DEFENSIVE TACKLES
Jonathan Allen, Alabama, #93
Game Film Evaluated:
USC (2016)
Texas A&M (2016)
Auburn (2016)
Washington (2016)
Summary: Much better when played inside than at his normal defensive end position. Plus lateral quickness to shoot gaps and get off blocks especially in the run game. Not overly powerful on the pass rush, did not use bull rush in games observed. He finds the ball extremely well, rarely gets faked out and will make a lot of tackles because he finds the ball in traffic and can get off blocks to make the play. He has good play strength in the run game to keep lineman off his body despite not playing with long length. Strong hands, good swim and rip technique. He is not overly explosive off the snap and does not convert speed to power. Jonathan Allen is a very good prospect but lacks the elite athleticism to be an top prospect. He played out of position at Alabama playing end in a 4 man front as he must play inside at the next level to be successful. He can play the five technique in a 3-4 man front but I project him best to a three technique in a 4-3 to take advantage of his pass rush ability. He will still be very good as a five since his run defense is very good. He has got to add some strength to be able to convert speed to power on the pass rush to make him even more dangerous on the pass rush. First round grade and similar player to Soloman Thomas although less talented.
Solomon Thomas, Stanford, #90
Game Film Evaluated:
North Carolina (2016)
Washington (2016)
UCLA (2016)
Summary: Ideal frame with room to add weight if needed. He has excellent build and carries weight well. Extremely strong hands to man handle lineman with relative ease. He is able to get off blocks with strength and technique. He has very good quickness with long arms too. Controls his gap consistently and able to penetrate and finish on run plays. Forget about trying to zone block him on a stretch run, he will destroy it. He can penetrate gaps and win with technique, shows good rip and swim moves on the pass rush. He keeps working to the ball and effective on stunts. He will get a lot of QB hurries but the QB was able to escape him too often in college, needs to work on finishing the play. He does not seem to celebrate when making a play and nor do his teammates congratulate him when he makes a play which is interesting. Soloman Thomas is an ideal complete three technique tackle in a 4 man front and would be a very good strong side defensive end. He also has the bulk and strength to play the five technique in an odd man front. He is an impact complete player who will make plays against the run and pass consistently. I like him best as a three technique to use that quickness, technique and strength to destroy guards consistently for the next 10 years. Top 10 overall grade.
Malik McDowell, Michigan State, #4
Game Film Evaluated:
Notre Dame (2016)
Indiana (2016)
Wisconsin (2016)
BYU (2016)
Summary: Relentless worker, top motor and strong violent hands. He is able to get off blocks with tremendous technique and quick hands that never stop. He has adequate quickness and keeps working to the QB. Not a strong run defenders, he can get engulfed at the POA if he can’t shake the initial block attempt. Much better against the run vs Indiana, controlling his gap using length and locating the ball to finish the play. When he does make a play, his teammates do not seem to congratulate him. His worst game was against BYU, the length and feet of the guards gave him trouble consistently. Malik McDowell is a supremely talented prospect who is capable of playing different roles at the next level. He has the size and athleticism to play strongside defensive end but I think he is best as a three technique in a 4-3 scheme that wants one gap penetration type players. He excels at rushing the passer, getting off blocks and working tirelessly to get to the QB. He fails to locate the ball quickly and can take himself out of position in the run game. He is all go but tires quickly and has to be subbed out often. He projects to be a plus pass rushing tackle prospect who can blow up plays in the backfield but will not be a stout run defender until he locates the ball better than he did in college. First round grade.
Carlos Watkins, Clemson, #94
Game Film Evaluated:
Virginia Tech (2016)
Troy (2016)
Ohio State (2016)
Summary: Very powerful lineman, controls his gap with ease. Not overly quick or explosive, definitely not a 3 technique tackle. He can keep his feet moving toward the pocket and very strong hands. He is relentless in his pursuit to the ball and QB. He is able to knock lineman on their heels and work his way to the ball. He is not polished in his technique at all, very raw and has no feel for pass rush moves to getting off blocks. He is not overly explosive on tape who can burst off the snap. He finds a way to the QB and gets the job done despite lack of proper technique and consistent use of pass rush moves. Carlos Watkins is a solid prospect and will be a starter in the NFL but has a limited ceiling in my opinion. He can maintain his effective performance on the field with improved technique but the lack of quickness and burst off the line will limit the sacks at the next level. I project Watkins to a one technique in a penetrating scheme that wants upfield attackers as a late 2nd round player.
