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2014 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive Tackles

The top 2014 defensive tackle prospects available for the 2013 NFL Draft. * - denotes 2015 prospect. ** - denotes 2016 prospect.

This page was last updated May 18, 2013. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

2012 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2013 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT | 3-4 OLB | 3-4 DE | NT | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

2014 NFL Draft Position Rankings:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | 3-4 DE | NT | 3-4 OLB | 4-3 OLB | ILB | CB | S | K | P

Louis Nix, DT, Notre Dame
Height: 6-3. Weight: 340.
Projected 40 Time: 5.55.
Projected Round (2014): 1.
5/18/13: Nix was an animal for Notre Dame in 2012. He was a disruptive force who caused a lot of havoc at the line of scrimmage. The chaos he caused helped his teammates like Stephon Tuitt and Manti Te'o to clean up. Nix totaled 50 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, five passes batted and one forced fumble last season.

The numbers don't illustrate how good Nix was for the Fighting Irish. The senior could crack the top half of the first round in the 2014 NFL Draft with a strong 2013 season. Nix also needs to show NFL teams he can maintain good conditioning and be effective over a large amount of snaps.

Nix had a strong sophomore season for Notre Dame. He was a tough run-plugger at the point of attack and did a good job of occupying blockers. Nix totaled 45 tackles with 4.5 tackles for a loss, .5 sacks and a pass batted. Head coach Brian Kelly nearly rode Nix out of South Bend in the spring of 2012, removing him from a starting spot. Nix worked his way back into the starting lineup, and it looks to have been a motivational ploy by Kelly.

Personal: Son of Louis Nix and Stephanie Ancrum. Nix has a big personality known by his nickname "Irish Chocolate" and creating a segment of YouTube videos entitled "Chocolate News."

Anthony Johnson*, DT, LSU
Height: 6-3. Weight: 304.
Projected 40 Time: 5.03.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.
5/18/13: Johnson (6-3, 305) replaced Michael Brockers in LSU's starting lineup in 2012 and handled it well. The sophomore totaled 30 tackles with 10 tackles for a loss, three sacks and one pass broken up last year.

Johnson is explosive, very fast and has a great skill set, plus a lot of upside. He's been nicknamed "The Freak" while at LSU because of his size and speed combination. That is saying something considering some of the other athletes the program has produced in recent years including Patrick Peterson, Morris Claiborne and Barkevious Mingo.

Johnson was a backup in 2011. The freshman rotated into the game behind Michael Brockers and Bennie Logan, but still flashed a nice athletic skill set in limited opportunities. He recorded 12 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack.

Johnson could rise higher in these rankings. The junior has a lot of speed to make big plays in the backfield. There is no doubt that Johnson has a great opportunity for 2013 to be his breakout season.

Personal: Majoring in general studies. Son of Nakisha Johnson and Sherman Patty. Johnson is a New Orleans native and was a refugee from Hurricane Katrina before returning to New Orleans and becoming one of the top recruits in the nation out of high school.

Will Sutton, DT/DE, Arizona State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 288.
Projected 40 Time: 4.95.
Projected Round (2013): 1-2.
5/18/13: Sutton enjoyed a breakout season for the Sun Devils in 2012. He was one of the best pass-rushers in college football last year, recording 13 sacks. Sutton also had 63 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, five passes broken up and three forced fumbles. Unfortunately, an injury knocked him out for the vast majority of the game against Oregon. Sutton presents a real speed mismatch against guards with the ability to fire by them to collapse the pocket. He totaled 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks in 2011.

Sutton would be higher in the rankings if he were bigger. Sutton is listed at 6-foot-1, 288-pounds and who knows if that is exaggerated. At that size, he is a tweener end/tackle. Sutton could play in a 4-3 defense as an end on running downs and move inside to tackle in the sub package. If Sutton can reach, and maintain, 300 pounds; he could be a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense.

Personal: Majoring in communications and sociology. His father, Mickey, played defensive back and was a punt returner for the Rams, Packers and Bills (1986-1990).

Daniel McCullers*, DT, Tennessee
Height: 6-8. Weight: 360.
Projected 40 Time: 5.45.
Projected Round (2014): 1-3.
5/18/13: The mammoth McCullers was a presence for Tennessee in 2012. He had a good game against Florida with three tackles and a tackle for a loss. McCullers also had some pass pressure versus the Gators. He totaled 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, a pass broken up, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in 2012. McCullers is still raw, but he could turn into something special.

McCullers started out his college career at Georgia Military College. He had 37 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and two sacks there in 2011. McCullers had 27 tackles, four tackles for a loss and a forced fumble in 2010.

Personal: Majoring in arts and sciences. Son of Donnie McCullers.

Timmy Jernigan*, DT, Florida State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 4.99.
Projected Round (2014): 1-3.
5/18/13: Jernigan had a solid 2012 season, but wasn't as productive as he was expected to be. The sophomore had 45 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Surprisingly, Jernigan only started two games. With Tank Carradine and Bjoern Werner commanding double-teams, Jernigan had a lot of single blocks. Jernigan should start every game in 2013 since Everette Dawkins has also moved on to the NFL.

Jernigan was one of the top recruits in the nation for 2011, and made his presence felt quickly for the Seminoles. The true freshman was part of the defensive line rotation and finished 2011 very strong. He is very quick at the point of attack and causes a lot of disruption by firing into the backfield. Jernigan led all of Florida State's interior defensive linemen with 30 tackles, six tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.

Jernigan already has a developed body with a ton of upside. He has the talent to be one of the best defensive tackles in the nation over the next two years.

Henry Anderson*, DE/DT, Stanford
Height: 6-6. Weight: 282.
Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
Projected Round (2013): 2-3.
5/18/13: Anderson is a strong and physical defender at the point of attack. He totaled 51 tackles with 13 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, five passes broken up and a forced fumble in 2012. It was Anderson's first season of playing time and he could be even better in 2013. Trent Murphy and Ben Gardner will demand a lot of blocking attention, so Anderson should see some favorable matchups. He's a good fit in a 3-4 defense.

Personal: Majoring in political science. Won the Tommy Vardell Award epitomizing excellence in both athletics and academics.

Calvin Barnett, DT, Oklahoma State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 300.
Projected 40 Time: 5.17.
Projected Round (2014): 2-4.
5/18/13: Barnett was the Big XII Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2012 season for the Cowboys. The junior college product had a solid season with 30 tackles with nine tackles for a loss, one sack and one pass broken up. The junior played better than the numbers indicate and was disruptive at the point of attack. Barnett could make big improvements as a senior after gaining a year of experience going against Big XII offensive linemen.

Personal: Majoring in psychology. Son of April Allen.

DeAndre Coleman, DE/DT, California
Height: 6-5. Weight: 320.
Projected 40 Time: 5.34.
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
5/18/13: California had a rough 2012 season, but Coleman played solid football. The junior totaled 48 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks and one pass breakup. He totaled 19 tackles with six tackles for a loss and two sacks in 2011.

Coleman could fit as a 3-4 defensive end or a 4-3 defensive tackle in the NFL. He may not be quick enough to play a traditional 4-3 defensive end at the next level. Personal: Social welfare major. Son of Randy Washington and Deborah Coleman.

Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota
Height: 6-6. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.37.
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
5/18/13: Hageman had an impressive 2012 season and was one of the better interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten. The junior totaled 35 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up, one forced fumble and six sacks. He had 13 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in 2011.

Hageman was backup early in his career after switching to defensive tackle from tight end. If the senior can build on his breakout 2012 season, he could rise up the rankings.

Personal: Majoring in youth studies. Son of Eric Hageman and Jill Coyle.

George Uko*, DT, USC
Height: 6-3. Weight: 285.
Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
Projected Round (2014): 3-4.
5/18/13: Uko was impressive last year for the Trojans. The first-year starter totaled 31 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and five sacks. He was a backup as a freshman in 2011, recording 18 tackles with 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a pass batted. It will be interesting to see how Uko performs in USC's new defensive scheme.

Personal: Majoring in sociology.

Kelcy Quarles*, DT, South Carolina
Height: 6-4. Weight: 298.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Projected Round (2014): 3-5.
5/18/13: Quarles has a solid sophomore season last year, totaling 38 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He totaled 28 tackles in 2011.

