Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Player Summary
Dalvin Tomlinson, a 2012 four-star recruit, started 15 of 45 career games for Alabama. All 15 of those starts came as a senior in 2016. After redshirting in 2012 while recovering from a torn ACL suffered playing high school soccer, he tore his other ACL in the season opener in 2013 and would miss the remainder of the season. He would play in all 44 games over the course of his final three seasons in Tuscaloosa.
In his career, Tomlinson recorded 122 tackles, 11.5 for a loss, five sacks and 10 pass breakups. He played for one head coach and two defensive coordinators in his career. He possesses very good size and length on a sturdy frame with adequate athletic ability.
Measureables
Height: 6’2” 7/8
Weight: 310 lbs.
Arm Length: 33-1/2”
Hand Size: 10-1/8”
Combine Numbers
40-Yard Dash: 5.19 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.81 seconds
Bench Press: 22 (Alabama Pro Day)
Vertical Jump: 27”
Broad Jump: 9’2”
3-Cone Drill: 7.68 seconds
Short Shuttle: 4.59 seconds
Games Watched
2016: Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Washington, Western Kentucky
2015: Wisconsin
Strengths
Dalvin Tomlinson aggressively attacks his opponent in the passing game with a very good punch delivered to his opponent’s chest. He uses his length to his advantage and displays elite timing with his hands, as he’s able to initiate contact without overextending or allowing the offensive lineman to initiate contact.
Tomlinson keeps his eyes in the backfield and demonstrates good awareness as he’ll identify the play quickly and react accordingly. He shows solid range on screens, dropping into coverage and forcing the quarterback to look elsewhere. When he doesn’t get to the QB, he does a very good job of getting his hands up into the passing lanes and knocking down the ball. He broke up 10 passes in his career with the Crimson Tide.
One of those breakups occurred in the play below. Tomlinson uses his length and a powerful punch to force the left guard back into the quarterback. The QB is able to get the ball out before taking a sack, but Tomlinson gets his hands up quickly to bat down the pass.
In the run game, Tomlinson utilizes his strong, powerful base to generate leverage and allow him to take on double teams. That anchor also prevents his opponent from pushing him off the line of scrimmage or climbing to the second level of the defense as a result of very good play strength.
While the majority of the time Tomlinson takes on a double time it frees up a linebacker to make a play, the defensive tackle finished the following play himself. He’s able to fight through a double team from his left defensive tackle position and work his way down the line of scrimmage to make the stop after only a two-yard gain.
As seen in that play against the Gators, Tomlinson possesses solid lateral quickness and is able to work his way down the line of scrimmage while avoiding traffic to make the stop. He displays a solid closing burst and is a reliable tackler who engulfs the ball carrier with his large frame.
Alabama Crimson Tide Football
Weaknesses
Dalvin Tomlinson displays marginal explosiveness at the snap. While this isn’t an issue when he’s asked to play a two-gap technique, it becomes an issue when he’s required to stunt. As a pass rusher, his repertoire of moves is limited to a bullrush. Opposing offensive linemen don’t fear an athletic counter move and can stuff him at the line of scrimmage by initiating contact.
Tomlinson played a limited number of snaps throughout his career as he was buried behind A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed on the depth chart. Competitive toughness is a big question mark with Tomlinson as he there were stretches in games where he played with an inconsistent motor and was easily beaten by inferior competition.
The Western Kentucky game is a good example of this as he should have been dominant in the interior. The play below is just one example of a play in which Tomlinson was blown off the line of scrimmage. With a linebacker rushing around the edge to his left, Tomlinson must protect the edge and force the ball carrier back inside. Instead, he’s mauled by the right guard and the running back has a two-way go which results in a big gain.
Overall
Overall, Dalvin Tomlinson is a starting defensive tackle in the NFL who wins with play strength and hand usage. He’s not someone who should be asked to rush the passer from the outside. He’s best suited for a role as a three technique in a 4-3 defense, but has also proven capable of creating pressure on the quarterback as a 3-4 nose tackle in passing situations.
While he may have been overshadowed by teammates Jonathan Allen and Tim Williams on Alabama’s front seven, Tomlinson is just as, if not more ready to compete at the next level. He should come off the board on day two of the 2017 NFL Draft and will be expected to make an impact very early in his career.