2012 NFL Draft Defensive Tackle Board: Ranking Jerel Worthy and 16 Other DTs

I just posted my cornerback rankings a few days ago, and my defensive tackle rankings below have even more surprises. Click on players with links for my scouting reports. I will make a point to assess the tackles I have higher or lower than the consensus.

Notes

The round listed after each prospect’s name is the grade I have provided him, NOT where I think he will get selected. I view players with two rounds listed as on the border of each.

Players with the *** designation are higher than consensus rankings, while those with ^^^ after their names are lower than the consensus.

1. Brandon Thompson, Clemson (First Round) ***

2. Devon Still, Penn State (First Round)

3. Jerel Worthy, Michigan State (First Round) ***

4. Dontari Poe, Memphis (First/Second Round)

5. Josh Chapman, Alabama (First/Second Round) ***

6. Fletcher Cox, Mississippi St (Second Round)

7. Michael Brockers, LSU (Second Round) ^^^

8. Marcus Forston, Miami (Second Round) ***

9. Jaye Howard, Florida (Second Round) ***

10. Jared Crick, Nebraska (Second Round)

11. DaJohn Harris, USC (Second Round) ***

12. Alameda Ta’amu, Washington (Third Round) ^^^

13. Kendall Reyes, UConn (Third Round)

14. Mike Martin, Michigan (Fourth Round) ^^^

15. Derek Wolfe, Cincinnati (Fourth/Fifth Round) ^^^

16. Kheeston Randall, Texas (Fifth Round)

Some thoughts. . .

The largest complaint I am sure to receive is how low I ranked Michael Brockers, but I told you awhile ago I see a second-round talent, and I’m sticking to it.

Alameda Ta’amu might be rising on some boards, but not mine. Scouting report to follow tomorrow.

I will probably have Brandon Thompson (yes, the one most have going in the second round) ranked in the top 10 overall. I think he’s a future Pro Bowl player.

The abundance of tackles with second-round grades is intriguing. Josh Chapman, Marcus Forston, Jaye Howard and DaJohn Harris are all guys I think are second-round talents in the same tier as Brockers, but most will go in the middle rounds.