D-tackles push for position

03.30.2009

A look at the defensive tackles in this year's draft...

TOP OF THE CLASS: B.J. Raji looks like a transformed man.

He missed all of the 2007 season at Boston College due to academic troubles, but Raji came back in 2008 and dominated opponents from Game One through the Senior Bowl. He's athletically gifted, finds the ball and is experienced fighting through double teams, something that makes him very appealing to 3-4 teams looking for a true nose tackle. He can play inside in a 4-3 as well.

Three defensive tackles have been drafted in the top 10 in the last two drafts, and Raji hopes to make it four in three years come April 25. Raji measured a shade under 6-foot-2 and 337 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He was often 350 (or more) in 2006, so if he proves he can keep his weight down and keep any off-field issues in the past, he just might reach his top 10 goal.

BEST FIT: Not all college defensive tackles fit into a 3-4 scheme like the one the Browns employ. Nose tackles are generally bigger (wider) than 4-3 defensive tackles, and scouts look for height, arm length and ability to be stout at the point of attack in evaluating if a college defensive tackle or end might be able to make a successful transition to defensive end in a 3-4 base defense.

Peria Jerry of Ole Miss is a great example. He's a quick, productive player who's regarded by many as a first-round pick, but at a shade under 6-foot-2 and around 295 pounds his best fit is probably as a penetrating 4-3 tackle instead of a nose or a 3-4 end.

CAN'T MISS HIM: Ron Brace is big. Really, really big.

At 6-foot-3 and 334 pounds, it's hard to believe he's the "other" defensive lineman in this draft from Boston College. Chances are, some NFL team looking for a nose tackle is going to be just fine with the other BC guy - or, maybe some team will draft both of them.

A strong senior season and strong Senior Bowl showing might have Brace's stock heading up. With Raji dominating most of last fall, Brace certainly had plenty of chances to impress scouts. He had 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2007 without Raji in the lineup and was even better in 2008 when offenses had to try to block both of them, recording 27 tackles, 3 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. Not surprisingly, Boston College had one of the best run defenses in the country.

HE'S BIG, TOO: Off-field issues forced Chris Baker to leave Penn State before his senior season and land at Hampton. Because he's nearly 6-foot-3, 330 pounds, athletic and disruptive when he's on his game, scouts kept track of his movements. He'll have to prove he can stay out of trouble and continue to produce at the game's highest level, but he had 8.5 sacks and an eye-popping 16.5 tackles for loss while playing mostly end in a 3-4 defense last fall.

GREAT NAME, GREAT GAME: Evander "Ziggy" Hood is a steady player who improved each season in his time at Missouri and is now considered an intriguing prospect because he's big (6-foot-3, 300) and athletic enough to play just about any position along the defensive line, regardless of scheme. He had 5 sacks in each of the last two seasons.

And about the nickname? He said it came from his grandmother, who had trouble pronouncing his first name when he was younger and decided to instead give him the name of her favorite character from the morning comics.

GRIZZLED VETS: Roy Miller was a four-year producer at Texas who finished his career on the uptick, making first-team All Big 12 last fall and winning Fiesta Bowl Defensive MVP. He had a career-high 5.5 sacks in his senior year.

Fili Moala was a three-year starter at USC, playing alongside and in front of loads of NFL talent. He had 23.5 tackles for loss in his career and made first-team All Pac 10 last fall.

Alex Magee of Purdue had to play defensive end last fall, but he moved back inside for the Senior Bowl and might fit best there. His versatility certainly won't hurt his NFL chances, and he has an impressive resume as a four-year contributor with more than 30 career starts.

Michigan's Terrance Taylor didn't follow up an outstanding junior season last fall, but scouts who believe he's more the player he was in 2007 than the one they saw in 2008 will find a player who gets off the ball quickly and can play inside in either scheme.