Here are the top 10 defensive tackle prospects (with projected round) for the NFL draft, which is set for April 23-25:
1. Derrick Brown, Auburn, 6-foot-5, 326 pounds (first round): He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and was a team captain. He has 17 career tackles and 33.5 tackles for losses. He was named a Super 11 player by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2015. He has a 7.16 grade (Pro Bowl talent) from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, and his NFL comparison is considered to be Kris Jenkins, a four-time Pro Bowl player who played from 2001-10.
2. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, 6-5, 324 (first round): He can play all spots along the defensive line. "He really played his best against good people," said Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy, who was an NFL scout for 18 seasons. "I was at the (Alabama) game, he was great. The Georgia game, he was great. Those were his best games."
» MORE: Brown, Kinlaw stand out in class
3. Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma, 6-2, 304 (first round): The native of Ottawa, Canada was nicknamed the "Canadian Bulldozer." He played in 52 games and made 38 starts for the Sooners.
4. Ross Blacklock, TCU, 6-3, 290 (first/second round): He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds at the scouting combine and received a 6.4 grade from NFL.com, which means that he projects to be an NFL starter within his first two seasons in the league. "Flashes menacing disruptive qualities as a gap seeker, but is just ordinary when forced to sit and take on blocks," wrote Zierlein. "Blacklock rebounded from a 2018 Achilles injury and showed off basketball quickness that was often too much for a single blocker."
5. Marlon Davidson, Auburn, 6-3, 303 (second round): Back in 2016 he became the first freshman to start on the defensive line for Auburn since 1985. He went on to make the SEC All-Freshman team. Started all 51 games over his career.
6. Davon Hamilton, Ohio State, 6-4, 320 (second round): He played in 54 games and made 17 starts for the Buckeyes. He had 10.5 tackles for losses and six sacks last season and was named to the third-team All-Big Ten.
7. Raekwon Davis, Alabama, 6-6, 311 (second/third round): He was first-team All-SEC in 2017 and a second-team choice last season. He was a three-year starter for the Crimson Tide.
8. Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M, 6-3, 293 (third round): A two-year starter for the Aggies. He played in 38 games and made 23 starts. He finished with 105 tackles, 24.5 tackles for losses and 11.5 sacks.
9. Jordan Elliott, Missouri, 6-4, 302 (fourth round): He started his career at Texas before transferring. He led the Tigers in tackles for losses with 10 last season.
10. Rashard Lawrence, LSU, 6-2, 308 (fifth round): He played in 43 games and made 33 starts. He finished with 120 tackles, 21 for losses and nine sacks.
Best of the rest. North Carolina's Jason Strowbridge, N.C. State's Larrell Murchison, Utah's Leki Fotu, Baylor's James Lynch, Michigan State's Raequan Williams, Nebraska's Khalil Davis, Texas' Malcolm Roach, Mississippi's Josiah Coatney, Georgia's Tyler Clark, Ohio State's Robert Landers, Arkansas' McTelvin Agim, Baylor's Bravvion Roy, Alabama-Birmingham's Garrett Marino and Central Florida's Brendon Hayes.
» Here's a look back at the top defensive linemen in the 2016 draft.
Teams in need. Jacksonville, the Falcons, Detroit, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Houston and Tennessee.
Need area for Falcons. Yes, the Falcons re-signed Tyeler Davison, but must replace Jack Crawford, who left in free agency.
Top 5 seniors for 2021 draft. Florida State's Marvin Wilson, USC's Jay Tufele, Florida's Tedarrell Slaton, Alabama's LaBryan Ray and Colorado's Mustafa Johnson.
AJC’s 2020 POSITION BY POSITION DRAFT SERIES
Quarterbacks: Joe Burrow leads class | Top 10
Running backs: Cam Akers' life lesson | Top 10
Tight ends: Harrison Bryant top prospect | Top 10
Guards/Centers: Solomon Kindley a late-rounder | Top 10
Offensive tackles: Austin Jackson's life lesson | Top 10
Wide receivers: Jeudy or Lamb | Top 10
Defensive tackles: Brown, Kinlaw stand out | Top 10
Part 8: Defensive end
Part 9: Linebackers
Part 10: Safeties
Part 11: Special Teams
Part 12: Cornerbacks
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