2011 NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle Rankings

The top 2011 defensive tackle prospects available for the 2011 NFL Draft in the order in which I believe they will be drafted.

Combine 40 Times: As I explained on Twitter (@walterfootball), the official Combine 40 times are incorrect, and they’ve been proven false via the NFL Network’s simul-cam.

For the 40 times, I use the NFL Network’s unofficial times, which are more accurate. NFL teams use their own timed 40s anyway, so the official 40s are meaningless.

This page was last updated April 16, 2011.

1. Marcell Dareus, DE/DT/NT, Alabama – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 319.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.90.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.92.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 24. Vertical: 27. Arm: 33 3/8.
   Projected Round (2011): Top 3 Pick.
   3/10/11: Marcell Dareus didn’t run the 40 at his Pro Day, but he looked outstanding in the drills. He drew serious praise from Gil Brandt, who wrote, “To me, he�s the real deal. He�s a power player like Ndamukong Suh was last year. He could have that kind of impact, I think.” Representitves from all 32 teams, including John Elway and Buddy Nix, were present to watch the Alabama players work out.
   
   3/1/11: When Marcell Dareus weighed in at 6-3, 319, I wrote that I was very curious to see how he’d perform at the Combine. Well, Dareus is a stud. He ran a 4.92, which is unbelievable considering his size. Dareus could be the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and he’s sure to be the first defensive tackle off the board.
   
   10/8/10: Dareus has been a beast this year for Alabama. His power, strength, tenacity and athleticism are all prototypical to play 5-technique in the NFL. Because of his versatility, you can lock him into the top five picks.
   
   5/8/10: Marcell Dareus can play for any defense, but is better suited for the 3-4. As a mere sophomore, Dareus notched 6.5 sacks in only four starts (Nick Saban habitually doesn’t play his young guys over his veterans). Dareus will start in 2010 and is expected to reach double-digit sacks.
   
   
2. Nick Fairley, DE/DT, Auburn – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 297.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.95.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.82.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: . Vertical: 31. Arm: 34 3/4.
   Projected Round (2011): Top 8 Pick.
   3/9/11: Nick Fairley is back into the No. 2 pick conversation after a fantastic Pro Day. Fairley, now 297 pounds, showed tremendous footwork in the drills, prompting the ESPN3 crew to say that he looks like a 250-pound linebacker. Todd McShay, in particular, was overly giddy, going as far to say that he would be willing to carry Fairley’s child.
   
   1/26/11: Write-ups for these rankings will be added later; there were “personnel complications” on the site, which is why these rankings haven’t been updated in a while.
   
   10/8/10: Fairley has really stepped up his game this season. He’s been very active around the ball and doing a great job of shooting gaps and getting penetration. We love his quickness and athleticism, but he could do a better job with his hands and getting off blocks. Hopefully he continues to improve as the year goes on.
   
   
   
   
3. Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 298.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.95.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 27.5. Arm: 33 1/4.
   Projected Round (2011): Top 25 Pick.
   3/17/11: Corey Liuget, weighing in at 303 (298 at the Combine), didn’t run or jump at his Pro Day, but he looked great in the drills. He worked out with Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
   
   3/1/11: Corey Liuget measured in at 6-2, which would pretty much eliminate him from 3-4 contention. Lots of teams run the 3-4 now, so it’s possible that Liuget will slip into the bottom of Round 1 if the Rams aren’t interested.
   
   8/2/10: Collected eight TFL and 2.5 sacks in 2009.
   
   
4. Muhammed Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 308.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.12.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.99.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 29. Arm: 35 1/4.
   Projected Round (2011): Top 30 Pick.
   3/22/11: Muhammad Wilkerson stood on his Combine 40, but improved his vertical by two inches at Temple’s Pro Day. Wilkerson has private workouts scheduled with the Chiefs and Ravens. He could go as high as No. 17 to the Patriots.
   
   3/1/11: Another five-technique to impress at the Combine, Muhammad Wilkerson ran a 4.99 40 at 6-4, 315.
   
   10/8/10: Wilkerson seems to have come into his own this season, consistently getting into backfields and setting the tone on the defensive line for Temple. Sometimes he gets too high and gets washed, but he can still improve as the year goes on and rise up boards.
   
   
5. Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 334.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.18.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 31. Vertical: 29.5. Arm: 34.
   Projected Round (2011): Top 30 Pick.
   3/5/11: Phil Taylor didn’t run the 40 at his Pro Day, but he had a tremendous workout, prompting Gil Brandt to write that Taylor “I believe he might have solidified himself as a first-round pick with his workout.”
   
