Now that the NFL combine has concluded, eDraft's writers have locked up their rankings. This defensive tackle class is quietly among the deepest we have seen at one position in a long time. Everyone in the following list can contribute right away and be good players for a long time.
Keep in mind, these are not one writer's rankings, but a cumulative of eDraft's NFL draft writers. Here are the top 15:
1. Ra'Shede Hageman, Defensive Tackle, Minnesota
Hageman is as versatile as they come at six and a half feet tall, and will help a team right away on all three downs. At times he struggles to use his frame, but at his size who doesn't?
2. Louis Nix III, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Nix would have been rated a lot higher by most in the draft community if not for his injury, and if all checks in well, he will be a steal at the end of the first round. Nix can be a nose tackle, or a 4-3 defensive tackle and still be the among the best players on the field.
3. Aaron Donald, Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
If he were an inch taller and ten pounds heavier, he'd be in the top few picks in the draft. Think about that. Aaron Donald is a very good football player, and deserves every shot he gets at the next level.
4. Timmy Jernigan, Defensive Tackle, Florida State
Jernigan has some conditioning concerns, but when he is on the field he is as dominant as they come.
5. Stephon Tuitt, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Tuitt can play 3 tech in a 4-3 or 5 tech in a 3-4. A versatile player can bring many tools to a defense, and Tuitt is just that.
6. Will Sutton, Defensive Tackle, Arizona State
Will Sutton put on weight this season because there were concerns last year that he couldn't last at under 275 pounds. Sutton is over 300 now, and still is quick as a cat.
7. DaQuan Jones, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
Da'Quan Jones was the best defensive lineman at Penn State, but was underwhelming in Mobile against some of the better offensive linemen.
8. Dominique Easley, Defensive Tackle, Florida
Easley is a top 15 pick if he does not get hurt this year, and if he returns close to 100%, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
9. Ego Ferguson, Defensive Tackle, Louisiana State
Ferguson shows flashes of excellence, but until he can put together a consistent game, scouts will shy away from him.
10. Ryan Carrethers, Defensive Tackle, Arkansas State
Carrethers is a small school product that can outplay most big school tackles Expect him to be one of the first small school players taken in the draft.
11. Caraun Reid, Defensive Tackle, Princeton
Caraun Reid came into the week in Mobile as a relative unknown, but after being double and triple-teamed his entire career, he showed he belonged right away in the Senior Bowl.
12. Daniel McCullers, Defensive Tackle, Tennessee
Daniel McCullers is an immovable object, but some say he plays too high. It is tough not to at his size of roughly 6'6 and 350 pounds.
13. Justin Ellis, Defensive Tackle, Louisiana Tech
Justin Ellis was a late add to the Senior Bowl, and he earned every right to be there. A huge body, but deceptive quickness.
14. Will Clarke, Defensive Tackle, West Virginia
Clarke was overshadowed at West Virginia, as the Mountaineers are not known for defense. But Clarke was the best player on a defense that was much improved since last season.
15. Kelce Quarles, Defensive Tackle, South Carolina
Some say that Jadeveon Clowney benefitted from playing with Kelce Quarles, and whether or not it is true is irrelevant. The guy can play, and will be a good player in the later rounds.