Top 5 Defensive Tackles

Traditionally, defensive tackle has been one of the hardest positions for NFL teams to predict. For every Tommie Harris, there are two Jonathon Sullivan’s. This year’s class features two players who could be picked in the top 10, but offers little depth in later rounds. Michigan’s Alan Brach is monster of a man who eats offensive linemen for breakfast. At 6’6 and 330 lbs., Branch is the kind of game changer in the middle of the line teams covet. Amobi Okoye, from Louisville, is one of the draft’s most unique prospects. He is still only 19 years old and began playing for the Cardinals at 16. After Branch and Okoye, the class weakens considerably. Justin Harrell is rising up draft boards and is the only other defensive tackle who has a chance at being selected in the first round.

Top 5 Defensive Tackles

1. Alan Branch- Michigan
Junior: 6’6, 330
Projected: Top 15, as high as #5

2. Amobi Okoye- Louisville
Senior: 6’2, 300
Projected: Top 15

3. Justin Harrell- Tennessee
Senior: 6’4, 300
Projected: Late first to mid second round

4. Quinn Pitcock- Ohio State
Senior: 6’2, 300
Projected: Second or third round

5. Tank Tyler- NC State
Senior: 6’2, 305
Projected: Second round

Sleeper

Marcus Thomas- Florida
Senior: 6’3, 315
Projected: Fourth or fifth round