Quarles seems capable of producing more after gaining more experience and strength. He could produce a big season in 2013 with all the attention Jadeveon Clowney draws.

Personal: Majoring in public health.

Jeoffrey Pagan*, DE/DT, Alabama
Height: 6-4. Weight: 290.
Projected 40 Time: 4.74.
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
5/18/13: Pagan came off the bench in 2012 and contributed some solid run defense. The sophomore totaled 23 tackles, four tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks as a rotational player. With Quinton Dial and Damien Square in the NFL, Pagan should take on a starting role in 2013 as a junior. He has the skill set to produce more as a junior and/or senior.

Aaron Donald, DE/DT/OLB, Pittsburgh
Height: 6-0. Weight: 275.
Projected 40 Time: 4.70.
Projected Round (2013): 4-6.
5/18/13: Donald started his junior year slowly, but rebounded in the second half. He totaled 64 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two passes broken up last season. Donald doesn't look like the same player as in 2011 and made the right decision to return for his senior year.

Donald had a breakout sophomore season with 47 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks in 2011 after recording just two sacks as a freshman. He was a physical player with some quickness to beat offensive linemen.

Donald is a tackle and defensive end tweener for the NFL.

Personal: Communications major. Son of Anita Goggins and Archie Donald.

Bruce Gaston, DT, Purdue
Height: 6-2. Weight: 303.
Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
5/18/13: Gaston formed a nice interior defensive line for Purdue in 2012 with Kawann Short. The strong and physical Gaston did a nice job of controlling his gap and defending the run. The junior totaled 28 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles. He had 30 tackles with seven tackles for a loss, three sacks and two passes batted in 2011.

In the NFL, Gaston would probably be best adding weight and playing nose guard in a 4-3 defense.

Personal: Law and society major.

Danny Shelton*, DT, Washington
Height: 6-1. Weight: 317.
Projected 40 Time: 5.29.
Projected Round (2014): 4-6.
5/18/13: Shelton recorded 45 tackles with .5 sacks and four tackles for a loss last season. He is a good run-defender who needs to develop his ability to pressure the quarterback. Shelton was an All Pac-12 honorable mention.

Leon Orr*, DT, Florida
Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
Projected 40 Time: 5.21.
Projected Round (2014): 5-6.
5/18/13: The Gators lost their starting defensive tackles, Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter, to the 2013 NFL Draft. Orr played well in reserve duty in 2012 and could be poised for a big junior season. The sophomore had 15 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss and one sack in 2012. Orr has an intriguing combination of size and quickness.

Ed Stinson, DE/DT, Alabama
Height: 6-4. Weight: 292.
Projected 40 Time: 4.99.
Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
5/18/13: Stinson was a tough run-defender at the point of attack, but doesn't offer much pass rush. He had 30 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks last year. Stinson had 19 tackles, five tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and a pass broken up in 2011. He was part of a rotation previously, but should play more in 2013 with Quinton Dial and Damien Square in the NFL.

Kerry Hyder, DT, Texas Tech
Height: 6-2. Weight: 281.
Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
5/18/13: Hyder was a First-Team All-Big XII selection in 2012 and had good production for the Red Raiders. he totaled 56 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and four passes batted. Hyder broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore in 2011 and had 42 tackles with five tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

The senior is very undersized for an NFL defensive tackle. Hyder will have to move to defensive end if he can't gain a significant amount of weight.

Personal: Majoring in restaurant, hotel and institutional management. Son of Kerry Hyder and Jacqueline Nash.

Ray Drew*, DE/DT, Georgia
Height: 6-5. Weight: 273.
Projected 40 Time: 4.99.
Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
5/18/13: Drew is expected to step up with the Bulldogs losing the stars of their defense to the NFL. He had 23 tackles with one tackle for a loss last year as a sophomore backup.

Drew worked his way onto the field as a freshman in 2011; no easy accomplishment as Georgia had a lot of experienced defensive linemen ahead of him. Plus, the Bulldogs utilize a 3-4 defense, so it is harder for linemen to get snaps. Drew totaled eight tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss in 2011.

Drew looks a natural five-technique defensive end for a 3-4 defense, but he has the quickness and the frame to be a 4-3 tackle if he puts back on the 10-20 pounds that he previously lost.

Personal: Mass media arts major.

Ashton Dorsey, DT, Texas
Height: 6-2. Weight: 295.
Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
5/18/13: Dorsey played well for Texaslast year, but missed four games late in the season. The junior totaled 22 tackles with 6.5 tackles for a loss and a pass batted. He had 16 tackles with five tackles for a loss, one sack and one pass broken up in 2011.

Personal: Son of Audrey and Floyd Dorsey III.

Demonte McAllister, DT, Florida State
Height: 6-2. Weight: 285.
Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
Projected Round (2014): 5-7.
5/18/13: McAllister totaled 33 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble last year. He was backup in 2011, but also spent some time on the offensive line and on special teams. McAllister had 16 tackles and three sacks in 2010 after redshirting the year before due to a knee sprain. He needs to add weight and improve his production.

Mister Cobble, NT, Kentucky
Height: 6-0. Weight: 340.
Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
Projected Round (2014): 6-FA.
5/18/13: Cobble had 25 tackles and two sacks in 2012. He started the year well before an illness sidelined him for a few games. The junior just wasn't the same player for the rest of the season. Cobble broke out late in 2011 with some impressive games, finishing the season with 33 tackles, three tackles for a loss and one sack. He was a standout in two good defensive efforts for Kentucky in its final two games, against Georgia and Tennessee. The redshirt sophomore totaled six tackles with two tackles for a loss and a sack in those contests.

Personal: Majoring in community communications and leadership development. Son of Cassandra Cobble.

Jeffrey Whitaker, DT, Auburn
Height: 6-4. Weight: 307.
Projected 40 Time: 5.03.
Projected Round (2014): 7-FA.
5/18/13: Whitaker was held back by injuries last year and only really played in six games. The junior totaled only 12 tackles and .5 sacks. He had 25 tackles, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble in 2011. Whitaker needs to produce more to help his draft stock.

Personal: Communications major. Son of the late Gwendolyn Brown; raised by aunt Cynthia Joseph.

Jacobbi McDaniel, DT, Florida State
Height: 6-0. Weight: 286.
Projected 40 Time: 4.87.
Projected Round (2014): FA.
5/18/13: McDaniel took a medical redshirt in 2012 because of an ankle injury. He had nine tackles in the 2011 regular season before being hurt. The true junior did not play well against Oklahoma and missed the last half of the year.

McDaniel was a tough run-defender in 2010. The first-year starter recorded 31 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss and an interception. He needs to stay healthy and make big improvements in 2013.

LSU fan 05-18-2013 12:04 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 1)

I'm big on Johnson.i think he's a perfect 3T in a 43.he might even be a good 5T in a 34,but he fits much better at 3T.i think we'll be talking about him as a constant pro bowl 3T about 10 years from now.

You're horrible at this... 05-04-2013 05:57 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.191 (total posts: 1)

Floyd and Richardson both went in the first-round this year and you were predicting Floyd as a 3rd-4th round pick next year and Richardson as a 5th or 6th rounder. Bahahahahahahaha!

You suck.

Armani 10-31-2012 03:20 am xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1)

Agreed. Well worth checking out, and the meosdt price. I've been using Prototypes for a month and half, and it's a very useful tool for making the quick & dirty device-based model of your app.It might be worth stating that the app is purely visual at the moment. No audio functions are supported. But I'm hoping they make an update that allows the attachment of sounds / audio files to user interactions.

Seston 10-09-2012 07:41 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 1)

Articles like this are an example of quick, heplufl answers.

Tweeter 09-16-2012 10:38 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.106 (total posts: 1)

Stephon Tuitt, the athletic 6'6'' 305 pd DT from Notre Dame is certainly a player to watch. Through 3 games, he already has 5 sacks. Mel Kiper even recently said that he currently may be the best DT in all of college football!

Pages: 1

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22

2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 22

2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21

Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20

NFL Picks - Feb. 3

2014 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive Tackles

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