DMN Print: Top Defensive Tackles

Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) celebrates after Florida place kicker Austin Hardin (16) missed a field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Florida State won 24-19. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

This is a great year to need a player inside on your defensive line, as there are a number of athletes who are monstrosities to behold, but they can also move and penetrate into the offensive backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. There are about 10 that look to be top 100 players with ranges in talent that fit all schemes, including several that will work into the first round. This is a great year to need Front 7 help.

Spotlight player

Eddie Goldman, Florida State

Goldman is a very interesting combination of physical talent and high expectations that have yet to be realized. Florida State is known for getting top talent, but you’d like to see a player like Goldman produce more than just eight tackles for loss and four sacks his last season in college. He routinely gets upfield and can make things happen behind the line of scrimmage. He possesses the ability to make a big push on the pass rush and collapse the pocket from the middle. He is very good with his arms and hands and can control and move blockers with his strength. He is very good with leverage and is a load to deal with all afternoon. His most appealing attribute from a Dallas standpoint will be his interior strength. I really liked his motor in games both from a consistency level and from a standpoint of not giving up on any play. He fights and moves as a play develops, which gives him many opportunities. He reminds me quite a bit of Nick Fairley. He has room to grow and develop as either a 1-technique or a 3-technique in a 4-3 defense and would be a fine target for Dallas if he were to fall to them at No. 27.

The best

Leonard Williams, Southern Cal

Williams, only 20 years old, can do it all and play anywhere you want him to on the defensive front. He is so quick and disruptive and gets after the quarterback or the ball carrier constantly. His skills are enormous, and he is quite possibly the best player in this draft — regardless of position. There are players you know are too good to fall to you, so then you just hope they don’t go to one of your rivals because they are that good. That is Williams this year.

Sleeper

Xavier Cooper, Washington State

In this year’s crop of large and able-bodied defensive linemen, there are a few who jump out of their film as candidates who would fit the style of what Rod Marinelli is doing in Dallas, yet might be available in Rounds 2 and 3. Cooper is that type of player. He fits the two things valued in Dallas: he has a very high motor and the ability to penetrate and make a play behind the line of scrimmage. He is as fast as any player in this group, but also has exceptionally short arms, which will not help his draft spot.

Best of Texas

Malcom Brown, Texas

There were times in 2014 that the Longhorns defense did not look great. But in almost every game, their big defensive tackle did. Brown made a lot of plays behind the line of scrimmage with 21.5 explosive plays (sacks and tackles for loss). He possesses quickness and strength and uses both to the extent of drawing double-teams. He can fit in any scheme and has a great makeup. A sure first-round pick and difference-maker.

Sturm’s Top 10

Rank, Player	College			Noteworthy
1. Leonard Williams	Southern Cal	6-4	302	Unreal skill set that should dominate NFL
2. Danny Shelton	Washington	6-2	339	Massive frame with impressive quickness
3. Malcom Brown	Texas	6-2	319	Perfect 3-technique penetrator
4. Eddie Goldman	Florida St.	6-4	336	Still yet to fully reach potential
5. Grady Jarrett	Clemson	6-0	304	Undersized, but so very quick
6. Carl Davis	Iowa	6-4	320	Greatly admired, but motor questions
7. Xavier Cooper	Washington St.	6-3	293	Incredible athlete buried on bad team
8. Jordan Phillips	Oklahoma	6-5	329	Serious health considerations
9. Michael Bennett	Ohio St.	6-2	293	Needs the right scheme/situation
10. Rakeem Nunez-Roches	Southern Miss	6-2	307	Underrated and raw skill set