   3/1/11: Phil Taylor continues to impress. He lost some more weight (334) and despite his massive frame, he ran a 5.18 at the Combine. Taylor has completely turned his life around, and he’s definitely looking like a first-round pick.
   
   1/30/11: Phil Taylor dominated the North team’s supposed elite offensive line, beating double teams and wreaking havoc on the North’s quarterbacks. The NFL Network guys remarked that 335-pound players aren’t supposed to have Taylor’s moves. Taylor could sneak into the bottom of the first round.
   
   1/26/11: Phil Taylor is a monster and might be moving into late first-round consideration. He dominated every matchup in the one-on-one drills. It was amazing how easily he pushed around an overmatched Demarcus Love.
   
   5/6/10: Like Terrence Cody, Phil Taylor’s weight will need to be monitored. The prospect of adding a 355-pound nose tackle sounds nice until he shows up to training camp at 390.
   
   
6. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-2. Weight: 309.
   Projected 40 Time: 4.88.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.80.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 38. Vertical: 30.5. Arm: 32 5/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 1-2.
   4/1/11: Marvin Austin had a great Pro Day, prompting Mike Mayock to state that he’d be surprised if Austin weren’t picked between 20 and 32.
   
   3/1/11: In the words of Al Davis, “Marvin… Austin… is a… great… playa… too bad… we’ve spent… all our money… on John… Hendehson… and… Richard… Seemoh…”
   
   After dominating the East-West Game, Austin had a strong showing at the Combine. At 6-2, 309 pounds, Austin ran a 4.80 40 and notched a 38-inch vertical.
   
   1/26/11: Marvin Austin predictably dominated the East-West Shrine Game, but reportedly bombed in the interviews. Someone will take a shot on him with a Day 2 pick.
   
   10/8/10: Austin has been suspended indefinitely by head coach Butch Davis, and this is unrelated to the NCAA investigation of the North Carolina football team. Pictures and information have surfaced and there is now a mountain of character concerns surrounding Austin. Some team might take a gamble on Austin’s talent in the early rounds, but there is also the chance that 75 percent of the league removes him from their 2011 NFL Draft Boards.
   
   5/6/10: This year’s Carlos Dunlap finished his junior year with six TFL and four sacks.
   
   
7. Stephen Paea, DT, Oregon State – Scouting Report
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 303.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
   Combine 40 Time: DNP.
   Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
   Benchx225: 49. Vertical: . Arm: 32 7/8.
   Projected Round (2011): 2.
   3/12/11: Stephen Paea didn’t do anything at Oregon State’s Pro Day because of a knee injury. However, he’s scheduled to have a workout in a couple of weeks.
   
   3/1/11: Stephen Paea shattered the Combine bench press record Sunday, posting 49 reps of 225 pounds. Before you dismiss this as a meaningless stat, Mike Mayock opined that this would translate to the football field. If it weren’t for a knee injury, Paea would be a near first-round lock.
   
   10/8/10: Paea looks like one of the more overrated prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft, but I doubt he gets out of the second round. He has great weight room strength and is a load to deal with because of his competitiveness, but he lacks athleticism to make plays and he isn’t much of a penetrator. When I watch tape, I see a 1-technique only – someone who lines up on the shoulder of the center and generally stuffs the run for a 4-3 defense.
   
   5/6/10: A 4-3 under tackle only, Stephen Paea had 8.5 TFL and three sacks as a junior.
   
   
8. Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
   Height: 6-1. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.04.
   Combine 40 Time: 5.07.
   Pro Day 40 Time: 5.04.
   Benchx225: 26. Vertical: 27.5. Arm: 32.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   3/31/11: Jurrell Casey struggled at his Pro Day, failing to break five seconds in the 40 yet again.
   
   10/8/10: Teams seem to be focusing more in on Casey this season by bringing double teams and chipping the running back to prevent him from being as effective as a pass-rusher. Maybe we also overrated his talent level last season. Whatever the case, his stock is quietly falling.
   
   5/6/10: A 4-3 under tackle only, Jurrell Casey is expected to have a big junior year; he collected nine TFL and 4.5 sacks in 2009.
   
   
9. Jarvis Jenkins, DE/DT, Clemson
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.06.
   Combine 40 Time: 4.98.
   Pro Day 40 Time: .
   Benchx225: 17. Vertical: 26.5. Arm: 33 1/4.
   Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
   1/26/11: Jarvis Jenkins proved to be too much for center Kris O’Dowd. Jenkins dominated the matchup in the one-on-one drills.
   
