Defensive Tackles at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine

Image: DT Dre Moore, Maryland

I will be the first to tell you that the 40 time isn’t that important for a 300 pound defensive lineman, how often do they actually run 40 yards? Not often, but they do often run 10 and 20 yards and most of the players that have good 40 times also have very good 10 and 20 yard splits. If you also look at the positional drills, height, weight, vertical jump, long jump and bench press, you can get an idea of how strong and explosive these prospects are.

Unfortunately the big dog Glenn Dorsey didn’t work out, still (supposedly) suffering from a hairline fracture of the tibia that he initialy injured in the summer of 2006. Don’t look for this to lower his draft status much; he still played in every game for LSU in 2007. Dorsey weighed in at a smallish 6’ 1” 297 pounds, I don’t think the Dolphins will draft him #1 over all, he just doesn’t have the size to play nose tackle in a 34 defense and you can bet Bill Parcells will convert the Dolphins to that defense. Defensive tackles are a huge need in the NFL and many of the below mentioned prospects will be drafted very early.

Dre Moore from Maryland probably had the best overall workout at the combine. Moore weighed in at 6’ 4” 305 pounds and ran a combine best 4.88 forty. Not only fast, he is strong, completing 31 repetitions on the bench. What I like about Moore also is his production; he is a very active tackle. In 2007 he ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (8.5) and led the team with six sacks, the most by a Terrapin since 2004 (Shawne Merriman, 8.5) He also led all Maryland defensive linemen with 63 tackles.

Trevor Laws from Notre Dame is another player that has just been flying up the draft boards lately and is considered a borderline first round draft pick at this point. Short and squat at 6’ 0” 304 pounds and strong as an Ox, tying Rubin Ahtyba for 2nd best with 35 reps on the bench. His forty time of 5.08 was excellent, but what really impressed me was his 30.5 vertical which was by far the best of all the defensive tackles. He is not just a workout warrior however, Laws was unstoppable at the Senior Bowl and hugely productive during the 2007 season recording 112 tackles, 8 TFLs and 4 sacks, those stats are unheard of for an interior lineman.

Joseph (Red) Bryant is another defensive tackle that has been rising up the draft boards. Bryant played very good at the senior bowl and then came to the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine in great shape. Bryant weighed in at 6’ 4” 318 pounds and ran a very nice 4.98 forty. However his strength on the bench press wasn’t too impressive as he only completed 20 repetitions. Bryant had a solid season for Texas A&M recording 46 tackles, 6 tackles for loss (TFL) and one sack.

If you are looking for a nose guard take a look at Iowa State’s Rubin Ahtyba. A relative unknown before this season, he transferred to Iowa State in August 2006 from Trinity Valley Community College. Ahtyba has probably improved his draft status more than any player this post season. After a fantastic performance at the 2008 Senior Bowl, Rubin looked impressive at the combine measuring in at 6’ 2” 315 pounds and ran a 5.17 forty. Rubin really shined on the bench press, his 35 reps were tied for 2nd best overall. His stats were only average in 2007, but he drew numerous double teams, he recorded 42 tackles, 4 TFL, and 1.5 sacks.

One of the few possible first round defensive tackle prospects is North Carolina’s Kentwan Balmer, he had a solid workout at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine, nothing special, but I don’t think he hurt his draft stock too much. Balmer measured in at 6’ 4” 308 pounds and ran a 5.28 forty; however his 33 reps on the bench were impressive. His production in 2007 was also impressive, ranking 2nd on the team in tackles with 59 and an additional 9.5 tackles for loss (TFL), 3.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hurries (QBH).

Marcus Harrison from Arkansas is a player that I really like and if I needed a good defensive tackle I would use a second round pick on this guy. He really has it all, size (6’ 3” 317), speed (5.02 forty), strength (26 reps in the bench), and production, 72 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in 2007.

Junior Pat Sims from Auburn was also considered a borderline first round prospect before the combine, he didn’t do anything to hurt his draft stock, but he didn’t look real explosive, his forty time of 5.06 was impressive, but his 20 reps on the bench and his 27 inch vertical jump were only average.

A player that has probably fallen on the draft boards more than any other is Texas defensive tackle Frank Okam, prior to the 2007 season he was rated as a possible first round draft pick. After a lackluster senior season, he showed up fat and out of shape at the 2008 NFL Scouting combine. Okam weighed in at a soft 347 pounds and ran a very slow 5.35 forty. Okam will be doing good even to get drafted at this point.