2024 NFL Draft- Top 10 Defensive Tackles

Defensive tackles don’t get the glamour and fame of their teammates on the edge, but a good interior defensive line is paramount to stopping the run—and getting quarterbacks on the run. If a team can take care of business up the middle, it makes the life of a defensive coordinator that much easier. Last year there were 4 defensive tackles selected in the first round and 23 all together.

Complete list of every defensive tackle pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 1, Pick 9: Jalen Carter, Georgia

Round 1, Pick 19: Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh

Round 1, Pick 26: Mazi Smith, Michigan

Round 1, PIck 29: Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Round 2, Pick 49: Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin

Round 2, Pick 53: Gervon Dexter, Florida

Round 3, Pick 64: Zacch Pickens, South Carolina

Round 3, Pick 70: Byron Young, Alabama

Round 3, Pick 89: Kobie Turner, Wake Forest

Round 3, Pick 96: Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky

Round 3, Pick 98: Siaki Ika, Baylor

Round 4, Pick 110: Adetomiwa Adebawore, Northwestern

Round 4, Pick 116: Colby Wooden, Auburn

Round 4, Pick 123: Cameron Young, Mississippi State

Round 5, Pick 141: Jaquelin Roy, LSU

Round 6, Pick 179: Karl Brooks, Bowling Green

Round 6, Pick 194: Keondre Coburn, Texas

Round 6, Pick 200: Scott Matlock, Boise State

Round 6, Pick 213: Dante Stills, West Virginia

Round 7, Pick 227: Raymond Vohasek, North Carolina

Round 7, Pick 231: Nesta Jade Silvera, Arizona State

Round 7, Pick 243: Jordon RIley, Oregon

Round 7, Pick 249: Moro Ojomo, Texas

This crop of DT's won’t see four taken in the first round, but there are two who could hear their names called on day one. The overall depth of 2024 class is better than last year’s depth. 

Here are Draft Nation's top ten names to pay attention to in the 2024 draft:

1. Illinois- DT- Jer’Zhan Newton (6’2” 295 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Run-stopping ability
• High-motor
• Three-down lineman

Weaknesses

• Agility
• Leverage
• Base
• Reliant on strength

Newton has a compact build that is hard to defend against and the pass rushing capabilities to provide stellar sack numbers at the NFL level. He could hear his name called by mid-first round. 

Projection- 1st round 

 2. Texas- DT- Byron Murphy II (6’1” 308 lbs)

Strengths

• Instincts
• High-motor
• Power
• Leverage

Weaknesses

• Pass rush moves
• Agility
• Shedding blocks

Byron Murphy has a unique blend of power and speed and depending on what teams may need, he could be the first defensive tackle off the board. Newton is more polished at putting pressure on the quarterback, but Murphy will be more consistent in the run game. 

Projection- 1st round 

3. Florida State- DT- Braden Fiske (6’5” 297 lbs)

Strengths

• Agility
• Pash rush capability
• High-motor
• Lateral movement
• Explosive off the snap

Weaknesses

• Tackling
• Strength
• Age
• Leverage

Braden Fiske starred at the Senior Bowl, he was dominating future NFL offensive lineman and doing it on each snap. He is a player that any NFL team would love to have on their D-Line. He will be a second round pick and a player who will make some noise in the NFL.

Projection- 2nd round 

4. Michigan- DT- Kris Jenkins (6’3” 305 lbs)

Strengths

• Strength
• Use of Hands
• Bloodline

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Angles
• Balance
• Lateral Movement

Kris Jenkins won’t make the “splash” plays that the other top prospects will make, but he will be a consistent performer on each snap. He understands the position and what is needed from him. He should be off the board on day 2.

Projection- Round 2 or round 3

5. Clemson- DT- Ruke Orhorhoro (6’4” 290 lbs)

Strengths

• Size
• Big play ability
• Burst

Weaknesses

• Inconsistency
• Chase and finish

Ruke Orhorhoro is a little less polished than some of the other prospects who will hear their names on day 2 of the draft. However, he has an upside and the versatility that will have teams calling him around round 3. 

Projection- Round 3

6. LSU- Maason Smith (6’6” 315 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Versatility
• High-motor
• Explosive off the snap

Weaknesses

• Hands
• Overaggressive
• Injury history
• Pads too high

Maason Smith has some injury history, but when you watch the tape, he is a player who plays throughout the whistle. He has the potential to be moved around on the defensive line.

Projection- 3rd round

7. Ohio State- DT- Michael Hall, Jr. (6’2” 290 lbs)

Strengths

• Angles
• High motor
• Initial punch
• Low base

Weaknesses

• Injury history
• Short arms
• Double teams

He is one of the top pure pass rushers playing in a 3-point stance. He struggles at times with double teams and his length is below average. He is a solid late 2nd day pick and at worst will be off the board early in round 4.

Projection- 3rd round or 4th round

8- LSU- DT- Mekhi Wingo (6’1” 295 lbs)

Strengths

• Lower body mechanics
• Versatility
• High Energy
• Compact build

Weaknesses

• Length
• Overaggressive
• Pass rush moves

Mekhi Wingo is a player who came into the season a bit higher on draft boards but has since fallen with inconsistent play. Lining up next to Maason Smith may be a reason his play was overshadowed this past season. He still has enough upside to be a solid early 3rd day draft pick. 

Projection- 4th round or 5th round

9- Duke- DT- DeWayne Carter (6’3” 305 lbs)

Strengths

• Tackling
• Strength
• Awareness
• Burst

Weaknesses

• Speed
• Versatility
• Pass rush

DeWyane Carter is a physical defensive tackle who has a strong lower half and can obtain leverage on his opponent. He will not be a player who you find in the boxscore. He will be a “space eater” helping out a team's linebacking corp.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

10. Texas- DT- T’Vondre Sweat (6’4” 362 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands/ Upper body
• Initial punch
• Low base
• Anchoring

Weaknesses

• Mechanics
• Agility
• Stamina
• Weight

T’Vondre Sweat is a large human being who will be an effective “space eater” and help free up others to make plays. He has some weight issues that will need to be monitored. A nice 5th round talent who could help a team’s run defense.

Projection- 5th or 6th round