2011 NFL Draft Positional Rankings: Defensive Tackles

Here at NFLMocks we are continuing to preparations for the 2011 NFL Draft.  We are flying through our Scouting Reports and have put out our 1^st Mock Draft.  Now we are ranking the top 5 draft eligible prospects at each position.  These rankings help complement our Big Board but you will also find some players that are not on our Big Board.  We are giving each player a NFL player comparison but I caution everyone to take those comparisons lightly.  We hope that you use our rankings to help figure out who your team may target in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Top 5 Defensive Tackles

Thoughts:

The 2011 Draft is starting to look like a good time to pick up versatile interior defensive linemen. Marvin Austin is tops to start and looks to have another great year with the Tarheels. Has the size and athleticism to cause O-lines headaches. Bailey is a size/speed combo that would prove dangerous as a 3-4 DE or 3-tech. Crick is another size/speed guy who would play well at the 5 tech in a 3-4 or 3 tech in a 4-3. The next two on the list are interesting in that they are both listed at 6’1” which there aren’t a lot of defensive tackles that short in the NFL. 6’3”-4” would be much closer to average. However, both offer versatility on the line. Casey is a speedy pass rusher who looks much bigger than his listed 295, but plays as fast as some linebackers. Will over exert himself and can get washed in the run game, but could play all across the 3-4 front as a pass rusher from the DE spot on early downs and move inside on nickel situations. Stephen Paea could rise the most out of all the players on this list. His height may be on the low side, but he is going to break the record for the bench press at the combine and is a tireless worker inside. Could play about any spot on the line in any defense other than 4-3 DE as long as his bench strength is functionally game strength.

Scouting Reports: Marvin Austin, Allen Bailey, Jared Crick