Montravius Adams, Auburn, #1
Game Film Evaluated:
Ole Miss (2016)
Alabama (2016)
Georgia (2016)
Summary: Flashes elite burst and ideal penetrating under tackle pass rushing ability. Wears down in games and can really affect his effectivness and technique. He is powerful at the POA and can hold his position, has excellent length to keep tackles off body. He flashes elite ability but it isn’t there consistently. He can hold the line but he struggles to get off blocks and finish to the ball. He ends up on the ground trying to hold his position bit too often, needs to add some lower body strength. Very high effort player, he will chase down plays outside his area consistently. Montravius Adams is a high potential and high effort player who projects well to a pass rushing under tackle in a scheme that wants to penetrate upfield. He brings a good deal of strength to the position to add an effective bull rush to add elite quickness and motor. He has got to improve his consistency and use better technique to keep blockers off his body in the run game to learn how to disengage blockers. He brings first round ability but the film doesn’t back up the ability enough to warrant a top round grade. He is a early 2nd round grade but ahead of Carlos Watkins for sure.
Chris Wormley, Michigan, #43
Game Film Evaluated:
Florida State (2016)
Wisconsin (2016)
Penn State (2016)
Illinois (2016)
Summary: High effort player with good frame and size for the position. Above average burst off the snap and can shoot the gaps effectively. He has some good technique to get around blockers but is not a super quick twitch player who can turn the corner with speed. He lacks the explosiveness to generate a pass rush from the outside end position. He flashes ability to generate speed to power and knock tackles back on occasion. Very stiff hips and will limit his ability to get sacks on QBs, should get hurries but QBs will be able to step up and avoid pressure. Chris Wormley played out of position at Michigan as a down defensive end in a 4 man front but he projects to either a five technique in a 3-4 scheme or best as a penetrating under tackle in the three technique in a 4-3. He has the ability to get upfield and blow plays up and generate pressure. He may not be a plus starter but should be adequate starter and a top rotational player. Early 4th round grade.
DeMarcus Walker, Florida State, #44
Game Film Evaluated:
Ole Miss (2016)
Louisville (2016)
Clemson (2016)
Florida (2016)
Summary: Flashes extremely well. He has the best use of hands in the class, elite swim move that he uses often especially when matched up on guards. Able to convert speed to power and has good burst although not elite. He cannot hold his position on run plays, he gets blown out of position consistently. He comes with a plan to attack tackles but he is neutralized if it doesn’t work. His technique disappears when he’s tired and will go for long stretches without making a play. He will get engulfed at the POA on run plays especially against angle blocking scheme. Need to verify his length as at times tackles have reach on him so his technique is neutralized. Struggles to locate the ball and will get faked out of position on misdirection and counter plays. Needs to generate more pressure when matched up on the tackle instead of whipping just the interior lineman. DeMarcus Walker is a tweener athletic pass rusher without a defined position at the next level to be successful. He has all the tools to be an adequate defensive end but he was most successful consistently as a defensive tackle. He needs to add 10-15 pounds and become a three technique tackle in a 4-3 scheme. His run defense will never be a strength and he just doesn’t generate enough of a pass rush from the outside to stay at the position IMO. He showed a knack for generating pressure at a high rate when lined up inside using his hands. His length needs to be verified as he struggles to keep tackles off him when lined up outside. He is a difficult round projection, he has second round ability but a position change and time needed to bulk up for the position puts him at a early 3rd round grade.
Caleb Brantley, Florida, #57
Game Film Evaluated:
Vanderbilt (2016)
Florida State (2016)
Alabama (2016)
Summary: High flash player. Good quickness off the snap and flashes ability to get off blocks at times with good use of hands, swim and arm over technique. Not consistent holding his gap and using length. Effort is inconsistent. He can really shoot gaps and get off blocks to blow up plays in the backfield. inconsistent player but his upside is legit. Plays with toughness, suffered a left hand injury in 2nd half vs Vanderbilt, returned to the game in the 4th with a cast on his hand and played with it. He will grade well but misses out on a lot of sacks and tackles for loss, needs to finish the play. Caleb Brantley is a high quality prospect, he flashes extremely well and just hope for more consistency to his game. He can whip blocks effectively and make plays in both the pass and run game. He can line up at both the one and three technique and make plays, he has the burst and good hand use to take on blockers. Needs to add strength and improve his conditioning to make the effort level more consistent. Solid second round grade. UPDATE: Arrested and charged with a misdemeanor simple battery after an altercation with a woman in Gainesville, Florida. He allegedly knocked the woman unconscious suffering dental injuries that will require surgery.
