Which defensive tackles will matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings
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The draft is half empty – there’s one guy at the top and there’s a whole lot of whatever tackle prospects right after.
The draft is half full – there should be fantastic value after the second round. If you’re under the belief – as you should be – that it takes ridiculous dumb luck to get a steady starter after the after the first 60ish picks, this is a nice draft to take a few fliers on prospects for the defensive interior from around 75 on.
From the college perspective, the top defensive tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft are …
15. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State
Size: 6-2, 296
The Good: A tough guy with power, he’s a rock of a tackle with the strength to makeup for his lack of bulk. The overall numbers might not be there, but he was able to hold up well against the run and he’s not worn down. He only played 22 games and was in a rotation, but …
The Not-So-Good: He only played 22 games and was in a rotation. He can move, but he’s not any sort of NFL pass rusher, and his lack of raw bulk might not be enough for some teams. He never quite stood out as an elite player on an elite defense with all three of his career sacks coming last year.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s an NFL defensive tackle who won’t turn into any sort of star, but can fill in and be a tough player in the interior who won’t lose his battles. The ceiling on what he’ll be at the next level is low, but you’ll hold serve on a play when he’s in there.
Projected Round: Fifth
14. Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky
Size: 6-4, 327
The Good: Very big, very good against the run, and with enough experience to know what he’s doing after being the main man on the UK nose for the last three years, it’s just this simple – stick him inside and let him take up a whole lot of space.
The Not-So-Good: There’s only one note here. He’s not an interior pass rusher at the next level, and he’s not going to give you a whole lot of big stats or anything flashy.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s not enough to his game to go in the first four rounds, but everyone needs a few tackles who can eat up the run against the power teams. He’ll be a low-risk pick who’ll stay on a team to give someone with a good group of pass rushers a giant guy to work around.
Projected Round: Sixth
13. Cam Sample, Tulane
Size: 6-3, 267
The Good: Undersized but extremely quick, he’s a pass rusher and a factor in the backfield with 10.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss and 163 stops in his four years or work. He might not be an elite athlete, but he’s got the skills to play inside as a smallish-fast option or on the end.
The Not-So-Good: A true tweener, he’s not quite as explosive as you might like for a player of his size, and he’s not bulky enough to hold up as a true NFL tackle. He’ll get blown up by the bigger next-level blasters.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll be a bit of a specialist, but he’ll fit someone’s scheme as a reliable, energetic option who can add a different look to a defensive interior and bring a play or two in the backfield.
Projected Round: Fourth
12. Darius Stills, West Virginia
Size: 6-1, 278
The Good: An undersized firecracker of a tackle, he and his brother Dante – who decided to stay in school for another year – grew into one of the Big 12’s best tandems.
Darius is always moving, he’s got a burst off the ball, and he’ll fight and make things happen behind the line with 10.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss over the last two years.
The Not-So-Good: He’s just way too small. He’s not going to be a regular NFL starter unless he’s surrounded by bulk or is in the right scheme, and he doesn’t have the frame to carry more good weight. Even worse, he can’t do anything to take away from his quickness.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s a situational defender, but he’ll bring the motor and the fire every time he’s in there. He’ll get engulfed by the bigger blockers, but he’ll work his way into backfields and make teams worry every time he’s in.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Marlon Tuipulotu, USC
Size: 6-2, 307
The Good: He might not be the exact size some would like, but he plays big, can’t be moved, and he’s quick enough to get into the backfield. A mainstay on the USC line over the last three seasons, he came up with 102 tackles with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss during the span, but his real worth is as a tough guy run defender.
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t have the mass many might like. He gets pounded on by the bigger, brutish blockers, and he’s not quite quick enough at an NFL level to be considered much of a inside pass rusher on a consistent basis.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not going to be anyone’s anchor – he doesn’t have the raw size – but he’ll be an ultra-productive part of a good rotation. He’ll always bring the effort and the fight – stick him inside and don’t worry.
Projected Round: Fourth
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings Top Ten
2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings Top Ten
10. Daviyon Nixon, Iowa
Size: 6-3, 313
The Good: One of the most productive interior pass rushers in the draft, he’s got good enough size to hold up against the run, but his real worth is as a backfield disruptor. He had a good first season with the Hawkeyes, and then he blew up last year with 45 tackles with 5.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. He’s an athlete for his size – he moves like a much smaller player.
The Not-So-Good: He’s just okay against the run. He’ll make plays, and he’s certainly not weak when it comes to getting pounded on, but he’s not going to hold up as an anchor that everything else works around. However …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t worry about him not being a brick wall against the run. If he’s on a line with mass right next to him and tough linebackers, all will be fine. The payoff will come on third downs when he makes quarterbacks fly out of the pocket as they get chased by a guy with bad intentions.
Projected Round: Third
9. Bobby Brown, Texas A&M
Size: 6-4, 321
The Good: This is how you want an NFL defensive tackle to look. He’s got the right frame, enough mass on it to be good without too much, and he uses it all well as an excellent run stopper. He might not be the immovable anchor some might want, but he’ll more than hold his own with good effort with the fight coming on every play.
