2010 NFL Draft: Defensive tackles

There's not a lot Suh can't do as a defensive tackle. He's strong and mean at the point of attack and dominates against the run. He's also quick off the snap with the ability to get after the passer. He really broke through with 19 tackles for loss last season and should only get better.

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McCoy's athletic talent is rare for a defensive tackle. He's super quick off the snap and does a nice job collapsing the pocket. Actively uses his hands immediately off the snap to shed blockers. Keeps low and aggressively drives his legs. McCoy gets off the snap as fast as any interior lineman in the nation. Routinely gets across the face of offensive linemen. Has good hips that he can flip quickly to move laterally down the line.

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Nagging injuries may have held Williams back some in the past, but he became a star in 2009. He has the size to play nose tackle and routinely collapses the pocket. His quickness is surprising.

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Price did not surprise many by coming out a year early. He had a monster year in 2009, winning the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award. He is a penetrating force that disrupts both the passing and rushing games because of his consistent ability to break in to the backfield in a blink.

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Odrick has the size and first-step quickness to hold up as a 3-4 end. That may a more natural position for him than 4-3, tackle. If he stays inside, he'll have to get bigger and be more of a space eater. Played against double teams a lot and still managed to be fairly effective against the run. Is much better in the tackle box than working outside of it. Shows some explosion off the snap.

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Jones is a below-the-radar talent because of his injury history. He's a compact and powerful defensive tackle who held the nose in 2009. He can anchor the line and has the leg drive to maintain his space. He may not move incredibly well laterally, but he can be a force inside.

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Cody is a mountainous two-gap plugger along the defensive line. He regularly takes up two or more blockers and can anchor a defense. For his size, Cody has surprising athleticism. However, his draft stock might be wholly dependent on how well he keeps his weight in check.

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Alualu is a tenacious defensive lineman with a non-stop motor. He could be a very good 3-4 defensive end, but is physical enough to hold up in a 4-3. He has a strong presence on the field. Alualu is hard to move but it has more to do with his on-going motor and strong legs.

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What Houston lacks in prototypical size he makes up for in effort and attitude. He was sensational in the national championship game and is very similar to former first-round pick Ziggy Hood. Houston has played tackle and end and could be a good 3-4 end.

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A strong competitor, Atkins uses excellent leverage as a one-gap defensive tackle. He was routinely double teamed, but still managed to have a solid career. Atkins consistently collapses the pocket and should only get better as he gets stronger.

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Thomas has a thick, strong body from head to toe that is capable of beating up any blocker that gets in his way. He never really came in to his own as a dominant inside presence at North Carolina, but he does not have the kind of game that will show up on the stat sheet. He eats up space and blockers, freeing up his teammates.

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Smith is an undersized sparkplug of a defensive tackle. His frame is probably maxed out, but he's very strong and stout against the run. He could make for a solid three-technique tackle at the next level.

There is plenty to like about Joseph, namely his size and intriguing athleticism. He really helped himself with an excellent combine performance. But there are some work ethic issues that will need to be addressed.

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Troup really came on as a senior, but his numbers (32 tackles, five tackles for a loss) don't show it. He does a really good job of taking up two blockers in Central's defense. He could hold the nose in a pro 3-4.

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At 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, Oghobaase has an athletic and quick build. He's a solid gap-shooting tackle who could probably make it as a 3-4 defensive end. If he gets drafted by a 4-3 team, Oghobaase will have to get much stronger. Right now, he's more potential than anything else.

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Neal has flown under the radar throughout his career, but he's a solid playmaker. He can get after the passer and does a really nice job collapsing the pocket. He was regarded as Purdue's strongest player and a team captain in 2009.

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Owens was another Georgia Bulldog defensive lineman that did not fulfill the long term promise shown in his early career. He had a lot of issues with consistency as a pass rusher and as a plug against the run. His motor ran hot and cold despite being part of a rotation within the defense, and one has to question the dedication when it comes to offseason conditioning

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As a defensive tackle, Worthington may be somewhat undersized but he's incredibly productive. He always seems to be around the ball and is a high-motor player. There's plenty of room for growth, who could be a good project for a coach.

Woods is an incredibly powerful one-technique tackle who rose on draft boards late in the process. Right now, he's more potential than anything else after starting only one season at LSU.

Udofia's average stat line doesn't indicate the value he has on the Stanford defense. The Cardinal linebackers can roam freely thanks in large part to Udofia's ability to take up multiple blockers.

Deaderick is one of the best "natural" 3-4 defensive linemen in this year's draft. But to stick in that scheme, he'll have to become more of a disruptor. His lower body is very strong, but he needs to add power to his upper body.

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Neblett is a powerful, compact tackle who can occupy blockers pretty well. He's quick off the snap and shows good hustle. He may not do anything especially noteworthy, but Neblett should be a solid piece to a line rotation.

One of the more athletic defensive tackles in this year's class, Robinson is a solid under tackle option. He works hard and looks to have solid football IQ. But he'll need to learn to play with more intensity and strength to make it in the NFL.

Ross is an attacking, one-gap tackle who makes his name by gettig penetration. He's a solid candidate for the 3-4 as an end. If he goes to a 4-3 team, he'll have to get much stronger.