Larry Ogunjobi, Charlotte, #65
Game Film Evaluated:
Louisville (2016)
Georgia State (2016)
Summary: Lined up at the nose and three technique in base. He has strong hands and uses length to his advantage. He has impressive burst. He flashes some pass rush upside. He plays with good awareness, reading screen and pursuing them outside his initial area. Not a quick twitch type tackle. Built low to the ground and should be able to generate leverage with better technique. Larry Ogunjobi is a sleeper who has good upside to be a one technique or even a nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme. He brings some upside as a pass rusher as he can get upfield and flahses technique to get off blocks. I would like to see his motor run more than it does on tape. He has ability to play in the NFL but he needs to continue improving his technique and motor to make that happen. He projects as a one technique in a 4-3 scheme that favors penetration upfield which he can do. 4th round grade who could really surprise some people as a top rotational player capable of lining up at the three and one technique as a rookie.
Elijah Qualls, Washington, #11
Game Film Evaluated:
USC (2016)
Oregon (2016)
Arizona (2016)
Summary: Massive nose tackle prospect. He has good strength to hold the POA but not someone who can knock lineman on their heels and generate tons of leverage. Offers zero pass rush and he can play one gap effectively. He struggles to play 2 gap holding his position when double teamed. At best he is a 2 down run stuffing tackle who would do well in a one gap scheme that needs someone who can protect their linebackers and upgrade the interior run defense. 5th round grade.
Jake Replogle, Purdue, #54
Game Film Evaluated:
Wisconsin (2016)
Iowa (2015)
Summary: Good technique, he moves well for his size. Not explosive burst off the snap. Very comfortable using his hands, he doesn’t let blockers control him. He has quick hands and strong to get off blocks consistently. He finds the ball well, controls his gap and finishes the play when in position. He has good lateral quickness to control gaps and penetrate upfield with effective arm under technique. He lacks the burst and quick twitch ability to project as a good pass rusher at the next level. Jake Replogle is a solid interior tackle who lacks plus athleticism for the position but he greatly improved his technique in 2016 to make him a legit prospect. He projects as a solid one technique penetrating tackle who can make plays against the run and offer the occasional pass rush. He would be an average starter but a quality rotational player. 4th round grade.
Jaleel Johnson, Iowa, #67
Game Film Evaluated:
Iowa State (2016)
Penn State (2016)
Summary: Impressive strength and able to generate power and leverage getting under the pads of the blocker. Very strong hands and he can toss aside blockers like they are toys. Not a quick twitch or athletic pass rushing tackle. Not a finisher. He can control his gap but not a 2 gap player. Jaleel Johnson is a powerful one technique type tackle who is a plus run defender, has some upside as a bull rushing pass rusher. He is not overly athletic but he moves very well for his size and can close on the QB quickly. He has good potential who needs to take to coaching and learn how to play with technique instead of just raw strength like he did in college. If he adds proper technique to his game to take advantage of his length, strength and some quickness to be a better than average starter as a one gap tackle in a 4-3 scheme. Talented 3rd round ability but priority run stuffing tackles are not a priority in the draft and this drops him down to the 4th round grade.
Ryan Glasgow, Michigan, #96
Game Film Evaluated:
Ohio State (2016)
Northwestern (2015)
Summary: Compact shorter frame which is ideal for a inside tackle. He can use his length effectively to get under the pads of a lineman and push them back into the pocket. He has impressive strength at the POA to hold and control his gap. He played with much more gap in 2015 than in 2016, he may have gained weight as a senior at the cost of some of his quickness. He does a good job of finding the ball and driving to the ball to finish the play. He is a plus run defender but is limited as a pass rushing threat, not a quick twitch athlete or explosive up field quickness. Ryan Glasgow is a quality tackle but has limited upside but he can be a starter if he can find his ideal weight to utilize his quickness and strength to become a penetrating one gap tackle. I project him as a 1 technique in a penetrating scheme who can be a similar player to Terrell McClain with ability to push the lineman into the QB and has some surprising get off to get into the backfield. Late 3rd round grade.
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