2011 NFL Draft: Nose Tackle Rankings

The top 2011 nose 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. 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.
   
   
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. 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.
   
   
7. 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.
   
   
   
   
8. 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.
   
   
9. 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.
   
   
10. Frank Kearse, NT, Alabama A&M
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
    Projected 40 Time: N/A.
    Combine 40 Time: DNP.
    Pro Day 40 Time: 5.30.
    Benchx225: 22. Vertical: 30. Arm: .
    Projected Round (2011): 6-FA.
    3/10/11: Frank Kearse had a good Pro Day. He worked out with the Steelers.
    
    
11. 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.
    
    

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