1. Sheldon Raskins – 6’1” 299 Lbs. 5.03 40-time Louisville Senior Age 21 – 6.65
Overview: Sheldon was a two-year starter in college. His Junior season he has 13.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two interceptions and his senior season he had another 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. He played on the outside and the nose tackle in a 3-4 scheme in Louisville. He showed up well at the combine with 28 reps at 225 Lbs., and also boasting great broad jump and 20-yard shuttle scores. Raskins athleticism, versatility and production is the reason why he is the top of the heap in this year’s defensive tackle class.
Strengths: His biggest strength is one word, versatility. With over 26 tackles for loss and 14 sacks over his two years as a starter for Louisville, he showed that he can disrupt any type of play. He displays the strength to be an instant starter and be able to hold his own against fully grown NFL lineman. He is a quick twitch athlete that does not waste effort, everything he does on the field is with purpose. His eyes and instincts give him the ability to beat screens, pull blocks, and reverses. You will have a hard time finding an assignment on the defensive line that he cannot excel at, a defensive line coach’s dream.
Weakness: You do not become the highest touted defensive lineman with showing too many flaws. If I had to point to one area of weakness for Sheldon, it would be that he is undersized. However, over the past few seasons we have seen that undersized defensive tackles thrive in the NFL so long as they have the foot work and strength to outmatch their blockers. I believe that his talent, athleticism, and mean streak will be more than enough to overcome his minor limitations in terms of size.
2. Andrew Billings – 6’1” 311 Lbs. 5.05 40-time Baylor Junior Age 21 – 6.6
Overview: Andrew was one of the biggest names coming out of high school in Texas, at the time he was the most dominant offensive lineman the state had ever seen. He made the smart move going to defense simply because of his height. He is one of the strongest men you will ever see in the weight room. His whole entire body is a power plant. His sophomore year was his first year playing a major role for the Bears, he had 37 tackles, 11.5 of those tackles being for a loss. This year he had 15 tackles for loss along with 5.5 sacks. So there you have it, in his third year as a defensive lineman he posted impressive stats and had 5.5 sacks off of shear talent.
Strengths: We have mentioned his strength, however he matches the strength with elite quickness in his upper and lower body. He had the leverage to beat double teams, along with the ability to dismantle single blocks in run and pass situations. With how much he has grown in the past three seasons, it is obvious that his sheer talent is worthy of a first round pick.
Weakness: Another short defensive lineman, three years ago Anthony would have dropped a whole point in his grade due to his lack of height. Luckily for Anthony defensive tackles have proven over the past few seasons to not be dependent on their length. Just ask Geno Atkins if height matters.
3. A’Shawn Robinson – 6’4” 307 Lbs. 5.20 40-time Alabama Junior Age 21 – 6.55
Overview: Another elite Tuscaloosa defensive lineman specimen. A three-year starter for the Tide, Robinson showed his worth quickly as a freshman recording 8 tackles for loss. His sophomore year showed a slight drop in production with 6.5 tackles for loss. This past season A’Shawn had 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while splitting time at nose tackle and defensive end leading the Tide defense to a national title.
Strengths: A defensive lineman coach’s dream in terms of size, you could not paint a better picture of a defensive tackle. Even with a double team, it is difficult to move him from his area. It is a mistake to attempt to block Robinson with only one blocker during run downs. He shows the quickness to move from one gap to another to sniff out the ball carrier, and when he gets the chance to lay a hit on a ball carrier he makes the most of it. On passing downs he shows the ability to collapse the pocket consistently, which allows him to stay in on most downs. You do not want him to see you slacking off if you are playing on his defense, great leader.
Weakness: Like most defensive tackles his size, he can stand upright at times which is his Achilles heel. He has the flexibility to not lose leverage, yet still at times he will show a lack of discipline and give up leverage by standing up. It is frustrating when you do not see him win on every down, but few linemen do. With the right coaching he will start to play with a lower center of gravity on every play, even ones that he may take off from time to time.
4. Jarran Reed – 6’3” 307 Lbs. 5.21 40-time Alabama Senior Age 22 – 6.5
Overview: Reed did not come onto the national scene until 2015, he played his share of snaps during his Junior year (2014) where he racked up 6.5 Tackles for loss, with one sack. It is difficult for anyone to break the defense line rotation in Tuscaloosa, especially when he spent his first two seasons of college football at the junior college level where he stood out at East Mississippi Community College. In his final season of college football, Reed put up: 56 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and only one sack.
Strengths: Reed’s biggest asset is playing between the guards on early downs. He consistently demanded double teams on run plays, and even then he still contributed on plenty of stops fighting his way through two blockers. He is difficult to move off of his spot, when he is defending his area he shows tremendous leverage ability. He consistently showed the ability to get lower than his blockers. One of the biggest contributors to his ability to defend the run is his frame, he has a strong lower body. When he is engaged and looking for the run, he shows the ability to slide into the running lane.
Weakness: For being the highest rated Defensive Tackle in the draft, he a bit one dimensional. He was consistently taken out of the game on obvious passing downs. The biggest reason for the substitutions during passing downs was his in ability to deliver a pass rush. His ability to rush the passer may develop over time, after all he did go from a Junior College in 2013 to a division one college football championship contender. Only time will tell if he can develop into an effective pocket penetrator. If he can develop a pass rush, his potential is elite.
5. Robert Nkemdiche – 6’3” 294 Lbs. 4.87 40-time Mississippi Junior Age 21 – 6.4
Overview: Robert is one of those men that does not need to lift weights, he rarely tried during practice, and yet he was still an elite recruit to a top notch college football team. He is almost too talented for his own good, he never had to try during the offseason. The lack of production shows that he spent little time developing a plan, in the film room, or probably even stretching before games.
