2012 NFL Draft defensive tackle rankings: Brandon Thompson atop suspect group

by Dan Kadar on Sep 18, 2011 9:00 AM EDT in 2012 NFL Draft

It's still early in the college football season, but now is as good of a time as any to update individual position rankings for the 2012 NFL Draft.

The defensive tackle class is lacking compared to the past few seasons. Each player has serious flaws. Some are too one-dimensional (Alameda Ta'amu, Josh Chapman), some have effort issues (Jerel Worthy, Marcus Forston) and others are maybe too undersized to stay inside (Jared Crick, Billy Winn). Because of that, Clemson's Brandon Thompson should currently be considered the top tackle.

Note: The position rankings aren't currently in line with the site's top 200. After each position ranking is released, a new top 200 will be published.

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

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

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

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

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

6. Josh Chapman | 6'1, 310 pounds | NT | Alabama

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23. Armond Armstead | 6'5, 295 pounds | DE/DT | Southern California

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

* denotes underclassman

Tweet Comment 8 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I didn't watch the MIami game last night, but going off of the Maryland game

I came away far from impressed with Forston

"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Sep 18, 2011 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

Considering Forston didn’t play against Maryland, I wouldn’t be impressed with him in that game either.

Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.

by Dan Kadar on Sep 18, 2011 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

!!!!

Well, didn’t know he didn’t play. Guess that is why :/

"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Sep 18, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Sep 18, 2011 10:45 PM EDT reply actions

I saw somewhere that crick could possibly play DE in the 4-3 as well as the 3-4 (I believe it was on one of the sites you linked to Dan). Any thoughts on that?

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Sep 20, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions