Updated 2012 NFL Draft defensive tackle rankings

by Dan Kadar on Nov 22, 2011 2:12 PM EST in 2012 NFL Draft

After wide receiver, the deepest position group in the 2012 NFL Draft should be defensive tackle. Although there isn't the elite talent like previous years, the depth of this class is tremendous.

Penn State's Devon Still has moved to the top of the rankings because he's been a powerful, disruptive force throughout the season. Right now I have 26 guys ranked and it's easy to see all of them making an NFL roster.

1. Devon Still | 6'5, 312 pounds | DT | Penn State - Prospect notes

2. Brandon Thompson | 6'2, 310 pounds | DT | Clemson - Prospect notes

3. Alameda Ta'amu | 6'3, 330 pounds | DT | Washington - Prospect notes

4. Josh Chapman | 6'1, 310 pounds | NT | Alabama- Prospect notes

5. Dontari Poe | 6'5, 350 pounds | DT | Memphis

6. Jerel Worthy | 6'3, 305 pounds | DT | Michigan State * - Prospect notes

7. Jared Crick | 6'6, 285 pounds | DT | Nebraska - Prospect notes

8. Billy Winn | 6'4, 288 pounds | DT | Boise State- Prospect notes

9. Kawann Short | 6'3, 305 pounds | DT | Purdue *- Prospect notes

10. Fletcher Cox | 6'4, 295 pounds | DT | Mississippi State *

11. Kendall Reyes | 6'4, 300 pounds | DT | Connecticut- Prospect notes

12. Sylvester Williams | 6'3, 320 pounds | DT | North Carolina *

13. Mike Martin | 6'2, 299 pounds | DT | Michigan

14. Marcus Forston | 6'3, 305 pounds | DT | Miami (Fla.) * - Prospect notes

15. Kaleb Ramsey | 6'3, 302 pounds | DT | Boston College

16. Kheeston Randall | 6'5, 295 pounds | DT | Texas - Prospect notes

17. DaJohn Harris | 6'4, 310 pounds | DT | Southern California

18. John Simon | 6'2, 276 pounds | DT | Ohio State *

19. Trevor Guyton | 6'3, 289 pounds | DT | California

20. Baker Steinkuhler | 6'6, 290 pounds | DT | Nebraska *

21. Tydreke Powell | 6'3, 310 pounds | DT | North Carolina - Prospect notes

22. Jaye Howard | 6'3, 295 pounds | DT | Florida

23. Derek Wolfe | 6'6, 295 pounds | DT | Cincinnati

24. Renard Williams | 6'2, 300 pounds | DT | Eastern Washington

25. Tony Jerod-Eddie | 6'5, 302 pounds | DT | Texas A&M

26. Logan Harrell | 6'2, 275 pounds | DT | Fresno State

* denotes underclassman

QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | MLB | CB | FS | SS

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Chapman is blowing up

Kind of diminishing my hopes of the Steelers getting him late in the 2nd

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by John Stephens on Nov 22, 2011 2:58 PM EST reply actions

Kawann Short 6-3 310 : 51 TKL's, 7 Sacks, 14 TFL's

and Slyvester Williams: 46 TKL’s 3Sacks, 4TFL’s 3 PD’s and 1 INT, IMO are ahead of Ta’amu, Thompson, Dontari Poe, and Jerel Worthy. Kawann Short should be placed just behind Devon Still.

by ValdezY on Nov 22, 2011 3:06 PM EST reply actions

I love Josh Chapman and Billy Winn. Chapman is at least 320 pounds and he owns the middle of the field in run defense, he reminds me of Casey Hampton. Billy Winn’s pass rushing skills and frame are really enticing to me, he reminds me of Cullen Jenkins.

I’m hesitant about Still, he’s played extremely well but if you look at Penn State football alums it’s pretty much the who’s who of draft busts outside of the LB spot.

I don’t get the hype around Ta’amu either, he’s a big body but he is slow and he doesn’t really flow to the ball and stop the ball carrier. He’s tough to move one on one simply because of his mass but I don’t think he generates much explosion and I think he gets rocked backwards by double teams more often than a 330 pounder should. When you look at him, he looks like Ngata but when you watch him play, he plays like Frank Okam. Long term potential is there but I don’t think he’ll ever be good. I can see him topping out as a dirty starter at NT.

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by d-jackfan10 on Nov 22, 2011 4:57 PM EST reply actions

I agree with everything you are saying about the D-line today

Which is bad for you.

Still had a tough time with Ohio State last week, even though he spent all game lining up away from Brewster.

Ta’amu is easy to spot on the game tape. He is the guy being pushed backwards.

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by ct17 on Nov 23, 2011 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

Funny how injuries can derail the prospects of a player

It’s like when Greg Hardy was a consensus first round pick, dropped because he missed most of the season, has been successful now that he has regained his health. Look for Marcus Forston to become a solid pro, even though he is dropping on scouting lists due to injury.

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by sportsfan4life2012 on Nov 22, 2011 5:09 PM EST reply actions

Ehhh… Forston ever being that great is up for debate. He is more of a raw, toolsy guy with potential.

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by d-jackfan10 on Nov 22, 2011 5:24 PM EST up reply actions

Hardy dropped for more than just being injured.

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by Dan Kadar on Nov 22, 2011 5:54 PM EST up reply actions

That what I remember too

it was more work ethic if I remember right. His health problems are what really brought that work ethic to light. Bottom line he wqas overrated, then probably somewhat underrated.

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by dbcouver on Nov 22, 2011 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

He was only ranked so high

because people thought he could have a breakout season. He clearly has not. It was kinda an anticipatory mock draft move y many. Everyone knew he hadn’t proved it yet but they thought he could

Still doubt Tebow?

by DBroncs1414 on Nov 22, 2011 7:02 PM EST up reply actions

Only response?

DEVON

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by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Nov 22, 2011 7:23 PM EST reply actions

Steinkuhler has really come on of late. he’s played pretty darn well ever since Crick went down. He definitely should come back to school.

Speaking of Crick, I really hope GB has a chance to draft him.

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by Omaha Sun on Nov 22, 2011 7:27 PM EST reply actions

Mike Martin is gonna be a sleeper

He doesn’t get a whole lot of attention because he doesn’t have a great pass rush. However, he is a force in run defense. He’ll make someone a great rotational DT

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by Joeb'n777 on Nov 22, 2011 8:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions