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1)    Nick Fairley (Auburn) 6’4” 315 lbs

A defensive tackle who can dominate against the run and pass with a nasty streak...If I were an owner...where do I sign?  Alot of debate about how Fairley measures up to Ndamukong Suh but they really have different body types.  Fairley reminds me more of Warren Sapp coming out of college. Two beefy DTs who get giddy for hitting somebody too hard.  Fairley would be most effective playing “three technique” tackle (4-3 alignment) lining up between the guard and tackle and splitting that gap.  However, Fairley is powerful enough to play in hybrid NT/DE in 3-4 defense that is gaining popularity (article I wrote on this: <strong>NFL DTs</strong>).  If a defensive coordinator can corral his aggression, Fairley will make a run at impact DROY player in 2011. 

 

2)    Marcell Dareus (Alabama) 6’3” 309 lbs

Has better leverage than Fairley but not as explosive and certainly doesn’t possess same upside.  A safe pick who will produce playing “three technique” tackle position.  Good strength and quickness will make him a cog in a defensive line for years to come.  Some fans will be bored with this pick.  On film he gets swallowed up by bigger guards and I am on the fence to whether he can play DE in 3-4 defensive scheme as he lacks true pass rushing instincts.  Warren Sapp thinks he will turn out to be the better pro player but Sapp also thought McCoy would be better than Suh.

 

3)    Muhammad Wilkerson (Temple) 6’5” 305 lbs

 Great quickness for 300 lb guy.  But DTs with skinny arms scare me.  Looks like a basketball player (which he was) who spent too much time at White Castle.  However, you can’t discount his quickness and pure athletic ability.  Looks to be a “three technique” player who will need few years of weight training until it translates on the field but has good upside.  In 2010 he had 13.0 tackles-for-loss and 9.5 sacks – not bad for a defensive tackle most don’t know about yet.

 

4)    Phil Taylor (Baylor) 6’4” 340 lbs

Most intriguing tackle in the draft and he is rising to potentially the first round.  Huge size with surprising agility (will test well at combines).  When you see Taylor you think this guy is a “zero technique” tackle who will plug your defensive line for long time.  But he gets moved sideways way too easily for his size.  Could be dynamic as a guy you play at DE in 3-4 alignment then move him over to NT on passing downs.  Taylor destroyed Demarcus Love in one-on-one drills and pretty much dominated the entire North offensive line during North-South game.

 

5)    Corey Liuget, (Illinois) 6’2” 300 lbs

I have Corey going in the second round.  Has ideal size for DT while showing good leverage and distributes his weight well.  Better suited to play DE in 3-4 alignment or DT in 4-3 alignment that has a good penetrating tackle playing next to him.  Thick “bubble butt” player who has good motor but lacks ideal pass rushing skills to be special.