The Not-So-Good: Don’t expect much in the pass rushing department at the next level. He’s not the best of athletes – call it a trade off for his size – but he was able to come up with 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss last year mostly on power. His game will be about holding up against the run.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Still improving, he’s a young player who can still do a whole lot more with his game. Don’t expect spectacular, but he’s a starter who’ll give you an honest day’s work as a solid part of a defensive tackle rotation. His best work might be ahead of him with just a little more physical maturing.
Projected Round: Third
8. Osa Odighizuwa, UCLA
Size: 6-2, 280
The Good: If you can get past his lack of size, he’s a fun, dangerous interior pass rusher who’s always going with a non-stop motor and the production to match. Productive in his four years with the Bruins, he made 11.5 sacks with 27.5 tackles for loss and 120 stops as he learned how to do a little of everything right. He brought power to his pass rushing game to go along with his quickness, but ..
The Not-So-Good: A lot of what he did in college isn’t going to work at the next level. He’s not going to bruise his way through anyone, and he’ll lose his share of battles when he gets mashed and thrown out of the play. If he’s not getting to the quarterback and in the backfield, there’s a problem.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: If you’re looking for a guy who can be a devastating pocket collapser every once in a while from a variety of formations, here you go. He’s not going to be the steady run stuffer you might want, but if he’s surrounded by bulk or is asked to be a 3-4 end, he’ll thrive.
Projected Round: Third
7. Marvin Wilson, Florida State
Size: 6-4, 303
The Good: A big-time leader who’ll be the alpha male for the line and defense, when healthy he’s a dangerous interior pass rusher who’s always bringing the energy for the ground game, too. As a sophomore and junior he made 8.5 sacks with 12-5 tackles for loss and 85 tackles, but even though he can get being the line, he’s at his best as the take-on guy in the interior for everything to work around.
The Not-So-Good: Can he get back his groove? He looked like a top 20 overall draft pick after 2019, but he gained some weight, had to fight through an injury, and nothing was really right with his game or the team in 2020. He’s not an elite athlete for an interior pass rusher, and he’s missing the raw mass to be a true power tackle at the next level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Welcome to one of this year’s best value picks. There’s legitimate reason to be slightly concerned after such a mediocre 2020, but the talent and production are in there – we’ve all seen it. That guy who was so good in 2018 and 2019 is the main man for your D. There’s a chance he goes somewhere in the 70s and turns into the most productive tackle in the draft.
Projected Round: Third
6. Alim McNeill, NC State
Size: 6-2, 317
The Good: He doesn’t get moved. A short, powerful tackle, he gets the leverage to be used as an anchor but can also get behind the line. He wasn’t as much of a disruptive force last year as he was in 2019, but he’ll work his way into sacks and plays behind the line. A better athlete than it might seem, he’ll be a problem for the more lumbering interior linemen.
The Not-So-Good: If you care, he doesn’t quite look the part. He’s a little shorter than you might like and he doesn’t have the length. The raw mass is missing a bit, too. He can be used in a variety of ways, but he doesn’t have any one sure-thing spot that will guarantee any big-time success. However …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: In a weak draft for tackles, McNeill is your best-of-all-worlds type of option. He was asked to be The Guy for NC State, and he turned into just that with the rest of the defense working around him. Stick him in as a 3-4 end or on the nose or anywhere in between, and he’ll be fine.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings No. 5
2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings Top Five
5. Jaylen Twyman, Pitt
Size: 6-2, 301
The Good: He’ll be okay for your run defense, but that’s not why you called.
You want what might be the best interior pass rusher in the draft at the low, low price of a third rounder – or later? Boom.
While he’s short and a bit stumpy-sized, he’s a powerful blast off the ball with amazing energy and burst when it’s his time to take over a play.
He’s not all that that athletic, and he might not be quite the prototype many are looking for, but he couldn’t be stopped two years ago with 10.5 sacks, 41 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss as a playmaker for the Pitt interior.
The Not-So-Good: No one should be faulted for opting out of last year – or ever, if you’re someone with NFL dreams and don’t want to risk your future playing in college – but he would’ve benefitted in a huge way from another season as good as his 2019 campaign.
He doesn’t have the big body to be an NFL anchor against the run, and he’s not next-level quick or smooth enough to have the tools to assume he can recreate that one year of production right away.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: In a draft loaded with meh at tackle, here’s your moon shot that you’re finding something special at a bargain basement value. He’s not going to be the sure-thing every down starter you might want for your interior, but throw him in there on third downs and watch how he somehow screws up the offense.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings No. 4
4. Tyler Shelvin, LSU
Size: 6-2, 350
The Good: There’s no secret to his game or his style. If you want a quick interior pass rusher, look elsewhere. If you want a versatile D linemen who can work in a variety of ways, nope.
