 5.31 and 5.33 seconds. He had a 25 1/2-inch vertical and an 8-foot-7 broad jump. He completed the short shuttle in 5.01 seconds and the three-cone drill in 8.03 seconds. He performed 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Williams is strong at the point of attack and did a good job of getting over the bags in drills. He's a potential seventh-round pick or priority free agent."

Combine - Not Listed

9 Leterrius Walton DT x Central Michigan 1.79 6050 319 x

Late bloomer...former O-lineman...interesting option for either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme...needs a year in the weight room...Looks the part but relied almost entirely on his natural size and athleticism o get the job done in MAC competition. At this stage, he lacks the functional strength to compete at a higher level.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...stood on his combine numbers, and put forth a really good pro day workout. At the combine, Walton ran a 5.25-second 40-yard dash, which is pretty good for a 315-pounder. Walton is athletic and moves well for a guy of his size."

Combine - Forty: 5.25; Arm: 32.3; BP: 25; VJ: 27.0; BJ: 8-7; 3C: 7.91; 20S: 4.78; 60S: NA;.......

10 Tyeler Davison DT x Fresno State 1.91 6020 316 x

Powerful DT who came on strong in 2014 but will have to prove he can play up to a higher level of competition...

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40-yard dash in 5.19 and 5.14 seconds. He stood on the rest of his numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine, where he was a top performer in his position group on the bench press. The Dolphins' defensive line coach who was on hand put Davison through his positional drills. It was a tough workout, since it was warm and Davison was workout out all by himself. He had a good workout, but tired at the end due to the conditions."

Combine - Forty: 5.16; Arm: 34.0; BP: 32; VJ: 29.5.5; BJ: 8-10; 3C: 7.53; 20S: 4.4; 60S: NA;...

6 Christian Covington DT x Rice x 6030 295 x

Est. Forty: 5.09. Injury concern (kneecap)...PFDG refers to his "stout frame", but 6-3 isn't exactly midget-like for a 295 pounder...He is said to play with a low COG (which may make him look stouter and stubbier than he really is)...considered an interior pass-rushing DT - with long arms and dominating power at his level of competition...Does not play with good balance...Key question: Can he succeed at a higher competitive level?"

Pro Day (Brandt) - "... Covington ran the 40-yard dash in 4.91 and 4.89 seconds. He had a 30 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-3 broad jump. He did the 20-yard short shuttle in 4.43 seconds and the three-cone dirll in 7.43 seconds. Covington performed 24 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Covington was impressive in his positional workout, moving around well and showing good explosion."

Combine - Arm: 33.3; No drills...

11 Derrick Lott DT x Chattanooga 1.81 6040 314 x

Est. Forty: 5.05...

Pro Day (Brandt) - NA

Combine - Forty: 4.99; Arm: 33.6; BP: 30; VJ: 26.5; BJ: 8-10; 3C: 7.30; 20S: 4.44; 60S: NA;.......

12 Brandon Ivory DT x Alabama x 6030 308 x

On PFDG's ""Worth Watching" list (typical squatty powerful frame coupled with average leateral agility).Combine - Not Listed

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...NA

13 Travis Raciti DT x San Jose St x 6040 292 x

27.0 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks at SJ State. Holds up surprisingly well at POA but may be better suted to play outside in a 3-4 than inside in a 4-3.. Lacks functional strength...can be knocked off the ball in the run game. Est. Forty: 5.09...

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...ran the 40-yard dash in 5.06 and 5.18 seconds. He had a 31 1/2-inch vertical and a 8-foot-10 broad jump. He recorded times of 4.66 seconds in the short shuttle and 7.52 seconds in the three-cone drill. He performed 21 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Raciti had a good workout. His good quickness makes up for his lack of speed and he will likely be a priority free agent this year."

Combine - Not Listed......

14 Ellis McCarthy DT x UCLA 1.82 6050 338 x

Underachiever who was much heralded when he arrived at UCLA. Though demonstrating good scheme and positional versatility, he comes across as primarily a run stuffer without who offers little as a pass rusher and continually has to battle weight issues. Knee surgery (both knees).

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...stood on his numbers from the combine and only did positional drills."

Combine - Forty: 5.21; Arm: 34.2; BP: 24; VJ: 32; BJ: 9-1; 3C: 8.16; 20S: 5.07; 60S: 11.75;...

15 Gabe Wright DT x Auburn 1.80 6030 300 x

Forte is rushing the passer and PFDG sees him becoming even better in the pros. He's said to have terrific initial quickness and very active hands which he can use to wrek havoc in an opposing backfield. One noticeable knock - he tends to play with more fire rushing the passer than he does defending the run.

Pro Day (Brandt) - "...had a good positional workout. He stood on his numbers from the combine, where he was a top performer among defensive linemen on the bench press."

Combine - Forty: 5.07; Arm: 32.6; BP: 34; VJ: 26.5; BJ: 8-4; 3C: 7.73; 20S: 4.56; 60S: NA;...

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