   10/8/10: Jenkins has the build you want as a 5-technique, but he’s too inconsisten to be taken much earlier in the 2011 NFL Draft.
   
   
10. Kenrick Ellis, NT, Hampton
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 346.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.41.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.19.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 26. Vertical: . Arm: 35 1/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 2-3.
    3/29/11: Mike Mayock on Kenrick Ellis: “I don’t think Kenrick Ellis is going to get out of the second round..”
    
    10/8/10: Ellis has all the physical talent, but he has some work ethic concerns and isn’t very consistent in games.
    
    5/8/10: Kendrick Ellis dominted Division 1-AA football, notching 15 TFL as a junior.
    
    
    
    
11. Drake Nevis, DT, LSU – Scouting Report
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 298.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.92.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.97.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.92.
    Benchx225: 31. Vertical: 30.5. Arm: 31 1/2.
    Projected Round (2011): 2-4.
    3/15/11: Drake Nevis measured in four pounds heavier at his Pro Day than he did at the Combine, but was still able to drop his 40 time by 0.05.
    
    10/8/10: On tape, I love Nevis as a prospect. He’s disruptive, competitive and quick, and always seems to be around the ball. The problem is his size is a huge issue at the next level and he looks like nothing more than a rotational lineman.
    
    5/6/10: Had an impressive junior season, collecting 11 TFL and four sacks.
    
    
12. Terrell McClain, DT, South Florida
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 291.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.02.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.82.
    Benchx225: 29. Vertical: 28. Arm: 32 3/4.
    Projected Round (2011): 2-4.
    3/26/11: Terrell McClain had a phenomenal Pro Day. He dropped two tenths off his 40 and looked great in the drills in front of Rod Marinelli. He could sneak into Day 2.
    
    3/1/11: Terrell McClain didn’t run a great 40 or anything (5.02 at 6-2, 297), but Mike Mayock and Warren Sapp continuously singled him out as performing extremely well in the drills. McClain’s a solid mid-round 4-3 under tackle prospect.
    
    
13. Jerrell Powe, NT, Ole Miss
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 329.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.27.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.29.
    Benchx225: 27. Vertical: 25. Arm: 33 1/4.
    Projected Round (2011): 3-5.
    3/23/11: Jerrell Powe weighed in six pounds lighter than he was at the Combine. He ran a 5.29 40 and had a good workout overall. There’s a chance he could be selected in the second round, but he’ll probably be chosen in Rounds 3-4.
    
    10/8/10: Powe’s stock is on the decline this season. He’s trying to prove he is a gap-shooting 3-technique. Instead, his coaching staff should let him be an immoveable object at the line of scrimmage. Powe needs to play with more power and be an anchor on the line.
    
    5/8/10: The top nose tackle in the 2011 NFL Draft, Jerrell Powe collected 12 TFL and two sacks in 2009, earning All-SEC Second Team honors.
    
    
    
    
14. Lawrence Guy, DE/DT, Arizona State
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 304.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.91.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.95.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.00.
    Benchx225: 28. Vertical: 29. Arm: 32 3/4.
    Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
    10/8/10: Guy has very good weight room strength, nice athleticism and a good motor. However, he struggles when run at and this makes him not the best fit at 4-3 defensive tackle. At the 5-technique position, he’ll be matched up 1v1 against an offensive tackle and be able to use his playing strengths.
    
    5/8/10: Lawrence Guy had seven TFL and 4.5 sacks as a mere sophomore in 2009. Best fit is the 3-4.
    
    
15. Sione Fua, NT, Stanford
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.18.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.28.
    Pro Day 40 Time: DNP.
    Benchx225: 30. Vertical: 27. Arm: 32 1/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
    3/19/11: Sione Fua didn’t run the 40 at his Pro Day, but notched a vertical of 27 inches and worked out in the drills in front of 22 teams.
    
    10/8/10: Fua has had an impressive season for the Cardinal doing a great job of holding up at the point of attack and taking on multiple blockers. He’s been disruptive and has right combination of bulk and strength teams are looking for in a 1-technique. He’s slowly rising up boards.
    
    
16. Ian Williams, NT, Notre Dame
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 309.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.11.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.23.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.14.
    Benchx225: 31. Vertical: 28.5. Arm: 32.
    Projected Round (2011): 4-6.
    4/8/11: Ian Williams improved upon his 40 at Notre Dame’s Pro Day, but stood on the rest of his numbers. Mike Mayock called Williams a 3-4 nose tackle who will be taken in Rounds 4-6.
    
    10/8/10: Williams has had a good season for Notre Dame. He has the bulk you look for to hold up at the point of attack and he exhibits good power with a nice hand punch. His range is limited to make plays outside the phone booth.
    