Strengths: There is no doubting his absolute natural gift to be a defensive tackle in the NFL. He is the walking example of a dancing bear. Watching him on film, you can simply tell that he is the most talented player on either side of the line. I do not care about the lack of stats, if Robert decides to spend time perfecting his craft, there will be no stopping this beast of a man.
Weakness: attitude, cockiness, or some may call it laziness. When you do not have to try to make it to the most elite levels of a sport, there is usually a proverbial fist waiting for you on the other side. In football, that is especially true for quarterbacks. Luckily Robert is a defensive tackle where many over privileged (athletically) prospects still turn out to have successful careers. If the teams that drafts him is lucky, Robert will realize that now is the time to dial it up and buy in. If he does not, then he will leave tens of millions of dollars on the table. If he chooses to he will be hands down the best defensive player in this draft.
6. Kenny Clark – 6’3” 315 Lbs. 5.06 40-time UCLA Junior Age 20 – 6.05
Overview: Clark was a two-year starter for UCLA that commanded a double team on most plays. In his final season with the Bruins he finished with 75 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and six sacks. The same year Clark also bated down 5 passes. Clark grew by leaps and bounds during his three year stint at UCLA. So long as he continues to stay dedicated to his craft he can easily become a disruptive force in the NFL.
Strengths: His ability to improve in all areas is his biggest strength. Kenny is an intelligent player with the athleticism to be a force at the next level. There are few players that dedicate more time in the film room. His time wrestling in high school certainly helped him in terms of leverage and hand usage. He recognizes the type of play quickly and reacts to the scenario. Kenny is not afraid from leaving his area to go make a play and he has the range to make plays to his nearest sideline.
Weakness: Kenny has short arms for the positon, and sometimes it really shows. His first step is not as explosive as other top rated defensive tackles in the draft. Sometimes his recognition misleads him to be out of place for a cutback. His lack of size did not show too much at the collegiate level, however the usual beast offensive lineman could have a field day using their size to eliminate Kenny from plays.
7. Vernon Butler – 6’4” 323 Lbs. 5.33 40-time Louisiana Tech Senior Age 21 – 6.0
Overview: A two-year starter for the Bulldogs, Vernon is the only true nose tackle with the size to hold the position in the NFL. He clogs up two gaps with ease just do not expect him to make many plays outside of the guard box. In his two years as a starter he had 23.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks (8 qb hurries, all coming in his senior year). He has the longest arms in this year’s prospects at the defensive tackles position.
Strengths: His body makes him the ideal defensive lineman to defend the middle of the line against the run. He uses his long arms well which gives him the ability to engage his blocker and make a play on either side. Beating double teams seems to come with ease for him, unless the play is going outside of his area. Some think that he has the quickness to become a good pass rusher, I do not see it. He can disrupt the pocket, however he will never be one to rack up over 5 sacks in a season.
Weakness: His height will get him into trouble at times when he has to move into a different lane. I do not see him making much of an impact as a pass rusher, unless he can prove to consistently overpower single blocks. Seems too content to stay in his area on plays where it is obvious the play is not coming to him.
8. Chris Jones – 6’6” 310 Lbs. 5.03 40-time Mississippi State Junior Age 21 – 5.8
Overview: Jones was a two-year starter at Mississippi State. His first year as a starter he did not do much however this past year he had 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Some think that he may have benefitted from another year in college. I personally do not like seeing players come out as a junior unless their plays warrants their readiness for the next level.
Strengths: His size is his biggest strength. Against lesser competition it seemed too easy for him to shed blockers, however that will change at the next level without adding onto his natural strength. Despite his height he seems to be able to get lower leverage with ease. His body loves to go downhill without making too many jukes in the process.
Weakness: Seems to take too many snaps off where he will stand up and be content holding his area. He does not give good chase outside of his area. Seems to rely too much on his size and will never be a great motor guy.
9. Austin Johnson – 6’5” 314 Lbs. 5.32 40-time Penn State RS Junior Age 21 – 5.75
Overview: Austin is a two-year starter produced better and better stats each year. This past season Johnson had 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks. With his size, athleticism and production he shows a rare ability to be disruptive in between the tackles.
Strengths: Size, Strength and quickness are his best qualities, which is what you want to see in a defensive tackle. There are not too many defensive tackles that are as naturally gifted than Austin. Seems to be able to make plays inside the whole tackle box, and does not give up on plays that are outside of his area. During passing downs he commands a double team or else his blocker is going to be in the quarterback’s face.
Weakness: Seems to ignore the importance of hand usage, however this is correctable. Looks like he is too comfortable having blockers get into his body. He does seem to get frustrated when he is facing a blocker that is not afraid to mix it up each and every play, which in the NFL will be every single game. Does not have the tenacity as one wants to see in a defensive tackle, needs to get tougher.
10. Hassan Ridgeway – 6’4” 303 Lbs. 5.02 40-time Texas Junior Age 22 – 5.55
Overview: Ridgeway’s best season was a sophomore when he had 11 tackles for loo and six sacks. This past seasons those numbers were nearly cut in half due to injury. He is not the fastest defensive tackle or the strongest, however at times he can put his above average traits to good use and look like a difference maker.
Strengths: He does have strength in his upper and lower body and he is evenly built. Seems to have an explosive first step. Is at his best when setting an edge. Hassan can hold his own against double teams. At times he has the total package with aggressive hands and quick feet.
Weakness: Injuries and fatigue has always been a problem for Ridgeway. He is at least a year away from becoming a starter that plays over half of the snaps in a game. He seems like at best his best role will be a situational pass rusher.
