2012 NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle Big Board

by 3k on Oct 20, 2011 3:15 PM CDT in 2012 NFL Draft

So buckeye and I have covered cornerbacks available in the 2012 NFL Draft. We addressed wide receivers. And because I wasn't sure if there was a clear cut option to tackle next, I put it to you guys. By a slim margin, defensive tackle topped their offensive counterpart.

After the jump, our DT Big Board and some discussion about roles and good fits.

For reference, here's the Mocking the Draft DT rankings with detailed notes on 11 prospects. We've added a projected round column that reflects where each of us believe that player's stock is right now overall. The individual round projections are based on our individual assessments.

	buckeyefan55				3k
Rank	Name	School	MTD rank	proj. rd.	Name	School	MTD rank	proj. rd.
1	Brandon Thompson	Clemson	1	1	Alameda Ta'amu	Washington	2	1
2	Alameda Ta'amu	Washington	2	1	Kawann Short*	Purdue	11	1-2
3	Jerel Worthy*	Michigan St.	3	1-2	Jerel Worthy*	Michigan St.	3	1-2
4	Billy Winn	Boise St.	7	2-3	Devon Still	Penn St.	10	2-3
5	Kawann Short*	Purdue	11	2-3	Jared Crick	Nebraska	5	2-3
6	Tydreke Powell	N. Carolina	12	2-3	Brandon Thompson	Clemson	1	2-4
7	Kheeston Randall	Texas	9	2-3	Kendall Reyes	Connecticut	8	2-4
8	Devon Still	Penn St.	10	2-3	Dontari Poe*	Memphis	N/A	2-4
9	Josh Chapman	Alabama	6	2-3	Josh Chapman	Alabama	6	2-4
10	Jared Crick	Nebraska	5	2-4	Jaye Howard	Florida	14	2-4

* denotes underclassmen

With the recent improved play of Justin Bannan, maybe the Rams need to focus on finding a nose. They've tried through the draft (Darell Scott), and they've tried through free agency (Hollis Thomas). Sure, they finally found a stopgap solution in Fred Robbins, but that's quickly running its course. Ta'amu is arguably the most NFL-ready nose tackle. Dontari Poe is a giant, but he moves like one. Neither of us listed UNC's Sylvester Williams who should be a candidate by next year.

So what are your thoughts on the Rams' DT chart? And what about the big board? And what about 350-pound men?

Holler.

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YES!!!!

Scheelhaase making his TST debut!!!!!!!!!!! WHO’S HOUSE!!! SCHEELHAASE!!!!!!!!!!!

Follow @brandonbirkhead

by Brick Top on Oct 20, 2011 3:17 PM CDT reply actions

if only he wasn't getting crushed

Follow @brandonbirkhead

by Brick Top on Oct 20, 2011 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions

well...

considering what the F.O. let pass by last yr, im not to familiar with anybody on the board. but the rams biggest are, or one of the biggest areas i should say is a bonafide DT. there hard to come by.

by Mark Jaramillo on Oct 20, 2011 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

The Kid From Baylor

Nicolas Jean Baptiste. He may be available in the later rounds. Josh Chapman would be a great selection.

by ValdezY on Oct 20, 2011 3:43 PM CDT reply actions

WHOOOO TALK ABOUT 300LB Men, LETS GET IT

Just kidding, It was a huge gamble by not drafting a DT in my opinion. Not saying this because Fred Robbins has been bad, but why do they keep giving Darell Scott chance after chance lol. …what happened to Jared Crick? didnt he have alot of hype surrounding him last year?

Keepin it KFC as always (Kool, Funky, & Clean)

by Smiff620 on Oct 20, 2011 3:56 PM CDT reply actions

crick got hurt, and tore a pectoral muscle this yr? or tricep, i dont remember. but hes done for the season.

by Mark Jaramillo on Oct 20, 2011 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks homie I didnt know, I was wondering what was up

Keepin it KFC as always (Kool, Funky, & Clean)

by Smiff620 on Oct 20, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't see us taking a DT

in the first 3 rounds of the draft, but Keeston Randall or Josh Chapman in the 4th or later would be nice.

by Will not be defeated on Oct 20, 2011 3:57 PM CDT reply actions

We could use one.

But we need to take a WR in the first.

I don’t care if we got Lloyd. We need a WR.

DT or CB would be good in the 2nd….DT especially.

The truth is always the right answer....

by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Oct 20, 2011 4:08 PM CDT reply actions

I can't see Tydreke Powell going that high

I’ve watched a few Tar Heels games this year and whilst he is very good against the run he get’s very little pressure unless supported by the rest of the UNC line.

I would give him a 5th round grade at this stage.

by Will not be defeated on Oct 20, 2011 4:10 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

Sylvester Williams has helped him a bit too. But don’t discount the value of a guy who can shut down the run from the inside.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Oct 20, 2011 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Short From Purdue

Is pretty underrated. He is a talent w/o much support around him. That sounds like a familiar theme.

by ValdezY on Oct 20, 2011 6:33 PM CDT reply actions

purely going off size and MTDs list

DaJohn Harris from USC.

We need the fattest motherfucker we can find.

http://brotherspork.wordpress.com/

by Infemous on Oct 21, 2011 5:32 AM CDT reply actions

Poe and Ta'amu

are both bigger than Harris. If you want a big chunky, those are your top two. ValdezY mentioned Jean-Baptiste up above. He fits the bill.
And there are two junior options from the state of Georgia worth considering late: Georgia’s John Jenkins and Ga. Tech’s T.J. Barnes.

Turf Show Times editor, Mocking the Draft writer, and I gots that Twitter too, yo.
"my keyboard won't corporate, neighter will my smell check." - Knoxfan

by 3k on Oct 21, 2011 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions