https://twitter.com/ryanrattyDFWPerhaps the best week leading up to the NFL draft, the Senior Bowl is slated to take place on January 25th. Until then, the North and South squads will hold practices for the players to showcase their talent. With many teams in need of a defensive tackle, they will look towards the draft to find a guy who can control the line of scrimmage. In this article, I will rank all of the defensive tackles in the Senior Bowl. Without further ado, let's get started.
10. Justin Ellis, Louisiana Tech
At 6'2", 351 pounds, Ellis is a guy that does not get pushed around that easily. He may be from a small football school like Louisiana Tech, but there is a reason Ellis was given an invite to the Senior Bowl. Ellis can play in either a 3-4 or a 4-3 defensive scheme. There are always teams in the NFL that are in need of space-clogger. That's exactly what Ellis is. Ellis will be available in the sixth and seventh round for a team to select him.
9. Caraun Reid, Princeton
Despite hailing from the Ivy League, Princeton has now produces two NFL-quality defensive tackles in Mike Catapano and Caraun Reid. Catapano was drafted in 2013 by the Chiefs. His friend Caraun Reid will try to boost his draft sock this week in the Senior Bowl. Reid can look vulnerable against the run. But, he is extremely useful when rushing the quarterback. Reid will be a day three pick when May comes around.
8. Shamar Stephen, Connecticut
Stephen has been the defensive tackle on a very good defense for the past two years. In 2012, Connecticut's defense was a top 15 defense. A lot of that had to do with the play of Shamar Stephen and Yawin Smallwood. In the past few years, UConn has produced some good NFL players. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Dwayne Gratz, and Kendall Reyes are just a few NFL players that have been drafted recently. Stephen is about 6'5" and 313 pounds. He has the ability to make plays in the backfield and control the line of scrimmage. Stephen will be coming off a knee injury, so it will be interesting how much he plays in the Senior Bowl.
7. Deandre Coleman, California
At 6'5", 310 pounds, Coleman has excellent size to play in the 4-3 or in the 3-4 in the NFL. Coleman has the ability to take on double teams, without losing any ground.
He is also an extremely good pass rusher from the defensive tackle position.
Coleman has a good burst off the ball, even with his standout size. If Coleman can produce at the next level, an NFL team will find a gem late in the draft.
6. Will Clarke, West Virginia
Clarke will be best-suited as a defensive end in a 3-4 in the NFL. During his time at West Virginia, Clarke played out of position in a 3-3-5 defense during his junior season. In his senior season, West Virginia moved to a 3-4 defense. Clarke is extremely athletic, but he will be a better contributor at the next level as a defensive end, rather than a defensive tackle. Clarke will most likely go in the fourth or fifth round.
5. Daniel McCullers, Tennessee
Daniel McCullers is ridiculously strong. At 6'8", 351 pounds, it is safe to say that the most massive player in this draft is McCullers. Despite lunging his weight around, McCullers has an extremely high motor. Sometimes it is difficult for a player this tall and this strong to play with good pad level, but McCullers does just that. McCullers blows up holes with ease. McCullers is still extremely raw. In the NFL, McCullers cannot rely on his weight too often. He has to learn how to use his hands better. McCullers is slated to go in the third or fourth round as of now.
4. DaQuan Jones, Penn State
Not many are talking about DaQuan Jones, when it comes to defensive tackles. With Devon Still getting drafted last year, it is safe to say that Penn State is starting to produce some really good defensive tackles. Jones is 6'3" and 318 pounds.
He was on the first team All-Big 10 team, which was selected by the coaches. Jones could be the best run-stuffer in this draft. Jones has enough to power to make a ton of plays in the backfield. Despite only having 3 sacks, Jones gets a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Jones will be attract a lot of double team in the NFL. He will need to learn how to take on double teams and maintain his ground. Jones will be drafted in the second day in either the second or third round.
3. Will Sutton, Arizona State
Will Sutton is another prospect that is similar to Donald. Sutton is also 6'0", but he has 20 pounds on Donald. Sutton earned the PAC-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012 and 2013. In 2012, Sutton was second in the nation in tackles per loss, only behind Jadeveon Clowney. Sutton is extremely good at pursuing the football. But if there is anything Sutton must improve, it is his inability to get off of blocks. With his small size, Sutton has to be more of a hybrid defensive tackle. Sutton is a fringe first round target as of now.
2. Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Aaron Donald is the complete opposite of Hageman. At only 6'0", 285 pounds, Donald thrives by his non-stop motor and his quickness off the ball. In his senior season, Donald was a first team All-American.
He also won the Nagurski trophy and the Outland trophy. Donald led the country sacks per game (1.6 per game) and tackles per loss per game (2.4 tackles per loss per game). Donald would fit best in a 4-3 defense at one of the defensive tackle positions.
In a 3-4, Donald's size may not be big enough to control the middle of the field. With an extra 15 pounds added on to his frame, Donald will become a hot topic in the draft. Despite all of his accolades, Donald is still an under-the-radar type of guy.
He will have a chance to boost his stock, when he goes up against elite offensive linemen this week. Donald is a fringe first round target right now.
1. Ra'Shede Hageman, Minnesota
With an extremely unique blend of size and speed, Hageman is the clear-cut best defensive tackle on either roster. At 6'6", 315 pounds, Hageman is a force in the middle of the field. Although he is a little raw, Hageman could become a perennial Pro-Bowler at the next level if he can take advantage of his size. It is not often that you see a 6'6" defensive tackle. At the beginning of the college football season, Hageman received claim from CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman, as Hageman was rated #2 on his freaks list. Another trait about Hageman is his ability to play multiple positions across the defensive line. Hageman could play defensive end if needed. In a league that is constantly changing defensive schemes, versatile guys are extremely valuable. If he has a good showing this week and in the combine, Hageman's stock will rise tremendously. Hageman will most likely go in the top 25.
Follow me on Twitter