VOD Not Available
This video is not available.
NFL Scouting Combine Workout Analysis: Defensive Tackles
The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine quick analysis on the workouts of every prospect: the defensive tackles
February 29, 2016
The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine quick analysis of the workouts of every prospect: the defensive tackles.
Follow, or just provide your love to @PeteFiutak
Andrew Billings, Baylor, 6-1, 311
The powerlifter of powerlifters in Indy, how did he do? The 31 reps on the bench didn’t own the Combine, but they were more than good enough. No one expected him to move quickly, and he didn’t, but for his size the 5.05 40 was good. He did just fine overall to look like an anchor.
Projection: First Round
Vernon Butler, Louisiana Tech, 6-4, 323
He got around fine for a 323-pound run stuffer, and he moved well enough to show that he’s not just a block of granite. The numbers don’t really matter overall – he was explosive out of the blocks. He didn’t jump into the first round with the workout, but stayed easily in the top 50.
Projection: Second Round
Kenny Clark, UCLA, 6-3, 314
In any other year he would’ve had a great workout for a tackle. For his size and skills, he was great getting around like an end and jumping just fine. The 5.06 40 didn’t matter – even if it was pretty good. He looked smooth when on the move.
Projection: First Round
Maliek Collins, Nebraska, 6-2, 311
Was he able to rise up among the pack of great defensive tackles? Not really, but he was quick in the short drills and got off the snap well. He was supposed to be athletic, and he was. However, it wasn’t the type of dominant workout to change any minds.
Projection: Third Round
Sheldon Day, Notre Dame, 6-1, 293
The most interesting part of the workout was how he did some of the pass coverage drills he’ll never do in real life. He didn’t look like a defensive back, but he was able to get around for an interior defender. He proved to be a bit quicker than probably expected, and the 5.07 40 for his bulk was great.
Projection: Second Round
Adam Gotsis, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 287
Still returning from a knee injury, he didn’t workout or run. He’s a tough guy, not really an athlete – missing the Combine drills doesn’t really matter.
Projection: Fifth Round
Javon Hargrave, South Carolina State, 6-1, 309
It was a really, really nice Combine. He might not have the right look or the right height, but he’s almost 310 pounds and he tore off a 4.93 40 and exploded in the vertical with a 34.5” leap. He wasn’t quick in the short drills, but he kept the momentum going after looking great on the post-season circuit.
Projection: Fourth Round
Joel Heath, Michigan State, 6-5, 293
Considering he’s a project, was his workout good enough to earn a long look? Yeah. He ran a 5.02 40 and was extremely quick and explosive – relatively speaking. He belongs in a camp as a key free agent if he’s not a very late pickup. The versatility could matter.
Projection: Free Agent
Willie Henry, Michigan, 6-3, 303
He was right there with everyone. He looked the part with athleticism, quickness, and pop out of his stance. The 28 reps on the bench were fine, and he was good out of the blocks on the way to a 5.00 40.
Projection: Fifth Round
Matt Ioannidis, Temple, 6-3, 299
If he’s supposed to be an anchor and a tough interior presence, coming up with 32 reps on the bench helped that. He might not be all that athletic or smooth, but he’s a power defender who ran a 5.03 40 – he can move just fine.
Projection: Fifth Round
Quinton Jefferson, Maryland, 6-4, 291
Anytime a guy close to 300 pounds runs a 4.95 40, it matters. Best of all, he flew around the short drills and looked like a potentially dangerous interior pass rusher. The 24 reps on the bench were good considering there’s concern about how he can hold up inside.
Projection: Free Agent
Austin Johnson, Penn State, 6-4, 314
The 25 reps on the bench were a bit light, and that’s all that mattered. He wasn’t going to workout or run at a high level, and he didn’t move around like some of the other defensive tackles, but that’s not his game. His workout just proved he could get around a bit.
Projection: Second Round
Chris Jones, Mississippi State, 6-6, 310
The high-riser in the post-season circuit, he wasn’t really all that explosive and he wasn’t a standout athletically compared to the rest of the top tackles. The 26 reps on the bench were par for the course, and the 5.03 40 was great, but he didn’t do anything to stand out – other than an all-timer of a gear malfunction in the 40.
Projection: Third Round
Darius Latham, Indiana, 6-4, 311
A very big body, he didn’t run smoothly and was hardly fast – the 5.32 40 was lumbering, even for a tackle – but showed off the lower-body explosion in the jumps and was okay on the move. There’s excellent upside as a priority free agent, but his workout proved he’s – at best – a part of a rotation.
Projection: Free Agent
Nile Lawrence-Stample, Florida State, 6-1, 320
Short and strong and stout, running and moving at the Combine didn’t really matter – and he didn’t do it. It’s his job to sit in the middle of a line, but he’ll have to come up with a good pro day.
Projection: Fifth Round
Luther Maddy, Virginia Tech, 6-0, 287
Too short and too small overall, he’ll have to prove to be quick on his pro day after not running or doing the short drills. However, the 29 reps on the bench helped make up for his lack of bulk – a little bit.
Projection: Sixth Round
Chris Mayes, Georgia, 6-3, 338
No one expected him to be an athlete, but a massive run stopper on the inside, all he needed to do was seem strong, and a defensive line-high 33 reps on the bench. He did the other drills and while he wasn’t quick in any way, and he did them. It was enough to potentially get drafted late.
Projection: Free Agent
Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss, 6-3, 294
Outstanding on the move and great in all the drills – that’s not the problem. The interview portion – including an interesting media session – was the main part of the weekend, but on the field he did everything right. The 4.87 40 was outstanding, he lifted a big 28 reps on the bench, and he exploded. He’s a top ten talent who won’t go in the top ten.
Projection: First Round
Sheldon Rankins, Louisville, 6-1, 299
Projection: First Round
D.J. Reader, Clemson, 6-3, 327
You want a very big, very strong tackle for your inside? How about a 327-pound guy who put up 30 reps on the bench? He’s not even close to being quick or all that athletic, but he can move just enough to get by.
Projection: Fifth Round
Jarran Reed, Alabama, 6-3, 307
It was a nice weekend. He was able to jump just fine, he moved around without lumbering, and he did his part to be a first round caliber interior presence who can potentially get into the backfield. You know what you’re getting now more than ever – he’s one of the premier run stoppers in the draft, even in this year’s tremendous class of defensive tackles.
Projection: First Round
Hassan Ridgeway, Texas, 6-3, 303
It was impressive enough to make people start to think about the upside. He’s going to get lost in the shuffle of this year’s defensive tackle class, but he was good in the workout with a 5.02 40 while looking like he could move through the drills. The other numbers weren’t outstanding, but he was smooth for a big run stopper.
Projection: Fourth Round
A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama, 6-4, 307
The 22 reps on the bench were a wee bit light, but on the positive side, he’s already really, really good without the elite weight room strength. He didn’t show much in the way of athleticism or pass rushing potential, but his job will be to hold the line. There’s still room to get better.
Projection: First Round
Devaunte Sigler, Jacksonville State, 6-3, 298
The interviews were the key portion of his weekend. He has good bulk and was decent through the drills, but there wasn’t anything that stood out athletically. There wasn’t any explosion and the 23 reps on the bench were just okay.
Projection: Free Agent
Lawrence Thomas, Michigan State, 6-3, 286
He set the tone for what might be a big pro day. Extremely athletic for his size, the 4.98 40 was special and the 35” vertical was explosive. His question marks are more about his pure power, but at the very least he looks like a must-have priority free agent.
Projection: Free Agent
Vincent Valentine, Nebraska, 6-4, 329
It’s amazing how a guy this big can move, much less come up with a 5.19 40 and rumble to an impressive run in the short drills. There are questions about his overall game, but if he can get in the best shape of his life, he has the athleticism to be a late steal.
Projection: Sixth Round
Jihad Ward, Illinois, 6-5, 297
Growing into the scouts’ favorite value pick, Ward was just okay. He looks relatively smooth as an end or a tackle, but he didn’t do anything to make anyone’s eyes pop out with just 20 reps on the bench and mediocre outings in the other drills. He continued to prove he’s a good tweener.
Projection: Third Round
Adolphus Washington, Ohio State, 6-3, 301
There might be a slew of character questions, but on the field and in the drills he looked great. The times and the stats weren’t very good, but he moves well for a guy his size with nice feet and movement.
Projection: Second Round
Antwaun Woods, USC, 6-0, 318
He didn’t work out recovering from a torn pec muscle, but he measured really, really big with the bulk on his 6-0 frame. He’s an intriguing prospect who needs to get healthy and work out well in time for the draft. He’s probably more draftable than he’s projected.
Projection: Free Agent
Connor Wujciak, Boston College, 6-2, 291
Was it good enough to make a dent in the draft and get taken in the late rounds? Absolutely. He was big-time athletic – which he needed to be considering his lack of bulk – coming up with a 4.91 40 and moving through the short drills like a pass rushing end. There’s just no NFL position for him, though.
Projection: Free Agent
Anthony Zettel, Penn State, 6-4, 277
He might be too light and need to add 20 pounds of power weight, but he was terrific through all the drills starting with a great 4.81 40 while moving quickly through all the other drills. He’s going to be an impossible cut in a camp, and now he showed he’s worthy of a longer look.
Projection: Free Agent