Stick him in the middle of your line, let him occupy blockers and occasionally stop the run, and let him go. You need a stop on 4th-and-1? No one’s going up the gut against him.
He’s got the strength to go along with the mass. He’s not just a big-bodied guy who takes up space – he can’t be moved off his base and allows everyone else around him to do all the fun flashy things.
The Not-So-Good: Don’t expect him to be on the field for all three downs, or for a whole lot of plays. He’s got to keep his weight to at least the 350 range and could do a whole lot more at a hard 335 or less.
He’s not going to get into the backfield and he’s not going to be a pocket-collapser who’ll make quarterbacks worry. Again, you know exactly what you’re getting.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: There’s always going to be a place in the NFL for a massive guy who’s stronger than everyone else and will do all of the dirty work. It’ll be interesting to see if a team wants him to get a little lighter and quicker, or if the goal is to stick him in the middle of a line for 25 plays a game and dare teams to try running inside the hashmarks.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings No. 3
3. Jay Tufele, USC
Size: 6-2. 305
The Good: An ultra-quick, ultra-cranked up playmaker who has a fantastic combination of strength and explosion. He was great at getting into the backfield from his spot in the interior and had to be accounted for by every blocking scheme.
While he’s not massive, he’s got the athleticism and smoothness to his game that lets him get around just about everyone. Lumbering guards are dead when he gets a first step.
No, he’s not going to be your anchor and brick wall run stuffer, but that’s fine. He’ll pull his weight against the run.
They thought I was done, took it further than they could ever imagine!! ✌🏾#JUSTGETTINGSTARTED pic.twitter.com/lxMT4cNyJx
— 🇼🇸jay Tufele🇦🇸 (@tufele123) March 25, 2021
The Not-So-Good: You’d like your tackle taken in the top 50 picks to be a bit bulkier. He’s certainly strong enough, but he’s not a massive body who’ll occupy blockers and be a brick wall against the run.
There might be a little more time and experience needed to his game after opting out last season. He was just growing into a superstar after his sophomore year, and now he’s got to kick it back in.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Oh will he be fun. He’s hardly the perfect NFL defensive tackle, but he was always moving and always doing something interesting in his first two seasons. You’ll need to surround him with run stuffers, but if you want a guy who can move and set a tone on an athletic line, he’ll be fantastic.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings No. 2
2. Levi Onwuzurike, Washington
Size: 6-3, 290
The Good: When he’s on, he’s the interior pass rushing prospect you’re looking for. In his three years he came up with seven sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and a whole lot of pressure as he got better and better in his three seasons.
He might to be huge, but his makes up for it with his tremendous quickness and burst off the ball. Don’t get hung up on his lack of 300+ pound bulk; he can hold his own against the run and he get get tough when needed.
However, you’re getting him to collapse the pocket and someone everyone has to account for so the ends can shine.
PRO DAY ✔️
LEVI ONWUZURIKE@LeviOnw #PurpleReign x #BowDown pic.twitter.com/E3vi29n3FM
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) April 1, 2021
The Not-So-Good: The lack of size is going to be a problem for some.
Again, he’s strong enough to hold up, but he’s not the space-eater who’s going to be a brick wall on the inside. There’s a bigger problem, though, of consistency. He disappeared way too often, making the times when he’s rolling stand out all that much more.
After opting out of last year, the momentum and scouting buzz from a strong 2019 appears to be gone.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not for everyone, but he’ll explode for someone. He’s not your normal NFL defensive tackle, he not really the prototype, and he’s not going to be an anchor for where you’re going to need to take him. But if you want a guy who’ll destroy a gameplan or two and get to the quarterback enough to matter, here you go.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Rankings No. 1
1. Christian Barmore, Alabama
Size: 6-4, 310
The Good: He wasn’t as celebrated as past Alabama top defensive tackles, but he’s every bit as promising as any of them in the Nick Saban era with absolutely everything you could want.
He’s not a Coke machine, but he’s got the bulk, size, and frame to hold his own against double teams in the interior. The real part of the fun is his quickness.
He might not be a volume tackler for a Tide tackle, but he can get behind the line a whole lot with ten sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in his last two seasons, rising up into something special last year.
The Not-So-Good: The starting experience isn’t quite there with only one year as the main man in the interior. He got more than his share of work in the rotation as a freshman, but last season was his only time taking over.
If there’s any sort of knock – it’s like the “I work too hard” answer in a job interview when asked what your biggest weakness is – he’s almost too aggressive. That should change a bit with a bit more experience, but he’s a bit overactive and will miss plays here and there.
Teaser #BmoreBeGreat pic.twitter.com/iiyGkRBUTC
— Christian Barmore (@Chris_Bmore4u) January 21, 2021
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: In a class without a whole lot of great defensive tackles, his value is through the roof as a true first rounder and instant starter.
He’s an Alabama draft pick – he looks and plays the part and has been coached up by the best so he doesn’t need a whole lot of tinkering.
Projected Round: First
