One elite tackle prospect per class would be an average year for the NFL Draft. Two would be extraordinary. The 2008 class has three first round caliber defensive tackle prospects, and two of those three are elite overall prospects, worthy of top 10 selections. This group possesses better talent at the top, as well as more depth into later rounds. We have not seen a defensive tackle taken inside the top 10 since 2003 when Dewayne Robertson went to the Jets #4 overall. Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis both figure to have better pro careers that Robertson, or at least the teams in need of tackles at the top of the board hope so. However, with moderate depth, teams at the end of the first round like Jacksonville and Tennessee could get good value if Kentwan Balmer falls. The same holds true as the draft continues. With so much talent at positions like wide receiver and corner, there could be quality tackles selected much lower than their talent would otherwise dictate. Teams willing to wait, could wind up with valuable contributors upfront.
1.) Glenn Dorsey 6-1 297 Louisiana State University
If not for the poor schematic fit and lingering injury issues, Glenn Dorsey would be getting more attention as a potential #1 overall pick. As a senior, Dorsey won the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award,Lombardi Award, Lott Award and SEC Defensive Player of the Year while leading LSU to a National Championship. His play, coupled with his leadership even garnered him some national media consideration for the Heisman Trophy. Powerful and athletic, Dorsey was a terror for opposing offenses, spending most of his time eating up double teams and allowing his teammates to make plays. When opponents were not smart enough to double him, Dorsey regularly whipped offensive lineman using his explosive burst and quickness. With an array of pass-rush moves, Dorsey can get to the quarterback as well as ball carrier in the backfield, racking up 7 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss as a senior. Dorsey has been compared to Warren Sapp with his combination of strength and agility. Dorsey's lack of ideal bulk may be a concern particularly with his history of leg injuries. Scouts wonder if he can hold up to an NFL pounding week in and week out against the behemoth lineman he will consistently face. Dorsey would have been a top 10 pick in the 2007 Draft had he declared. In 2008, he is a lock for the top 5 and could even go the Rams at #2. Falling past Oakland at #4 seems completely out of the question.
2.) Sedrick Ellis 6-1 309 University of Southern California
Dorsey was billed as the top tackle in the nation last season, but this former Trojan is not far behind. Ellis, like Dorsey, combines serious athletic ability with technique and power. Ellis can beat interior lineman with his initial burst, but also possesses superior hand placement and rip moves to disengage from blockers. He uses his long arms and quick reflexes to win inside. Once the ball is snapped, Ellis is relentless is pursuit and constantly works towards the ball. He has played nose tackle and the three-technique, giving him great versatility. As a senior Ellis recorded 8.5 sacks to go with 12.5 tackles for loss, in a conference loaded with lineman talent like C Mike Pollak and G Roy Shuening. In post-season workouts, Ellis was even more impressive. No one could block him at the Senior Bowl, even against the best players in the country. Some scouts may actually rank Ellis above Dorsey because of Dorsey's leg concerns. Ellis has had some injury problems of his own and missed time with ankle and knee injuries over his career. He reminds me of former Viking tackle John Randle in the way he can rush the passer from inside, and is one of the best pass-rushers in this draft. Kansas City loves this kid, and if Jake Long is gone they could take Ellis, even if Matt Ryan is still on the board. If they pass, the Ravens and Bengals would certainly make sure he does not fall out of the top 10.
3.) Kentwan Balmer 6-4 308 North Carolina
Despite Balmer's first round grade, the gap between #2 and #3 here cannot be understated. It is the first major drop-off in talent at the position, as Balmer projects as a late first round pick. That said, Balmer has the talent of players like Dorsey and Ellis, his effort simply has not translated into production. The former Tar Heel possesses a large frame and adequate bulk, with room to get even bigger and stronger. He will push the pocket and can really overpower offensive lineman with his strength and leverage, although he plays a bit high at times. Balmer uses his tremendous physical tools to beat his man, and if he matches his effort to his skills, he would be something special. The biggest concern lies when he does not beat his man initially. He has a tendency to give up on plays and not pursue with passion. In fact, until his senior year, Balmer was considered a talented underachiever. In 2007, the proverbial light went on and we saw the player we had hoped for. Scouts will have to determine whether they believe Balmer will stay motivated after "making it" to the NFL. Teams like Washington, Jacksonville, and Tennessee use him and he certainly would not make it past San Francisco at #30.
4.) Pat Sims 6-2 310 Auburn
Our first junior prospect on the list, Sims has excellent athletic talent and tools and may be the quickest player on this list. His first step gets him into the backfield in a hurry where he can be disruptive as a pass-rusher or run-stopper. For having only played two full years, Sims has developed a solid pass-rush game, using his hands to rip through and get to the quarterback as well as to shed blockers. With his strength and size, Sims could easily play in a number of schemes and systems, although he is best suited as a one gap tackle. At this point, Sims remains somewhat unpolished. He does not possess stellar instincts or awareness and can get lost. While Sims plays with passion and a mean streak, he has a tendency to lose his fundamentals when he is tired and scouts will have to determine whether or not he is mentally tough enough be coached effectively. Sims may not be a starter as a rookie, but with his upside, a team in the second round could get a player with disruptive potential down the road. A team like New Orleans or Baltimore could take Sims at the top of the second round.
5.) Trevor Laws 6-1 304 Notre Dame
Laws has developed a reputation as an overachiever. Regardless of how talented a player may be, for a defensive lineman to accumulate 112 tackles in a season, you have to have special ability. To be fair, Notre Dame did not have many players who could make a tackle, but Laws was one of the few play-makers and put up middle linebacker numbers from a 3-4 end spot. Laws does not have superior athletic talent, but is unrelenting in pursuit and possesses a great nose for the ball. The former Irish star gets off the ball quickly and can re-direct offensive lineman with superior balance. His spin move is extremely difficult to handle, even for tackles. Laws lacks the power to consistently fight through doubles and could be run on at the point of attack. He put to bed some of the "overachiever" tags with a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and the combine. A team like Miami, picking for the Chargers at the bottom of the second round could be an ideal fit and middle to late second round seems about right.
6.) Marcus Harrison 6-3 317 Arkansas
The tackle class falls off again at this spot. Harrison has the talent of a top 60 pick, but major concerns about health and character have him considerably lower on boards than his ability may warrant. Harrison put up one of the best 40 times of any of the top tackles and has good straight line speed and quickness. However, he does not have much of a polished pass-rush game. He relies on his physical tools to disrupt in the passing game and could use some coaching and technique work to develop a go-to pass-rush move. Harrison takes great angles in pursuit and has a high-intensity motor to track down plays from the backside. But the former Razorback has had his share of injury problems which has stunted his development to some degree. Harrison has had knee surgery to repair a torn ACL, and another to repair cartilage, as well as ankle issues. Also, while at Arkansas, Harrison was suspended after being arrested on felony drug charges and his character will be a major concern for teams as they go through the interview process. Harrison could sneak into the bottom of the second round to a team like Indianapolis, Dallas or Jacksonville, but could slide all the way into the top of the third which is where he belongs.
7.) Joseph "Red" Bryant 6-4 318 Texas A&M
Some of the other defensive tackles in this class have questions about size and bulk, but not Bryant. He uses his strength and size to occupy multiple blockers inside and can really clog the middle. While he may not have a diverse rush game, Bryant has the potential to develop into a bulldozing bull rusher. In order to do so, he will have to improve his hand placement and develop pass-rush moves. The numbers are not going to jump off the page, but Bryant was a permanent captain and leader of the Aggie defense. He also has a knack for getting his hands up and knocking down passes, as well as extra points. Durability is a concern after a 2006 ACL tear, but Bryant played his senior season and stayed relatively healthy. Bryant may never be a high-impact player along the front line, but his superlative experience and leadership, as well as his strength and size, will make him attractive to teams looking to sure up their run defense. Bryant still has some upside and projects as a mid third round pick
8.) Dre Moore 6-4 305 Maryland
At this point in the draft, many of the players remaining are projects. Marchondray, or "Dre", Moore has been hard to place for scouts. Physically, Moore has everything you could want from a dtackle, with solid burst and size that you just cannot learn. His numbers a senior, 63 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 6 sacks, make him seem like a solid prospect particularly in the ACC. Plus Moore has been impressive in workouts with sub 4.9 40's, flashing more athletic ability than the film would indicate. Moore plays too high too much, and must improve his leverage to be effective against bigger and better lineman on the next level. He has improved each year at Maryland and yet still remains extremely raw. His instincts are just OK and that leads him to play out of position at time. Regardless of speed, if you are not in the right place, it is difficult to make a play. The team who drafts this former Maryland Terrapin, will need to be patient and give Moore the kind of coaching he needs. Moore also must get stronger, particularly in his lower body to improve his anchor against the run. Moore could be very attractive to teams willing to wait out his development. He can penetrate and has the physical tools to be a difference-maker in the opposition's backfield. Expect Moore to go in the late third round to a team looking to add depth, rather than a starter, to their defensive front.
9.) Letroy Guion 6-3 303 Florida State
Guion could be another "project" player, who has outstanding upside. He probably should have gone back to Florida State for another year, but has flashed the ability to be explosive and could be highly disruptive on the next level with some steady improvement. Guion has glimmers of brilliance, then will disappear for extended stretches. As such, he has not had particularly strong numbers. On the other hand, Guion has a strong first step and can drive offensive lineman back with his initial burst. He has agility and lateral quickness to make plays down the line. Guion simply lacks great instincts at this point and does not always make the right reads. Despite some character concerns off the field, on the field Guion has the potential to give you everything you could ask for and plays hard every play until the whistle. With barely a year as a starter, Guion declared for the draft, which is particularly bizarre when you consider than it followed the academic integrity scandal which forced Guion and many of his teammates to miss their bowl game. However, Guion could really be a steal for a team at the bottom of the third or top of the fourth.
10.) Demario Pressley 6-3 301 North Carolina State
Pressley could be considered a project, but the term "underachiever" seems more appropriate. Pressly has the physical tools to be disruptive, something he has shown at times in the ACC. However, he disappears too often, taking himself out of plays with poor technique, or over aggressiveness. Pressly has a devastating first step and can get up the field in a blink, something that could make him a solid three technique on the next level. However, he sometimes can get out of position because he does not play under control within his own abilities. He is not going to anchor your run defense, but has adequate strength at the point. Maryland's hybrid system gives him some versatility as he is used to playing multiple positions. He has played with big time NFL talent like Mario Williams and yet never really produced despite the attention given to his teammates. Pressly has enough potential and upside to warrant consideration in the fourth round and he could go to just about any team with his ability to play multiple positions and schemes.
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