    5/6/10: Collected six TFL in 2009.
    
    
17. Martin Parker, DT, Richmond
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.12.
    Combine 40 Time: 4.99.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.92.
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 29. Arm: 34 3/4.
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    
    
    
18. Cedric Thornton, DE/DT, Southern Arkansas
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 309.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.18.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 27. Arm: 33 5/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    10/8/10: Thornton is one of the biggest small-school sleepers in the 2011 NFL Draft, but I’ve heard he has been as dominant against inferior competition to be an early-round pick.
    
    
19. David Carter, DE/DT, UCLA
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 297.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.04.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    
    
    
20. Chris Neild, NT, West Virginia
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 319.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.07.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: 30. Vertical: 29. Arm: 31 7/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 5-7.
    5/6/10: Had just two TFL as a junior. Very effective against the run.
    
    
21. Sealver Siliga, DT, Utah
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 314.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.07.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.35.
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 29. Arm: 34 1/2.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    3/31/11: Sealver Siliga has gained seven pounds since the Combine. He’s seen as a two-down run-stuffer.
    
    
22. Ollie Ogbu, DT, Penn State
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 285.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.07.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    5/6/10: Undersized but productive, Ollie Ogbu had eight TFL and two sacks in 2009.
    
    
23. Anthony Gray, NT, Southern Miss
    Height: 6-0. Weight: 330.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.22.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.17.
    Benchx225: 39. Vertical: 31.5. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    3/13/11: Anthony Gray looked good at his Pro Day, posting 39 reps of 225. He weighed in at 330, but didn’t look sluggish.
    
    5/6/10: A solid nose tackle who earned an All-Conference USA honorable mention, Anthony Gray had 7.5 TFL and two sacks in 2009.
    
    
24. Ladi Ajiboye, DT, South Carolina
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 297.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.08.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.32.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 24. Arm: 34.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    
    
    
25. Colby Whitlock, DT, Texas Tech
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 302.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.92.
    Combine 40 Time: 5.25.
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 30.5. Arm: 30 3/8.
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    5/6/10: Was an All-Big XII honorable mention with 8.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks.
    
    
26. Mike Blanc, DE/DT, Auburn
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 281.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.01.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.00.
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    3/9/11: Mike Blanc measured in an inch shorter than he was listed at Auburn. This hurts his chances of being drafted.
    
    10/8/10: Blanc is a little inconsistent and doesn’t always plays up to his physical tools, but some team will be intrigued enough with his physical skill set and potential to draft him in the mid rounds.
    
    5/8/10: Mike Blanc had 6.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks as a junior.
    
    
27. Ted Laurent, DT, Ole Miss
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 304.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.00.
    Benchx225: 29. Vertical: 28. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: Ted Laurent had 2.5 TFL and half a sack in 2009.
    
    
28. Cory Grant, DT, TCU
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 303.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.05.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: Cory Grant collected 5.5 TFL and 2.5 sacks in 2009, earning All-Mountain West Second Team honors.
    
    Zach Clayton, DT, Auburn
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 299.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 4.87.
    Benchx225: . Vertical: 33.5. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    
    
    
29. Saia Falahola, DT, Arizona State
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 298.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: Notched 7.5 TFL and four sacks as a junior.
    
    
30. Lawrence Marsh, DE/DT, Florida
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 305.
    Projected 40 Time: 4.91.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: Really struggled in 2009; had just 0.5 TFL and 0.5 sacks in nine games. Hampered by an ankle injury all year.
    
    
31. Derrick Hill, DT, California
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 302.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: In 10 games, Derrick Hill had 4.5 TFL and two sacks.
    
    
32. Ernie Hodge, DT, Ohio
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 295.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: As a third-team All-MAC member, Ernie Hodge garnered 5.5 TFL and two passes broken up.
    
    
33. Terron Sanders, NT, Florida
    Height: 6-1. Weight: 312.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.16.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 7-FA.
    5/6/10: Just two TFL and a pass broken up in 2009.
    
    
34. Lawton Scott, NT, Ole Miss
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 322.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
    Combine 40 Time: .
    Pro Day 40 Time: .
    Benchx225: . Vertical: . Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): FA.
    5/6/10: Perhaps the funniest random (and probably incorrect) stat you’ll ever see: At 6-2, 322 pounds, Lawton Scott maintained a 65.5-yard kickoff-return average. That’s right. But as Al Davis’ gargoyles will point out to their master, Scott did this on just two kickoff returns.
    
    

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